[5] According to one theory, Satakunta was a political and military entity already in the Late Iron Age of Finland (550 - 1150 AD).

[citation needed] The common ancestor with the closest (rare) Scandinavian branches lived at least 2300 years ago.

[citation needed] Administratively, the province lost its function in 1649 when it was combined with Southwest Finland to form Turku and Pori County.

[citation needed] The large-scale use of sail ships continued until the 1930s, even while the steampower started to dominate the international seatraffic.

The building of the Tampere–Pori and Kokemäki–Rauma railroads connected the province into Finnish inland and diminished the importance of unnavigable Kokemäenjoki river as a means of transport.

[citation needed] The development of agriculture towards market-based economy was started during the 18th century, when crop rotation and large-scale drainage projects were initiated.

[citation needed] At the same time, clearing of forests for agricultural use continued, leading into the formation of a large crofter class (Finnish: torppari), living on small-holdings rented from larger farms.

This is because northern parts of Pirkanmaa were only sparsely inhabited wilderness and the borders of the provinces were never well defined before the introduction of county system in 1634.

The southernmost part of the coast is flanked by the archipelago of Rauma but towards north, the number of coastal islands decreases markedly.

On the other hand, north of Kokemäenjoki valley, forests dominate the landscape and population density is much lower than in southern Satakunta.

In 2019, the biggest tax payers in Satakunta were Boliden Harjavalta, Raumaster, Forchem, Länsi-Suomen Osuuspankki, Oras, Alfa Laval Aalborg and LähiTapiola Lännen.