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The borders of Finland have changed several times, beginning in 1323 with the Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and Finland, through 1947 after the end of WWII between Russia and Finland. The following link leads to a summary of those border changes. Included are maps depicting the new borders.  
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The borders of Finland have changed several times, beginning in 1323 with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_N%C3%B6teborg Treaty of Nöteborg] between Sweden and the Novgorod Republic, through 1947 after the end of WWII between Russia and Finland. Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published [https://finland.fi/life-society/tracing-finlands-eastern-border/ Tracing Finland's Eastern Border] which illustrates the many changes to the border with Russia.  


http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx?contentid=160531
There are two very good articles on Wikipedia discussing the cession of Karelia to Russia.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelian_question Karelian Question]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish%E2%80%93Russian_border Finland-Russia Border]


For more information on the Treaty of Nöteborg, also known as the Treaty of Oreshek in Finnish, see
The [http://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en National Land Survey of Finland] has published a brief recounting the documenting of the [http://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/en/topical_issues/boundary-demarcation-border-between-finland-and-russia boundary demarcation on the border between Finland and Russia] which took place on 19 June 2017.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_N%C3%B6teborg
''Grenser i Sameland'' is a history of the borders of Lappland in Norway, Finland, and Sweden and the changes that occurred from 1751 to 1944. It is written in Norwegian. A copy is available at the FamilySearch Library,  {{FSC|565500|item|disp=FS Catalog book 948 E3g}} and {{WorldCat|475597252|disp=other libraries (WorldCat)}}.


The following links touch on border relationships between Russia and Finland.  
== Historical Provinces ==
The nine historical provinces of Finland served as administrative entities until 1634 when they were replaced by "castle counties" (fiefs). These provinces should not be confused with the country's first-level administrative jurisdictions, the counties.<ref>Wikipedia (Finnish). [https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomen_historialliset_maakunnat Suomen historialliset maakunnat]. Accessed 3 February 2023.</ref> These provinces retain significant cultural value and traditional value.<ref>Wikipedia. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_provinces_of_Finland Historical provinces of Finland]. Accessed 6 April 2023.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Province !! Finnish !! Swedish
|-
| Finland Proper || Varsinais-Suomi || Egentliga Finland
|-
| Karelia || Karjala || Karelen
|-
| Laponia || Lappi || Lappland
|-
| Ostrobothnia || Pohjanmaa || Österbotten
|-
| Satakunta || Satakunta || Satakunda
|-
| Savonia || Savo || Savolax
|-
| Tavastia || Häme || Tavastland
|-
| Uusimaa || Uusimaa || Nyland
|-
| Åland || Ahvenanmaa || Åland
|}
{| style="float:leftt"
|-
| style="padding-right:0px"|
[[File:FI Historical Provinces or Regions.jpg|300px]]
|}
== Counties and Regions ==
See [[Finland Counties]] for additional information.
=== Castle Counties ===
[[File:Finland Castle Counties.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Finland's Castle Counties]]
These nine fiefs (Finnish: ''Linnalääni'', Swedish: ''Slottslän'') were used as administrative regions from 1595 to 1634.<ref>[https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slottsl%C3%A4n "Slottslän"], Wikipedia. Accessed 8 September 2022.</ref><ref>[https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linnal%C3%A4%C3%A4ni "Linnalääni"], Wikipedia. Accessed 9 September 2022.</ref> In 1634 they were reorganized and replaced with [[Finnish Lääni|counties (''lääni'' / ''län'')]].
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Finnish !! Swedish !! Region
|-
|| Hämeenlinnan || Tavastehus || Häme
|-
|| Kastelholman  || Kastelhom || Ahvenanmaa (Åland)
|-
|| Kokemäenkartanon || Kumogård || Satakunta
|-
|| Korsholman || Korsholm || Ostrobothnia
|-
|| Porvoon || Borgå || Eastern Uusimaa
|-
|| Raaseporin || Raseborg || Western Uusimaa
|-
|| Savonlinnan || Nyslott || Savo
|-
|| Turun || Åbo || Finland Proper
|-
|| Viipurin || Viborg || Karelia
|}


