[1] Eastern Kymenlaakso belongs to the historical region of Finnish Karelia, as the Kymi River served as the boundary between the Tavastians and the Karelians during the Middle Ages.

In 1617, when the Treaty of Stolbovo was signed, the approximate region of modern-day North Karelia became part of Sweden.

[5] In the 18th century, a cultural movement known as Karelianism emerged among Finnish artists, poets, sculptors and authors.

They saw Karelia as a region which had remained authentic and untouched, thus preserving the "Finnishness" in its purest state.

[10] Karelians are known as hospitable and playful; a stereotype in large part created by Zacharias Topelius in his book Maamme kirja (1875).

Karelians have faced multiple hardships in history while developing a strong sense of identity.

[11][12] A study conducted by Suomen kulttuurirahasto and e2 in 2018 shows that 36% of those identifying as Karelians in Finland are not from Karelia, a percentage way higher than the equivalents with any other heimo.

These descendants of the evacuees living in other parts of Finland still hold a connection to the Karelian identity through their families.