The central ”highway” in the Karhuseutu area is the river Kokemäenjoki that runs through most of the Karhu- seutu municipalities and floats finally into the Baltic Sea. The impor- tance of waterways is great in all the municipalities Local Action Group in the area. in Finland

The coastline of the Baltic Sea was shaped by ice sheets. Post glacial rebound is typical for the Bothnian Sea region. Post-glacial elevation can be best observed in the changes in the waterside vegetation. The fauna and the birdlife of the Delta is one of the richest in the Nordic countries. Local Action Group, LAG Karhuseutu ry is an association aimed at developing the rural areas, and it is one of Finland’s 55 LAGs. The most important task is to encourage local actors, associations and enterprises to develop Itsenäisyydenkatu 35 A 16 their actions. 28130 PORI, FINLAND Phone: +358 440 926 926 E-mail: [email protected] During the program period [email protected] 2007-2013 Karhuseutu will www.karhuseutu.fi realize all the Axis 1-4. LAG KARHUSEUTU y Located on the Western Coast of Finland An old lighthouse which now serves as a pilot sta- y 56 000 inhabitants tion and the BSF sailing y The area 2253 km2 club in Kallo. People y Density of the population 25 /m² gather on the rocks of Kallo to admire huge waves during storms.

X Ulvila Seven municipalities in Karhuseutu: X Noormarkku Inhabitants 13800, Inhabitants 6400 www.ulvila.fi www.noormarkku.fi X Harjavalta There are 12 active villages in The authentic forests, rivers and Ulvila. Inhabitants 7736 lakes offer an exceptional oppor- The beautiful Leineperi iron www.harjavalta.fi tunity for hiking, canoeing and works, were many different camping. artisans practice their trade, and At Hiittenharju sports centre you The Ahlström iron works is one of where markets are held annually. can practice different sporting the best preserved iron works in Lake Joutsijärvi offers an excellent activities the all year. Finland. environment for camping and The village of Hiirijärvi was hiking, with the Reitti hiking- elected Village of the year 2007. network.

X Kokemäki Inhabitants 8515 www.kokemaki.fi

The Puurijärvi-Isosuo area. national park offers X Luvia unique natural scenery Inhabitants 3392 at the heart of a cul- www.luvia.fi X Pori tural environment Inhabitants 76200 by the Kokemäen- The seaside municipality of Luvia www.pori.fi joki River. Large boasts an exquisite archipelago. Pori is the centre of the Satakunta marshy areas and One of its islands is the excep- province. the shallow and tional island of Säppi, where you rich lake Puurijärvi, can fi nd one of the most beautiful The high street of village Ah- which is an interna- lighthouses in Finland. lainen has been elected one of tionally renowned Luvia has strong traditions in Finland’s cultural landscapes. for its birdlife, shipbuilding. A traditional sailing Reposaari is an idyllic fi shing belong to the national ship, Ihana will be ready on 2011. village which had a notable role park. already during days of sailboats The village of Kauvatsa X Nakkila due to its location. It is an island where the river is an important strawberry Inhabitants 6000 meets the sea, and it has cultivating www.nakkila.fi therefore been an impor- tant port for the sawmill The Arantila rapids lure fi sher- industry, amongst others. man to the banks of the salmon- Yyteri is Finland's best rich Kokemäenjoki to fi sh its known and most beauti- abundant waters. ful beach, where one can Nakkilan seudun harmonikat ry engage in wind-surfi ng, association is a lively association for example. Yyteri’s allu- for young accordion players. The vium is known by ornitholo- association has been internatio- gists all over the world. nally active.