'''Finnish Lapland''' (Finnish: ''Lappi'') is the Arctic far north of Finland, strictly defined as the province of the same name but in practice starting near the Arctic Circle.

Temperatures can plunge as low as -50°C in the winter and the sun is not seen for days on end during the polar night (''kaamos''). By contrast, summer brings out the '''Midnight Sun''' and temperatures can occasionally rise to 30°C, although summer temperatures in the 10-20°C are mostly the norm. July is the warmest month.

Destinations

The province of Lapland is divided into four cities and 16 municipalities. The Province of Lapland has only one region, and it's called the region of Lapland. They are in practice one and the same.

Cities

  • Kemi — bleak paper industry town best known for the world's only Arctic icebreaker cruises for tourists and the world's largest snowcastle
  • Rovaniemi — province capital and the only city of any size, home to Santa Claus
  • Tornio — small town at the Swedish border. The Swedish half is Haparanda
  • Kemijarvi
  • Municipalities

    Simo, Keminmaa, Ylitornio, Pello, Kolari, Muonio, Enontekio, Kittila, Ranua, Posio, Salla, Pelkosenniemi, Savukoski, Sodankyla, Inari and Utsjoki

    Other destinations

  • Inari — the center of Sami culture
  • Saariselka — a popular winter sports resort
  • Levi — very popular winter sports resort, especially among young people
  • Understand

    Lapland [http://www.lapland.fi] is the Wild North of Finland and the last refuge of Finland's '''Sami''' people, who subsist on reindeer herding and (increasingly these days) selling trinkets to curious visitors.

    There is not too much history to see, because in the end of the Second World War the German troops burned and destroyed virtually every single village when moving to Norway. So especially for German visitors it's not a good idea to worry about the lack of old buildings around...

    When to go

    Christmas with Santa Claus in Lapland sounds appealing, but it's also the coldest (-40°C at worst) and darkest time of the year, since the sun quite literally does not rise at all. (This is, however, a very good time to see the aurora.) By the end of February both the weather and the light improve, with temperatures on the better side of -10°C and nearly 12 hours of light a day, although the sun is low and it still feels like perpetual dusk! But the Finns only start to pack in at Easter, when things really start to heat up and it's possible to ski in bright sunshine wearing only a T-shirt. It takes quite some time for the accumulated snow (as much as 2 meters) to melt off, and skiing may be possible as late as May.

    Summer and fall bring on the 'curse' of the '''Lappish mosquito''' (''hyttynen''), and if you think this sounds like a trivial nuisance you have never had to face up to the hordes that inhabit Lapland. Only hardcore hikers and fishermen visit the region then... or people in possession of a mosquito repellent, available in all stores. Mosquitos are far less present in the centers of the cities but it's virtually impossible to avoid the bite. Even though the mosquitoes' bites are itchy and their noise is irritating, they are completely harmless and contain no diseases.

    After late August almost all mosquitoes are gone, and hiking in the middle of ''ruska'', the colourful time of autumn, is a worthwhile experience. The famous midnight sun is visible almost everywhere in Lapland. At Rovaniemi the sun doesn't set at all between the beginning of June and the beginning of July, with this period growing longer as one travels farther north. Some foreigners have difficulty sleeping during these night-less periods, though a simple sleep mask should go a long way.

    Talk

    Local language is almost purely Finnish but as in everywhere in Finland, you'll survive very well with English. Swedish is spoken occasionally and in the vincinity of Norwegian border also Norwegian may be understood. Sami languages are spoken sparsely in norhernmost areas (Sodankyla, Inari, Utsjoki and Enontekio).

    Get in

    By plane

    Flying is the most practical and fastest means of reaching much of Lapland, but for most destinations services are sparse and prices often steep. There are (commercial) airports in Enontekio, Ivalo, Kemi/Tornio, Kittila and Rovaniemi.

    By train

    Trains will get you to the provincial capital Rovaniemi, at the edge of the Arctic Circle or to the northernmost railway station in Kolari.

    If entering from Sweden, there is a gap in the network between the Swedish border at Tornio and Kemi, but the connecting bus is free with Inter Rail and Scanrail.

    By bus

    Long distance buses cover practically all of even the smallest places. They are the cheapest and slowest means of transportation. Although there are bus stops of course, they can also be stopped by hand sign when you happen to meet one as a hiker on a lonely countryside road.

    By car

    You can reach the most places in Lapland by car, but traffic even on main roads is sparse and distances are great. Driving in Arctic conditions can be hazardous in winter. Winter tires (M+S) are mandatory from 1 December through the end of February. The most dangerous weather is in fact when the temperature is around freezing, when slippery but near-invisible '''black ice''' forms on the roads.

