FEATURES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RUSSIAN PART OF THE PAATSJOKI (PAZ) RIVER BASIN IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Abstract

We consider the process of development of the
Paatsjoki (Paz) river basin in the 20the century; the historical
stages are defi ned. The determining environmental impacts
are found: anthropogenic activities and military operations,
which change each other over time. In the beginning of the
20th century the economic integration of the region took
place, roads and the telegraph lines were constructed, which
led to transformation of landscapes on the narrow elongated
areas of the earth's surface. In 1920 the Soviet part of the
Paatsjoki basin was turned over to Finland; therefore, Finland
gained access to the Arctic Ocean. Then, copper-nickel
ores were mined in the basin; the fi rst hydro power plant was
built. From 1939 to 1944 the appearance of landscapes was
changed greatly due to fi ghting: there were built military airfi
elds, reinforced concrete shelters, trenches, tank traps. After
the war the mining and metallurgical plant and six new hydro
power plants were built on the Paatsjoki. The current territory
condition is a result of integrate impact of anthropogenic factors
on the indigenous landscapes