KoillismaaKoillismaa is a subdivision of North Ostrobothnia and one of the sub-regions of Finland since 2009.MunicipalitiesGeographic regionKoillismaa is also a geographic region, which includes Kuusamo, Taivalkoski, Posio and Pudasjärvi, sometimes also Ranua and Ylikiiminki. 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.DialectsThe dialects of Kuusamo, Taivalkoski and Posio are Savonian dialects, specifically Kainuu dialects. Parts of Pudasjärvi also use a Kainuu dialect.