Adjustment of heat transfer in continuous casting moulds in particular in the region of the meniscus

The invention relates to a mould for the continuous casting of molten metals, in particular steel, comprising cooling channels ( 1 ), such as cooling grooves, cooling slits or cooling drillings in the side of the mould ( 2 ) away from the melt contact surface. According to the invention, the heat transfer in the mould can be improved, whereby the geometric arrangement of the heat transfer planar surfaces of a cooling channel ( 1 ) or a group of cooling channels is adjusted in form, cross-sectional area, circumference, boundary surface qualities, orientation with respect to contact surfaces, arrangement and/or arrangement density with respect to the contact surfaces for the local formation of thermal flux density and/or temperature of the contact surfaces ( 18 ) during casting operation and in particular in the region of the meniscus ( 11 ).