Kristinestad is a
town and a
municipality in
Finland. It is located in the western part of Finland on the shore of the
Bothnian Sea. The population of Kristinestad is and the municipality covers an area of (excluding sea areas) of which is inland water . The population density is . The population is bilingual with a majority speaking
Swedish and the minority Finnish . The town was chartered in 1649 at Koppö island and is named for
Queen Christina of Sweden. Kristinestad is known for its old town with low wooden houses and narrow alleys. In April, 2011, Kristinestad became Finland's first
Cittaslow community.