() is the administrative center of the Vaala municipality in North Ostrobothnia, Finland, and also its only urban area with a population of more than 1,000. It is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Oulujärvi at the mouth of the Oulujoki River, along the route 800 between Puolanka and Siikalatva's Kestilä. The distance to Oulu is about .
The village has a , which operates along the OuluâÂÂKontiomäki railway. The village is also home to the 1960s , two grocery stores (S-market and K-Market), a health center, a pharmacy, a fire station, a municipal library and two schools: a comprehensive school and a high school. An inn called Majatalo Varis offers accommodation right in the centre.