Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is located in northern Finland in Lapland, near the Kemi River and Ounas.
The Arctic Circle passes through Rovaniemi.
Population: about 59 000 inhabitants.
Area: 8017.23 km², is one of the largest cities in Europe.

Rovaniemi was first mentioned in documents in 1453. But in the middle of 18th century people were fishing and hunting there. A highway, which was built in 1839 connected Rovaniemi and Kemi, and due to a railway station, which was built in 1909, Rovaniemi became a trade centre and later an administrative centre. The first big, multicultural and multi-coloured fair was in 1881. Since that time there are fairs three times a year: in spring, summer and autumn. In 1929, the province of Rovaniemi became a settlement town, and in 1960 it received its town charter.

During World War II Rovaniemi was a garrison for German troops, so they built the first hill for skiing. Because in 1944 Soviet Union ordered to liberate Rovaniemi, the people of the city were evacuated so, but the German troops stayed to burn and destroy the city. After the war, the city was rebuilt, designed by the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto.

Santa Claus Village is in The Arctic Circle, not far from the centre of Rovaniemi. Thousands of tourists visit it every year, not only during the New Year, but year-round as well, to see and talk with the real Santa Claus, to send a card to relatives and friends by the official Santa Claus post. There are many services offered in the city for great vacations, like a variety of safaris, football fields, hockey courts, skiting centre, swimming pools, etc. For the inquisitive, there is a museum "Arktikum" which provides unique insight into the way of life, culture and history of the North. "Santa Park" is situated in the Arctic Circle.