View source for Utsjoki

{{About|the municipality|the village that is its administrative center|Utsjoki (village)}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Utsjoki
| official_name            = {{native name|fi|Utsjoen kunta}}<br />{{native name|se|Ohcejoga gielda}}<br />{{native name|sv|Utsjoki kommun}}
| native_name              = {{native name|fi|Utsjoki}}<br />{{native name|se|Ohcejohka}}
| other_name               = {{native name|smn|Uccjuuhâ}}<br />{{native name|sms|Uccjokk}}
| settlement_type          = Municipality
| image_skyline            = Utsjoki kirkko ja kirkkotuvat.JPG
| image_caption            = [[Utsjoki Church]] and a log cabin
| image_shield             = Utsjoki.vaakuna.svg
| shield_size              = 120x80px
| image_map                = Utsjoki sijainti Suomi.svg
| map_caption              = Location of Utsjoki in Finland
| image_map1 = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{maplink|frame-width=250|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=yes|zoom=13|id=Q581920|type=shape-inverse|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000}}{{hidden end}}
| map_caption1 = Interactive map outlining Utsjoki.
| coordinates              = {{coord|69|54|N|027|01|E|display=it}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Finland}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[Regions of Finland|Region]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[Sub-regions of Finland|Sub-region]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Northern Lapland]]
| seat = [[Utsjoen kirkonkylä]]
| parts_type = Villages
| parts = [[Karigasniemi]], [[Nuorgam]]
| leader_title             = Municipal manager
| leader_name              = Vuokko Tieva-Niittyvuopio
| established_title        = [[Charter]]
| established_date         = 1876
| area_footnotes           = {{Data Finland municipality|area_footnotes|Utsjoki}}
| area_total_km2           = {{Data Finland municipality|area_total_km2|Utsjoki}}
| area_land_km2            = {{Data Finland municipality|area_land_km2|Utsjoki}}
| area_water_km2           = {{Data Finland municipality|area_water_km2|Utsjoki}}
| area_rank                = {{Data Finland municipality|area_rank|Utsjoki}}
| population_as_of         = {{Data Finland municipality|population_as_of|Utsjoki}}
| population_footnotes     = {{Data Finland municipality|population_footnotes|Utsjoki}}
| population_total         = {{Data Finland municipality|population_total|Utsjoki}}
| population_density_km2   = {{Data Finland municipality|population_density_km2|Utsjoki}}
| population_rank          = {{Data Finland municipality|population_rank|Utsjoki}}
| demographics_type1       = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type1|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_footnotes  = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_footnotes|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_title1     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title1|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_info1      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info1|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_title2     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title2|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_info2      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info2|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_title3     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title3|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_info3      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info3|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_title4     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_title4|Utsjoki}}
| demographics1_info4      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics1_info4|Utsjoki}}
| demographics_type2       = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics_type2|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_footnotes  = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_footnotes|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_title1     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title1|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_info1      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info1|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_title2     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title2|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_info2      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info2|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_title3     = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_title3|Utsjoki}}
| demographics2_info3      = {{Data Finland municipality|demographics2_info3|Utsjoki}}
| blank_name               = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_name|Utsjoki}}
| blank_info               = {{Data Finland municipality|blank_info|Utsjoki}}
| timezone                 = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset               = +02:00
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST           = +03:00
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.utsjoki.fi/}}
| pushpin_label            = Utsjoki
}}

'''Utsjoki''' ({{IPA|fi|ˈutsjoki|lang}}; {{langx|se|Ohcejohka}} {{IPA|se|ˈoht͡seˌjohka|}}; {{langx|smn|Uccjuuhâ}}; {{langx|sms|Uccjokk}}; {{langx|no|Utsjok}}) is a [[municipalities of Finland|municipality]] in [[Finland]], the northernmost in the country. It is in [[Lapland, Finland|Lapland]] and borders [[Norway]] as well as the municipality of [[Inari, Finland|Inari]]. The municipality was founded in 1876. It has a population of {{formatnum:
{{Data Finland municipality/population count|Utsjoki}}}}
({{#time: j F Y|{{Data Finland municipality/population count|sourcedate}}
}})<ref name="population_count" /> and covers an area of {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/total area|Utsjoki}}|km2}} of
which {{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/waters area|Utsjoki}}|km2|abbr=on}}
is water.<ref name="total_area" /> The [[population density]] is
{{convert|{{Data Finland municipality/population density|Utsjoki|round=2}}|PD/km2}}.

