Norway-Russia Border
Introduction of the Border:
The Norway-Russia border is a 195.7-kilometer-long
border that runs between the two countries from the
tripoint with Finland in the south to the Barents Sea in
the north (10). The two countries affected by the border
are Norway and Russia at immediate. Norway belongs
to the Schengen Area of the EU while Russia is not part
of the EU. Finland is another country affected by the
border, as they particularly rely on both countries for
energy and trade. The EU is an alliance between 27
member countries dealing with economics, justice, and
defense.
Norway-Russia Border
Norway
Finland
Russia
Figure 1. Physical Map of the Norway-Russia
Border. Along with the tripoint from Finland
(Self made Scribble Map) Date: 24/02/2023 (7)
Cultural Values in the Region and
Surrounding Nations:
There are neighbouring countries that have
shared interest in the area, such as Finland and
Sweden. The surrounding nations share similar
cultural values and commonalities can be found in
the region, such as a history of Sami culture and
languages, a reliance on natural resources, and a
tradition of reindeer herding and fishing. (2)
Aditya Shyamsunder: 9I
Physical Features and Coordinates: Population and Collaboration:
Boršejávri (Northern Sami) or Pasvik River (English) is a The Norway-Russia Border affects the indigenous
major river that drains water from Lake Inari in Northern Sami people as a minority group and the Finnish
Finland onto the course of the Norway-Russia border. It is population as the majority group, with an estimated
total of around 4000 people affected near the border.
145 kilometers long, out of which 106 kilometers is
Norway and Russia have collaborated on the
between the border of Norway and Russia (5,6). The
delimitation of the maritime boundary, the
Coordinates are: 69°19'38.7"N 29°35'04.9"E (3). The river
management of fisheries between countries, and the
runs through the Pasvik Valley on the border.
prevention of illegal activities. (5)
Conflicts? Tension? Resources?:
There were disputes between the countries over the
maritime limits in the Barents Sea, such as fishing and
military practices, and was eventually resolved through
the Russian-Norwegian Treaty on Maritime
Figure 2: The Pasvik River runs along the Norway-Russia Delimitation in 2010.
border between the Pasvik Valley (8) Currently, there are sometimes incidents of tension
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Harefossen2.jpg
on the border, such as the military activities carried out
by Russia in the region. At present, there are no
Historical Background of the Border: conflicts between the countries.
A historical event was the Treaty of Tartu in 1920, that The border has notable political importance due to
gave Finland the region of Petsamo which in turn, the access its location in the Arctic region, which is rich in natural
to the Barents Sea and therefore resulted in Norway and the resources such as natural gas. Countries in Europe and
Soviet Union (now Russia) not having a border anymore. around the world depend on Russia for Natural Gas.
Although the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1944 (during the Although from a BBC News Article, EU planned to stop
Continuation War) regained control of Petsamo and the the use of Russian gas and at present imports from
Norway-Russia border was formed again with Finland losing Russia have been reduced by the European Union. (4)
its access to the Arctic Sea (Barents Sea). {5}
Border-Crossing, Future predictions:
Norway-Russia Border
The Norway-Russia border is not easy to cross
Norway because it is heavily monitored and checked. Norway is
part of the EU (Schengen Area) and Russia is not a
Finland
member of the EU and crossing the border requires
checks of documents and permission from authorities
Russia to prevent illegal crossing and smuggling of goods. (1)
For predicting the future of the border area, it is
difficult but I think the border will remain stable in the
near future. There could be a possibility for increased
surveillance on the border line because of Russia’s
https://images.cdn.yle.fi/image/upload/w_1200,h_1174,ar_1.0218978,dpr_2,c_fill,g_faces/q_auto:eco,f_auto,fl_lossy/13-3-11890683
Figure 3. Treaty of Tartu Figure 4: Political Map of the Norway-Russia
allowed Finland to gain Border. Along with the tripoint from Finland.
Petsamo in 1920. (9) (Self Made Scribble Map) . Date: 23/02/2023 (7) military practices.