Country
Finland
Park’s location
The park is situated in southern Lapland, near the Russian border and close to the Arctic Circle.
Area (ha)
27 500 ha
Wilderness zone
10 000 h - 36,07 % (of total area)
Number of visitors per year
150 000
Office location
Torangintaival 2, 93600 Kuusamo
Tel
+ 358 205 646804
Email
oulanka@metsa.fi
Website
http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=5144


Short history

The first inhabitants in the area were Lapps who lived here until the end of the 17th century, which was when they had to give way to Finnish settlers. After hunting, fishing and later farming was primary occupation, today tourism the most notable human activity in Oulanka. However, this is not a new and recent phenomenon: it was already in the 1930’s that the Finnish Tourist Association kept boats on the river and renovated cabins for accommodation purposes The park was founded in 1956 and expanded twice (in 1982 and 1989).