Northern Ostrobothnia (the terms North Ostrobothnia and Northern Ostrobothnia, used in some contexts, are synonymous with Oulu region) extends across Finland from the Gulf of Bothnia to the Russian border and has an area of 45,800 km². Northern Ostrobothnia is a dynamic region with a great diversity of landscapes. It is a growing and developing region, with half of its 412,000 inhabitants living in Oulu. The population is well educated and has the lowest average age of any region in the country. The region is mostly known for its expertise in advanced technology, the manufacture of steel, paper and pulp, biotechnology and high standards of education.