It lies on the east bank of the Paatsjoki River, which forms part of the border between Norway and Russia.

Prior to it abandonment in 1962, Nautsi was the westernmost village in the Soviet Union.

Prior to World War II, between 1921 and 1944, Nautsi was a Finnish village in Petsamo Province.

Finnish forces retreated to this location in 1939 during the Winter War.

[1] During World War II, Germany sought to capture this area because of the nearby nickel mines.