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Who are the Sami? The Sami are the indigenous people of the north of the Scandinavian peninsula. Where do the Sami people live? Sami people live in the area stretching from northern Norway to the Kola peninsula in Russia. That region is popularly known as 'Lapland'. What is the Sami population number? There are several statistics showing average figures of 25,000 Sami living in Norway, 17,000 in Sweden, 4,000 in Finland and 2,000 living in Russia. Which are the main Sami towns? The Sami was traditionally a nomadic culture. You should look rather look for Sami communities. Some of the most important Sami communities are found near the towns of Rovaniemi and Inari (Finland) Kautokeino and Karasjok (Norway) and Kiruna (Sweden). The economy of the Sami communities is mainly based on reindeer farming, fishing, hunting and handicraft. Language and Culture What do the Sami people speak? There are 10 Sami languages spoken from Norway to Russia, although depending on the country where they live, they can speak Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish or Russian. The most spoken of the Sami languages counts with some 30,000 speakers. The rest of the Sami languages count in general with less than 500 speakers. The Sami languages belong to the Finno-Ugric family and share the same origin than Finnish, Estonian and Hungarian. The Sami language has some 400 words for reindeer, and one Sami word has become known worldwide: Tundra. The Sami religious belief is animistic, believing that everything in nature from animals to minerals have a soul. About Lapland Is 'Lapland' a country? Lapland is the name of a region in north Europe that belongs to Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. How does Lapland look like: There are many hills sheltering a rich fauna and flora. There is snow from November to May. Live webcams in Lapland ».. How is the weather like: Mild in summer with temperatures reaching 20�C and a wonderful snowland in winter with -30�C in the coldest months of the year. History of the Sami people - The Sami people settled in the north of the Scandinavian peninsula about 4000 years ago. - During the Middle Ages the Vikings pushed and drove the Sami up to the northern lands of the Artic circle. - From the 17th century the kingdoms of Norway and Sweden tried to assimilate the Sami by converting them into Christianity and forbidding their language. - The creation of national borders and division of the nordic territories between Sweden, Norway and Finland obliged the Sami to adapt to the culture of the country they had to live in. - The Nordic Sami Council was established in 1956 among the Sami in Finland, Norway and Sweden. - Although there still remain questions about the Sami's rights for land and natural resources, nowadays the Sami people enjoy official recognition and Sami language and culture courses are taught at several Scandinavian universities. What to see in Lapland - Discover the Sami, one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world. - Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland hosts 'Artikum' with the Museum of Lapland and the Artic Centre. You can also meet Santa, Rudolf the reindeer and the Elfs at Santa's Park. - Find one of the main Sami communities at Inari. Learn the Sami culture at the 'Siida' museum and visit a reindeer farm. - Finnish Lapland is the best place in the world for cross coutry skiing and for enjoying other winter activities like snowmobile or rides by huskey dogs and reindeers. - The clear skies of Finnish Lapland are ideal to admire the endless daylight of the Midnight Sun and the magic Northern Lights in winter. - In Swedish Lapland you can visit the impressive magnetite mines of Kiruna. - In Jukkasj�rvi, also in Swedish Lapland, you can sleep, drink in the iced bar or even marry in the ice church of the biggest iglu on the world!. - Karasjok in Norwegian Lapland boasts the 'Sami Theme Park' featuring the culture and traditions of the west Samis. - Kautokeino is a ceremonial place of the Samis in Norway. They hold lively celebrations in Easter with reindeer races and Sami music. - Contact the Tourist Offices for more information about Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish Lapland. |
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| | Lapland in The Scandinavian Shop  Interested
in Sami Music? Sami music is gaining worldwide recognition. The traditional
Sami song, the Joik, with the Norwegian Sami singer Mari Boine Persen and the
Finns Nils Aslak Valkeapää and the techno innovative Wimme Saari.Travelling to Lapland? You can find here travel guides and maps of Scandinavia and Lapland. Information about the area, what to do, where to go and tips.  Sami flags and Casual fashion! Sami flags and stickers, several sizes. Casual sami flag fashion: Jerseys, Hoodies, T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Raglans and Tops to keep you in style while showing your Sami origin. Scandinavica.com
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