Korvatunturi

Korvatunturi is a fell in Lapland, on the border between Finland and Russia. Its Finnish part is within Urho Kekkonen National Park in the municipality of Savukoski. In Finnish the name Korvatunturi means "Ear Fell", referring to the mountain's distinctive profile.

Korvatunturi
Korvatunturi seen from southwest, i.e. from the Finnish side
Highest point
Elevation486 m (1,594 ft)
Prominence210 m (690 ft)
Listing
Coordinates68°04′25″N 29°18′55″E 
Geography
Korvatunturi
Location within Finland
LocationSavukoski, Lapland, Finland

Korvatunturi is covered by a thick pine forest, and surrounded by frozen lakes, and sits on a landscape over which hundreds of thousands of reindeer roam.[1] Korvatunturi stands 486 metres (1,594 ft) above sea level; it has three peaks, with the middle peak crossing Finland and Russia's borders. Since Korvatunturi stradles the border of the country, all visitors are required to obtain written permission from the Finnish Border Guard.[2] There are also no roads that directly lead to the fell, but there are hike trails that provide access, such as the one found in the Savukoski area.[3]

Cultural significance
Korvatunturi in winter

Korvatunturi is best known as the home of the legendary character Father Christmas (or Joulupukki in Finnish). According to Finnish folklore, this land is said to be the location of Father Christmas’ secret workshop, where toys, trinkets and gifts are said to be made and eventually wrapped by elves. Known for their good-natured demeanour and their role as guardians of homes, these elves are also said to be responsible for analysing weather patterns for the yearly gift-giving trip around the world.[2]

People have also claimed that the ear-shaped structure of the fell supposedly allows Father Christmas to hear the wishes of every child on Earth.[4]

For letter mail to Father Christmas Korvatunturi has postal code 99999 Korvatunturi, even though all post sent to this address will actually be carried to Santa Claus Village at Rovaniemi.

In popular media, this legend has been adapted into the film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.

A 360 degree panorama from Korvatunturi, the building is a watchtower of the Finnish Border Guard

See also

References
  1. Butler, Sophie. "Father Christmas in Lapland". The Sophie Buter Report. Telegraph UK. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  2. Robbins, Danny. "Meeting Father Christmas". Danny Robbins’ Indie Travel Guide. BBC. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  3. "Hiking". Savukoski Wilderness Travel. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  4. "Finnish Christmas". dlc.fi. Nordic Recipe Archive. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
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