On the other side of the border, seven kilometres (4.3 mi) away from the centre of Imatra, lies the Russian town of Svetogorsk.

The lightning symbols on Imatra's coat of arms refer to the power plants that were built in the early 1920s at the Tainionskoski and Imatrankoski rapids.

The coat of arms was designed by Olof Eriksson [fi] and approved by the Imatra Town Council on 9 August 1950.

During the Continuation War, Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim met with Adolf Hitler in secrecy near the town for the former's 75th birthday.

The men's pesäpallo club Imatran Pallo-Veikot competes in the Superpesis national league, playing at Ukonniemi Stadium.

Imatra is the birthplace of National Hockey League players Jussi Markkanen and Petteri Nokelainen.

Racing on the Imatra road circuit ended after fatal accident during the 1986 European Championship event.

The national road 6, running from Koskenkylä in Loviisa to Kajaani via Kouvola, Lappeenranta, and Joensuu passes through Imatra.

The planning of the initiation of regular international passenger traffic between Imatra and Saint Petersburg has stopped due to Russia's war against Ukraine.