Koutero

Koutero (Russ. Ковдор, some Finnish dialects Kouteri) is a Uralican city situated in southern Sapmi along Highway UH-40. In spite of its proximity to Old Finland, there is no actual highway link into the area, with only some minor local roads going into the area. There is, however, a rail link running to Rovaniemi that goes through the city.

It was founded in 1933 as a mining city, with iron ore and mica becoming the main products very quickly. Given its remoteness though, it would have to become self-sufficient in many areas, especially after the Cataclysm. Nowadays, machine-building, consumer goods manufacturing, auto repair and parts construction, and railway production are also important industries in the town. Trucking is vital to the town as well, as it brings in food produced in places such as Polar Dawns and Murmansk, although some agriculture and food production occurs in-city as well.

Culture
The Finnish name "Koutero" and Russian name "Kovdor" are both derived from a local Saami language's word for "snake," although it is unknown whether the word was from Skolt, Kildin, Inari or the now-extinct Akkalan Saami language. The Russian name was kept until the city's annexation by Uralica in late 2009, and considering that 67% of the population was Finnish, it was put to a vote as to whether or not to change the "official cartographers'" name, and the vote passed with a 90% majority.

Russians are the largest minority, naturally, although there are also Estonians and Karelians, and a very small population of Saami (all primarily Skolt-speaking, and around two hundred of them) in the city.

Being a young, industrial city, there isn't too much in the way of cultural tourism in the city, although there is a centre where one can learn the Skolt Saami language. However, eco-tourism is huge in the area. Highway UH-40 is known as the "Sapmi Lakes Highway," and Koutero has developed a thriving hospitality industry out of people coming back and forth down the highway wanting to see the scenery and partake in summer activities on the many lakes.

Neighbourhoods and Suburbs

 * Sopka
 * Etäläkoutero