anta's home of Lapland is a fairytale at Christmas time. An enchanting winter wonderland where dreams come true, it's where you and your family can go in search of Santa Claus and his Elves, enjoy husky and reindeer sleigh rides and enjoy all the sparkle of an olde-worlde Christmas.

Santa Claus lives in the Finnish Lapland. You can meet him every day of the year in Santa Claus Office, at Santa Claus Village, Arctic Circle, near the town of Rovaniemi in Finland.

Lapland is a vast area that lies largely above the Arctic Circle. It has five distinct seasons, spring, summer, autumn, kaamos and winter. Finnish Lapland is the mysterious land of Santa Claus, and home to the domestic reindeer. Lapland is rich in flora and fauna that thrive only in arctic areas. Lapland offers opportunities for travel and holiday making the whole year through. Specialities are gold panning, white water rafting, fishing, hunting, trekking, cross-country ski ing, reindeer and dog-sled tours and snowmobile safaris.

Christmas Eve is the high point of Christmas celebrations in Finland. Christmas lights glisten in every window, brightening the deep blue of the winter sky. Children peep out through the windows wondering when Santa Claus will arrive. They know he is on the way, soaring above the rooftops in his sleigh drawn by reindeer, laden with presents, bringing Christmas cheer for all. Finnish youngsters believe that Father Christmas and Mother Christmas live with their dozens of little helpers on the top of a mountain called Korvatunturi far away in Finnish Lapland.

Lapland is not a country in itself, but a region of northern Europe that is mostly in the Arctic Circle, in Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and some of Russia. This holiday took place in Finnish Lapland.

Reindeer
The reindeer is a strong, semi-wild animal that the Lapps have domesticated for their own use. All rein deer are owned by some one. Each herd is indicated by the owner's earmark cut in the time-honoured way with a knife. Great care should be taken when driving in Lap land as reindeer tend to gather on roads. There are about 220 000 reindeer in F'innish Laplanc thus outnumbering people.

Towns and main holiday resorts
The administrative centre Lapland is Rovaniemi, a town with a population of 34 400. The other towns are Kemi, 25 100; Tornio, 23 300 and KemiŠrvi, 12100. The main holiday resorts are Rovaniemi, Saariselkä,Š Inari-Ivalo, PyhäŠ-Luosto, Salla, YlläŠs, Levi and Olos.

Rovaniemi - The Christmas City
is located right on the Arctic Circle. That is latitude of 66° 33’ north. We have some 180 days of snow so here You can experience a real winter wonderland.

Santa Claus Tourist Centre - Rovaniemi Tourist Information Santa Claus Tourist Centre - Rovaniemi Tourist Information provides information about Rovaniemi region: accommodation, sights, activities, events etc.

Santa Claus Tourist Centre - Rovaniemi Tourist Information
Rovakatu 21
FIN-96200 Rovaniemi, Finland
Tel. +358- (0)16- 346 270
Fax: +358- (0)16- 342 4650
E-mail: travel.info@rovaniemi.fi
Website: Rovaniemi Tourism Information
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Link: www.laplandfinland.com