North Karelia
Region of Finland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
| |
|---|---|
| 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 | 7.51987/km2 (19.4764/sq mi) |
| GDP | |
| • 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]
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]
The first shots of the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland were fired in Lieksa on 30 November 1939.[9] Fighting in Ilomantsi took place during both the Winter War (1939 Battle of Ilomantsi) and the Continuation War (1944 Battle of Ilomantsi). The latter was the final battle of the Continuation War and ended with a Finnish victory.
Historical province
Heraldry
The coat of arms of North Karelia is composed of the arms of Karelia.
Municipalities
The region of North Karelia consists of three sub-regions and 13 municipalities, five of which have city status (marked in bold).
Municipalities on the map
Sub-regions
Joensuu sub-region
Heinävesi
Ilomantsi (Ilomants)
Joensuu
Juuka (Juga)
Kontiolahti (Kontiolax)
Liperi (Libelits)
Outokumpu
Polvijärvi
List of municipalities
.jpg)
| Coat of arms |
Municipality | Population | Land area (km2) |
Density (/km2) |
Finnish speakers |
Swedish speakers |
Other speakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Heinävesi | 2,888 | 1,030 | 3 | 94 % | 0 % | 5 % |
 | Ilomantsi | 4,293 | 2,763 | 2 | 94 % | 0.2 % | 5 % |
 | Joensuu | 79,129 | 2,382 | 33 | 91 % | 0.1 % | 9 % |
 | Juuka | 4,059 | 1,502 | 3 | 96 % | 0 % | 4 % |
 | Kitee | 9,397 | 1,254 | 7 | 91 % | 0 % | 9 % |
 | Kontiolahti | 15,060 | 800 | 19 | 98 % | 0 % | 2 % |
 | Lieksa | 9,846 | 3,418 | 3 | 93 % | 0 % | 7 % |
 | Liperi | 11,980 | 727 | 16 | 97 % | 0 % | 3 % |
 | Nurmes | 8,760 | 2,401 | 4 | 96 % | 0 % | 4 % |
 | Outokumpu | 6,365 | 446 | 14 | 92 % | 0 % | 8 % |
 | Polvijärvi | 3,942 | 805 | 5 | 98 % | 0 % | 2 % |
 | Rääkkylä | 1,830 | 428 | 4 | 95 % | 0 % | 5 % |
 | Tohmajärvi | 3,869 | 838 | 5 | 93 % | 0 % | 6 % |
| Total | 161,418 | 18,347 | 9 | 93 % | 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
Demographics
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1990 | |
| 1995 | |
| 2000 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2025 |
Politics
For parliamentary elections, North Karelia, together with the region of North Savo, is part of the Savo-Karelia constituency. As of 2023, the constituency elects 15 of the 200 members of the Parliament of Finland.[11]
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.[12] It has become such a big hit in North Karelia that it is almost perceived as a regional song.[13]
