Marine Nature Centre and the Nature of Kalajoki

Kalajoki Marine Nature Centre

The Kalajoki Marine Nature Centre offers information about the nature and cultural heritage of the Northern Gulf of Bothnia. The exhibition is based on the multimedia technology and interactive games, programs and films are used in presentations.

The main theme of the exhibition "Sand" are the last Ice Age, post glacial land uplift, the Baltic Sea and sand dunes. In addition, the exhibition tells about the adaptations of vegetation, animals and people to the circumstances in the area. Exhibition languages are Finnish, Swedish and English. There is a playroom for children.

Rahja Archipelago is locating in Kalajoki, 12 km south from the city centre. In the Rahja Archipelago you can see the effects of land uplift at its best. There is also a canoeing trail in the archipelago, along which there are 6 camp fire sites and two open wilderness huts for visitors.

In the Marine Nature Centre you can also get information about other nature attractions sites by the coast of the Northern Gulf of Bothnia.

The Kalajoki Marine Nature Centre is located in the Hiekkasärkät sand dunes area, 8 km south from the city centre by the Spahotel Sani. The opening hours in 2008: From Tuesday to Sunday between 11.00 and 18.00, On Mondays closed.

The Kalajoki Sea Life Centre Exhibition.

Nature

The nature in Kalajoki varies from barren islands to lush countryside. The typical river valley habitation characterizes the landscape of Kalajoki; the areas under cultivation, the wide open fields and the habitation have all centered along and around the river. The unique nature in Kalajoki has made it possible for tourism to develop, the Rahja Port to function and farming to flourish in the area. Above all, it has given the inhabitants of the municipality a chance to enjoy a rich and many-sided environment, which rivals those anywhere in Finland.

In the past the sea made it possible for habitation to develop in the area before people began to move further inland. Many still get their livelihood from the sea, and it also provides people with countless forms of recreation. Finland's northernmost sand dunes can be found in the Hiekkasärkät area. A sand beach kilometres wide stretches far inland, where the unique Siiponjoki River has also dug its channel. Because of the special and vulnerable nature in the river area, it has been included in several nature conservation programmes. For hikers seeking for the peace of the countryside, the Siiponjoki River is a veritable treasury. On the route, ancient shoreline dunes are visible.

The particularly rich Rahja Archipelago, which lies off Kalajoki in the Gulf of Bothnia, consists of over a hundred islands. Rahja archipelago is a rare protected coastal area of Finland which include diverse range of habitats from vast meadows to rocky bird islands. Within the Rahja archipelago there are old natural forest with a history of pasture. The visitor can see remaining historical fishing bases. Traditional use of the land is represented by different traditional landscapes like moors and low growing meadows.

The Kalla Islets out on the open sea constitute an interesting world of their own. The coves that are slowly becoming overgrown and the damp places on the shores are popular especially among migratory birds in spring and in autumn. Kalajoki is also a stopping place for many rare species such as the short-toed lark, the spotted eagle, the pallid harrier, the great white egret and the knot.