Lapland is known to be the birthplace of Santa Claus (in his native Finland he is called Jolopukki). However, not everyone agrees with this; Americans, for example, believe that Santa lives at the North Pole. Anyway, 8 km from the Lapland city of Rovaniemi Santa Joulupukki all year round receives guests. Here, among the snow-covered spruce and birch trees, there is a whole economy: post office, shops, office, cafe, snow labyrinth.
Interesting fact: the first tourist to visit the place where Santa Claus lived is considered to be the wife of the 32nd American President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor. She visited the village in 1950. A hut was built here in her honor and can still be seen today. Lapland also has amazing nature. 
Sledding with husky, Lapland
Daylight hours in Lapland are very short in winter
Santa Claus Village near Rovaniemi, Finland
Winter forest and its inhabitants
The winter starry sky is considered one of the most beautiful. The constellations Orion and Taurus rise to the zenith, you can see the two most famous nebulae: the Horsehead Nebula and the Greater Orion Nebula - astronomers were the first to photograph it
In the forest
The Northern Lights can be seen during the day, but at night they are much brighter
Despite its proximity to the Arctic, winter temperatures above the Arctic Circle in Finland are not too low: the average for January is -11 °C. But it's windy and there's a lot of snow...
Road sign "Attention, deer!" all roads in Lapland and many roads in Southern Finland are difficult
Santa Claus Village in Lapland is, in fact, Santa's office, a post office, a souvenir shop, an ice maze, huge snowmen, a glowing Arctic Circle line and many more wonderful structures
Reindeer and husky riding is one of the main winter fun
Santa Claus office in Santa Park. Santa Park is located in a real mountain. There is a troll school and a toy store here. Railway.
Northern lights reflected in the water
Reindeer herders in Ruka, Finland. Ruka is one of the most popular ski resorts countries
Rapids of the Muonioelven river in Finnish Lapland at dawn
White Silence
Lapland is located in the northern part of Finland. Its area is 30% of the territory of Finland. You can get here by plane. The roads here are simply excellent.
Lapland is the land of fairy tales. Snow-covered trees look like fantastic sculptures, the skies shimmer with golden-pink hues, and deer walk along the roads. This country is the birthplace of Santa Claus, or, as he is called here, Yellowpook. Here, near the central city of Rovaniemi, his village is located. In the village there is a real Santa office and his post office. In Lapland you can meet gnomes who help Yellowpooks fulfill the wishes of children. And people have never been to Santa Claus's house on the Korvatunturi hill. According to legend, only good spirits can get here.
A little about the Sami
The Sami are the indigenous people of Finland, living in Lapland. They fish, hunt and breed deer. You can still go dog sledding here. Modern Sami youth try to live with the times. Many people leave for Helsinki, but the traditions of this people are very strong and are carefully followed. Many Sami do not know Finnish.
Tourism in Lapland
Lapland has excellent conditions for relaxation at any time of the year. Winter activities such as snowboarding and skiing are popular. They also offer such interesting entertainment as snowmobile safaris, dog sledding and reindeer sledding. In Rovaniemi, tourists can even get a “reindeer license” to drive this type of transport. The Arktikum museum, the Santa Park amusement park are located here, and in the suburbs of Rovaniemi there is the Ranua Arctic Zoo.
The Pyhätunturi hill, at a distance of 53 km from the Arctic Circle, deserves special attention. This is popular ski resort. The skiing season starts in November and lasts until May. If natural snow cover is not enough, it is supplemented with artificial snow, thereby maintaining favorable conditions for skiing throughout the season. They also offer snowshoeing through snow-covered forests and ice fishing.
A truly wonderful sight is the midnight sun, polar nights, and northern lights. Tourists can admire this beauty of glass igloos. In the village of Sodankylä, they opened the “House of Radiance”, in which, using a projector and mirrors, this natural phenomenon is artificially recreated.
In memory of the trip, you can bring products made from leather and deer antlers, as well as from Arctic birch. Traditional Sami hats, costumes, mittens, and handmade shoes are sold.
