| North Karelia | |
| Native Name: | |
| Official Name: | Region of North Karelia Finnish: Pohjois-Karjalan maakunta Swedish: Landskapet Norra Karelen |
| Settlement Type: | Region |
| Flag Size: | 100px |
| Mapsize: | 150px |
| Coordinates: | 63°N 30°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Finland |
| Subdivision Type1: | Historical province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Karelia |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Joensuu |
| Parts Type: | Other towns |
| Parts: | Kitee, Lieksa, Nurmes and Outokumpu |
| Area Total Km2: | 21584.41 |
| Population Total: | 162312 |
| Population As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | GDP |
| Demographics1 Footnotes: | [1] |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Total |
| Demographics1 Info1: | €4.814 billion (2015) |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Per capita |
| Demographics1 Info2: | €29,174 (2015) |
| Blank Name Sec1: | NUTS |
| Blank Info Sec1: | 133 |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Regional animal |
| Blank Info Sec2: | Brown bear |
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Regional bird |
| Blank1 Info Sec2: | Cuckoo |
| Blank2 Name Sec2: | Regional fish |
| Blank2 Info Sec2: | Lake salmon |
| Blank3 Name Sec2: | Regional flower |
| Blank3 Info Sec2: | Prickly rose |
| Blank4 Name Sec2: | Regional stone |
| Blank4 Info Sec2: | Soapstone |
| Blank5 Name Sec2: | Regional lake |
| Blank5 Info Sec2: | Lake Pielinen |
| Timezone1: | EET |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | EEST |
| Utc Offset1 Dst: | +3 |
| Iso Code: | FI-13 |
| Website: | pohjois-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 border with Russia.[2] 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.[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]
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]
See main article: Coat of arms of the Province of Karelia. The coat of arms of North Karelia is composed of the arms of Karelia.
See main article: Municipalities of North Karelia. The region of North Karelia consists of 13 municipalities, five of which have city status (marked in bold).
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Institutions of higher education in North Karelia include:
Results of the 2019 Finnish parliamentary election in North Karelia:
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]