Paatsjoki

Paatsjoki (also known as the Pasvik or Paatsjoki River) is a river in the far north that links Lake Inari to the Barents Sea and forms part of the Norway-Russia border in the Murmansk region. The river is roughly 145 kilometres long and flows through a sparsely populated subarctic landscape.

The river corridor includes rapids, lakes and valley forests and is known for its series of hydroelectric installations and regulated reservoirs in the 20th century. The surrounding valley supports boreal forest and protected areas on both the Norwegian and Russian sides.

Historically the Paatsjoki basin has been a frontier region shaped by hydroelectric development and cross-border arrangements; several dams and power stations were built along its course during the 20th century. The river has also been the focus of environmental monitoring and transboundary water agreements.

Geographically the river runs from northern Finland through Norway and along the Norway-Russia border before reaching the Barents Sea; it lies in the extreme north of Murmansk Oblast within a subarctic, low-relief landscape and is remote from large urban centres.

• Transboundary river: Forms a transboundary river system that drains Lake Inari to the Barents Sea and is notable for hydroelectric developments and cross-border management between Russia, Norway and Finland.