Lemmenjoki National Park. 02/02/04; Lapland; 285,990 ha; 68°35'N 025°36'. Natura 2000 SPA and SCI, National Park. Finland's largest national park and one of Europe's most extensive roadless and uninhabited wilderness areas, one in which all the mire types of northern forest Lapland can be found. The central part is dominated by more than 70 km along River Lemmenjoki, but the largest mires are in the southern part; Repokaira is composed of uplands characterized by mountain birch, and the mires have a special character with barren heaths and numerous small waterbodies. Extensive open mires spread out between forest ridges on both sides of River Ivalojoki, where grassy flarks are well developed, characterized by extensive growths of the cotton-grass species. Blanket mires occur everywhere on the hill-slopes of river valleys, and the springs are accompanied by rich fen-like mires. Threatened mammals such as wolverine, Arctic Fox, Brown Bear, lynx and otter find their habitat in these pristine landscapes, and about 29 European-threatened bird species are breeding in the area. Significant values of the site include environmental education, scientific research, reindeer husbandry, outdoor recreation, recreation fishing and gold washing, but increasing tourism and hiking may cause disturbance. Ramsar site no. 1521. Most recent RIS information: 2005.