Karelia (Finnish: Karjala; Russian: Карелия, Karyeliya), officially known as the Republic of Karelia, is a republic of the Soviet Union located in Northeastern Europe. The republic includes territory in Fennoscandia and includes coastlines on the Gulf of Finland, Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega, and the White Sea. Karelia is a unique area which has been influenced by both Finns and Russians for centuries, which continues to shape the region to this day.