Note: Also spelt Saamiland

Saamiland is a region extending across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. Saamiland was previously known as Lapland.

Area

The area covered by Saamiland is about 388,350 sq km (150,000 sq mi), most of which lies north of the Arctic Circle. The western portion is an area of fiords, deep valleys, glaciers, and mountains, the highest point being Mount Kebnekaise (2,111 m/6,926 ft), in Swedish Saamiland. Farther east, the terrain is that of a low plateau, containing many marshes and lakes, the most important of which is Lake Inari, in Finnish Saamiland. The extreme eastern section lies within the tundra region.

Climate

The climate is arctic and vegetation is sparse, except in the densely forested southern portion. Saamiland contains valuable mineral deposits, particularly iron ore in Sweden, copper in Norway, and nickel and apatite in Russia. Reindeer, wolf, bear, and sea and land birds are the main forms of animal life. Sea and river fisheries abound in the region. Steamers are operated on some of the lakes, and a few ports are ice-free throughout the year.

People

Most inhabitants of Saamiland are Saami (Sámi or Lapps), who speak a Finno-Ugric language also known as Saami. About a third of Saami are nomadic, living during the winter in the interior and during the summer on the coast. Other Saami live permanently in scattered settlements on the coast and fiords, and many are established in villages at the heads of valleys or on well-stocked lakes. The Saami live mostly in Norway, where they are called Finns. Their principal occupation is herding reindeer, from which both food and clothing are derived; other occupations are hunting and fishing. The Saami were conquered by the Norsemen in the 9th century AD and by the Russians in the 11th century. Between the 13th and the 17th centuries they were ruled by Sweden. Saamiland was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.