It is the easternmost region of Finland and shares a 300 kilometres (190 mi) border with Russia.

North Karelia has successfully reduced chronic diseases through public health measures.

[5] The resulting improvement in public health is still considered remarkable, a model for the rest of the nation.

The residents also called themselves the men of the province and drew up their own regulations in Finnish for the border guard, showing their separateness.

The region of North Karelia consists of 13 municipalities, five of which have city status (marked in bold).