Utsjoki has two official languages: [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Northern Sami]]. It is the municipality in Finland with the largest portion of official [[Sami languages|Sami]] speakers; {{formatnum: {{pct|{{Data Finland municipality/native language Sami|Utsjoki}}|{{Data Finland municipality/native language total|Utsjoki}}|1}}}} of the [[population]].<ref name="population_by_language" /> Ethnically, 54.6% of the population were Sami in 2019, making Utsjoki the only municipality in Finland with Sami majority.<ref>{{Citation |last=Puuronen |first=Vesa |title=Municipal Politics in the Sámi Homeland in Finland |date=2022-04-08 |work=The Sámi World |pages=348–363 |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003025511/chapters/10.4324/9781003025511-24 |access-date=2025-03-25 |edition=1 |place=London |publisher=Routledge |language=en |doi=10.4324/9781003025511-24 |isbn=978-1-003-02551-1|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The border with Norway follows the river [[Tana River (Norway)|Teno]], which flows into the [[Arctic Sea]]. The northernmost village in Finland and in the [[European Union]] is [[Nuorgam]].

Utsjoki is at the northern end of [[Finnish national road 4|highway 4]], the longest [[Highways in Finland|highway]] in Finland. The [[European route E75]] runs along the [[Sami Bridge]] and continues on to Norway.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

The Kevo nature reserve is located within the municipality. It covers a territory of {{convert|712|km2|abbr=on}} and there is a {{convert|63|km|abbr=on}} hiking trail. The trail partly follows the edge of the Kevo gorge.{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

"The name Utsjoki comes from Northern Sami ''Ohcejohka'', but the origin of that name is unknown", according to website Fennica.pohjoiseen.fi.<ref>[https://fennica.pohjoiseen.fi/en/2020/10/01/utsjoki/ Utsjoki]. Fennica.pohjoiseen.fi. Retrieved 2023-06-2023.</ref>

==Geography==

=== Villages ===
* [[Nuorgam]]
* [[Utsjoki (village)|Utsjoki centre]]
* [[Nuvvus]]
* Dalvadas
* Outakoski
* Rovisuvanto
* [[Karigasniemi]]
* [[Kaamasmukka]]

===Topography===
The Utsjoki region is flatter and lower in altitudes than many other parts of Lapland. Large areas of Utsjoki are less than 300 m above sea level. Many of the fell summits are under 500 m in height. In general, the topography is smooth and the fells slope gently. The summits are very flat and large, as is typical of old [[peneplain]] surfaces.

===Vegetation===
In general, the [[tree line]] is located at altitudes between 300 and 400 meters. In northernmost Finland, the tree line on north-facing slopes is just above an altitude of 100 meters. [[Heath]]s extend above the tree line. The lower heathlands are dominated by shrubs such as [[Betula nana|dwarf birch]], [[Vaccinium myrtillus|blueberry]] and [[Empetrum hermaphroditum|crowberry]], whereas the fells, at higher elevations, have [[Salix herbacea|dwarf willows]] and alpine grasses with [[lichen]]s and [[moss]]es. On the fell tops, [[blockfield]]s and windblown heaths with lichens and mosses as well as bare rock slabs are found. [[Patterned ground]] occurs regularly, often as polygons and [[stone stripe]]s on the slopes.

