Lapland

People

Most inhabitants of Saamiland are Saami (Sámi or Lapps), who speak a Finno-Ugric language also known as Saami. About a third of Saami are nomadic, living during the winter in the interior and during the summer on the coast. Other Saami live permanently in scattered settlements on the coast and fiords, and many are established in villages at the heads of valleys or on well-stocked lakes. The Saami live mostly in Norway, where they are called Samer. Their principal occupation is herding reindeer, from which both food and clothing are derived; other occupations are hunting and fishing. The Saami were conquered by the Norsemen in the 9th century AD and by the Russians in the 11th century. Between the 13th and the 17th centuries they were ruled by Sweden. Saamiland was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Related Topics:
Finno-Ugric - Saami - Norsemen - 9th century - 11th century - 13th - 17th

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