Savonia (historical province)

Savonia (Finnish: Savo; Swedish: Savolax) is a historical province in the east of Finland.

The largest cities in Savonia by population are Kuopio, Mikkeli, Savonlinna, Varkaus and Iisalmi.

The province of Savo represents the original homeland of the Savonians, one of the subgroups that later became assimilated to form the Finns.

The people of Savonia traditionally pursued slash-and-burn agriculture, which settlers successfully imported into Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, Värmland in southwestern Sweden, and eastern Norway.

Recent research has shown that this reputation is largely due to misunderstandings caused by Savonians' traditional lack of social directness.