Reisa-Nationalpark
The Reisa National Park (Norwegian Reisa nasjonalpark, Sami Njállaávzi nasjonalpark ) is a Norwegian national park, which is located mainly in Reisadalen. It covers an area of 806 km ², belongs to the municipality Nordreisa and lies north of the Arctic Circle in the county of Troms. The park includes the upper part of the Reisa River and runs along the border with Finland. On the Finnish side of the park turns into several nature reserves. To the east is already in the province of Finnmark, the Finnmark plateau. To the west of Reisa National Park is adjacent to the 80 km ² Ráisduottarháldi nature reserve, in which also the Raisduottarhaidi massif lies.
The park was established in 1986 with its valleys, flora and fauna and the geological conditions to obtain the beautiful and unspoilt mountain landscape and protect. The vegetation is measured on biodiversity, one of the lushest all of Norway.
Geography, landscape and geology
The park is located in the highlands of the southeastern part of the county of Troms. The largest river is the Reisa River, which also originates in the park. In the course of the river Reisa River is the 269 meter high waterfall Mollisfossen, the height of free fall of 140 meters. Near the Reisa River, there are numerous potholes, which can be up to 10 meters deep. In general, the landscape of the Reisa National Park is strongly reminiscent of the Altadalen.
In the mountains north of Imofossen waterfall there are some very large canyon, in which one can well see the many different rock deposits. Towards the Finnish border, the mountains are flat and the scenery is there dominated by heath and moorland.
Flora and Fauna
Because of the diverse and fertile soil, the flora is one of the most species-rich whole of Norway. There are both basic and acidic soils. A total of 525 plant species have been discovered in the park. From 230 alpine plants in Norway, you will find 193 in the Reisa National Park. The rarest plant species are Blue sky ladder, Upright lice herb, four -edged scales heath, alpine arnica and Alaska rhododendron. Only in Elvedal also come Trisetum subalpestre, Silene involucrata, Lactuca sibirica, Lysiella oligantha and Korallenwurz ago. Lysiella oligantha is very rare in Northern Europe. The only major reserves in the world are located on Lake Baikal in Siberia.
In the National Park there are several birds of prey, including rough-legged buzzard, golden eagle, hawk, kestrel and falcon. Sometimes you can also see eagles in the park. Total life around 140 bird species in the park, including the rather rarer star and black-throated divers, and Bean Goose, Little Goose and Whooper Swan.
The largest mammals are wolverine, lynx and arctic fox. The Sámi name of the national park means Arctic Fox Canyon National Park ( Njalla = arctic fox ). However, the existence of arctic foxes has declined in the park. As rare visitors come from and also brown bears.
Cultural Heritage
In and around the national park is home to three major ethnic groups seeds, Kven and Norwegian. All groups live there for many centuries, the seeds at least since the 16th century. The Kvennischen Culture is an exhibition dedicated to the Halti National Park Centre.
Until the 19th century the main industries of the region were the wooden cases and tar burning. In some places you can still see remnants of the former facilities to Teergewinnung.
Tourism and Management
In the park there are some unstaffed huts as the Nedrefosshytta which is operated by the Norwegian Trekking Association and is on the Nordkalottruta tail. To the east of the park there is also a cottage on Lake Ráisjávri.
Especially the lower part of the Reisa River, ideal for fishing, because there are to be found large deposits of salmon ( spawning season ), bullhead, sea trout and char. However, licenses are required for fishing and hunting.