Lappi Attractions
The name of Lapland is applied to the northern part of Scandinavia, extending over parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. It has a total area of around 260,000sq.km/100,000sq.mi, sloping down towards the east from the mountains of Norway and northern Sweden. In the south it is mostly forest-covered; in the north it consists of treeless tundra and bog. It has a population of some 380,000, of whom 30,000-32,000 are Sami (Lapps).
Climate
The climate, except in the coastal regions, is continental, with short summers (many mosquitoes) and long, cold winters. Since most of Lapland lies north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun shines in summer, while in winter the Arctic night prevails.
Fauna
In the fauna of Lapland the reindeer occupies a special place. Brown bears are now rare, and with the advance of modern civilization the lynx has almost disappeared. During the winter wolves venture near human settlements.
Those who want to do any walking in Lapland should be equipped with sturdy footwear, good maps, a compass and sufficient food. Lapland is beautiful, but it has a character of its own which finds expression in sudden and violent changes in the weather. Walkers should never go on their own.
Ecology and Tourism
The ecological balance of Lapland is extremely delicate, and visitors should be very careful not to disturb it. It may take many years, for example, for a tin can to rust away, since it is subject to corrosion only during the few frost-free months in the year.
In the dry summer months great caution is required with open fires. During this period there are different stages of alert restricting the lighting of fires, and visitors must be sure to check up on the current alert situation: ignorance is no defense against failure to comply with the restrictions, which may result in a heavy fine. They should ensure, before leaving a camping site, that any fire they have lit is completely extinguished. If they are traveling by mountain bicycle they should remember that the layer of topsoil in Lapland is extremely thin and slow to build up, and should, therefore, ride only on made-up roads.
One possible hazard for motorists in Lapland is a collision with an elk or reindeer. Animals tend to like main roads, where there is likely to be a breeze to keep the mosquitoes away. If an animal is critically injured in an accident it should be put out of its misery. If you are unable or reluctant to do so, a local inhabitant should be informed and driven to the spot in order to do what is necessary. The nearest police station or frontier post should then be informed. Elks belong to no one; but a motorist who kills one has no right to it, since under the veterinary regulations only the holder of an elk-shooting permit is entitled to dispose of a dead elk. Reindeer always belong to someone, and any visitor who takes the meat of a reindeer is guilty of theft.
In accidents of this kind the facts are recorded by the authorities, and that ends the matter. The question of responsibility for the accident is not pursued. The motorist is not liable for compensation, which the owner of the animal can claim from the state. Since he is not exposed to any legal action, either criminal or civil, the driver need have no hesitation in reporting the matter and giving all the information required. Failure to do so will usually have unpleasant consequences, since the local people will realize what caused the bump on your car and the bush telegraph will associate it with an accident which may have occurred hours or days before and many miles away.
Climate
The climate, except in the coastal regions, is continental, with short summers (many mosquitoes) and long, cold winters. Since most of Lapland lies north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun shines in summer, while in winter the Arctic night prevails.
Fauna
In the fauna of Lapland the reindeer occupies a special place. Brown bears are now rare, and with the advance of modern civilization the lynx has almost disappeared. During the winter wolves venture near human settlements.
Those who want to do any walking in Lapland should be equipped with sturdy footwear, good maps, a compass and sufficient food. Lapland is beautiful, but it has a character of its own which finds expression in sudden and violent changes in the weather. Walkers should never go on their own.
Ecology and Tourism
The ecological balance of Lapland is extremely delicate, and visitors should be very careful not to disturb it. It may take many years, for example, for a tin can to rust away, since it is subject to corrosion only during the few frost-free months in the year.
In the dry summer months great caution is required with open fires. During this period there are different stages of alert restricting the lighting of fires, and visitors must be sure to check up on the current alert situation: ignorance is no defense against failure to comply with the restrictions, which may result in a heavy fine. They should ensure, before leaving a camping site, that any fire they have lit is completely extinguished. If they are traveling by mountain bicycle they should remember that the layer of topsoil in Lapland is extremely thin and slow to build up, and should, therefore, ride only on made-up roads.
One possible hazard for motorists in Lapland is a collision with an elk or reindeer. Animals tend to like main roads, where there is likely to be a breeze to keep the mosquitoes away. If an animal is critically injured in an accident it should be put out of its misery. If you are unable or reluctant to do so, a local inhabitant should be informed and driven to the spot in order to do what is necessary. The nearest police station or frontier post should then be informed. Elks belong to no one; but a motorist who kills one has no right to it, since under the veterinary regulations only the holder of an elk-shooting permit is entitled to dispose of a dead elk. Reindeer always belong to someone, and any visitor who takes the meat of a reindeer is guilty of theft.
In accidents of this kind the facts are recorded by the authorities, and that ends the matter. The question of responsibility for the accident is not pursued. The motorist is not liable for compensation, which the owner of the animal can claim from the state. Since he is not exposed to any legal action, either criminal or civil, the driver need have no hesitation in reporting the matter and giving all the information required. Failure to do so will usually have unpleasant consequences, since the local people will realize what caused the bump on your car and the bush telegraph will associate it with an accident which may have occurred hours or days before and many miles away.
