Jyväskylä (
Finnish pronunciation&_160;['jyvæs?kylæ]) is a
city and
municipality located in
Central Finland, 147&_160;kilometres (91&_160;mi) north-east of
Tampere and 270&_160;kilometres (170&_160;mi) north of
Helsinki, near the lakes
Päijänne and
Keitele. It is the center of the Jyväskylä sub-region. The site of many education-related firsts in Finland, Jyväskylä is known as a city of schools, the
Athens of
Finland, and is also famous for its many buildings designed by
Alvar Aalto and for hosting
Neste Oil Rally Finland, which is part of the
World Rally Championship. The city is home of the annual
Jyväskylä Arts Festival.
As of 30 June 2009, Jyväskylä had a population of 128,114.[2]
The Jyväskylä sub-region includes Jyväskylä, Laukaa, Muurame, Petäjävesi and Toivakka.
As of 2006[update], the city mayor is Markku Andersson.
