Laponian area

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Laponian Area


State Party = SWE
Type = Mixed
Criteria = iii, v, vii, viii, ix
ID = 774
Region = Europe
Year = 1996
Session = 20th
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/774The Laponian area is a large mountainous wildlife area in the Lapland province in northern Sweden, more precisely in the Gällivare Municipality, Arjeplog Municipality and Jokkmokk Municipality. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

The total area is about 9400 km², making it the world's largest unmodified nature area which is cultured by natives -- the natives in this case being the reindeer herding Sami people. Being so large, the geography of the area varies greatly. Each nature reserve and national park has its distinctive features.

95% of the area is protected as national parks or nature reserves. It consists of the national parks Muddus, Sarek, Padjelanta and Stora Sjöfallet, and the nature reserves Sjaunja and Stubba. The other 5% are in the areas of Sulitelma, Tjuoltadalen, and Rapadalen. The village Porjus is a natural port to the Laponian area and has recently opened an information center.

The highest mountain of the area is Sarektjåhkkå, at 2,089 meters.

External links

* [http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=774 Unesco site]
* [http://www.raa.se/varveng/lapplande.asp Swedish National Heritage Board site]