Sikassoit

Sikassoit is a small rural municipality located in the southeastern part of Lapland in Finland. The settlement lies on the shores of Lake Aunus, approximately 150 kilometres east of the city of Rovaniemi. It covers an area of roughly 98 square kilometres, of which about 30 percent is forested land and the remainder consists of agricultural fields, wetlands and shoreline.

According to the latest census, Sikassoit has a population of approximately 420 residents, the majority of whom are native Finnish speakers. The community has a low population density of about 4.3 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is typical for rural Lapland. The local economy relies heavily on small‑scale agriculture, forestry, and seasonal tourism. In summer months the lake attracts visitors for fishing and boating, while in winter it becomes a base for cross‑country skiing and snowmobiling.

The first written mention of Sikassoit dates to 1624, when the area was recorded in a land register as a sparsely populated farming village. The name Sikassoit is believed to derive from the Sámi word *sikass*, meaning “cloud,” reflecting the frequent mist that blankets the lake in early spring. Over the centuries the municipality has maintained a mixture of Finnish and indigenous Sámi cultural traditions. It hosts an annual midsummer festival that features traditional music, craft exhibitions, and a communal bonfire.

Today, Sikassoit remains a close-knit community that balances modern services with its natural surroundings, offering modest housing, a primary school, a small health clinic, and a community centre that serves as a hub for local events. The municipality’s governance is handled by a council elected every four years, and it cooperates with neighboring districts on regional infrastructure and environmental protection initiatives.