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(borders of the modern provinces,
i.e. regions with pink colour)
Savonia (Finnish Savo or Swedish Savolax) is a historical province in the east of Finland. It borders to Nylandia, Tavastia, Ostrobothnia, and Karelia.
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Administration
For current affairs see: Eastern Finland
Savonia is virtually comprised within the boundaries of the administrative province of Eastern Finland and is divided into the regions of Northern Savonia and Southern Savonia. Formerly, the area was divided into Kuopio Province and Mikkeli Province.
History
The province of Savo represents the original area of Savonians, one of the so called tribes of Finns and the heartland of East Finnish dialect. The people of Savo traditionally pursued slash-and-burn agriculture, which settlers successfully imported in Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, Värmland in south western part of Sweden and eastern Norway.
Savonian settlers migrated also to Finnish Karelia, Ingria and Sweden (see: Forest Finns).
Savo, which had been a part of Sweden from the late 13th century, was separated from Sweden when Finland was ceded to Russia in 1809. The provinces have no administrative function today but live on as an historical legacy in both countries.
Culture
Savonia is the heartland of Savonian dialects of the Finnish language, but the dialect is spoken in a much larger region.
Famous Savonians
Heraldry
The arms is crowned by a countal coronet, though by Finnish tradition this more resembles a Swedish baronal coronet. Blazon: "Sable, a drawn hand bow in and arrow aimed toward dexter chief, or; bow string, arrowhead and feathered tail, argent".
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