Озеро Пиелинен: природа и особенности Северной Карелии

Lake in North Karelia, Finland

Pielinen (Pielisjärvi) is the fourth largest lake of Finland, with a drainage basin area of equally distributed between eastern Finland and Russia. The creation of the lake and its outlet is attributed to a post glacial isostatic rebound, which resulted in uplift of the land. As is common in Finnish lakes, the lake's color is dark, due to the high proportion of bogs present in the catchment of the drainage basin that drains humic substances.

The lake is located at an elevation of in the North Karelia region in eastern Finland. It has a water spread area of and a shore length of , and is bound within geographical coordinates of 62°54–63°33N and 29°07–30°14E. The maximum length is and the width varies from The lake's drainage area of is equally distributed between Finland and Russia. The maximum depth of water in the lake is with a reported mean depth of The water courses that drain into the lake are the Haapajarvi Valtimojarvi and Saramojoki from its north west direction, Viekinjoki River and Lieksanjoki River from the north east side, and flows from the small drainage basin of the Juvanjoki River into the west. The lake has many islands such the Paalasmaa (27.2 km2), Kynsisaari , Porosaari , Toinensaari , Hattusaari , Koveronsaari and Retusaari The lake drains, unregulated, southward through the Pielis River into the larger Saimaa Lake of the large Vuoksi watercourse, which is used for timber floating. The variation in water level is limited to ; water transport on the lake is thus substantial. The catchment of the lake is densely forested, particularly on its rugged western shore, which is capped by Koli hill. At , the point is the highest mountain in the catchment.

The climatic data has been recorded at the two major towns in the lake basin, namely the Lieksa and Juuka during the period between 1931 and 1960. At Lieksa, the average annual rainfall was with mean minimum and maximum temperatures recorded as (December) and (July). During the same period, the average rainfall at Juuka was and the minimum and maximum temperatures recorded were (December) and (July) respectively. The lake freezes, on average, during the period from 21 November to 14 May, according to records from the years 1960 to 1980.

The Koli National Park is studded with islands, which are glorified in the Finnish national anthem as an important Finnish symbol. It was declared a National Park in 1991, after an intense debate between the environmentalist lobby and the owners of the land property over the location of the Hotel Koli, which stands at the top of its namesake hill. This park and its environs, which spread over a width of , has inspired Finnish artists Pekka Halonen and Eero Järnefelt to create artistic paintings with its scenic beauty. It is approachable by ferry from the mainland. As a popular winter sport resort, this park provides the adventure sports of hiking and boating during summer; it has a network of walking paths, which cover nearly A road link is also available to the hotel from the car park at the lower level. The highest point on the hill top is called the Ukko Koli, which is linked to another peak called the Akka Koli. On the western side of Akka Koli is the "Temple of Silence," which is a place for meditation. There is stone altar here and a cross mounted on the rock. Another peak close nearby is known as the Paha Koli and to its south is the scenic view point known as Mäkrävaara. The Koli Village, within the park premises, has the information office, Internet facility and a post office. The visitor centre at the park is called the Luontokeskus Ukko (Ukko Nature Centre), where exhibitions are held on the history, nature and geology of the park. Two ski centres, used during the winter, are established here; they are known as Ukko Koli and Loma Koli, both of which boast nine lifts and of cross country trails, with lighting along of the trail. It is one of the most accessible ski resorts in Finland. The hills here are covered with pine and birch trees. The national park has nine basic huts and camping grounds. There are also a marina and swimming beach on the shores of the lake, where a Finnish dancing stage called the huvilava stands. Row boats are also available for rowing across the lake.

Pielinen hosts an ice road, during most winters, between the villages of Koli and Vuonislahti. The ice road is long and shortens the road distance between the two villages by The date of opening varies depending on the climatic conditions each year; the earliest the road ever opened was during the 2010 2011 winter, on the 15th day of December. Previously the winter of 1995 1996 had witnessed the earliest opening, on the 29th day of December. In the winter of 2009 2010, the road did not open until mid January, whilst in 2008 2009 the road opened in mid February. Helsingin Sanomat has stated that the road is probably the longest of its kind in Europe; however, this assertion is incorrect, as the Hiiumaa Ice Road in Estonia is 25 km, and is more widely believed to Europe's longest.

The asteroid 1536 Pielinen is named after the Pielinen Lake.