Lapland

Lapland is a stretch of country in the North of Europe, between the Atlantic and the White Sea. It is divided between Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Its climate is very severe. The region is mountainous in the West, becomes more level in the East, where are many marshes, lakes, and rivers. The summer is never dark here, and there are six to eight weeks of winter of never light. The Lapps, of whom 18,000 are in Norwegian Lapland, are closely allied to the Finns, small of stature, thick lipped, and with small piercing eyes. Proverbially uncleanly, not very intelligent, are good-natured, but untruthful and parsimonious; nominally Christian, but very superstitious. They are kindly treated by both Norway and Sweden. The mountain Lapps are nomads, whose wealth consists of herds of reindeer, which supply nearly all their wants. The sea Lapps live by fishing. The forest and river Lapps, originally nomads, have adopted a settled life, domesticated their reindeer, and taken to hunting and fishing.

Nearby pages
Laprotomy, Lapse Ratio, Lapsi, Lapsus calami, Laputa, Lares, Larissa