Karelia is a region with a very rich history; it began to be populated several millennia before our era. Later, the Vikings came to these lands, then the Slavs. Karelia has been mentioned in Russian chronicles since the 13th century, when it was already under the control of our princes. From time to time there are Swedish uprisings, and since the 15th century Russian rule has been established here. At the beginning of the 18th century, Karelia became part of the St. Petersburg province, and after the end of the Northern War, it completely joins Russia. A century later, the whole of Finland became part of the Russian empire. Soon after the revolutionary coup of 1917, Karelia receives the status of autonomy, and the disputed part of the territory is assigned to Finland, which the Council of People's Deputies recognizes as independent. After that, a series of Soviet-Finnish wars begins, as a result of which the current borders between the countries are established.
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Thus, Karelia today is not only to Russia (it is used on its eastern most of), but also in Finland, where it is divided into northern and southern region. After centuries of eventful history, these lands are now a stronghold of tranquility and incredible beauty. People who strive for a peaceful life in the bosom of the most picturesque northern nature are increasingly choosing these lands not only for recreation, but also for buying real estate with the subsequent move to permanent residence.
According to the UN report, in 2021 Finland ranked first among the countries where people describe themselves as happy. A high level of prosperity, economic stability, security, environmental situation, ample opportunities for quality education - these factors speak for themselves, thanks to which this country has been consistently among the top ten countries in the world in terms of quality of life for many years.
North Karelia
From the middle of the 12th century, North Karelia was part of the Novgorod Republic, and during the reign of Ivan III it was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It is in this region that there are 2,200 lakes, among which the largest is Pielinen with an area of about 870 sq. Km. The region stretches in the east of the country and has a common border with Russia about 300 km long. In North Karelia, in the Ilomantsi commune, there is the easternmost mainland point on the border of the European Union.
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The center of the region, which consists of 12 communes, is Joensuu, founded by Emperor Nicholas I. Now it is the twelfth most populous city in Finland - about 80,000 people, of which 15,000 are students. It plays the role of one of the key in the country: young people come here to receive higher education, it is also a large industrial, trade and transport hub with a lake port, so after graduation, many people stay here to work. Other significant cities in North Karelia are Kitae (only 27 km from the border with Russia), Lieksa (located on the banks of the Pielinen) and Outokumpu. There are many beautiful architectural sights, a zoo (the fourth largest in the country), and a water park. In winter, the longest ice road in Europe is laid on Lake Pielinen between Koli and Vuonislahti. The monuments of the Winter War are also located here in the open air: fortifications, trenches and other firing positions of the Finnish troops. You can also see a 1200 km anti-tank defense line made of stones - it runs from south to north along the border with Russia to the Arctic Ocean.
South Karelia
This region of Finland consists of nine communities and, like its northern counterpart, borders on Russia. But it is South Karelia that actively cooperates with St. Petersburg, thanks to the cooperation agreement signed in 2007. Until 2009, it was part of Southern Finland, which had the status of a province (they were transformed into regions throughout the country). Imatra and Lappeenranta are the largest cities in this part of the country.
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Today South Karelia ranks third in the country in terms of GDP per capita. This became possible due to the active development of the tourism component, which has become a priority area for the development of this province. Numerous lakes, rivers, islands, museums, churches of many confessions, fishing, cruises on the Saimaa and Saimaa Canal, as well as highly developed infrastructure attract not only Finns, but also foreigners from all over the world, among whom Russians are the most interested, since it is a stone's throw from here. Vyborg and St. Petersburg. It was to South Karelia that Catherine II and many other crowned rulers of different states came in due time. It is also worth noting the local landscape diversity and elevation differences, which are very rare in the south of Finland.
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The property
Almost all types of real estate are sold in North and South Karelia in Finland - apartments, houses, cottages, townhouses, villas, hotels and land plots. One-room apartments with a good location can be purchased for 30,000 euros, in the case of remote areas, it is already possible to buy more spacious apartments for such a price. A small cottage on the edge of the forest can be found for 40,000 euros. The cost of large houses with several bedrooms with a private garden and a good location will be 150,000 - 200,000 euros. Here there is an opportunity to purchase large plots near the lake, up to 500 acres, for 300,000 euros.
