Utsjoki
Utsjoki (Finnish: [ˈutsjoki]; Northern Sami: Ohcejohka [ˈoht͡seˌjohka]; Inari Sami: Uccjuuhâ; Skolt Sami: Uccjokk; Norwegian: Utsjok) is a municipality in Finland, the northernmost in the country. It is in Lapland and borders Norway as well as the municipality of Inari. The municipality was founded in 1876. It has a population of 1,142 (31 December 2023) and covers an area of 5,372.00 square kilometres (2,074.14 sq mi) of which 227.51 km2 (87.84 sq mi) is water. The population density is 0.22 inhabitants per square kilometre (0.57/sq mi).
Utsjoki
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|---|---|
Municipality | |
| Utsjoen kunta (Finnish) Ohcejoga gielda (Northern Sami) Utsjoki kommun (Swedish) | |
Utsjoki Church and a log cabin | |
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Coat of arms | |
Location of Utsjoki in Finland | |
| Coordinates: 69°54′N 027°01′E | |
| Country | Finland |
| Region | Lapland |
| Sub-region | Northern Lapland |
| Charter | 1876 |
| Government | |
| • Municipal manager | Vuokko Tieva-Niittyvuopio |
| Area (2018-01-01) | |
| • Total | 5,372.00 km2 (2,074.14 sq mi) |
| • Land | 5,147.16 km2 (1,987.33 sq mi) |
| • Water | 227.51 km2 (87.84 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 10th largest in Finland |
| Population (2023-12-31) | |
| • Total | 1,142 |
| • Rank | 290th largest in Finland |
| • Density | 0.22/km2 (0.6/sq mi) |
| Population by native language | |
| • Finnish | 53.6% (official) |
| • Swedish | 0.3% |
| • Sami | 41.6% |
| • Others | 4.4% |
| Population by age | |
| • 0 to 14 | 12.6% |
| • 15 to 64 | 56.4% |
| • 65 or older | 30.9% |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) |
| Website | www |
Utsjoki has two official languages: Finnish and Northern Sami. It is the municipality in Finland with the largest portion of official Sami speakers; 41.6% of the population.
The border with Norway follows the river Teno, which flows into the Arctic Sea. The northernmost village in Finland and in the European Union is Nuorgam, which is also the northernmost land border crossing in the world.
Utsjoki is at the northern end of highway 4, the longest highway in Finland. The European route E75 runs along the Sami Bridge and continues on to Norway.
The Kevo nature reserve is located within the municipality. It covers a territory of 712 km2 (275 sq mi) and there is a 63 km (39 mi) hiking trail. The trail partly follows the edge of the Kevo gorge.
"The name Utsjoki comes from Northern Sami Ohcejohka, but the origin of that name is unknown", according to website Fennica.pohjoiseen.fi.