Laponia, or Lappland, was a historical Province or landskap in the extreme north of Sweden. In 1809 it was split into a Swedish western part and a Finnish eastern part. It borders to Jemtia, Angermannia and Westrobothnia in Sweden and to Ostrobothnia in Finland. It also borders to Norway and Russia.

Government

For current affairs see: Västerbotten County, Norrbotten County, and Lapland Province

The historical province of Laponia is divided between the Swedish Norrbotten County, in the north, Västerbotten County, in the south and the northern part of the Finnish administrative Lapland Province in the east. Citizens of Sami decent are eligible to stand and vote in elections for the Swedish Sami Parliament .

History

Main article: History of Laponia

Historically the province of Laponia stretched across Torne River (Torniojoki) and in to Finland. The division into a Swedish western part and a Finnish eastern part was caused when Sweden was forced to cede all of Finland and eastern Norrland to Russia in 1809.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Laponia

Laponia was historically divided into chartered cities and districts.

Cities

• Kiruna (1944)
• Lycksele (1946)

Districts

• Arjeplog Lapland Court District
• Arvidsjaur Lapland Court District
• Enonteki Lapland Court District
• Gällivare Lapland Court District
• Jokkmokk Lapland Court District
• Jukkasjärvi Lapland Court District
• Lycksele Lapland Court District
• Norsjö and Malå Court District
• Åsele Lapland Court District

National parks

• Abisko
• Björnlandet
• Muddus
• Padjelanta
• Pieljekaise
• Sarek
• Stora Sjöfallet
• Vadvetjåkka

Culture

Main article: Culture of Laponia

Lapland is also used as a name, not only for the historical province in Sweden and Finland, but for the entire region, spanning across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and into Russia, where the Sami people have their homelands. Parts of Laponia has been named a UNESCO World heritage site, the Laponian area.

The conservative Lutheran Laestadian movement is prominent in Laponia.

Heraldry

Main article: Heraldry of Laponia

Laponia itself was never considered a duchy but on January 18, 1884 the Privy Council gave all Provinces the right of use to a dukal coronet for their arms. Blazon Swedish version: "Argent, a Wildman stantant Gules wrapped with birch leaves Vert on the head and around the waist holding a Club Or in dexter over the shoulder." The Finnish version has reversed the tinctures for the shield and the wildman in natural colors and it has kept the original countal coronet. Blazon Finnish version: "Gules, a Wildman stantant proper wrapped with birch leaves Vert on the head and around the waist holding a Club Or in dexter over the shoulder." The wildman occures first on Carta marina (1539) and have a head cap of birch leaves, depicting a mytical hero called Starkad; the red color might associate to Birkarlian's coats

External links

• Lappland and Norrbotten Tourism - Official site