South Ostrobothnia[2] (Finnish: Etelä-Pohjanmaa [ˈetelæˌpohjɑnˌmɑː]; Swedish: Södra Österbotten) is one of the 19 regions of Finland.

Swedish control began in the 12th century, leaving a lasting impact on the region's cultural identity.

The region endured hardships during the tumultuous 19th century, including the Crimean War (1853–1856) and the throes of industrialization.

The early 19th century also saw the rise of religious revival movements like Pietism, shaping the region's social fabric.

The 20th century witnessed significant industrial development, with metalworking, machinery, and electronics becoming major contributors to the economy.

[13] Many of the cultural events in South Ostrobothnia are rooted in local folk festivals and communal work.

[20] South Ostrobothnia has the highest proportion of people who belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland out of any region, at 82.8%.

[23] Population by background country as of 31 December 2021:[24] Other 1,709 (0.89%) Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in South Ostrobothnia: