Lovozero (village)

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Coordinates: 68°00′N 35°03′E / 68, 35.05

Coat of arms of Lovozero
Coat of arms of Lovozero

Lovozero (Russian: Ловозеро; Finnish: Luujärvi; Kildin Sami: Луяввьр; Northern Sami: Lujávri; Skolt Sami: Luujäuˊrr) is a village (selo) in Murmansk Oblast, Russia. First settled in 1574, Lovozero is on the Virma River, which is not far from Lake Lovozero and 164 kilometers (102 mi) south-east of Murmansk. The administrative center of Lovozersky District, the village is the second largest locality in the district after Revda, with a population of 3,141 (2002 Census), down from 3,638 recorded in the 1989 Census. The closest railway station is in Revda, 20 kilometers (12 mi) west of the village.

The main business in the village is the agricultural and reindeer husbandry cooperative Tundra. Fishing, hunting, and picking cloudberries are also important in the village. A military helicopter base is located 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) south-east of the village.

Several Sámi festivals are held in Lovozero, which is why the village is often called "the Lapp capital of Russia."