Facts about Lyngen

Welcome to Lyngen!

Mountain peaks rising 1833 m directly from the fjord, blue glaciers, cascading rivers, gleaming mountain lakes, deep ravines and black scree combine to create the unique landscape we call the Lyngen Alps. This is a mecca for experienced mountain climbers and extreme skiers, who take an entire day to climb up and just 15 minutes to ski down. Thankfully, there are also gently slopping
hills ideal for hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding on a Lyngen horse or dog sledding. Some turn their backs on the mountains and go fishing in waters teeming with fish. The inhabitants, of Sami, Finnish and Norwegian origin, make their living from fishing and farming to hi-tech industries. However, they have a good sense of humour and warm hospitality in common.

Key Facts

The Municipality of Lyngen has around 3200 residents, and covers an area of 810 km² on the mountain-rich Lyngen Peninsula. The outermost villages survive on fishing, while agriculture is important throughout the entire municipality. Successful, modern industry is located at Furuflaten

at the very end of the Lyngen Fiord. The population has Norwegian, Saami and Finnish origins.

History

Human settlement in Tromsø and Lyngen dates back around 10,000 years, while the Saami culture here goes back at least 2000 years. Scandinavian language and culture could be found here from 300-400 AD, and Lyngen experienced immigration from Finland as early as the 1700s. A strong Norwegianising of the formerly Saami and Finnish areas of Tromsø and Lyngen started around 1900, and from the 1960s a high level of moving from the districts began.

Climate, Midnight Sun and the Polar Nights

In spite of their location so far north, Tromsø and Lyngen both enjoy a moderate insular climate. Summer weather ranges from five degrees Celsius and rain to 28 degrees and fantastic

swimming conditions for the undaunted. Winter in Tromsø is not especially cold. The record low emperature in Tromsø is minus18 degrees Celsius, while the average January temperature is minus four, but in return there is often a lot of snow.

The Midnight Sun is visible from around May 21 to around July 21. Between November 21 and January 21, the sun disappears under the horizon and we experience the Polar Nights. It is not completely dark during the middle of the day, and the light and colour in the sky is amazing when the weather is favourable.

Lyngen Municipality

Here you will find the offical webpage for Lyngen Municipality: www.lyngen.kommune.no

LyngenAlp

You will find a lot of useful information about activities, accomodation and happenings in the municipality of Lyngen - home of the Arctic Alps on the following web page: www.lyngenalp.no