Inari

Northern Lapland includes part of Sodankylä and the municipalities of Inari and Utsjoki. Inari is the largest municipality in Finland in terms of area (17,321 square kilometres). The population density in northern Lapland is 0.5 inhabitants per square kilometre of land.

The village of Inari is well worth a visit. There are excellent hiking trails and fishing waters in the vicinity. Lake Inari is ideal for experienced boaters. There are also daily cruises on the lake, for example to an ancient Lapp ceremonial site.

Inari is the administrative center of Finland's Sami population. Visitors can learn about Sami culture at the Sami Museum, tour a reindeer farm and admire Sami crafts. Quality souvenirs and gifts, inspired by nature and local culture, are on display at shops in the village.

Nature
Northern Lapland is less wooded than other parts of the province. Above the timber line there are only dwarf trees and bushes. The fells are bare on top and hiking is easy. In the Nordic countries anyone is entitled to ram freely in nature, without having to obtain permission from landowners.

You can also pick mushrooms and berries in areas where access is allowed. This right also includes the obligation to act in a responsible manner. Visitors should pay special attention to reindeer in Lapland. Remember to handle fire carefully and to clean up campsites. If you plan to fish, obtain the necessary permits and obey regulations. The right to roam freely in nature does not include the use of motor vehicles.

Seasons
Lapland has a continental climate and is characterized by warm summers and snowy winters. During the summer the sun stays above the horizon for over two months in northern Lapland, from late May to late July.

Autumn reaches its peak in late September and early October. As the days grow shorter and the temperature falls, plants stop the process of photosynthesis. Chlorophyll decomposes and leaves turn different shades of red, orange, yellow and brown.

Winter begins early in Lapland. Skiers can generally take to the tracks in Saariselkä and Inari by the end of October. Lakes and streams begin to freeze around the middle of November. Snow brightens up the scene as the days grow shorter. The sky is tinged with different shades of red during the short daytime. The Northern Lights put on a dazzling display on clear nights, and the moon and the stars somehow seem closer. In February the sun returns to glitter on the snow, and the ski-tracks and slopes remain open right up to May. The fells are especially majestic in the spring.

In May the sun melts the snow and the ice breaks up in Lapland's lakes and streams, which come alive again. Summer is just around the corner. Summer in Lapland is full of light and energy. It is a time for renewal and festive activities. Under the Midnight Sun the days follow one another without interruption. There are so many interesting things to do and experience that you'll hardly feel like sleeping.

Northern lights

The Northern Lights are created by electronic particles from the sun, moving in the earth’s magnetic field, that collide with the atmosphere. At the time of c ollision, a particle rushing from space excites an atom in the air to a higher state of energy. A moment later, the atom returns to its original state and at the same time, it radiates excitation energy as light of a certain colour.

The Northern Lights usually light up in the sky 24 days after the discharges from sunspots. In Finland, the Northern Lights are usually seen at a height of 100 - 150 km. The earth’s magnetic field controls the form of the Northern Lights.

The occurrence of the Northern Lights largely depends on the sun’s activity, which varies in cycles of about 11 years. The latest maximum period was around the year 2000.
In northernmost Lapland, it is possible to see the Northern Lights nearly every evening, if it is dark and clear - clouds and the light nights of summer prevent their visibility. On average, the Northern Lights can be seen in northernmost Lapland 200 nights a year; at the latitude of Kemi, you can peer at them on 100 nights a year, and even in Helsinki on 20 nights. In Central Europe, the Northern Lights appear about once a year, and in the Mediterranean region, about once every ten years.

Sámi Culture

Lapland's cultural traditions are based on life in arctic conditions. Inari is the center of Finland's Sami (Lapp) population. It is the site of the Sami Parliament, Sami Radio, the Sami Museum and the North Lapland Nature Centre. Three groups of Samis live in northern Lapland. Their languages enjoy official status in northern Lapland. Inari is the center of the Sámi Culture.

Reindeer herding is a traditional industry in Lapland. There are around 40,000 reindeer and roughly 700 reindeer owners in the province. Reindeer run free in the forests and fells. Their diet consists mainly of lichens and fungi. Reindeer roundups are held each autumn. Ownership is indicated by earmarks.