Kuortane is a municipality of Finland. It is located in the South Ostrobothnia region. The municipality has a population of () and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is . The neighboring municipalities of Kuortane are Alajärvi, Alavus, Lapua and Seinäjoki. The municipality is unilingually Finnish. Kuortane has a notable history of pine tar production. It is currently well known for the Kuortaneen urheilulukio, a sports institute (Olympic Training centre) and training facility where many young Finnish athletes study and train. Both the women's national under-18 ice hockey team and Team Kuortane of the Naisten Liiga are based at the institute. Kuortane is also known as the birthplace of world-famous architect Alvar Aalto. Notable people Alvar Aalto (1898–1976), architect and designer Osmo Ala-Honkola (1939–2020), Olympic sport shooter Reino Ala-Kulju (1898–1983), Lutheran clergyman, politician, and teacher Mira Suhonen (born 1985), Olympic sport shooter See also Kuortaneen urheilulukio Kuortaneen Urheiluopisto References External links Municipality of Kuortane – Official website Kuortane Olympic Training Center – Official website Municipalities of South Ostrobothnia