Ruokolahti

The municipality of Ruokolahti is situated in south-eastern Finland, in the region of South Karelia. Neighbouring municipalities are Imatra, Joutseno, Taipalsaari, Puumala, Sulkava, Punkaharju, Parikkala and Rautjärvi. Ruokolahti covers an area of 1,188 km² of which 21% is water.

Ruokolahti has 6,029 inhabitants (2003), but the population is doubled in summer as holidaymakers occupy the 3,000 summer cottages in the region.

Ruokolahti is especially known for its natural beauty. In the west there is the shimmering Lake Saimaa and in the east there are hundreds of smaller lakes. The big Salpausselkä ridges run through the area.