Ähtäri (Finland)

Ähtäri (Swedish: Etseri) is a town and municipality of Finland. It is located in the South Ostrobothnia region. The town has a population of 5,121 (31 December 2025) and covers an area of 910.87 square kilometres (351.69 sq mi) of which 105 km2 (41 sq mi) is water. The population density is 6.36 inhabitants per square kilometre (16.5/sq mi). Ähtäri is located 83 kilometres (52 mi) southeast of Seinäjoki. The municipality is unilingually Finnish. Ähtäri is known for its zoo and hotel Mesikämmen designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen which is partly built within bedrock. The biggest lake in the area is Ähtärinjärvi. There is also a relatively old and small board mill called Vääräkosken Pahvi in Ähtäri. The largest private sector employers are Inhan Tehtaat, Silver-Veneet, Tankki, and Muovilami.