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44-502: Abisko is situated in the Swedish province of Lapland near the Norwegian border (distance approx. 37 km (23 mi) by railway), and belongs to Kiruna Municipality , Sweden's northernmost and largest municipality. It begins at the shores of Torneträsk , one of Sweden's largest lakes where the village of Abisko is located, and extends some 15 km (9.3 mi) to the south-west. It

88-454: A Swedish part and a Finnish part , both of which still exist today. Swedish Lapland primarily consists of the inland parts of Västerbotten County in the south and Norrbotten County in the north. It has the coldest climates of Sweden, with vast seasonal differences caused by the high latitudes and the inland location. The history of Lapland is in many ways connected to the history of Norrbotten County and Västerbotten County , since Lapland

132-421: A club as heraldic symbol of Lapland first appeared at the coronation of Charles IX of Sweden in 1607, then at the same king's burial in 1611. The colour red of his skin was decided only in 1949; before then various colours had been used (natural skin colour in the first half of the 20th century). The wildman, though unusual in heraldry, is an old symbol of the uncivilised north and appeared in books and woodcuts of

176-569: A group of prominent Swedish scientists, including the well-known geologist Fredrik Svenonius  [ fi ] . The purpose of the Abisko National Park was to "preserve an area with northern Nordic fell nature in its original condition and as a reminiscence for scientific research". The region has proved to be of much scientific interest, as is shown by the Abisko Scientific Research Station which exists to study

220-470: A short tail, characteristic tufts of black hair on the tips of their ears, large, padded paws for walking on snow and long whiskers on the face. Under their neck, they have a ruff, which has black bars resembling a bow tie , although this is often not visible. Body colour varies from medium brown to goldish to beige-white, and is occasionally marked with dark brown spots, especially on the limbs. All species of lynx have white fur on their chests, bellies and on

264-556: A thick coat and broad paws, and is twice as effective as the bobcat at supporting its weight on the snow. The Canada lynx feeds almost exclusively on snowshoe hares ; its population is highly dependent on the population of this prey animal. It will also hunt medium-sized mammals and birds if hare numbers fall. The Iberian lynx ( Lynx pardinus ) is a vulnerable species native to the Iberian Peninsula in Southern Europe . It

308-412: A wide range of animals from white-tailed deer , reindeer , roe deer , small red deer , and chamois , to smaller, more usual prey: snowshoe hares , fish , foxes , sheep , squirrels , mice , turkeys and other birds , and goats . It also eats ptarmigans , voles , and grouse . The lynx inhabits high altitude forests with dense cover of shrubs, reeds, and tall grass. Although this cat hunts on

352-688: Is 195 km north of the Arctic Circle, summer hikers enjoy the midnight sun , while winter visitors may find the light pollution-free location ideal for viewing the aurora borealis . Daily passenger electric trains run by SJ AB connect Stockholm with the Norwegian city of Narvik , stopping at both the Abisko village (the name of that railway station is Abisko Östra [east]) and the Abisko Turiststation. Additional regional trains provide links within

396-506: Is a historic region connected to these counties. During the Middle Ages , Norrbotten/Lapland was considered a no man's land . The area was in fact populated by nomadic Sami people , but the region became increasingly settled by Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian settlers - especially along the coasts and large rivers. From the Middle Ages on, the Swedish kings tried to colonise and Christianise

440-479: Is also larger than the Benelux countries combined, being more than double the size of Switzerland and quite a bit larger than the island of Ireland . The traditional provinces of Sweden serve no administrative or political purposes but are cultural and historical entities. Administratively, Lappland constitutes the western part of two counties of Sweden , Norrbotten County in the north and Västerbotten County in

484-479: Is an adaptable predator that inhabits deciduous , coniferous , or mixed woodlands, but unlike other Lynx , does not depend exclusively on the deep forest, and ranges from swamps and desert lands to mountainous and agricultural areas, its spotted coat serving as camouflage. The population of the bobcat depends primarily on the population of its prey. Nonetheless, the bobcat is often killed by larger predators such as coyotes . The bobcat resembles other species of

