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Introducing Joensuu
Capital of the province of North Karelia, Joensuu is a sizeable university town at the mouth of the Pielisjoki (the name means 'river mouth'). It's the region's major travel hub and has plenty of services, a good market, and lively nocturnal life, which compensate somewhat for the lack of anything of real interest. You'll probably find yourself in Joensuu anyway if you're heading into North Karelia, as it's a base for hiking in surrounding Karelian wilderness areas.
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Joensuu was founded in 1848. It soon became an important trading post and then an international port after the completion of the Saimaa Canal in the 1850s.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
