Oulu is the oldest city in Northern Finland. It was founded with the same Swedish name of Uleåborg in 1605 by the King Karl IX at the mouth of Oulujoki river, on the opposite bank of Oulu Castle. In the beginning there were around 400 residents in the city.

The history books tell us that the city of Oulu was founded in 1605. That created a good amount of buzz and Oulu soon became a centre of tar and salmon trade. The first signs of industry and investments into education were seen in the 17th century, as Oulu’s population doubled from 400 to 800.