North Karelia

North Karelia
Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish)
Norra Karelen (Swedish)
Region of North Karelia
Pohjois-Karjalan maakunta
Landskapet Norra Karelen
Flag of North Karelia
Coat of arms of North Karelia
North Karelia on a map of Finland
North Karelia on a map of Finland
Coordinates: 63°00′N 30°00′E / 63.000°N 30.000°E / 63.000; 30.000
CountryFinland
Historical provinceKarelia
CapitalJoensuu
Area
 • Total21,584.41 km2 (8,333.79 sq mi)
Population
(2019)
 • Total161,211
 • Density7.5/km2 (19/sq mi)
GDP
 • Total€4.814 billion (2015)
 • Per capita€29,174 (2015)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
ISO 3166 codeFI-13
NUTS133
Regional animalBrown bear
Regional birdCuckoo
Regional fishLake salmon
Regional flowerPrickly rose
Regional stoneSoapstone
Regional lakeLake Pielinen
Websitepohjois-karjala.fi

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. The city of Joensuu is the capital and the largest settlement of the region.

North Karelia has successfully reduced chronic diseases through public health measures. 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. The resulting improvement in public health is still considered remarkable, a model for the rest of the nation. North Karelia is also known as the most sociable region in Finland.

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

Historical province

Municipalities

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

Heraldry

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

Education

Institutions of higher education in North Karelia include:

Politics

Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in North Karelia:

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. It has become such a big hit in North Karelia that it is almost perceived as a regional song.


This page was last updated at 2024-01-31 04:40 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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