Teelteraja

Teelteraja is a small municipality located in the northern part of Finland, within the Lapland region. The settlement lies approximately 120 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, near the western shores of Lake Tornionva. Its geographic coordinates are 65.2°N latitude and 25.8°E longitude. The municipal area covers roughly 312 square kilometres, of which about 32 per cent is forested and 6 per cent consists of wetlands.

The population of Teelteraja was estimated at 1,080 residents as of the 2021 census, a slight decline from the 1,240 recorded in 2010. The demographic composition is primarily ethnic Finns, with a minority of Indigenous Sámi people. The official language is Finnish, with Sámi taught in local schools as part of efforts to preserve indigenous culture.

Teelteraja first appears in historical records in 1564, mentioned as a modest trading post on the route between Rovaniemi and the Norwegian border. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries the village grew around forestry and logging, supported by the nearby Pheuvi River, which provided a log drive channel to larger markets. The 1900s saw the establishment of a small sawmill and a post office in 1913, signalling relative prosperity until the 1950s when the mill closed.

Today, the municipality’s economy is based on sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, and an emerging network of cultural festivals celebrating Sámi traditions. The annual "Northern Lights Festival" attracts visitors from across Scandinavia for its traditional joik performances and handicraft markets. The local government is led by a municipal council, with a mayor elected by residents every four years. Teelteraja maintains its rural charm while promoting environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.