Houtskär

Former municipality in Southwest Finland, FinlandHoutskär Houtskär – HoutskariFormer municipalityHoutskärs kommunHoutskarin kuntaBoathouses in Hyppeis Coat of armsLocation of Houtskär in FinlandInteractive map of HoutskärHoutskärLocation within Southwest FinlandShow map of Southwest FinlandHoutskärLocation within FinlandShow map of FinlandHoutskärLocation within EuropeShow map of EuropeCoordinates: 60°13′20″N 021°22′20″E / 60.22222°N 21.37222°E / 60.22222; 21.37222CountryFinlandRegionSouthwest FinlandSub-regionÅbolandConsolidated2009Area • Total566.81 km2 (218.85 sq mi) • Land119.93 km2 (46.31 sq mi) • Water446.88 km2 (172.54 sq mi)Population (2008-12-31) • Total621 • Density5.18/km2 (13.4/sq mi)Population by native language • Finnish14% (official) • Swedish86% (official)Population by age (2007) • 0 to 1414.8% • 15 to 6460.3% • 65 or older24.8%Time zoneUTC+2 (EET) • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST) Houtskär (Finland Swedish: [ˈhuːtɕæːr] ⓘ; Finnish: Houtskari [ˈhou̯tskɑri]) is an island group and former municipality of Finland. On 1 January 2009, it was consolidated with Iniö, Korpo, Nagu and Pargas to form the municipality of Pargas (originally named Väståboland). Houtskär was neighboured by municipalities of Brändö, Iniö, Kökar, Korpo and Sottunga. It is located in the Archipelago Sea in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southwest Finland region. The municipality had a population of 621 (as of 31 December 2008) and covered a land area of 119.93 square kilometres (46.31 sq mi). The population density was 5.18 inhabitants per square kilometre (13.4/sq mi). The municipality was bilingual with the majority (86%) being Swedish and minority Finnish speakers. There are one store in Houtskär, a bank and post office, and the church of Santa Maria in Näsby center. At various times throughout the year dances, accompanied by live music, are held which are an old tradition kept alive by both older and younger participants who dance in a variety of styles. Houtskär consists of a group of bigger islands and many smaller islands in the surrounding sea area. Communications to the mainland is by the ”Archipelago road” through Pargas, Nagu and Korpo, with three ferries considered part of the road network, the trip with the last one from Korpo to Houtskär lasting half an hour. The main islands are connected by bridges or cable ferries, the outer inhabited islands usually have daily connections with ship-like ferries.