Press kit 2020, download here.
For extensive information on Rovaniemi, please contact Ms Salla Tauriainen, salla (at) visitrovaniemi.fi
Please see our Stats page.
– In terms of geographical area, Rovaniemi is the largest town in Europe, spanning 8 016 km² in all. The total area comprises 7 601 km² of land and 415 km² of water.
– Rovaniemi is Finland’s 17th largest town.
– The number of citizens is 62 420 (31st December 2017). Including the additional 8 000 students (2017 estimate) whose main place of residence is outside of Rovaniemi, the total number of inhabitants rises to approximately 70 420.
– More than 2.5 % of the town’s residents have foreign citizenship (31st December 2017). The total number of different nationalities exceeds 90 (31st December 2017).
– Each year, Rovaniemi is visited by more than half a million travellers, of which around 60 % come from foreign countries and 40 % are domestic visitors.
– The town is surrounded by approximately 30 villages, most of them situated near the rivers Ounasjoki and Kemijoki.
– Rovaniemi has been the administrative centre of Lapland since 1938.
– Rovaniemi was granted town status in 1960.
– The average annual temperature in 2018 was 2,5 °C. The coldest month in 2018 was February with an average temperature of -13 °C. The warmest was July with an average temperature of +20°C ( in July 2017 the average temperature was + 15,5°C).
– At the end of 2017, age distribution was as follows: 0-14 years, 16.5 %; 15-64 years, 64,9 %, 65 and older, 18,5 %. Of citizens 15 years and older, 76,8 % had completed secondary school at the end of 2017 and 32% had graduated from college or university.
– In 2012, the number of business locations was 3 267.
What you definitely should know when planning a story in and on Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, where the man in red can be visited 365 days a year.
Please read more on Santa Claus.
Santa Claus Village is the main tourist attraction in Rovaniemi and Lapland with more than 500 000 annual visitors.
SantaPark is Santa’s home cavern, mined 50 metres underground in the Syväsenvaara fell.
The Northern Lights are a magical phenomenon very popular among tourists, many of whom come to Rovaniemi mainly to see the dancing arcs of light in the sky. Find out more about the Aurora Borealis.
The Midnight Sun and white nights provide light around the clock in the northern summer. The light conditions are unique and ideal for photography. The nocturnal light also gives an extra edge to activities. Read more on the Midnight Sun.
There are several unique ways to stay the night in Rovaniemi – Actually Rovaniemi has biggest variety of Wow accommodation in Lapland.
Rovaniemi has excellent grounds and facilities for a plethora of activities year round.
Most popular winter activities include:
Most popular summer activities include:
And that’s just scratching the surface. Please see our Activities page for the whole range.
Rovaniemi has all four seasons – some locals would argue there are up to eight of them in the year – with stark contrasts between them, and each shows the city and surrounding natural areas in a totally different light. Read more on the four seasons and when to go.
The snow sauna is an exotic concept even for Finns, to whom traditional sauna is a source of national pride. Arctic SnowHotel constructs snow saunas each winter. Getting steamy hot in a cubicle made of snow and ice is truly a unique experience!
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