The main economic activities of the area are skiing, forestry, reindeer herding, hunting, as well as fishing in the lakes and rivers.

It is located in northeastern Finland, in the eastern parts of North Ostrobothnia and Lapland, by the Russian border.

The highest point is Mt Sokusti, a 718 meters (2,356 ft) high summit in Saariselkä, on the Finnish side.

[6] The highest point of Karelia, the 576 meters (1,890 ft) high Nuorunen, is located in the Russian side of the hill region.

There are numerous traces of the erosional activity of ancient glaciers across the hills, such as lateral moraines and outwash plains.