Koillismaa is also a geographic region, which includes Kuusamo, Taivalkoski,
Posio and
Pudasjärvi, sometimes also
Ranua and
Ylikiiminki (which was merged into
Oulu in 2009). The name was first used by Reino Rinne, the founder of the newspaper
Koillissanomat in 1950, however the name was popularized by
Kalle Päätalo in the 1960s.
Dialects The dialects of Kuusamo, Taivalkoski and Posio are
Savonian dialects, specifically
Kainuu dialects. Parts of Pudasjärvi also use a Kainuu dialect. ==See also==