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Lapland- a cultural region located on the territory of several countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. It is a plateau cut through by numerous river valleys and mountain gorges; its northern and western parts are occupied by the Hjölen ridge, the northeastern part of the Scandinavian mountains. This mountainous country is followed by a terrace dotted with lakes and marshes, and beyond this a coastal strip covered with extensive pine forests and excellent pastures. The latter is where the settled population is concentrated, while the mountains are visited almost exclusively by the nomadic Sami.
Lapland as the birthplace of Santa Claus
According to one version, Lapland is the birthplace of Father Frost (Santa Claus, Mun Callsa), and today it is his most famous residence. In 1950, Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, visited here. She is considered the first tourist to visit the home of Santa Claus. A hut was erected here in her honor, which can still be seen today.
Holidays in Lapland
Lapland- this is one of the most popular destinations in winter. Last minute holidays in this region are distinguished by their cheapness and therefore attract more and more tourists every year. The main place where people gather is the amusement park Santa Claus Village (Joulupukki Workshop Village), which is located in Finland.
The main visitors come here from Great Britain, Germany, Russia, France, Ireland, China, Japan, and India. In recent years, the number of tourists from the American continents has increased significantly. Although in the American tradition, Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, despite the fact that there is no land there. European culture does not mention the place of residence of Santa Claus at all.
Santa Claus Village is located 8 km northeast of Rovaniemi and 2 km from international airport Rovaniemi. During Christmas, the number of flights arriving at this airport triples.
How to get to Lapland?
Mostly tourists get to Rovaniemi from connecting flight at Helsinki Airport, since the flight schedule is designed in such a way that the wait does not exceed 3 hours. During the Christmas holidays, charters from Sweden, England and some other countries are organized here.
In addition, Rovaniemi can be reached by regular buses and trains.
You can get from Rovaniemi to Santa Claus Village on route No. 8, which runs between the stations " Train Station Rovaniemi" and "Santa Claus Village". The bus ride takes about 30 minutes.
"Where is Lapland?" - the kids are interested when they hear what it is mysterious place- the birthplace of Santa Claus and the habitat of the Snow Queen.
One region in four countries
It is impossible to say unambiguously where Lapland is located, in which country. And not because the area is enchanted - it simply does not exist, because Lapland was called the territory beyond the Arctic Circle. 400 thousand kilometers of Lapland are included in the northwestern part of Russia, Norway and Sweden, but a large share of the land belongs to Finland.
In this country, there is officially a region of Lapland with the capital Rovaniemi. It is inhabited by Laplanders, or Sami. Therefore, we can assume that Finland is the correct answer to the question: “Where is Lapland, in what state?”
Snow and cold
Reviews from tourists note that Lapland is a truly fabulous country. After all, even the harsh Arctic climate is surprisingly softened in the places where Lapland is located. Thanks to the warm influence of the Gulf Stream, summer temperatures in Lapland are no different from average European ones.
From June to the end of October, the sun often shines here, a fresh wind blows, and in addition you can observe the wonderful northern phenomenon - white nights. Autumn in Lapland is elegant, with golden foliage, rich in mushrooms and berries.
The snow finally falls in October and remains until the end of May. For Christmas and New Year The polar night, decorated with the northern lights, descends on Lapland.
Natural features
An amazing place, Lapland, where there is everything that a traveler could wish for, escaping from the crowded city. In reviews, tourists write that comfortable Yulles is a paradise for those who prefer On the hills, rising to a height of 500-700 meters, there are many trails of varying degrees of difficulty, jumps, slides and other entertainment for snowboarders and skiers.
Countless bodies of water, among which the Kemijoki River is the most famous, allow for interesting rafting trips and plenty of fishing. In their reviews, tourists share their impressions of excellent fishing on the sea coast, indented by fiords. The fishing here is excellent for cod, mackerel and herring.
Having visited one of 8 national parks Lapland, you can better get to know the nature of this part of the planet. People move around the parks by dogs, skis and motor sleighs. During a leisurely walk on foot, it is easy to spot the indigenous inhabitants of Lapland forests - foxes, hares, arctic foxes, who hide under low birch trees or huge spruce trees.