    Stay very alert, particularly at dawn and dusk, for wild animals. '''Reindeer''' are a common cause of accidents, while collisions with much larger '''moose''' are rarer but very often lethal. If you hit a reindeer, you always must inform the locals, even if the animal seems to be unharmed, as they will in turn inform the owner of the deer. (You won't be charged with anything unless you were drunk or speeding.) Bring emergency supplies in case of a collision or breakdown, especially in winter. Locals will help if they can, but you may be in for a long, very cold wait.

    Unlike moose which usually runs to the road suddenly and alone, the reindeers hang around peacefully in groups and collisions are usually easy to avoid when slowing down at once when first reindeers appear in sight.

    Liikenneturva, the Finnish road safety agency, maintains a Tips for winter driving page in English.[http://www.liikenneturva.fi/en/safety_info/tips_for_winter_driving.php].

    Get around

    Distances in Finnish Lapland are great and train service extends only to Kemijarvi (a little northeast of Rovaniemi) and Kolari, so the independent traveller will thus have to rely on slightly cheaper but infrequent buses to get around. '''Hitchhiking''' is also possible, but traffic is sparse even on the main highways and this can only be recommended during the brief summer season. On the other hand the likeliness of getting a lift is quite high once a car passes.

    See & Do

    Bitterly cold in winter, usually not very warm in summer, and sparsely populated, the main draws for visitors are the desolate yet majestic '''nature''' and the unparalleled opportunities for '''trekking''' and '''winter sports'''. Several national parks can be found in Lapland with marked hiking paths and log cabins open to the public for free. But in contrast to Norway e.g. they are only equipped with an oven and wood for heating, no food is provided.

    Bear in mind that Lapland consists of largely flat, vast forests and a lot of '''swamps''': there are no soaring mountains or Alpine skiing pistes here, just gentle, rounded '''fells''' (e.g. arctic treeless mountains, ''tunturi''). In the northenmost regions (Utsjoki and Enontekio) you will find also treeless areas, but real tundra is absent in Finland. Mountaineous views are mostly located in "the arm" at Enontekio, but because of the location of the road right next to the fells, best views are actually towards Sweden. Still there are magnificent environment available for hikers!

    Finland's highest mountain, the '''Halti''' (1328m) in the farthest north west end of Lapland is not much more than a higher hill of loose rocks (this is due to its precence in the middle of highlands), the lower summit of a mountain with its top on the Norwegian side of the border.

    Eat

    Lapland is the place to sample '''reindeer''' (''poro'') dishes, which are not too common elsewhere in. The traditional way to eat this is as '''reindeer hash''' (''poronkaristys''), usually eaten with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.

    Other Lappish specialities worth looking out for are '''snow grouse''' (''riekko'') and the delectable '''cloudberry''' (''lakka'' or ''hilla''), the world's most expensive berry. It grows in swamps, unripe it is red, ripe it is light orange, it contains a lot of vitamin C. In shops you find it most likely as jam (''lakkahillo'').

    Drink

    Most nightlife is concentrated to Kemi and Rovaniemi and especially at wintertime: to the skiing centers!

    Sleep

    According to the Everyman's Right (''jokamiehenoikeus'') one can set up a camp anywhere in the forest, no matter who owns the land. However, making a fire is allowed only in extreme occasions or by special permission of landowner. There are lots of good quality hotels and hostels around Lapland.

    Stay safe

    Know your limits. The winter environment is perfectly capable of killing the unwary tourist who gets lost in the fells. The rescue service works well – each year several tourists are rescued and only rarely any serious injury is sustained – but taking your chances is not recommended.

    If you plan to travel alone or, for example in your own car, remember that distances are great and getting help for any unexpected situation may take time. Plan accordingly; take extra warm clothes in your car and tell the hotel staff where you are heading and when you expect to come back. One more thing worth mentioning is the hunting season: Natives are usually very keen of hunting, and the start of the season draws most hunters into the wilderness. Potential dangers can be countered by wearing a red cap or some other easily identified garment, and staying away from areas where hunting is allowed during the season.

    Otherwise, there are few serious dangers to your well-being. Tap water and even water of lakes and creeks is potable (in most places, bottled water contains more harmful compounds than tap water) and foods are almost without exception safe to eat. Crime rates are low and people are helpful and nice in general but ''noisy'' foreigners on Friday night in a local pub/discotheque might be sitting ducks for harassment (in extreme cases; violent attacks) by drunken male villagers. This is mostly problem of skiing centers. Probability to get robbed or getting any other harm is still extremely low.

    Get out