At that time the sun doesn't rise at all. Correspondingly, in summer the sun doesn't set at all. Summer nights are an active time here in Utsjoki. We also have salmon fishing competitions, midsummer festivals and other happenings in summer. The total population of Utsjoki is about 1500 inhabitants.
Border trade is an important source of livelihood and people from Norway come for shopping here.
There are lots of cottages for tourists to come, too. We have no industry. Reindeer herding is still an important occupation for many Sami families. Most people work in service jobs but we also have some agriculture by the riverside. Utsjoki region Click image to enlarge There are only about 0.3 inhabitants per square kilometre, so we have got lots of space here.