===Climate===
The [[midnight sun]] remains above the horizon from 17 May to 28 July (73 days), and the polar night from 26 November to 15 January (51 days).
Utsjoki, like most of Finland, has a subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc, [[Trewartha climate classification|Trewartha]] ''Eclc''. Being the northernmost municipality in Finland, Utsjoki's annual average temperature is below freezing. Utsjoki is also the driest place in Finland, as the average annual precipitation varies between 371 and 433&nbsp;mm, depending on the topography. The driest year on record was 1986, when only 234&nbsp;mm of precipitation fell at the Outakoski weather station.<ref name="Suomen Maakuntien ilmasto-Ilmatieteenlaitos">{{cite web| url=https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/15734/2009nro8.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y | title=Suomen maakuntien ilmasto (The climate of the Finnish provinces) | access-date=2024-01-17 |publisher=Finnish Meteorological Institute }}</ref>

Extremely low temperatures and low precipitation result in thin [[snow cover]] throughout the winters. The wind velocity strongly increases with higher elevations, and this has a major effect on the distribution of the snow. The exposed hilltops usually have no snow cover during winter. This leads to the cooling of the ground and the development of [[permafrost]].

===Permafrost===
[[Palsas]] are a typical permafrost feature in northern Finland.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Ruuhijärvi|first1=Rauno|date=1960|title= Über die regionale Einteilung der nordfinnischen Moore|journal= Annales Botanici Societatis Zoologicae Botanicae Fennicae 'Vanamo'|language=german|volume=31|issue=1|pages=360 pp}}</ref> Permafrost formation in palsas is dictated by the properties of [[peat]]. Dry peat is a good insulator during the summer [[heat]], but frozen peat in winter conducts heat outwards, and the winter frost can penetrate deep into the peat layers. Due to these physical properties, palsas may be formed and preserved even in a climate where the mean annual air temperature is just at the [[freezing point]].

Permafrost has been found in many palsa mires in the [[Kevo]] and Utsjoki regions.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1= Seppälä |first1=Matti| date=1979|title= Recent palsa studies in Finland |journal= Acta Universitatis Ouluensis |language=en|volume=Ser. A|issue=82|pages=81–87}}</ref> After detailed studies on palsas, researchers were convinced until 1982 that "so far, permafrost has been found, and probably exists only, in mires in the cores of palsas". The permafrost core in palsas is easy to detect by digging or sounding with a steel rod, and the frozen ground necessitates modern [[geophysics|geophysical techniques]] for geoelectrical soundings. They allow measurement of the thickness of frozen bedrock due to its higher [[specific electrical resistance]].

[[Matti Seppälä]] (1941-2020) was undoubtedly the foremost expert on palsas. Based on existing innovative research in Scandinavia<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=King|first1=Lorenz|date=1983|title=High Mountain Permafrost in Scandinavia|journal= Permafrost: Fourth International Conference, Proceedings|language=en|volume= |issue= |pages=612–617}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=King|first1=Lorenz| date=1982|title= Qualitative und quantitative Erfassung von Permafrost in Tarfala (Schwedisch-Lappland) und Jotunheimen (Norwegen) mit Hilfe geoelektrischer Sondierungen|journal= Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie|language=german|volume=Suppl.-Band|issue=43|pages=139–160}}</ref> he suggested to look for the general permafrost distribution in the mountains also in northernmost Finland. The field campaign in summer 1985 in Utsjoki was supported by the [[Academy of Finland]], the [[University of Helsinki]] and the [[German Research Foundation]]. The results were quite surprising for most scientists in Finland. Above the timber line, a minimum permafrost thickness of ten to fifty meters was recorded with geoelectrical soundings.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=King|first1=Lorenz|last2=Seppälä|first2=Matti|date=1987|title=Permafrost thickness and distribution in Finnish Lapland - Results of geoelectrical soundings |journal= Polarforschung |language=en|volume=57|issue=3|pages=127–147|url=https://epic.awi.de/id/eprint/28214/1/Polarforsch1987_3_2.pdf |access-date=2021-02-25}}</ref>

The Puollamoaivi mountain (432 m high) is located some 13&nbsp;km NE of the Kevo Subarctic Research Station. Close to the Skallovarri palsa mire about 290 m a. s. I., an estimated permafrost thickness  of over 100 meters may be expected at an altitude of 360 m, just 30–70 m higher than the surface of the palsa mire. It is concluded therefore that all sites on the crest of Skallovarri (Puollamoaivi) show the existence of permafrost, but its thickness seems to be different. These findings were confirmed with similar results in the adjacent Peldojoki, Hietatievat, Peera sites, where permafrost exists in debris as well as in bedrock. This is also of importance in the construction business, e.g. for deep foundations for telecommunication masts.

