1965
population about 78,270
The 1965 area annexation temporarily made Oulu the biggest
city in Finland by area (369.8 square kilometres/142.78
square miles). In the area annexation, the entire town of
Oulujoki and the Pateniemi part of Haukiputaa were
incorporated into Oulu. The annexed area was almost 206
square kilometres (79.54 square miles) in size.
1973
population about 91,700
The City of Oulu sold an additional 24 hectares (59.3053
acres) from Rusko to Nokia Corporation’s subsidiary,
Pohjolan Kaapeli Oy. The factories built by the company are
regarded as a giant contribution to Oulu’s subsequent
development into a high-tech city.
Production in Rusko consisted initially of phone cables,
winding wire and installation wires. (The Dutch-owned NK
Cables continues operations today.) The area had also been
the home of Oy Nokia Ab Elektroniikka’s (Nokia’s electronics
department) works since the 1970s. The establishment of
high-tech companies and jobs was also helped by the founding
of Oulun Teknologiakylä Oy (nowadays the Technopolis
technology centre) in 1982. The City of Oulu was one of the
company’s founders and shareholders.
The most significant electronics company in Oulu was, and
continues to be, Nokia Corporation. Nokia mobile phones are
well known, and currently (in 2000) Nokia Mobile Phones has
product development in nine countries. Of these, Finland is
still the most important. One of the company’s product
development centres is also located in Oulu.
1977
population about 93,170
The Toppila power plant, which produces electricity and
district heating, began operations. This city-owned and
constructed power plant was the biggest user of fuel peat
(as a primary fuel) in Finland when it was built. The city
was more or less self-sufficient in electricity and heat
production. The cost estimation of the power plant rose to
225 million Finnish marks, which was nearly a third of the
city’s total expenditure in 1997.
1990
population about 100,350
The number of residents reached a new peak of 100,000 at the
beginning of the year. Oulu became Finland’s sixth biggest
city by population.
1992
population about 102,280
The fifth bridge for road traffic across the River Oulujoki
was completed. The completion of the Sanki Bridge signified
the end for Oulu’s last remaining ferry.
2000
population about 117,680
The population rose rapidly. At the beginning of the year,
Oulu had 117,680 residents – the number exceeded 120,000 by
the end of the year.
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