Laponian area

Coordinates: 67°20′N 17°35′E / 67.333°N 17.583°E / 67.333; 17.583
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Laponian Area
Lapland, Sweden
IncludesStora Sjöfallet National Park, Stubba nature reserve, Padjelanta National Park, Sarek National Park, Sjaunja Nature Reserve, Muddus National Park
CriteriaCultural and Natural: (iii), (vii), (viii), (ix), (v)
Reference774
Inscription1996 (20th Session)
Area940,900 ha (3,633 sq mi)
Coordinates67°20′N 17°35′E / 67.333°N 17.583°E / 67.333; 17.583

The Laponian area is a large mountainous wildlife area in the

Lapland province in northern Sweden, more precisely in Gällivare Municipality, Arjeplog Municipality and Jokkmokk Municipality
. The name comes from the Latin name for Lapland.

It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996; the bulk of it had enjoyed protected status since the early 20th century. The area was made a heritage site for both natural and cultural reasons.[1]

The total area is about 9,400 square kilometres (3,600 sq mi), making it the world's largest unmodified nature area to be still cultured by natives—the natives in this case being the

Sami people.[2]
Only parts of the area is actually used for pasture by them. With such a large space, the geography of the area varies greatly; it is dominated by mountains, rivers and lakes. Each nature reserve and national park has its distinctive features. The amount of snow in winter and rain in summer is considerable.

95% of the area is protected as

Rapadalen
(part of which is in the Sarek park).

The village of Porjus is a natural point of entry to the Laponian area and has recently opened an information center.

The Laponia area also contains three major hydropower stations with belonging basins and a big expansion of 100 wind power stations inside the world heritage area is planned.

The highest mountain of the area is

Sarektjåhkkå
, at 2,089 metres (6,854 ft).

Gallery

  • View from above, Laponia
    View from above, Laponia
  • Panoramic view
    Panoramic view
  • Panoramic view
    Panoramic view
  • Lake Kårtejaure and the stream Njabbejåkkå, in Stora Sjöfallet National Park
    Lake Kårtejaure and the stream Njabbejåkkå, in Stora Sjöfallet National Park
  • Landscape near Jokkmokk, Lappland
    Landscape near Jokkmokk, Lappland
  • Sjaunja natural reserve
    Sjaunja natural reserve
  • Mourki, Sjaunja natural reserve
    Mourki, Sjaunja natural reserve

See also

References

  1. .
  2. .
  3. ^ "Wild Heart of Sweden". National Geographic. October 2015. Archived from the original on September 18, 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2017.

External links

Catwgory:Natural regions