Swedish Lapland
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Swedish Lapland (Swedish: Lappland) is a province in northernmost Sweden. It borders to Jämtland, Ångermanland, Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Norway and Finland.
Lapland originally extended eastward. However, in 1809 Russia annexed the eastern part of the Swedish realm, and created the Grand Duchy of Finland, which in effect split Lapland into a Swedish and a Finnish, which still exist today -- see also Finnish Lapland.
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The provinces of Sweden with Blechingia highlighted
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Government
The Swedish Lapland is divided between the Norrbotten County, in the north, Västerbotten County, in the south. Most people in these countys refer to the entire county, including the areas in Lapland, when they say 'Norrbotten' or 'Västerbotten'. The reasons are practical and historical and do not imply they wouldn't prefer the name Lapland.Citizens of Sami descent are eligible to stand and vote in elections for the Swedish Sami Parliament.
Geography
Parts of Lappland have been named a UNESCO World heritage site, the Laponian area.National parks
History
The history of Lappland is in many ways connected to the history of Norrbotten county and Västerbotten county, since Lappland is a historic region connected to these countys. During the middle ages, Norrbotten/Lappland was basicly a no man's land. The area was sparsely populated by sami, kvens and different tribes/people related to the Finns. In the southern part of Lappland, swedish and norwegian settlers lived, side by side with the sami population. From the Middle ages on, the Swedish kings tried hard to colonize and christianze the area. But it took time - even today, Finnish and Sami minorities live in the area and have maintained their culture and customs.During the industrialization of Sweden, the natural resources (hydroelectricity, timber and minerals) from Norrbotten and Lappland played a key role. Still, the area is poor compared to the southern parts of Sweden. The unemployment is high and young people leave for a better future "down south".
Municipalities and towns
Heraldry
Lapland itself was never considered a duchy but on January 18, 1884 the Privy Council gave all Provinces the right of use to a dukal coronet for their arms. Blazon Swedish version: "Argent, a Wildman stantant Gules wrapped with birch leaves Vert on the head and around the waist holding a Club Or in dexter over the shoulder."Culture
- Culture of the Sami people
- The conservative Lutheran Laestadian movement is prominent in the region
External links
- [Swedish Lapland] - BBC Holiday Destinations
| Provinces of Sweden |
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| Ångermanland | Bohuslän | Blekinge | Dalarna | Dalsland | Gästrikland | Gotland | Halland | Hälsingland | Härjedalen | Jämtland | Lapland | Medelpad | Norrbotten | Närke | Öland | Östergötland | Skåne | Småland | Södermanland | Uppland | Värmland | Västmanland | Västerbotten | Västergötland | |
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