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Utsjoki Kevo (1991&ndash;2020 normals, records 1962&ndash;present)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C =  6.2
|Feb record high C =  6.5
|Mar record high C =  9.2
|Apr record high C = 15.7
|May record high C = 30.5
|Jun record high C = 32.5
|Jul record high C = 33.6
|Aug record high C = 31.5
|Sep record high C = 24.3
|Oct record high C = 13.7
|Nov record high C = 11.5
|Dec record high C =  7.1
|Jan avg record high C = 2.1
|Feb avg record high C = 2.2
|Mar avg record high C = 4.3
|Apr avg record high C = 9.5
|May avg record high C = 18.4
|Jun avg record high C = 24.6
|Jul avg record high C = 27.4
|Aug avg record high C = 24.5
|Sep avg record high C = 17.9
|Oct avg record high C = 9.7
|Nov avg record high C = 3.4
|Dec avg record high C = 2.9
|year avg record high C = 28.3
|Jan high C = -8.6
|Feb high C = -8.0
|Mar high C = -2.8
|Apr high C = 2.8
|May high C = 8.5
|Jun high C = 14.7
|Jul high C = 18.7
|Aug high C = 16.0
|Sep high C = 10.4
|Oct high C = 2.4
|Nov high C = -3.7
|Dec high C = -6.1
|year high C= 
|Jan mean C = -13.3
|Feb mean C = -12.6
|Mar mean C = -7.8
|Apr mean C = -1.9
|May mean C = 4.2
|Jun mean C = 9.8
|Jul mean C = 13.4
|Aug mean C = 11.1
|Sep mean C = 6.4
|Oct mean C = -0.4
|Nov mean C = -7.2
|Dec mean C = -10.6
|year mean C = 
|Jan low C = -18.3
|Feb low C = -17.6
|Mar low C = -13.3
|Apr low C = -6.9
|May low C = -0.1
|Jun low C = 5.3
|Jul low C = 8.7
|Aug low C = 6.9
|Sep low C = 2.9
|Oct low C = -3.2
|Nov low C = -11.2
|Dec low C = -15.3
|year low C= 
|Jan avg record low C = -35.1
|Feb avg record low C = -34.3
|Mar avg record low C = -28.0
|Apr avg record low C = -21.8
|May avg record low C = -7.6
|Jun avg record low C = 0.2
|Jul avg record low C = 3.4
|Aug avg record low C = 0.2
|Sep avg record low C = -3.9
|Oct avg record low C = -15.5
|Nov avg record low C = -24.8
|Dec avg record low C = -30.7
|year avg record low C = -37.4
|Jan record low C = -48.2
|Feb record low C = -47.9
|Mar record low C = -39.1
|Apr record low C = -31.9
|May record low C = -20.9
|Jun record low C = -3.4
|Jul record low C = -0.1
|Aug record low C = -3.9
|Sep record low C = -11.9
|Oct record low C = -28.9
|Nov record low C = -36.1
|Dec record low C = -41.4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 26
|Feb precipitation mm = 25
|Mar precipitation mm = 21
|Apr precipitation mm = 22
|May precipitation mm = 30
|Jun precipitation mm = 56
|Jul precipitation mm = 73
|Aug precipitation mm = 59
|Sep precipitation mm = 38
|Oct precipitation mm = 38
|Nov precipitation mm = 27
|Dec precipitation mm = 28
|unit precipitation days= 0.1&nbsp;mm
|Jan precipitation days = 21
|Feb precipitation days = 18
|Mar precipitation days = 17
|Apr precipitation days = 15
|May precipitation days = 16
|Jun precipitation days = 17
|Jul precipitation days = 18
|Aug precipitation days = 18
|Sep precipitation days = 18
|Oct precipitation days = 20
|Nov precipitation days = 20
|Dec precipitation days = 21
|year precipitation days= 
| Jan sun = 4
| Feb sun = 47
| Mar sun = 130
| Apr sun = 181
| May sun = 193
| Jun sun = 216
| Jul sun = 209
| Aug sun = 127
| Sep sun = 88
| Oct sun = 51
| Nov sun = 9
| Dec sun = 0
| year sun = 
|Jan humidity= 84
|Feb humidity= 83
|Mar humidity= 79
|Apr humidity= 76
|May humidity= 71
|Jun humidity= 69
|Jul humidity= 74
|Aug humidity= 81
|Sep humidity= 85
|Oct humidity= 89
|Nov humidity= 89
|Dec humidity= 87
|year humidity= 
|source 1 = FMI climatological normals for Finland 1991&ndash;2020<ref name="FMI">{{cite web |title=FMI normals 1991-2020 |url=https://www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/ilmastollinen-vertailukausi |access-date=11 April 2023|publisher=fmi.fi|language=fi}}</ref>
|source 2 = record highs and lows<ref name="FMI open data">{{cite web
| url = https://kilotavu.com/asema-taulukko.php?asema=102035
| title = FMI open data
| publisher = FMI
| access-date = 6 July 2025}}</ref>}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Utsjoki Outakoski, 1981&ndash;2010 normals
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 22
|Feb precipitation mm = 20
|Mar precipitation mm = 16
|Apr precipitation mm = 19
|May precipitation mm = 17
|Jun precipitation mm = 38
|Jul precipitation mm = 61
|Aug precipitation mm = 54
|Sep precipitation mm = 35
|Oct precipitation mm = 38
|Nov precipitation mm = 29
|Dec precipitation mm = 22
|source 1 = FMI open data, 1981&ndash;2010<ref name="FMI statistics 1981−2010">{{cite web
| url = https://kilotavu.com/asema-taulukko.php?asema=102023
| title = FMI open data
| publisher = FMI
| access-date = 21 March 2020}}</ref>
|date=March 2020
}}

