Kaavi is a municipality of Finland. It is located in the Northern Savonia region. Kaavi is also a part of historical Karelia. The municipality has a population of 2,628 and covers an area of 789.59 square kilometres (304.86 sq mi) of which 115.49 km2 (44.59 sq mi) is water. The population density is 3.9 inhabitants per square kilometre (10/sq mi). It is 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Kuopio and 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Joensuu. Neighbouring municipalities are Kuopio, Juuka, Outokumpu, Polvijärvi and Tuusniemi.

Karelia is an area in Northern Europe of historical significance for Russia, Finland, and Sweden. It is currently divided between northwestern Russia and Finland.