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelian_question
=== Counties 1634-1945 ===
Additional maps showing the changes in county boundaries can be found at [https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomen_l%C3%A4%C3%A4nit Suomen läänit] (in Finnish).
<gallery widths="200px" heights="240px" perrow="4">
Image:FI 1634 Counties.png | 1634 Counties
Image:FI 1809 Counties.png | 1809 Counties
Image:FI 1938 Counties.png | 1938 Counties
Image:FI 1945 Counties.png | 1945 Counties
</gallery>
=== Counties 1997-2009 ===
In 1997 the country was reorganized into six counties. This lasted until 2009 when all counties were abolished. In their place, regional administrative agencies and business, transport and environment centers were established.<ref>Wikipedia (Finnish). [https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomen_l%C3%A4%C3%A4nit#L%C3%A4%C3%A4nien_v%C3%A4kiluvut_1840%E2%80%932009 Suomen läänit]. Accessed 12 September 2023.</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Finnish !! Swedish || English
|-
| Ahvenanmaan lääni || Ålands län || Åland County
|-
| Etelä-Suomen lääni || Södra Finlands län || Southern Finland County
|-
| Itä-Suomen lääni || Östra Finlands län) || Eastern Finland County
|-
| Lapin lääni || Lapplands län || Lapland County
|-
| Länsi-Suomen lääni || Västra Finlands län || Western Finland County
|-
| Oulun lääni || Uleåborgs län || Oulu County
|}


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish%E2%80%93Russian_border
=== Regions ===
<gallery widths="200px" heights="240px" perrow="4">
Image:FI_Historical_Provinces.png |The 19 regions of Finland
</gallery>


== Ceded Areas ==
At the conclusion of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_War Winter War] (1939-1940), Finland ceded some of its territory to the Soviet Union as part of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_Peace_Treaty Moscow Peace Treaty], 12 March 1940. These areas included parts of Viipuri and Kuopio counties (Karelia) and Oulu and Lappi counties (Lappi). The following was originally published by the National Archives of Finland.<ref>Kansallisarkisto. [https://www.arkisto.fi/fi/arkistolaitos/maakunta-arkistojen-piirijako/luovutettu-alue Luovutettu alue : Maalaiskunnat, kauppalat ja kaupungit] (Surrendered territory : Rural municipalities, towns and cities). Accessed 15 August 2020. Archived at [https://web.archive.org/web/20160801032941/http://www.arkisto.fi/fi/arkistolaitos/maakunta-arkistojen-piirijako/luovutettu-alue Internet Archive, Wayback Machine. 1 August 2016].</ref>
=== Karelia ===
The following rural communities, towns, and cities were located in the area of Karelia:
{{columns-list|5|
*Antrea
*Harlu
*Heinjoki
*Hiitola
*Impilahti
*Jaakkima
*Johannes
*Kanneljärvi
*Kaukola
*Kirvu
*Kivennapa
*Koivisto
*Koiviston maalaiskunna
*Kuolemajärvi
*Kurkijoki
*Käkisalmi maalaiskunna
*Käkisalmi
*Lahdenpohja
*Lavansaari
*Lumivaara
*Metsäpirtti
*Muolaa
*Pyhäjärvi
*Rautu
*Ruskeala (Kuopio)
*Räisälä
*Sakkola
*Salmi
*Seiskari
*Soanlahti
*Sortavala
*Sortavalan maalaiskunna
*Suistamo
*Suojärvi
*Suursaari
*Terijoki
*Uusikirkko
*Valkjärvi
*Viipuri
*Viipuri maalaiskunna
*Vuoksela
*Vuoksenranta
*Äyräpää
}}


