Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
THE ARCTIC CIRCLE AND THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Just 7km south of Jokkmokk, the Inlandsbanan finally crosses the
Arctic Circle
, the imaginary
line drawn around the earth at roughly 66°N, which links the northernmost points along which
the sun can be seen on the shortest day of the year. Crossing into the Arctic is occasion
enough for a bout of whistle-blowing by the train, as it pulls up to allow everyone to take
photos. However, the painted white rocks that curve away over the hilly ground here, a crude
delineation of the Circle, are completely inaccurate. Due to the earth's uneven orbit, the line is
creeping northwards at a rate of 14-15m every year; the real Arctic Circle is now around 1km
further north than this line. It won't be for another ten to twenty thousand years that the
northward movement will stop - by which time the Circle will have reached 68°N - and then
start moving slowly south again.
Thanks to the refraction of sunlight in the atmosphere, the
midnight sun
can also be seen
south of the Arctic Circle - Arvidsjaur marks the southernmost point in Sweden where this
happens - for a few days each year. The further north you travel, the longer the period when
the phenomenon is visible, and conversely the longer the polar winter. True midnight sun
occurs when the entire sun is above the horizon at midnight. The following is a list of the main
towns and the dates when the midnight sun can be seen; remember, though, that even
outside these periods, there is still 24-hour daylight in the north of Sweden in summer, since
only part of the sun ever dips below the horizon.
Arvidsjaur and Haparanda
June 20/21
Arjeplog
June 12/13 to July 28/29
Jokkmokk
June 8/9 to July 2/3
Gällivare
June 4/5 to July 6/7
Kiruna
May 28/29 to July 11/12
Karesuando
May 26/27 to July 15/16
Treriksröset
May 22/23 to July 17/18
their reindeer than on the age-old methods employed by their ancestors. The collection
of traditional costumes and silver spoons, which gave the owner prestige and were a
symbol of social status, is particularly engaging. The museum also has an impressive
collection of stuffed eagles and owls; the enormous golden eagle is truly impressive.
Fjällträdgård
Alpine Garden • Lappstavägen • Early June to mid-Aug Mon-Fri 11am-5pm; July to mid-Aug also Sat & Sun noon-5pm • 30kr, 60kr
including Ájtte
Close to the Ájtte museum on Lappstavägen, the
Fjällträdgård
is home to moor-king,
mountain avens, glacier crowfoot and other vegetation that's found on the fells around
Jokkmokk. There's also a small section of edible plants which the
Sámi
have
traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
Sámi Duodji
Porjusvägen 4 • Mid-Aug to June Mon-Fri 10am-3pm; July to mid-Aug daily 10am-5.30pm
While you're in town, it's worth popping into
Sámi Duodji
; this
Sámi
handicrafts shops
sells a selection of locally produced knives, drinking bowls, leatherware and jewellery
and is a good place to pick up a few knick-knacks.
Gamla kyrka
Junction of Hantverkargatan and Köpmangatan • Daily 8am-4pm, until 6pm early June to early Aug
he
Gamla kyrka
, of Stortorget, is a recent copy of the 1753 church on the same site
(the original burnt down in 1972). The octagonal design, curiously shaped tower and
colours inside the church represent
Sámi
styles; outside, notice the space in between
