North Karelia

For other uses, see Northern Karelia Province.

"North Karelian" redirects here. For the language, see Northern Karelian dialect.

North Karelia (or Northern Karelia, Finnish: Pohjois-Karjala; Swedish: Norra Karelen) is a region in eastern Finland. It borders the regions of Kainuu, North Savo, South Savo and South Karelia, as well as Russia's Republic of Karelia. It is the easternmost region of Finland and shares a 300 kilometres (190 mi) border with Russia.^[2] The city of Joensuu is the capital and the largest settlement of the region.

North Karelia Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish) Norra Karelen (Swedish)
Region
Region of North Karelia Pohjois-Karjalan maakunta Landskapet Norra Karelen
Flag Coat of arms
North Karelia on a map of Finland
Coordinates: 63°00′N 30°00′E
Country	Finland
Historical province	Karelia
Capital	Joensuu
Other towns	Kitee, Lieksa, Nurmes and Outokumpu
Area
• Total	21,584.41 km2 (8,333.79 sq mi)
Population  (2023)
• Total	162,312
• Density	7.5/km2 (19/sq mi)
GDP [1]
• Total	€4.814 billion (2015)
• Per capita	€29,174 (2015)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 code	FI-13
NUTS	133
Regional animal	Brown bear
Regional bird	Cuckoo
Regional fish	Lake salmon
Regional flower	Prickly rose
Regional stone	Soapstone
Regional lake	Lake Pielinen
Website	pohjois-karjala.fi

North Karelia has successfully reduced chronic diseases through public health measures.^[3][4] In the 1960s Finland led industrialized nations in heart disease mortality rates; North Karelia had Finland's highest incidence. In 1972 a long-term project was undertaken which targeted this risk in North Karelia.^[5] The resulting improvement in public health is still considered remarkable, a model for the rest of the nation.^[6] North Karelia is also known as the most sociable region in Finland.^[7]

View from a hill in Koli National Park, the most famous tourist attraction in North Karelia

History

The borders of remote North Karelia were formed gradually. Important border foundations were the Treaty of Stolbovo (1617) for the eastern border and the Treaty of Teusina (1595) for the western border. The border was finally established in the Treaty of Nystad (1721), where North Karelia was separated from the "other Karelias" that remained on Russia's side.^[8]

Regional identity began to form gradually in the 18th century. In 1767, the häradshövding (judge) used the name Pohjois-Karjala (North Karelia). The residents also called themselves the men of the province and drew up their own regulations in Finnish for the border guard, showing their separateness. Administratively, North Karelia belonged to different counties in the 18th century, but it had its own "North Karelia county". This self-administration set it apart from other regions. The separation was further strengthened when North Karelia was formed into its own province in 1960. North Karelia became its own region in 1994. Instead, North Karelia province was abolished in 1997 and its functions were transferred to the Eastern Finland province.^[8]

Historical province

For history, geography and culture, see Karelia.

Heraldry

Main article: Coat of arms of the Province of Karelia

The coat of arms of North Karelia is composed of the arms of Karelia.

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of North Karelia

The region of North Karelia consists of 13 municipalities, five of which have city status (marked in bold).

Municipalities on the map

Joensuu

Kontiolahti

Liperi

Lieksa

Kitee

Nurmes

Heinävesi

Outo-
kumpu

Ilo-
mantsi

Juuka

Tohma-
järvi

Polvijärvi

Rääkkylä

Pyhä-
selkä

Höytiäinen

Koitere

Pielinen

Russia
Republic of
Karelia

Kainuu

North
Savo

South
Savo

Municipalities

Over 30 000 inhabitants

Over 10 000 inhabitants

Over 3 000 inhabitants

 < 3 000 inhabitants

Cities and municipalities of North Karelia.

Sub-regions

Joensuu sub-region

• Heinävesi
• Ilomantsi (Ilomants)
• Joensuu
• Juuka (Juga)
• Kontiolahti (Kontiolax)
• Liperi (Libelits)
• Outokumpu
• Polvijärvi

Central Karelia sub-region

• Kitee (Kides)
• Rääkkylä
• Tohmajärvi

Pielinen Karelia sub-region

• Lieksa
• Nurmes

List of municipalities

Karelian Pie

Coat of arms	Municipality	Population	Land area (km2)	Density (/km2)	Finnish speakers	Swedish speakers	Other speakers
	Heinävesi	2,909	1,030	3	96 %	0.3 %	4 %
	Ilomantsi	4,327	2,763	2	96 %	0.3 %	5 %
	Joensuu	78,398	2,382	33	92 %	0.1 %	9 %
	Juuka	4,118	1,502	3	97 %	0 %	4 %
	Kitee	9,483	1,254	8	92 %	0 %	9 %
	Kontiolahti	15,092	800	19	97 %	0.1 %	2 %
	Lieksa	10,002	3,418	3	94 %	0 %	7 %
	Liperi	11,927	727	16	97 %	0 %	3 %
	Nurmes	8,924	2,401	4	97 %	0 %	4 %
	Outokumpu	6,404	446	14	92 %	0 %	9 %
	Polvijärvi	3,957	805	5	99 %	0 %	1 %
	Rääkkylä	1,858	428	4	96 %	0 %	5 %
	Tohmajärvi	3,925	838	5	95 %	0.3 %	6 %
	Total	161,324	18,347	9	94 %	0.1 %	7 %

Education

Institutions of higher education in North Karelia include:

• University of Eastern Finland
• North Karelia University of Applied Sciences
• Riveria Vocational Education and Training

Politics

Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in North Karelia:

• Centre Party 24.46%
• Social Democratic Party 21.41%
• Finns Party 18.83%
• Green League 9.93%
• National Coalition Party 9.01%
• Christian Democrats 6.68%
• Left Alliance 5.26%
• Blue Reform 2.24%
• Movement Now 0.96%
• Seven Star Movement 0.21%
• Other parties 1.01%

In popular culture

The song "Pohjois-Karjala" ("North Karelia") by the Finnish pop rock band Leevi and the Leavings tells the story of an urban man who dreams of returning to his native region of North Karelia.^[9] It has become such a big hit in North Karelia that it is almost perceived as a regional song.^[10]