Lapland

Lapland is an interesting cultural region originating in the Arctic Circle.  This region is found in Finland and Sweden its neighbours also having an influence on this culture. These neighbours are Norway and Russia. Because of the influences of these countries there are differences in customs and traditions between the diverse areas that go to make up Lapland.

The traditional people who live in Lapland are called the Sami people. The Sami culture is predominantly in the north of Lapland. The Sami people don’t consider they have four seasons that we are familiar with but instead they differentiate their seasons into eight. Characteristically north of the Arctic Circle the polar night is associated with the winter season and the mid night sun the summer.

Because of the sub arctic climate of the country Lapland has some beautiful scenery. In the south there are forests, which is a contrast to the rest of the country where the vegetation tends to be sparser. The west of the country has Norway as its neighbour, so this part of the area is mountainous. The highest mountain being Kebnekaise. Where Lapland is Swedish there are wide grand rivers and where the area is part of Finland there is low plateau terrain with lakes marshes and bogs. The largest lake in this area is lake Inari.

Lapland can also boast many mineral deposits. In the area of Sweden iron ore can be found and for those interested in metallurgy an amethyst mine can be visited.

The diversity of the country and its climate means that there is a wealth of opportunities for a range of activities. These include walking and camping, staying in log cabins in the rugged woods, fishing in the grand rivers and the full range of snow activities from skiing to snowboarding.
              
In Lapland there is also a range of wild life to be seen from the bird life of land and sea to the best known of all animals in the country, the reindeer. The reindeer, also known as caribou, may vary in size and colour but both male and female reindeer have antlers. In a part of Finland they have a reindeer motif on their coat of arms.

For many people Lapland is associated with reindeer and of course Santa Claus, who it is said lives there!