History and municipal information
Many wonder about the origin of Ii's unique and short name, which, according to one interpretation, is based on the ancient Sámi word iddja, ijje, which means night.
Ii is first mentioned in written sources in 1374 as a chapel. Ii was established as an administrative parish in 1445. The vouti administration, created in the 1500th century mainly for tax reasons, established Ii as a strong administrative parish, one of the oldest in Northern Finland.
Ii is a so-called principality, which for a long time included a considerable part of the present-day province of Northern Ostrobothnia and a little more: Haukipudas, Kiiminki, Ylikiiminki, Yli-Ii, Pudasjärvi, Ranua, Kuivaniemi and Simo. The population development of Ii was quite slow in the 1500th century, picked up in the 1600th century, declined as a result of the destructions of the Great and Small Wars in the 1700th century, and began to grow again at the end of the 1700th century. A particularly strong period of development in Ii began in the mid-1800th century, as in Finland in general.
Finland's first steam sawmill began sawing in Ii in 1860. The sawmill was the town's first significant tourist attraction. Ii's library began operations in 1860 and Ii's school in 1875. Ii's first shop opened in 1858 in Akola in northern Ii. The lumber business moved from Oulu to Ii in the late 1800th century. In the last decade of the century, timber export began from the port of Röytä, shipping continued until 1969. At the same time, the floating of the Iijoki River began, which ended in 1988.
Discover the places to visit in Ii: historical buildings, cultural environments, cultural landscape route Ruustinna, Wanha Hamina.
Statistics from Ii
Today, Ii is a nationally recognized pioneer in renewable energy. A total of approximately 450 professionals work in the municipality. Early childhood education and teaching are provided by nine primary schools, two middle schools and an upper secondary school. From the beginning of 2023, the Pohde welfare area of Northern Ostrobothnia will be responsible for social and health services.
The municipalities of Ii and Kuivaniemi established the new municipality of Ii on 1 January 2007. On 1 January 2018, Jakkukylä became part of Ii. The change in the municipal division was based on a proposal by the Jakkukylä initiative group, which was approved by the City of Oulu and the Municipality of Ii in their councils. The area of Jakkukylä is 63,11 km2, and the area has approximately 420 inhabitants.
Ii's neighboring municipalities are Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Ranua and Simo.
Statistical information from Statistics Finland's website: statistics.fi > key figures for municipalities
Province: Northern Ostrobothnia
Population: 9874 (11.3.2020)
Area: 1,602.75 km2
Income tax rate: 8,86% (year 2023)
There are approximately 450 companies in Ii. There are approximately 2,500 holiday homes in the municipality.
