Karasjok (village)

Karasjok (Norwegian) or (Northern Sámi: ) is the administrative centre of Karasjok Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The village is located along both sides of the Karasjohka river, just  west of the Norway-Finland border. The European route E06 highway runs through the village on its way from Lakselv to Tana bru and Kirkenes. The  village has a population (2017) of 1,844 which gives the village a population density of 842 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,180/sq mi).

The village is an important centre in the municipality and region. The Sámi Parliament of Norway is located in the village. It acts as an institution that protects cultural autonomy for the indigenous Sámi in Norway. The Old Karasjok Church and the newer Karasjok Church are located in the village. The newer church is also the seat of the Indre Finnmark prosti (deanery) of the Church of Norway.
 World War II 
During World War II a Nazi concentration camp was built in Karasjok: Lager IV Karasjok (German for "Karasjok Camp No.4"). The camp was run by SS, and it was among the first four Nazi concentration camps in Northern Norway.

In July 1943, 374 political prisoners and POWs prisoners (mostly Yugoslavs) were brought to the concentration camp. They were tasked with widening the road to Karigasniemi, Finland. After four or five months, only 111 of these prisoners were still alive. At the end of the prisoners' stay in Karasjok, 45 prisoners were murdered by the firing of small arms.

 References 

Category:Villages in Norway
Category:Settlements in Finnmark