The Republic of Karelia is situated in the north-west of Russia and is included in The Northern Economic Region of the Russian Federation. The area of Karelia is 180.5 thousand square kilometers (1.06% of the total territory of Russia). The territory of the republic stretches out from the north to the south for 660 km. The extension from the west to the east in the latitude of the city of Kemi is 424 km.
In the west Karelia borders upon Finland, in the south – upon Leningradskaya and Vologodskaya regions, in the north – upon Murmanskaya and in the east – upon Arkhangelskaya regions. In the northwest the republic is washed by the White Sea. The western border of Karelia coincides with the frontier of the Russian Federation and its length is 726 km.
On the 1st of January 2005 the population of Republic Karelia was 703,1 thousand people (1939 - 468.9; 1979 - 732.1; 2000 - 765.1; 2002 - 716.7), 75.5% living in cities and urban-type communities.
A third of the population lives in the capital city of the republic -Petrozavodsk. The density of the population of Karelia is 4 people per square kilometer.
The national structure of the population is the following: the Russians – 76.6 per cent, the Karelians – 9.2 per cent, the Belorussians – 5.2 per cent, the Ukrainians – 2.7 per cent, the Finns – 2 per cent, the Vepps – 0.75 per cent.
The republic includes 18 self-governing territories. Each self-governing territory is headed by a mayor, who is elected according to the Constitution of Karelia through direct secret voting. There are 3 cities of the republican significance in Karelia (Petrozavodsk – 266.4 thousand people, Kostomuksha – 30.3 thousand people, Sortavala – 34.6 thousand people) and 15 regions.
Most part of the territory of the republic is an undulating plain with pronounced traces of glacier activity. The wavy surface of the land still keeps the traces of the ancient mountains. Karelia is often called a “stony lake-forest land”, which stresses the main elements of the landscape.
More than 49 per cent of the area is covered with forests (the main species are pine-tree and fir-tree), 25 per cent is water surface. There are more than 60 thousand lakes and 27 thousand rivers in Karelia. The largest are lake Ladoga (17.7 thousand sq.km.) and lake Onego (9.9 thousand sq. km.). The largest rivers are Vodla (400 km), Vyg, Kovda, Kemi, Suna and Shuja. The total length of the water chain is almost 83 thousand km.
More than 50 kinds of minerals are found in Karelia. The minerals are: iron ore, vanadium, molybdenum, rare metals, diamonds, mica, construction materials (granite, marble, diabase), clay, appatit-carbonate ore and asbestos.
The Republic of Karelia has a favourable economic and geographic location and huge mineral reserves. It is close to the central high-industrialized regions of Russia and Western Europe. It also has a developed water-transport system.
The Republic of Karelia has great opportunities for developing different types of tourism: hunting and fishing, guesthouses, spas during winter and summer season, rafting and ecological tourism. Karelia can satisfy needs of all visitors: more than four thousand cultural, historical and natural monuments are on its territory.
Karelia is one of the most famous Russian territories in international tourism for its unique architectural, cultural and historical objects located on Kizhi, Valaam and Solovetskie islands, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The historical and cultural peculiarity of Karelia, which differs it from the other regions of Russia, is made by the cultural heritage of four indigenous populations of Karelians, Finns, Russians and Vepps. Living together for more than ten centuries they’ve created a unique and original culture.
Karelia is the place of birth of a famous Karelo-Finnish epos "Kalevala" - a literature monument of world significance. Here ancient Karelian and Vepps settlements, which are of great interest for the fans of ethnic tourism, are still kept protected.
Petroglyphs are more than five thousand years old. These are rock carvings created by ancient hunters and fishermen. These are the samples of ancient written language and culture.
Annually in the end of July the largest in Russia Onego regatta of cruiser yachts is held on the Onego lake. It is a national championship on sailing sport. Administrations of the regions of the northwest Russia work together to allow foreign sporty vessels to enter the territorial waters of the Russian Federation.
Mini-hotel "Cottage"
Location Petrozavodsk, Petrozavodsk
More Phone: (814-2) 53-37-38
Address Vodnikov Str., 5, #2
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Hotel club "Prionezhskiy"
Hotel Club "Prionezhskiy" offers all opportunities for comfortable rest and business in Karelia.
A modern hotel is located in the center of Petrozavodsk on the shore of Onega Lake and it borders on historical district and beautiful embankment.
Nowadays it is the only hotel in Karelia, which was built according to modern European standards, which gives it an essential advantage over other hotels.
The hotel is for those, who prefers to stay at samll "home-like" hotels, which combine comfort with the cosiness of a home. The highest level of hotel services gives the visitors only pleasant memories of Karelia.
