Many people think, that Lapland is independent country. Maybe this is because of the Christmas spirit that it brings. Or maybe because Santa Claus lives there. Actually Lapland is area of Finland. Not the most populated, but the biggest, covering almost the all northern polar circle. And the fact that in the winter months the sun hides, doesn’t mean that the life there fades.
This is the most fun time to visit – full of tourists and charm with its Christmas spirit. Capital of Lapland is the Rovaniemi area. The city is located just of the polar circle and administrative, cultural and tourism center with population of about 35 000 people. One of them is the good old Santa. Actually, the people here explain that Santa Clause lives in the remote mountain Korvatunturi. Literally the name Korvatunturi means Ear. Therefore, children in Finland believe that he could hear their wishes.
The atmosphere in the village can carry you into Christmas time, even to visit in August. You can hear heard Christmas songs everywhere, it is full with people and the post office is working on full steam. If you have decided to send a card from Lapland, see what mailbox you will put it in. Cards in the yellow one, are sent immediately and the ones in the red, are collected and sent just before Christmas. Santa is available every day of the year. He usually accepts visitors in his office – a cave. On the corridor`s walls are hanged pictures of presidents, actors and other famous personalities sitting next to the old man. There are a lot of giant books on his cabinet`s shelves full of , at least what he says, all the children`s deeds either good or bad. Although the Santa`s village is really exciting it is far from the most interesting place you can visit in Lapland. Pragmatically speaking, you may find it too commercially oriented and even trendy. Deer farms are something entirely different. Statistics show that in Lapland live more deer than people.
In Rovaniemi there is a place which must be visited - Museum Arktikum. There you’ll learn all about Lapland and the polar areas. You’ll see interesting animal species and hear songs of saami – indigenous population of Lapland. You will learn about the most special museum in Inari located in the deep north. If you have luck, while in Lapland, you will see the Northern lights – a Natural light show. The game of shapes and colors it`s hard to describe with words.
