Kristinestad

Kristinestad (, Sweden ; ; ) is a town and a municipality in Finland. It is located in the western part of Finland on the shore of the Bothnian Sea. The population of Kristinestad is and the municipality covers an area of (excluding sea areas) of which is inland water. The population density is . The population is bilingual with a majority speaking Swedish and the minority Finnish. History The town was chartered in 1649 by Per Brahe the Younger at Koppö island and is named for Queen Christina of Sweden. Kristinestad is known for its old town with low wooden houses and narrow alleys. In April, 2011, Kristinestad became Finland's first Cittaslow community. Geography Climate