These five municipalities lost part of their territory, with parts left to Finland adjacent to the neighboring municipalities and the municipalities were abolished.
*Jääski
*Pälkjärvi (Kuopio)
*Vahviala
*Korpiselkä
*Säkkijärvi


The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah has the following book that describes the history of the borders of Lappland in Norway, Finland, Sweden and the changes that occurred from 1751 to 1944. It is written in Norwegian and can be checked out at the Access Services Window on the International Floor of the Library.
16 municipalities had to surrender part of their territory but remained to continue their activities and retained their names.
{{columns-list|3|
*Ilomantsi
*Joutseno
*Kitee (Kuopio)
*Lappee
*Nuijamaa
*Parikkala
*Rautjärvi
*Ruokolahti
*Saari
*Simpele
*Tohmajärvi
*Uukuniemi
*Vehkalahti
*Virolahti
*Värtsilä (Kuopio)
*Ylämaa
}}
=== Lappi ===
The municipality of Petsamo was abolished. Salla and Kuusamo gave up part of their territory, but remained as independent municipalities to continue their activities and kept their names.
=== Congregations ===
Evangelican Lutheran and Orthodox congregations operated in Petsamo. Records of the Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox congregations were transferred to the National Archives facility in Mikkeli.
==== Evangelical Lutheran congregations of Karelia ====
{{columns-list|5|
*Antrea
*Harlu
*Heinjoki
*Hiitola
*Ihantala
*Ilmee
*Impilahti
*Jaakkima
*Johannes
*Jääski
*Kanneljärvi
*Kaukola
*Kirvu
*Kivennapa
*Koivisto
*Korpiselkä
*Kuolemajärvi
*Kurkijoki
*Käkisalmi city parish (kaupunkiseurakunta)
*Käkisalmi rural parish (maaseurakunta)
*Lavansaari
*Lumivaara
*Metsäpirtti
*Muolaa
*Pyhäjärvi
*Pälkjärvi
*Rautu
*Ruskeala
*Räisälä
*Sakkola
*Salmi
*Seiskari
*Soanlahti
*Sortavala city parish (kaupunkiseurakunta)
*Sortavala rural parish (maaseurakunta)
*Suojärvi
*Suursaari
*Säkkijärvi
*Terijoki
*Tytärsaari
*Uusikirkko
*Vahviala
*Valkjärvi
*Viipuri rural parish (maaseurakunta)
*Viipuri Swedish parish (ruotsalainen seurakunta)
*Viipuri Cathedral (tuomiokirkkoseurakunta)
*Vuoksela
*Vuoksenranta
*Äyräpää
*Ingria refugee congregation
}}


Norsk folkemuseum. Grenser i Sameland. Oslo: Norsk Folkemuseum, c1989. https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/565500?availability=Family%20History%20Library
==== Orthodox parishes of Karelia ====
{{columns-list|3|
*Annantehdas
*Kellomäki
*Kitelä
*Korpiselkä
*Kuokkala
*Kyyrölä
*Käkisalmi
*Mantsinsaari
*Palkeala
*Pitkäranta
*Raivola
*Salmi
*Sortavala
*Suistamo
*Suojärvi
*Terijoki
*Tiurula
*Uusikirkko
*Viipuri
*Viipuri Finnish Orthodox congregation (suomalainen ortodoksinen seurakunta)
}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Finland]]

Latest revision as of 19:48, 11 August 2025

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The borders of Finland have changed several times, beginning in 1323 with the Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and the Novgorod Republic, through 1947 after the end of WWII between Russia and Finland. Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published Tracing Finland's Eastern Border which illustrates the many changes to the border with Russia.

There are two very good articles on Wikipedia discussing the cession of Karelia to Russia.

The National Land Survey of Finland has published a brief recounting the documenting of the boundary demarcation on the border between Finland and Russia which took place on 19 June 2017.