Read More
Arctic Highway to Sodankylä
(Finnish Lapland)
The Arctic Highway to Sodankylä begins at Rovaniemi and passes many natural and cultural attractions along the route.
Read More
Lemmenjoki National Park
(Lake Inari / Inarijärvi)
Lemmenjoki National Park is the largest national park in the country. The river valley here is known for its beautiful natural scenery, which can be enjoyed by walking the trails or taking a boat trip.
Lapland - Hetta Music Event
The Hetta Music Event held at the end of March into early April, is a series of Eastertide church hymns and early Baroque music concerts held amidst the snowy fells.
Sami
In the whole of Lapland there are 30,000-32,000 Sami (Lapps), some 20,000 of them in Norway and 8,500 in Sweden. They call themselves Sabmek (singular Sameh), the "bog people". Their origins are obscure; they are short in stature, round-headed and broad-faced, with yellowish skin and dark hair. Their language is related to Finnish. Although Christian missions to the Sami began in the 17th century they have preserved certain pagan practices. Three broad groups of Sami are distinguished: the nomadic Mountain Sami, now steadily declining in numbers, who move between the forest and mountain regions with their herds of reindeer in regular migrations; the Forest Sami, who live a settled life with their herds in particular areas; and the Lake or Fishing Sami, who live by fishing.
Costume
The characteristic Sami costume, which differs little between men and women, consists of a knee-length skirt of blue or brown material, with red and yellow trimming, and close-fitting trousers, with a cap of the same material (which in Norway has four stiffened points and in Sweden is tall and topped with a red ball of wool). The shoes are of soft reindeer-skin, with turned-up toes (gabmagak; skalkomager, skin boots). The winter garment is of reindeer skin. The local costumes and articles of carved reindeer horn are now also made for the tourist trade.
Houses, transport
The normal Sami dwelling is a small timber or earth hut (gammen; Sami darfe goattek). The nomadic Sami have canvas tents (Finnish kota), with an opening at the top to let the smoke out. The pulka or akja, a boat-shaped sleigh hauled by a reindeer on a single trace, is now rarely used; in recent years the motor sleigh (snowmobile) has become the principal means of transport.
Reindeer
The main property of the Sami is their reindeer (Norwegian and Swedish ren, Finnish poro), a species of deer accustomed to cold conditions in which both sexes have antlers. There are estimated to be something like 750,000 reindeer in Lapland. A Sami requires at least 100-200 head for subsistence, but rarely possesses more than 500. With 800 he is a rich man. Herds of several thousand are sometimes found, but these belong to nomadic families traveling together. The hooves of a herd of reindeer make a characteristic clicking sound as they move about on the hard ground. Since the vegetation takes many years to recover after being cropped by reindeer, the herds require very large areas for grazing. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 did grave damage to the grazing grounds. In addition to their reindeer many Sami have other livestock and may grow certain crops.
Political and cultural autonomy
During the 1980s the Sami in the Scandinavian countries gained extensive political rights as a minority community. In Norway and Sweden they have their own autonomous parliament, the Sameting; there are radio and television programs in the Sami language, and many schools offer tuition in Sami as well as in the national language. On the other hand it is the case that many Sami are unable to live by the traditional economy and to follow their traditional way of life.
Costume
The characteristic Sami costume, which differs little between men and women, consists of a knee-length skirt of blue or brown material, with red and yellow trimming, and close-fitting trousers, with a cap of the same material (which in Norway has four stiffened points and in Sweden is tall and topped with a red ball of wool). The shoes are of soft reindeer-skin, with turned-up toes (gabmagak; skalkomager, skin boots). The winter garment is of reindeer skin. The local costumes and articles of carved reindeer horn are now also made for the tourist trade.
Houses, transport
The normal Sami dwelling is a small timber or earth hut (gammen; Sami darfe goattek). The nomadic Sami have canvas tents (Finnish kota), with an opening at the top to let the smoke out. The pulka or akja, a boat-shaped sleigh hauled by a reindeer on a single trace, is now rarely used; in recent years the motor sleigh (snowmobile) has become the principal means of transport.
Reindeer
The main property of the Sami is their reindeer (Norwegian and Swedish ren, Finnish poro), a species of deer accustomed to cold conditions in which both sexes have antlers. There are estimated to be something like 750,000 reindeer in Lapland. A Sami requires at least 100-200 head for subsistence, but rarely possesses more than 500. With 800 he is a rich man. Herds of several thousand are sometimes found, but these belong to nomadic families traveling together. The hooves of a herd of reindeer make a characteristic clicking sound as they move about on the hard ground. Since the vegetation takes many years to recover after being cropped by reindeer, the herds require very large areas for grazing. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 did grave damage to the grazing grounds. In addition to their reindeer many Sami have other livestock and may grow certain crops.
Political and cultural autonomy
During the 1980s the Sami in the Scandinavian countries gained extensive political rights as a minority community. In Norway and Sweden they have their own autonomous parliament, the Sameting; there are radio and television programs in the Sami language, and many schools offer tuition in Sami as well as in the national language. On the other hand it is the case that many Sami are unable to live by the traditional economy and to follow their traditional way of life.
