Rovaniemi – Capital of Lapland

Rovaniemi is the capital of the Province of Lapland. Located at the confluence of two great rivers the Kemijoki  and the Ounasjoki. The first people to arrive in the area later known as Rovaniemi came about 8,000 years ago. They where mainly hunters and fishermen. Later people came on foot, by boat, by train and plane.

The destruction of Rovaniemi by fire in October 1944 left only 17 buildings standing. The architect Alvar Aalto designed the new town and reconstruction began in 1946 and ended in 1953.

The city of Rovaniemi covers an area of over 8000 km². That makes it the largest city in Europe. Today there are around 57 000 people living in the area of Rovaniemi. About 35 000 in the city center. There are various study courses at the University of Lapland that people attend, while others make their livelihood from services mainly in the travel industry. Over half a million tourists visit Rovaniemi each year and the international flavour of the town may be seen and heard throughout the year.

Tourism has been important for the development of the town of Rovaniemi since the 1920s. People from near and far came to visit the Rovaniemi market events. They came from all over Finland and from other Nordic countries. Even from countries as far away as North America to check the quality and price of furs.

Today Rovaniemi is a popular venue for congress and business. The tourists visiting Rovaniemi each year come mainly from Germany, Russia, other Nordic countries, England, Spain, France, Holland and Japan.

For more Information about Rovaniemi:

http://www.rovaniemi.fi

The Rovaniemi Tourist Information
Tel: +358 (0)16 346270
Email: travel.info@rovaniemi.fi

City Centre

Lumberjack Candle Bridge