Korelia

Korelia, is more accurate Karelia (Karelen, Karjala) – one of 9 historical regions of Finland, previous dukedom, it embraces the eastern and southeastern parts of the country, between the elevations Of Maanselkä, Kivalo and Karjalanselkä, and coastal part to the southeast of Salpausselkä; entire region with length from the north to the south 360 km; its width is very different. On the location, surface and the soil Of Korelia represents to a certain degree the passage from Finland to Russia. In northern Korelia predominate sandy ozy, covered from above with fertile soil, also, for the most part cultivated. In southern Korelia, along the northern shore of Ladoga Lake to Kokkolanjoki, are bared the granites; here and the country is picturesque on Vuoksi, high, sometimes conical apexes alternate with the fertile valleys. The coast of Gulf of Finland the low mountains, by places severed by lowlands, represent. Cities in Korelia – Vyborg, Joensuu, Sortavala, Kexholm.

Predominant population – korelians. This part of Finland most suffered from the fight between Russia and Sweden because of the possession by Finland. Control Of korelia was concentrated in the different time in Kexholm, Narva, Kuopio, Heinola, but its center was always Vyborg. Coat of arms of Korelia: in the red field two hands, which fight because of the gold crown. After 1721 the large sections of the earth were presented to Russian grandees; these estates now are purchased by Finnish government. In connection with the heavy historical past, the culture in Korelia remained in comparison with West Finland. An even clearing economy here practices. In Karelia and Savolax the best horses in Finland. In it is marshy and lake iron ore, copper, lead, marble, earthenware clay, etc.


Nickolay Knipovitch
Article from the Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron

Translated by Sudhir Raghav, 2006