Vihti (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈʋiçt̪i]; Swedish: Vichtis) is a municipality in Finland, located in the southern interior of the country. Vihti is situated in the Uusimaa region. The population of Vihti is approximately 29,000. It is the 37th most populous municipality in Finland. Vihti is part of the Helsinki metropolitan area, which has approximately 1.58 million inhabitants.

Vihti is located approximately 50 kilometres (30 mi) northwest of the capital city of Helsinki. Vihti has an area of 567.06 square kilometres (218.94 sq mi) of which 45.02 km (17.38 sq mi) is water. The population density is 55.19 inhabitants per square kilometre (142.9/sq mi). Its seat is Nummela, which is the most populated urban area in the municipality.

Vihti's neighbouring municipalities are, clockwise from the north, Karkkila, Loppi, Hyvinkää, Nurmijärvi, Espoo, Kirkkonummi, Siuntio and Lohja. There are several important road connections through Vihti, the most notable being the Pori Highway between Pori and Helsinki, the Hanko Highway between Hanko and Hyvinkää, and the Vihti Road between Vihti and Helsinki. The largest lake in Vihti is Lake Hiidenvesi, which is connected to the Gulf of Finland by Lake Lohja and the Karis River.

History

The oldest literal mark of Vihti is from the 15th century. The old parish church, St. Bridget's Church, was also built during this time. After the deterioration of the old church, a new current church was built in Vihti and was completed in 1772.

Politics

Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in Vihti:

• Finns Party 20%
• Social Democratic Party 18%
• National Coalition Party 17.9%
• Centre Party 14.2%
• Green League 10.1%
• Movement Now 5.2%
• Left Alliance 4.8%
• Christian Democrats 3.4%
• Swedish People's Party 2.4%
• Other parties 3.8%

Economy

The electronics contract manufacturer DICRO Oy is one of its main employers, along with the local forestry companies and farmers.

Villages

Haimoo, Härkälä, Jokikunta, Oinasjoki, Ojakkala, Palajärvi, Siippoo, Tervalampi, Haapkylä, Huhmari, Hulttila, Hynnölä, Härtsilä, Irjala, Jokikunta, Jättölä, Kaharla, Kaukola, Kauppila, Kirkonkylä, Kirvelä, Koikkala, Korkaniemi, Korppila, Kourla, Köykkälä, Lahnus, Lahti, Lankila, Leppärlä, Lusila, Maikkala, Merramäki, Niemenkylä, Niemi, Niuhala, Nummela, Olkkala, Ollila, Otalampi, Oravala, Pakasela, Pietilä, Pääkslahti, Ruskela, Salmi, Selki, Suksela, Suontaka, Taipale, Tarttila, Torhola, Tuohilampi, Vanhala, Vanjoki, Vanjärvi, Vesikansa, Vihti, Vihtijärvi, Vähäkylä

Sights

• Vihti Church, an 18th century lutheran church
• St. Bridget's Church, a medieval church ruin
• Vihti Museum, history museum showcasing local history of the municipality
• Lake Hiidenvesi, one of the largest lakes of the Uusimaa region

Friendship cities

• Fukui Prefecture, Japan (since 1980)