Lapland

Lapland is a region in the northern parts of Fennoscandia, spanning portions of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia’s Kola Peninsula. In Finland, Lapland (Finnish: Lappi, Swedish: Lappland) is the northernmost and largest region, with Rovaniemi as its capital. The landscape features boreal forests, mountains, and tundra, and includes areas above the Arctic Circle. The Sámi, an indigenous people of northern Europe, inhabit Lapland across several countries and maintain traditions such as reindeer herding. Sámi languages—Northern Sami, Inari Sami, and Skolt Sami—are spoken alongside Finnish and Swedish in the region.

Environmental conditions include long winters with polar night and brief, bright summers with the midnight sun. Snow and cold temperatures influence daily life and support outdoor activities, which are central to tourism, including winter sports, Northern Lights viewing, and Sámi cultural experiences. The economy of Lapland rests on tourism, reindeer herding, forestry, mining, and public administration. Protected areas and national parks preserve wildlife and landscapes, including Pallas-Yllästunturi and Urho Kekkonen National Parks.

Historically, Lapland has been shaped by Sámi settlement and later state administration. The name Lapland derives from historical exonyms for Sámi peoples; today many prefer Sámi or Sami when referring to the indigenous communities, and the term Lapp is generally avoided in respectful usage.