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528-472: Is an opportunistic predator much like its cousins. The Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis ), or Canadian lynx, is a North American felid that ranges in forest and tundra regions across Canada and into Alaska , as well as some parts of the northern United States . Historically, the Canadian lynx ranged from Alaska across Canada and into many of the northern U.S. states . In the eastern states, it resided in

572-638: Is any of the four extant species (the Canada ;lynx , Iberian lynx , Eurasian lynx and the bobcat ) within the medium-sized wild cat genus Lynx . The name originated in Middle English via Latin from the Greek word lynx ( λύγξ ), derived from the Indo-European root *leuk- ( ' light ' , ' brightness ' ), in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes . Lynx have

616-488: Is now being reintroduced. During the summer, the Eurasian lynx has a relatively short, reddish or brown coat which is replaced by a much thicker silver-grey to greyish-brown coat during winter. The lynx hunts by stalking and jumping on its prey, helped by the rugged, forested country in which it resides. A favorite prey for the lynx in its woodland habitat is roe deer . It will feed however on whatever animal appears easiest, as it

660-462: Is situated about 195 km (121 mi). north of the Arctic Circle . The area of the park is 77 km (30 sq mi) Permafrost is common in the national park, though permafrost at lower elevations is disappearing because of global warming and increased snowfall. The park was proposed and established in 1909, the same year Sweden's first laws on nature conservation were created, by

704-566: Is used primarily for biological, climate, ecological, environmental, and geological research and contains on-site laboratories as well as off-site field research stations. The 440 km (270 mi) long Kungsleden hiking trail, which follows the Scandinavian mountain range , starts (or ends) at the Abisko Turiststation (consisting of a railway station of the same name and the Abisko Youth Hostel) (approx. 4 km (2.5 mi) west of

748-461: The Pleistocene epoch, being separated by habitat choice. The Iberian lynx is believed to have evolved from Lynx issiodorensis . The bobcat ( Lynx rufus ) is a North American wild cat. With 13 recognized subspecies, the bobcat is common throughout southern Canada, the continental United States , and northern Mexico. Like the Eurasian lynx, its conservation status is "least concern." The bobcat

792-577: The bobcat and the Canada lynx , while the largest is the Eurasian lynx , with considerable variations within species. The four living species of the genus Lynx are believed to have evolved from Lynx issiodorensis , which lived in Europe and Africa during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene . The Pliocene felid Felis rexroadensis from North America has been proposed as an even earlier ancestor; however, this

836-539: The 16th century. A statue depicting the wildman is placed in Storuman at 65°5′42″N 17°6′56″E  /  65.09500°N 17.11556°E  / 65.09500; 17.11556 . Lapland has a subarctic climate in its lower areas, whereas a polar variety can be found in Tarfala , where the average high for the warmest month of the year (July) is lower than 10 °C (50 °F) in mean temperatures. The southern parts of

880-643: The 1970s have been successful in various regions of Switzerland . Since the 1990s, there have been numerous efforts to resettle the Eurasian lynx in Germany , and since 2000, a small population can now be found in the Harz mountains near Bad Lauterberg . The lynx is found in the Białowieża Forest in northeastern Poland , and in the northern and western parts of China, particularly the Tibetan Plateau . In Romania ,

924-500: The 19th century, Lapland has been particularly characterised by Laestadian Lutheranism . During the industrialization of Sweden in the late-19th century, natural resources ( hydroelectricity , timber and minerals) from Lapland and surrounding provinces played a key role. Still, mining, forestry and hydroelectric power are the backbone of the local economy, together with municipal services. The unemployment has however been relatively high for several decades and many young people leave for

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968-504: The Kiruna-Narvik stretch. Abisko is also reachable by car via the highway E10 which links Kiruna and Narvik since early 1980s. Other local forms of local transportation include hiking and dog-sledding in winter. A chair-lift provides access to the summit of nearby Mt. Nuolja. There are many species of birds in the park. Of the mammals , smaller ones like the marten , stoat , squirrel , the fell lemming and similar are common parts of

1012-539: The Slovenian Alps and the Croatian regions of Gorski Kotar and Velebit, including Croatia's Plitvice Lakes National Park and Risnjak National Park . In both countries, the lynx is listed as an endangered species and protected by law. The lynx was distributed throughout Japan during Jōmon period ; with no paleontological evidence thereafter suggesting extinction at that time. Several lynx resettlement projects begun in