Sights of Lapland
Reviews from tourists say that Lapland has something to do for both adults and children. Popular tourist spots in the capital Rovaniemi (Lapland), where you can find:
- amusement park "Arktikum";
- Lumilinna Ice Palace;
- Siida Sami Museum;
- Aine Art Museum and much more.
Under the glass dome of the Arktikum amusement park in the Museum of Lapland you can study the life and customs of the Sami people and see a unique exhibition dedicated to shamans. It’s interesting to know how they cast spells and summoned spirits! Arktikum is also an interesting museum of the Arctic.
In the town of Kemi there is a truly magical Lumilinna ice palace, where the cheerful spirits Arttu and Terttu live. Everything in the building is made of snow, even the beds, and average temperature indoors is +5. equipped with an ice restaurant, children's playground, there is even a jewelry museum and a chapel - all made of snow and ice.
Saariselki is another ice village, where Sami igloos with a cold transparent ceiling are visible through which sparkles are visible. The village has an ice church, a bar and an ice sculpture gallery.
Entertainment in Lapland
Where Lapland is located, you can have a great time riding reindeer sleds. True, for this you need to complete a short driving course, and then boldly hit the road. Reindeer feel at ease in Lapland, because the largest number of them live here on earth.
Dog lovers will appreciate the opportunity to fly with the breeze in a husky sled. Blue-eyed dogs It’s not as easy to command as it seems, but if everything worked out, how much pleasure does the tourist experience!
A visitor to the Sami land will experience a unique experience when he goes to explore the Gulf of Bothnia on a real icebreaker, and the bravest can even try swimming in the frozen water.
The birthplace of Santa Claus
Many tourists know that where Lapland is located, Santa Claus lives. The gray-haired wizard in Rovaniemi has everything: his own airport where tourists fly, and a whole village where Santa Claus lives and works.
Together with the elves, he prepares gifts for good children all year and answers their letters. At Christmas in Santa Claus Village, festive events do not stop for a minute. Santa Claus shows visitors his and flying reindeer and gives them a diploma certifying their visit to the Arctic Circle.
The city of Rovaniemi is best visited on the eve of the New Year. The thing is that the most famous place in the world is located here - the village of that same Santa Claus. And coming here during the holidays would be very opportune. The village has something to see for both children and adults.
The birthplace of Santa Claus
The Finns themselves believe that the New Year's wizard, who is called Elopukki in these parts, lives on the Korvatunturi hill, near the Russian border, and his main residence is in Rovaniemi. The village is not very big in size. The main place in the village of Santa Claus is his office and post office, where more than half a million letters from children from different corners land. By the way, they say that everything that is wished for, fortunately for adults and children, almost always comes true, if it does not concern financial issues.
On the territory of Rovaniemi there is a deer farm, a complex of residential cottages, shops, restaurants, slides and attractions. On main square In the village of Santa Claus, every tourist will see a dazzlingly beautiful Christmas tree - a symbol of the New Year.
Before the New Year and Christmas, a large number of tourists come to the village of Santa Claus. Mostly these are families with children. All kids dream of meeting Santa Claus in person. This can be done just during the holidays. You just need to get to the city of Rovaniemi. In the famous village, travelers will be met by elves - Santa's assistants. They will take you to the wizard’s office, but you will have to wait there, because there will be many people willing. Tourists will spend their waiting minutes in a luxurious, warm hall rather than freezing in the cold.
Anyone can visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi absolutely free. You will only have to spend money on a snack and buying souvenirs. Photo and video shooting on the territory is prohibited or will cost a lot of money. But in none of the many other villages in Rovaniemi, you will not feel like you are in a fairy tale. Here even an adult will become a child for a while. Santa Claus Village is the most popular place winter holiday among tourists. That is why, when arriving in Finland, the first thing tourists do is rush to visit the popular villages of Rovaniemi.
Opening hours and prices
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is open all year round, daily from 10 am to 5 pm. During the winter season before the New Year, the work schedule is extended by several hours. After visiting this amazing place From all the variety of villages in Rovaniemi, you can ride reindeer. The price of a child ticket is a maximum of 12 euros, an adult ticket is 25 euros. Let us remind you that entrance to the village is free. Unlike the nearby underground theme park - Santa Park.
