2. Rovaniemi is the administrative capital of a Finland's northernmost
province, Lapland. The city and the surrounding Rovaniemen maalaiskunta
(Rural municipality of Rovaniemi) were consolidated into a single entity on
January 1, 2006.
3. Rovaniemi is situated about 5km south of the Artic Circle and is
between the hills of Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara, at the
confluence of the river Kemijoki and Ounasjoki.
4. Important Facts
Rovaniemi has an area of 8,016.72
and a population of 61,000.
They speak Finnish.
The currency is the Euro.
You can go to Rovaniemi by plane.
5. Name
The rova part in the name Rovaniemi is Saamic origin and it's has
got many meanings. One is “roavve” in Saami means a forested
ridge or hill on the site of an old forest fire. Rova means a rock
or a group of rocks in a stretch of rapids too, or even a sauna
stove. The niemi part of the name means “cape”.
6. History
Rovaniemi was founded in 1453 as a
collection of small villages, their inhabitants
engaged in agriculture, livestock, fishing and
hunting.
The exploitation of natural resources of
Lapland in 1800 boosted the growth of
Rovaniemi and the population grew. Gold
Rush also attracted many people and
Rovaniemi became the business center of
the province of Lapland.
During World War II, Finland signed the
Moscow Armistice and was involved in the
Lapland War with its former German ally. On
October 13, 1944, the German army was
ordered to destroy all the buildings in
Rovaniemi.
7. Rovaniemi today
Tourism is one of the most important industries in Rovaniemi, there are many hotels
and restaurants in the center and on the outskirts of the city.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, many government institutions have their offices
there. 10,000 of its inhabitants are students and other leading universities are the
University of Lapland and the University of Applied Sciences, Rovaniemi.
Some of the most famous places are the bridge Jätkänkynttilä, Arktikum House,
Rovaniemi City Hall, Lappia House, Santa Claus Village and Santapark.
A phenomenon that attracts many tourists is the Northern Lights, in Rovaniemi the
number of auroras can be 200 for year.
8. Weather in Rovaniemi
Average temperature: + 0.2ºC
Annual rainfall: 535mm
The ground is covered with snow
for 183 days a year.
Minimum temperature: - 45.3ºC
Maximum temperature: + 30.6ºC
The midnight sun can be seen
from June 6 to July 7.
9. In Rovaniemi there are many beautiful places, for example: Santa
Claus' house, the main bridge, many beautiful lakes and rivers,
stranges hotels, the center of the city, snowy forests, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE7nMhnFXx8
10. There are many activities to do in Rovaniemi, for example: you can see
reindeers and do dog sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice
fishing, skating, or you can visit Santa Claus village and the center of the
city, but the most beautiful you can see are the Northern Lights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLF8UwXm30A
11. Famous inhabitants
-Jari Tervo, writer.
-Harri Olli, ski jumper.
-Writer Timo K. Mukka died in
Rovaniemi in 1974.
-Snowboarder and 2005
Winter X Games gold medalist
Antti Autti is a Rovaniemi
native.
-Tanja Poutiainen, alpine skier.
-World champion snowcross
winner Janne Tapio is a
Rovaniemi native.
-Antti Tuisku, singer.
-The Black Metal band Beherit
came from Rovaniemi.
12. Santa Claus Village
In Santa Claus
Village you can visit
Santa's house or you
can send your letter
in the Post Office of
Santa Claus.
You can even meet
and take a photo
with him. And you
can meet his
reindeers!