1056-581: The Swedish provinces of Jämtland , Ångermanland , Västerbotten , and Norrbotten , as well as Norway and Finland . Nearly a quarter of Sweden's land area is in Lappland. The historical province of Lapland originally extended further eastward. However, in 1809 the Russian Empire annexed the eastern part of Sweden and formed the Grand Duchy of Finland in that territory. This effectively split Lapland into

1100-502: The area using settlers from what is now Finland and southern Sweden. Today, despite large-scale assimilation into the dominant Swedish culture, Finnish and Sami minorities continue to maintain their cultures and identities. Despite independent cultural presence, religious beliefs were subject to conversion in the 17th and 18th centuries resulting in Laplanders generally leaving their original shamanism and converting to Lutheranism . Since

1144-635: The area. Furthermore, the national park was intended to be a prominent tourist attraction. Abisko is also home to the Abisko Scientific Research Station, first established in 1903 approximately 31 km west of Abisko in Vassijaure. After a fire in 1910 a new station was built in its present location in Abisko in 1912 and opening in 1913. The research station was incorporated within the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1935. It

1188-597: The coastal area of Gulf of Bothnia as well as the border area to Finland though neither areas are a part of the geographical province Swedish Lapland, rather the Lapland area as a whole in northern Scandinavia. Lapland has two prominent national minorities the Samí people and Tornedalians . 65°55′44″N 16°44′35″E  /  65.929°N 16.743°E  / 65.929; 16.743 Lynx A lynx ( / l ɪ ŋ k s / links ; pl. : lynx or lynxes )

1232-408: The fauna. Of larger animals, the moose and reindeer are common, and moose droppings and tracks are found; however, wolverines , Arctic foxes , lynx and bears are only seen sporadically. Lapland (Sweden) Lapland , also known by its Swedish name Lappland ( Northern Sami : Sápmi , Finnish : Lappi , Latin : Lapponia ), is a province in northernmost Sweden . It borders

1276-425: The genus Lynx , but is on average the smallest of the four. Its coat is variable, though generally tan to grayish brown, with black streaks on the body and dark bars on the forelegs and tail. The ears are black-tipped and pointed, with short, black tufts. There is generally an off-white color on the lips, chin, and underparts. Bobcats in the desert regions of the southwest have the lightest-colored coats, while those in

1320-538: The ground, it can climb trees and can swim swiftly, catching fish. The Eurasian lynx ranges from central and northern Europe across Asia up to Northern Pakistan and India . In Iran , they live in Mount Damavand area. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the Eurasian lynx was considered extinct in the wild in Slovenia and Croatia . A resettlement project, begun in 1973, has successfully reintroduced lynx to

1364-519: The insides of their legs, fur which is an extension of the chest and belly fur. The lynx's colouring, fur length and paw size vary according to the climate in their range. In the Southwestern United States , they are short-haired, dark in colour and their paws are smaller and less padded. In colder northern climates lynx have thicker and lighter fur as well as larger and more padded paws that are well-adapted to snow. The smallest species are

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1408-734: The larger cities by the coast or in southern Sweden. Located in Sweden, Lapland is known for containing the Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve , one of the largest nature reserves in Sweden. Other parts of Lapland have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site , the Laponian area , and the province contains some of the oldest and most spectacular national parks of northern Europe, e.g. Sarek National Park , established in 1909. Lapland has an area of 109,702 square km (c. 42,300 sq miles), larger than Austria and almost equal to Portugal . Its land area

1452-563: The mountain range. The lynx population in Finland was 1900–2100 individuals in 2008, and the numbers have been increasing every year since 1992. The lynx population in Finland is estimated currently to be larger than ever before. Lynx in Britain were wiped out in the 17th century, but there have been calls to reintroduce them to curb the numbers of deer . The endangered Iberian lynx lives in southern Spain and formerly in eastern Portugal . There

1496-499: The northern areas of the province experience midnight sun and a moderate polar night with some civil twilight during opposite sides of the year. Football in the province is administered by Norrbottens Fotbollförbund and Västerbottens Fotbollförbund . An EU-subsidised government tourism marketing organisation aiming to promote tourism in Northern Sweden has taken the brand name "Swedish Lapland". This name also covers towns in