The hotel offers its guests:
- 12 comfortable rooms (including 4 first class ones), each of them has a unique design. All the rooms are equiped with direct dial phone, TV-set, individual heating system and bathroom;
- Restaurant and bar, where you can not only have a business meeting, but also a corporative party or just meet your friends. Both restaurant and bar have modern and elegant interior;
- Business Center (Internet, e-mail, fax, computer, xerox);
- Sauna (swimming pool (6,5 x 3,5), massage room, hall with TV and tape recorder);
- Tourism. Additional tourism and excursion services of the hotel allow you not only have a rest, but also visit places of interest of Karelia.
Hotel Club "Prionezhskiy" offers both individual tourists and groups prepared and individual tour-packages.
If you choose our hotel, be sure: we will do everything for you not to be disappointed with your choice!
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Hotel "Zimnyaya"
The hotel is situated in the central farmland of Valaam village, close to the Monastery of Savior and Transfiguration of Valaam.
A thuya alley goes from Znamenskaja chapel to Zimnyaya hotel, which was built under the project of a famous architect Gornostaev in 1854. In 1874 two wings were built close to the hotel, in the 19 century the third floor was also constructed. Later the school of arts took it. The building was completed in 1900.
Nowadays there is a hotel, Valaam school, a shop, a warehouse and other service rooms in the building. The building is the cultural monument of republican significance and is registered in the Center of Monuments Protection of Republic of Karelia.
Zimnyaya hotel takes one wing on the 2nd floor of the historical building of the hotel. It consists of 22 rooms of different category: 8 doubles, 7 triples and 2 rooms for four persons with all the conveniences (WC, shower) on the floor, 1 luxury suite.
High arched ceilings and narrow rooms remind of monk cells, but modern decoration makes it look cozy. There are comfortable modern beds, tables and chairs in the room. Cafe and bar works on the territory of the hotel.
Hotel "White nights"
19 comfortable rooms. Each room has shower,WC, TV, telephone. Services: cafe-bar, sauna with little swimming-pool, parking facilities.
Hotel "WelT"
Location Kalevala, Kalevalsky
More Phone: (814-54) 2-23-00
Address Sovetskaya Str., 28-A
Web http://kalevala.com.ru
E-mail
trips@onego.ru
Moderate priced hotel. Rooms for 2 and 3 persons with all conveniences.
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Hotel "Volna"
Location Sortavala, Sortavala
More Phone/fax: (814-30) 4-52-49
Address Karelskaya Str., 18
E-mail
volnasort@yandex.ru
Hotel "Volna" is situated in the centre of the town. It was built in 2003. There are 4 DBLs and 4 suites at the hotel.
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Hotel "Vitrazhi"
Location Petrozavodsk, Petrozavodsk
More Phone: (814-2) 56-19-38, fax: (814-2) 57-68-64
Address Promyshlennaya Str., 9
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Hotel "Ujut"
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Hotel "Sortavala"
Location Sortavala, Sortavala
More Phone/fax: (814-30) 2-29-14, 2-25-16
Address Karelskaya Str., 35
Hotel "Sortavala" is situated in the centre of Sortavala. It is a five-storey walk-up building, the hotel is on the 2-nd, 3-d and 4-th storeys. All rooms with shower and WC, TV, telephone.
Rooms:
- 6 suites,
- 1 sgl,
- 31 dbl,
- 8 triple.
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Hotel "Skandinaviya"
Location Sortavala, Sortavala
More Phone/fax: (814-30) 2-52-23, 2-52-14
Address Sadovaya Str., 28
E-mail
scandi.sort@mail.ru
14 DBL and TPL rooms with all conveniences.
Hotel "Severnaja"
Location Petrozavodsk, Petrozavodsk
More Phone: (814-2) 76-56-81
Address Lenina Str., 21
Web http://severnaja.onego.ru
E-mail
reservation@severnaja.onego.ru
Services:
The Hotel "Severnaya" attracts business and leisure travellers by it’s warm atmosphere of hospitality high quality service and friendly staff. Located downtown the hotel is steps away from bus and trolleybus stops that provides easy connection to all city districts. In proximity to business and shopping area, restaurants and town’s attractions.
If you are going to visit our town, Hotel "Severnaya" is an ideal accomodation. You will feel home.
Rooms:- 50 dbl rooms (showers or baths),
- 40 sgl rooms (showers),
- 11 suites (shower, sauna or jaccuzy).
Services:
- 2 restaurants for 200 and 40 persons,
- cafe for 24 persons,
- bar for 16 persons,
- conference hall,
- currency exchange,
- parking place,
- luggage room,
- hairdressing saloon.
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