Many of the most important Sami institutions, such as the Sami Parliament, are located in Karasjok. Kautokeino is Norway’s largest municipality, covering 9,687 km2, with a population of 3,000 people and 100,000 reindeer.Alta is one of Northern Norway’s largest educational and research centres and is home to the Finnmark University. Lofoten is known for spectacular nature attractions and good fishing.Vadsø is the administrative centre of Finnmark and has offices belonging to the state government as well as the Finnmark county council. The North Cape is the northernmost place on mainland Europe. Northern Norway consists of the counties of Finnmark, Troms and Nordland. Midway between Norway and the North Pole you will find the Svalbard islands.
Northern Norway's landscape changes from alpine mountains and narrow fjords, with thriving coastal communities, to endless tundra and wilderness. There are mountains plunging into the sea from over a thousand metres along some stretches of the coast.
There is a selection of wildlife safaris in Northern Norway. Get close to whales, eagles, sea birds and king crabs. All the way north you can visit the North Cape and feel the breeze from the North Pole. Take a cruise with Hurtigruten, which calls at many ports in Northern Norway. Snow scooter safaris and dog sledding are popular activities at winter.
In summer the sun never sets, it is a strange feeling to walk around in sunlight at three o’clock in the morning. In winter the sun never rises and you can experience the magical northern lights, or aurora borealis, a spectacular colourful lightshow that dances across the sky.
You can meet the Sami, Norway’s aborigines, who have their own language and culture. These indigenous people have strong traditions in fishing, hunting and reindeer herding, but have also adopted new technology and modern ways of living. There is a Sami theme park in Karasjok.