Grenser i Sameland is a history of the borders of Lappland in Norway, Finland, and Sweden and the changes that occurred from 1751 to 1944. It is written in Norwegian. A copy is available at the FamilySearch Library, FS Catalog book 948 E3g and other libraries (WorldCat).

Historical Provinces

The nine historical provinces of Finland served as administrative entities until 1634 when they were replaced by "castle counties" (fiefs). These provinces should not be confused with the country's first-level administrative jurisdictions, the counties.[1] These provinces retain significant cultural value and traditional value.[2]

Province Finnish Swedish
Finland Proper Varsinais-Suomi Egentliga Finland
Karelia Karjala Karelen
Laponia Lappi Lappland
Ostrobothnia Pohjanmaa Österbotten
Satakunta Satakunta Satakunda
Savonia Savo Savolax
Tavastia Häme Tavastland
Uusimaa Uusimaa Nyland
Åland Ahvenanmaa Åland

FI Historical Provinces or Regions.jpg

Counties and Regions

See Finland Counties for additional information.

Castle Counties

Finland's Castle Counties

These nine fiefs (Finnish: Linnalääni, Swedish: Slottslän) were used as administrative regions from 1595 to 1634.[3][4] In 1634 they were reorganized and replaced with counties (lääni / län).

Finnish Swedish Region
Hämeenlinnan Tavastehus Häme
Kastelholman Kastelhom Ahvenanmaa (Åland)
Kokemäenkartanon Kumogård Satakunta
Korsholman Korsholm Ostrobothnia
Porvoon Borgå Eastern Uusimaa
Raaseporin Raseborg Western Uusimaa
Savonlinnan Nyslott Savo
Turun Åbo Finland Proper
Viipurin Viborg Karelia

Counties 1634-1945

Additional maps showing the changes in county boundaries can be found at Suomen läänit (in Finnish).

  • 1634 Counties

    1634 Counties

  • 1809 Counties

    1809 Counties

  • 1938 Counties

    1938 Counties

  • 1945 Counties

    1945 Counties

Counties 1997-2009

In 1997 the country was reorganized into six counties. This lasted until 2009 when all counties were abolished. In their place, regional administrative agencies and business, transport and environment centers were established.[5]

Finnish Swedish English
Ahvenanmaan lääni Ålands län Åland County
Etelä-Suomen lääni Södra Finlands län Southern Finland County
Itä-Suomen lääni Östra Finlands län) Eastern Finland County
Lapin lääni Lapplands län Lapland County
Länsi-Suomen lääni Västra Finlands län Western Finland County
Oulun lääni Uleåborgs län Oulu County

Regions

  • The 19 regions of Finland

    The 19 regions of Finland

Ceded Areas

At the conclusion of the Winter War (1939-1940), Finland ceded some of its territory to the Soviet Union as part of the Moscow Peace Treaty, 12 March 1940. These areas included parts of Viipuri and Kuopio counties (Karelia) and Oulu and Lappi counties (Lappi). The following was originally published by the National Archives of Finland.[6]

Karelia

The following rural communities, towns, and cities were located in the area of Karelia:

  • Antrea
  • Harlu
  • Heinjoki
  • Hiitola
  • Impilahti
  • Jaakkima
  • Johannes
  • Kanneljärvi
  • Kaukola
  • Kirvu
  • Kivennapa
  • Koivisto
  • Koiviston maalaiskunna
  • Kuolemajärvi
  • Kurkijoki
  • Käkisalmi maalaiskunna
  • Käkisalmi
  • Lahdenpohja
  • Lavansaari
  • Lumivaara
  • Metsäpirtti
  • Muolaa
  • Pyhäjärvi
  • Rautu
  • Ruskeala (Kuopio)
  • Räisälä
  • Sakkola
  • Salmi
  • Seiskari
  • Soanlahti
  • Sortavala
  • Sortavalan maalaiskunna
  • Suistamo
  • Suojärvi
  • Suursaari
  • Terijoki
  • Uusikirkko
  • Valkjärvi
  • Viipuri
  • Viipuri maalaiskunna
  • Vuoksela
  • Vuoksenranta
  • Äyräpää

These five municipalities lost part of their territory, with parts left to Finland adjacent to the neighboring municipalities and the municipalities were abolished.