1540-519: The northern, forested regions have the darkest. The lynx is usually solitary, although a small group of lynx may travel and hunt together occasionally. Mating takes place in the late winter and once a year the female gives birth to between one and four kittens. The gestation time of the lynx is about 70 days. The young stay with the mother for one more winter, a total of around nine months, before moving out to live on their own as young adults. The lynx creates its den in crevices or under ledges. It feeds on

1584-484: The numbers exceed 2,000, the largest population in Europe outside of Russia , although most experts consider the official population numbers to be overestimated. The lynx is more common in northern Europe, especially in Norway , Sweden , Estonia , Finland , and the northern parts of Russia . The Swedish population is estimated to be 1200–1500 individuals, spread all over the country, but more common in middle Sweden and in

1628-406: The population of Swedish Lapland is 91,333. Together with the rest of historical Lapland, the sum of the population is approximately 250,000. The largest cities are Kiruna ( Northern Sami : Giron , Finnish : Kiiruna ) with 23,178 inhabitants, Gällivare with 18,123 inhabitants and Lycksele with 12,177 inhabitants. In Norrbotten County : In Västerbotten County : Lapland itself

1672-405: The province are significantly milder than the northern, due to the vast geographical differences. However, since Lapland is all made up of inland areas, maritime moderation is less significant than in the counties' coastal areas and in neighbouring Norway , resulting in harsh winters. Southern areas at a lower elevation such as Lycksele also have relatively warm summers. Due to the Arctic Circle ,

1716-874: The south. In contrast to most other areas of Sweden, there is more of an identification with the counties rather than to provinces . Thus, most people in these counties refer to the entire county, including the areas in Lapland, when they say 'Norrbotten' or 'Västerbotten'. Citizens of Sami descent are eligible to stand and vote in elections for the Swedish Sami Parliament , which is the case with Sami people elsewhere in Sweden as well. The Sami language has an official minority status in Kiruna Municipality , Gällivare Municipality , Jokkmokk Municipality and Arjeplog Municipality . The following municipalities have their seats in Lapland: As of 31 December 2017,

1760-512: The transition zone in which boreal coniferous forests yielded to deciduous forests. By 2010, after an 11-year effort, it had been successfully reintroduced into Colorado , where it had become extirpated in the 1970s. In 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the Canada lynx a threatened species in the lower 48 states . The Canada lynx is a good climber and swimmer; it constructs rough shelters under fallen trees or rock ledges. It has

1804-722: The village itself) and follows through the national park. The Nordkalottruta uses trails of the park as part of its longer passage. The Abisko Turiststation , run by the Svenska Turistföreningen (STF), houses many visitors to the park and provides lodging, food, and other amenities, and is one of many similar facilities located periodically along the Kungsleden trail. The national park is known for its cross-country skiing opportunities, snowshoeing , and other winter sports (Mount Nuolja and nearby Björkliden provides backcountry skiing and freeriding opportunities). As its location

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1848-586: Was larger than any living species, and is not currently classified as a true lynx. Another extinct species of Lynx , L. shansiensis , inhabited what is now northern China during the Early Pleistocene. Of the four lynx species, the Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ) is the largest in size. It is native to European, Central Asian , and Siberian forests. While its conservation status has been classified as " least concern ", populations of Eurasian lynx have been reduced or extirpated from much of Europe, where it

1892-507: Was never considered a duchy but on 18 January 1884 the Privy Council gave all Provinces the right of use to a ducal coronet for their arms. Blazon Swedish version: "Argent, a Wildman statant Gules wrapped with birch leaves Vert on the head and around the waist holding a Club Or in dexter over the shoulder." The wildman used to be depicted with more features, impressively drawn muscles and a dour expression on his face. The wildman wielding

1936-471: Was the most endangered cat species in the world, but conservation efforts have changed its status from critical to endangered to vulnerable. The loss of the species would have been the first feline extinction since the Smilodon 10,000 years ago. The species used to be classified as a subspecies of the Eurasian lynx, but is now considered a separate species. Both species occurred together in central Europe in

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