Lemmenjoki National Park

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Lemmenjoki National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Lemmenjoki National Park
Map of Finland
Map of Finland
Location Lapland Province, Finland
Coordinates 68°34′40″N 25°36′01″E / 68.57778, 25.60028
Area 2,850 km² (1,100 mi²)
Established 1956
Visitors 10,000 (in 2005)
Governing body Metsähallitus
A creek that flows into the Lemme River
A creek that flows into the Lemme River

Lemmenjoki National Park (Finnish: Lemmenjoen kansallispuisto, Northern Sami: Leammi álbmotmeahcci) is situated in area of municipalities of Inari and Kittilä, Lapland, in Northern Finland. It was founded in 1956 and has since been expanded twice. Its total area is 2,850 km² (1,100 mi²), making it the biggest national park of Finland and one of the largest in Europe.

The park has got its name (Lemmenjoki) from an 80 kilometer (50 miles) long river running through it.

The park is partly bordered by the Øvre Anarjóhka National Park in Norway.

The Oahujoki wilderness hut in Lemmenjoki National Park
The Oahujoki wilderness hut in Lemmenjoki National Park

Around 100 people can be seen digging gold in the area in the summer on 40 claims. Most of the people in the park – around 10,000 people per year – are backpackers, though. There are about 60 kilometres (40 miles) marked paths in the national park, and even some bridges and boats are put up for travelers. There are more than ten free wilderness huts in the park and three chargeable, bookable ones.

The gold-digging area contains two small airports, Martiniiskonpalo (467 m or 1860 ft) and Keurulainen (about 500 m or 1600 ft). They can be used for landing or taking off with small propeller planes.

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