Kuopio is a city in Finland and the regional capital of North Savo, situated within the Finnish Lakeland. It serves as the capital and largest city of the North Savonia region. The urban area is located on a peninsula in the middle of Lake Kallavesi, which surrounds the city from three sides. This geographical setting provides extensive waterfronts and numerous islands, contributing to the local environment.

Governor Per Brahe the Younger founded the settlement of Kuopio in 1653, though its official founding date is November 17, 1775, when King Gustav III established it as the governmental seat of Savo-Karjala Province. The city's history includes significant municipal mergers since 1969, incorporating towns such as Nilsiä, Maaninka, and Karttula. These expansions transformed Kuopio into a major urban center in Eastern Finland.

The city center features a densely built grid pattern with parks and narrow streets, while the surrounding terrain includes rich forests and ancient beaches. Kuopio Market Square is the undisputed center of the city. The area is known for its distinctive surface shapes and variable waterfront-lined center. Some wooden houses arranged in a grid have been preserved in the centre, adding to the historic character of the settlement.

Kuopio was the European Region of Gastronomy in 2020 and is known as the home of Kalakukko, a traditional Savonian food. It holds the nickname Promised Land of Kalakukko. The city is nationally recognized as an important study city and cultural center. It has become a major tourist destination, featuring a large tourist centre in Tahkovuori and numerous summer cottages.

Kuopio has a population of 126,572 as of 2025. It is the eighth most populous municipality in Finland and the second most densely populated city in the country. Kuopio Airport, located in Siilinjärvi, is the fifth busiest airport in Finland. The city benefits from a favorable climate due to its abundance of water bodies and is accessible by rail, boat, and air.