  • Jääski
  • Pälkjärvi (Kuopio)
  • Vahviala
  • Korpiselkä
  • Säkkijärvi

16 municipalities had to surrender part of their territory but remained to continue their activities and retained their names.

  • Ilomantsi
  • Joutseno
  • Kitee (Kuopio)
  • Lappee
  • Nuijamaa
  • Parikkala
  • Rautjärvi
  • Ruokolahti
  • Saari
  • Simpele
  • Tohmajärvi
  • Uukuniemi
  • Vehkalahti
  • Virolahti
  • Värtsilä (Kuopio)
  • Ylämaa

Lappi

The municipality of Petsamo was abolished. Salla and Kuusamo gave up part of their territory, but remained as independent municipalities to continue their activities and kept their names.

Congregations

Evangelican Lutheran and Orthodox congregations operated in Petsamo. Records of the Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox congregations were transferred to the National Archives facility in Mikkeli.

Evangelical Lutheran congregations of Karelia

  • Antrea
  • Harlu
  • Heinjoki
  • Hiitola
  • Ihantala
  • Ilmee
  • Impilahti
  • Jaakkima
  • Johannes
  • Jääski
  • Kanneljärvi
  • Kaukola
  • Kirvu
  • Kivennapa
  • Koivisto
  • Korpiselkä
  • Kuolemajärvi
  • Kurkijoki
  • Käkisalmi city parish (kaupunkiseurakunta)
  • Käkisalmi rural parish (maaseurakunta)
  • Lavansaari
  • Lumivaara
  • Metsäpirtti
  • Muolaa
  • Pyhäjärvi
  • Pälkjärvi
  • Rautu
  • Ruskeala
  • Räisälä
  • Sakkola
  • Salmi
  • Seiskari
  • Soanlahti
  • Sortavala city parish (kaupunkiseurakunta)
  • Sortavala rural parish (maaseurakunta)
  • Suojärvi
  • Suursaari
  • Säkkijärvi
  • Terijoki
  • Tytärsaari
  • Uusikirkko
  • Vahviala
  • Valkjärvi
  • Viipuri rural parish (maaseurakunta)
  • Viipuri Swedish parish (ruotsalainen seurakunta)
  • Viipuri Cathedral (tuomiokirkkoseurakunta)
  • Vuoksela
  • Vuoksenranta
  • Äyräpää
  • Ingria refugee congregation

Orthodox parishes of Karelia

  • Annantehdas
  • Kellomäki
  • Kitelä
  • Korpiselkä
  • Kuokkala
  • Kyyrölä
  • Käkisalmi
  • Mantsinsaari
  • Palkeala
  • Pitkäranta
  • Raivola
  • Salmi
  • Sortavala
  • Suistamo
  • Suojärvi
  • Terijoki
  • Tiurula
  • Uusikirkko
  • Viipuri
  • Viipuri Finnish Orthodox congregation (suomalainen ortodoksinen seurakunta)

References

  1. ↑ Wikipedia (Finnish). Suomen historialliset maakunnat. Accessed 3 February 2023.
  2. ↑ Wikipedia. Historical provinces of Finland. Accessed 6 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "Slottslän", Wikipedia. Accessed 8 September 2022.
  4. ↑ "Linnalääni", Wikipedia. Accessed 9 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Wikipedia (Finnish). Suomen läänit. Accessed 12 September 2023.
  6. ↑ Kansallisarkisto. Luovutettu alue : Maalaiskunnat, kauppalat ja kaupungit (Surrendered territory : Rural municipalities, towns and cities). Accessed 15 August 2020. Archived at Internet Archive, Wayback Machine. 1 August 2016.
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