Karasjok

 city, commune - administrative division

Karasjok has emerged from being an ancient winter camp, Ávjovárri located approximately 40 km from the town of Karasjok, to becoming a modern society of present day. Karasjok became a municipality of its own in 1867and a parish in 1872.

Karasjok has experienced a steady population increase between 1990 and 2000. Population levels amounted to 2916 in 2000, which was an increase of 34 since 1999 and which is the highest number ever recorded.

Important industries are, among other things, reindeer herding, farming and traditional industries based on harvesting nature such as hunting and fishing. Today’s industry of reindeer herding has evolved from the ancient hunter and gatherer society. Farming activities can be traced back to the 17th and 18th century, and is today a central part of Karasjok society. Industries have traditionally been carried out across, and irrespective of, national boarders. The prevailing industry with highest employment rate today is the service sector.

Karasjok has vital Sámi institutions such as the Sami Parliament, NRK Sámi Radio, the Sámi Collections / Museum (de Samiske Samlinger), the Sámi Art Centre, the Sámi Specialist Library, Mid-Finnmark legal office, inner Finnmark Child and Youth Psychiatric Policlinic, the Sámi Specialist Medical Centre and the Sámi health research institute. These institutions grant Karasjok with a broad academic environment making Karasjok an exiting place to live and work. Karasjok aims to further the focus on social- and health related services and thus to develop a nationwide function, with a particular Sami rehabilitation team, for Sámi clients.

Karasjok offers a lot within sports and wilderness / nature, culture and history, children- and youth activities, art, music and so forth. The municipality is rich on natural resources and can offer a unique wilderness, the world’s first rank salmon river, ice fishing and diverse flora and fauna. The artistic environment is active and the establishing of a Sami Art College is under planning. Karasjok Cultural School do music, art, ceramics and duodji, children theatre and dance. A sound studio is also located in the municipality. The yearly Easter Festival is another asset of Karasjok that is famous with its diverse and exiting program.

Karasjok is a crossroad for travellers in Finnmark and a natural point of departure for visits and adventures throughout the North Calotte, thereamong the North Cape. The municipality has a well developed infrastructure with varied overnight offers: hotel, high standard camping places and several nice mountain lodges.