Finland is located near the Arctic Circle, in the very north of Europe. And even further, beyond the Arctic Circle, in the kingdom of endless snowy expanses, lies the land of miracles and eternal Christmas - Lapland.
Finnish winters are long, but in Lapland they are especially long. For almost eight months, everything here is covered with a white blanket of snow, and rivers and lakes are covered with crystal ice. The days at this time are very short, and 51 days a year, the sun does not appear over the horizon at all. This is how long the polar night, "kaamos", lasts in Lapland, which brings an amazing phenomenon - the northern lights.
Santa Country
The Lapland mountains, hills, endless tundra sleep, covered with snow, and work is in full swing in the kingdom of Santa Claus. Finnish Santa and his helpers are preparing for the most beloved and magical holiday - Christmas. During the Christmas season, thousands of people come to the birthplace of Santa Claus, the city of Rovaniemi. Here is the official residence of Santa and the capital of this fabulous land.
The residence of Santa Claus (Joulupukki) opened in 1985, but its history began in 1950 with a small wooden hut. After 10 years, the residence had to be expanded, and soon, 9 kilometers from Rovaniemi, a whole village grew up with an amusement park, workshops, shopping centers, a puppet theater and, of course, a post office. It is to him that a huge number of letters to Santa Claus from the children of the planet come.
Lapland has never been an independent country and a single state formation. The territory is currently divided between Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden. But traditionally, tourists come to visit Santa Claus across the Finnish border.
Winter fun
In addition to Christmas activities, Lapland has many other winter activities. Most of the Finnish ski resorts are located in the cultural region of Lapland. Snow skiing, dog sledding safaris, winter fishing, snowshoeing, snowmobile races and sleigh rides with red deer are just some of the adventures worth experiencing in Lapland.
The reindeer here are half wild, but each is assigned to a specific reindeer herder who takes care of him. But reindeer husbandry here is not the same as in other northern countries. Deer roam freely in the tundra, and they are collected in corrals only three times a year. And no matter what time of the year you are in Lapland, you can always see these calm and amazing animals near the roads and human habitation.
In Northern Lapland, there are only two inhabitants per square kilometer. This is a country of serenity and nature in its original state, which gives its beauty, strength and wisdom to all who are ready to accept this priceless gift.
