- Oulanka Is Finland’s Most International National Park
The highly recognised National Geographic
magazine has published a report of 16 pages about Oulanka National Park with the
title Northern Lights. The selection process of stories for the magazine is
tough, and only globally interesting topics are selected. Through the magazine
with a circulation of 9 million copies, the story on Oulanka has reached a huge
global audience. According to the statistics, Oulanka is Finland’s most
international National Park, and it is the main attraction for the whole
Kuusamo-Lapland region.
“Like the rest of Finland's parks,
Oulanka helps
preserve an intense cultural bond with the forest”
The presentation of Oulanka does not start with praise
for the canyon and waterfall of Kiutaköngäs, but instead guides the reader to
look down to the forest floor. “The needles you do see on the surface
here—thrust aside by upspringing mushrooms or caught up in the leaves of a
lingonberry—are like a roof of thatch on an interconnected, underground city”,
the reporter Verlyn Klinkenborg
writes.
The story also emphasises the intense bond Finnish people have with nature
and the role national parks have in strengthening it. Everyman’s right is
praised, likewise the role of national parks in maintaining cultural
heritage.
“This is a crossroads for the flora of forest and tundra,
and a meeting place for bird watchers and nature
lovers”
Respecting the scientific nature of National Geographic,
the report carefully analyses the factors that have made Oulanka such a unique
place: dolomitic rock, convergence of different biological and geological zones,
species that do not normally overlap mingling there at the end of their ranges.
The fact-based text is balanced by beautiful photos by Peter
Essick
which are much more than typical
landscape photos.
The story also highlights the geographical location of Oulanka by the Russian
border, and the Park’s cooperation with the Paanajärvi National Park situated
in North-West Russia.
”I came to Oulanka, as so many visitors do,
to
witness the grandeur of its glacial landforms, especially the canyons”
- This year the national parks of Europe turn 100 years.
The story in National Geographic was a true birthday present for us, says
Kari Lahti,
the
superintendent of Oulanka National Park.
A working group building the country brand of Finland has identified pristine
nature as one of the pillars of Finland’s country brand. The role of national
parks is essential, since they are the crown jewels of Finnish nature. National
Park is also a globally recognised concept, and a guarantee for unique and
pristine nature.
Out of the 35 National Parks of Finland, Oulanka is the most international.
Fifth of the visitors are from abroad representing around 20 nations.
However, Oulanka attracts also Finnish visitors.
- Oulanka National Park is the crowd puller for the whole Kuusamo-Lapland region
especially in summer. According to a study made in 2008, two thirds of all the
visitors coming to the region in summer visit Oulanka National Park.
Metsähallitus, which is responsible for the management of all Finnish national
parks, works closely with the tourism sector, so that tourists would extend
their stay in the region and visit the region’s other nature destinations, says
Kari Lahti.
Furthermore, the economic impact of the recreational use of national parks
and other protected areas is growing. In the country’s most popular protected
areas this has been estimated to amount to a total of 250-300 million euros
annually. According to a study made already in 2000 – almost 10 years ago - the
direct impact of Oulanka National Park on the local economy was annually about
14 million euros. At present, it is estimated to be much higher.
More facts about Oulanka and other national parks are below.
The citations are from the article Northern Lights in National Geographic’s
June issue.
Additional information:
Facts about Oulanka National Park
Oulanka National Park was
founded in 1956. The area amounts to 30 000 hectars.- In the park, there are 160 km of hiking routes for
summer use, and 30 km for winter use.
- There are around 180 000 registered visits to Oulanka
National Park. The main motivations for a visit are pristine nature,
relaxation, detachment from noise and stress, and mental well-being. Cayaking
and snowshoeing are becoming increasingly popular alongside with hiking and
walking.
- The customers are happy with the services provided in
the park: customer satisfaction is 4.34 on a scale from 1 to 5.
- Oulanka National Park was the first park in Europe to receive in 2002 the
international PAN Parks certificate as a recognition of preserving important
natural values and promotion of sustainable tourism.
Activities for the public in Oulanka in 2009
Events and exhibitions
at Oulanka Visitor Centre:
- “Haymaking day”, hand-cutting meadows in the
traditional way, 18 July
- A day-trip with a bear theme for families (the
excursion is connected with the annual Kuusamo Nature Photo event), 13
September 2009
- ”Aikapuu” - the 150th anniversary exhibition of
Metsähallitus, 24 May - 29 June
- Photos from Lapland 22 May - 31 August
- Kuusamo Nature Photo XIII, September - October (best
photos from 2008)
- The Bear - the Mythical King of the Forest,
September-October
Events
and exhibitions at Oulanka Visitor Centre- Oulanka Visitor
Centre
Events and exhibitions
at Hautajärvi Visitor Centre:
Facts about national parks in Finland
- There are 35 national parks in Finland.
- The extent of the areas of national parks amount to
885 500 hectars, i.e. 8 855 km².
- The southernmost national parks are the Archipelago
Sea and Ekenäs Archipelago National Parks, and the northernmost is Lemmenjoki
National Park.
- In 2008, there were 1,8 million registered visits to
the Finnish national parks.
- Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services is
responsible for the management of national parks.
- National Parks in
Finland.