==Notable people==
* [[Inger-Mari Aikio-Arianaick]], writer, born in Utsjoki in 1961
* [[Pigga Keskitalo]], Sámi academic, born in Utsjoki in 1972
* [[Helvi Poutasuo]] (1943–2017), teacher, translator, editor, politician
* [[Irja Seurujärvi-Kari]] (born 1947), politician and academic

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Utsjoki, Lapland, Finland (51237637345).jpg|Old cabins on the hill
Image:Utsjoki Norjan puolelta.jpg|Utsjoki seen from Norway
Image:Bridge at Utsjoki between Finland and Norway.jpg|The Sami Bridge connects Utsjoki to Norway
Image:Nuorgam Sami mootor 7578.jpg|Samimootor, a [[car repair shop]] and [[filling station]] in [[Nuorgam]], Utsjoki
Image:Nuorgamin Lomakeskus 6867.jpg|''Nuorgamin lomakeskus'', the [[Campsite|camping center]] of Nuorgam
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Utsjoki}}
{{Wikivoyage inline|Utsjoki}}
* [https://www.utsjoki.fi/ Municipality of Utsjoki] {{in lang|fi|se}}
* [https://exploreutsjoki.fi/en/ Explore Utsjoki] {{in lang|fi|se|en}}
* [http://www.luossajohka.fi/ Hotel Luossajohka Utsjoki] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070201202412/http://www.luossajohka.fi/ |date=2007-02-01 }}

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Utsjoki
 | N  = {{Flagicon|NOR}} [[Tana Municipality|Tana]]
 | NE = {{Flagicon|NOR}} [[Nesseby Municipality|Nesseby]]
 | E  = {{Flagicon|NOR}} [[Sør-Varanger Municipality|Sør-Varanger]]
 | S  = [[Inari, Finland|Inari]]
 | W  = {{Flagicon|NOR}} [[Karasjok Municipality|Karasjok]]
}}
{{Lapland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Utsjoki| ]]
[[Category:Sámi-language municipalities]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1876]]
[[Category:1876 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Lapland (Finland)]]