Lake Contiojärvi

Kontiojärvi (Norwegian name Björnwatn) is a picturesque lake on the Russian-Norwegian border, lying in the valley of the Paz River. In territorial and administrative terms, it belongs to the Norwegian commune of Sør-Varanger and the Murmansk region.

Of the 17 square kilometers in Russia includes only a small part – a little more than 5 square kilometers. The height of the lake above sea level is about 21 meters. Kontiojärvi is connected by the river Paz flowing from it with the Barents Sea.

The coast is flat, covered with forests, only in the west is Brattberget Mountain (about 105 meters). The large island of Sture-Grenseholmen stretches in the place where the Paz river flows from the lake. The latter, in turn, connects Kontiojärvi with the lakes Salmijärvi and Klistervatn.

On the banks are scattered Norwegian villages - Fjell, Trondsvangen, Nurdgaard and others. There are no Russian settlements here.

In parallel to the west coast stretches the Norwegian road.