Kemijärvi is a town and municipality in the Lapland region of
Finland, specifically in the sub-region of Eastern Lapland. It holds
the distinction of being Finland's northernmost city and serves as a
key railhead for passenger traffic in the area. Located at
coordinates 66°43′N 27°26′E, it borders municipalities such as
Pelkosenniemi to the north, Salla to the east, Posio to the south,
and Rovaniemi to the west. The town was chartered in 1957 and
granted city rights in 1973, with Pekka Iivari as the current town
manager. Its official name in Northern Sami is Giemajávri, in Inari
Sami as Kiemâjävri, and in Skolt Sami as Ǩeeʹmmjäuʹrr. Kemijärvi is
known for its serene lakeland setting, surrounded by vast natural
landscapes, and offers a blend of cultural heritage, outdoor
activities, and seasonal phenomena like the midnight sun and
Northern Lights.
The municipality spans a total area of
3,930.91 km², with 3,504.39 km² being land and 425.84 km² water,
ranking it as the 13th largest in Finland by area. It features
prominent natural elements like Lake Kemijärvi, the largest lake in
the region, and hills such as Suomutunturi. Historically inhabited
by the Sami people, the area transitioned to permanent Finnish
settlement in the late 16th century. Today, it attracts visitors for
its peaceful atmosphere, year-round adventures, and proximity to
Arctic experiences.
Kemijärvi is situated in the heart of Finnish Lapland, characterized
by its Arctic environment with forests, lakes, and fells (hilly
terrain). The town lies on the shores of Lake Kemijärvi, which dominates
the landscape and provides opportunities for water-based activities. The
surrounding area includes villages and the Suomu ski resort, making it a
gateway to broader Lapland explorations. Notable landmarks include an
Arctic Circle monument, which highlights its position just north of the
Arctic Circle, leading to phenomena like the polar night in winter and
midnight sun in summer.
The climate is subarctic (Köppen
classification: Dfc), featuring long, cold winters and short, mild
summers. Winters can see temperatures dropping to -14.1°C on average in
January, with heavy snowfall supporting activities like skiing and ice
fishing. Summers are cooler, with July highs around 19.4°C, and the
region experiences low precipitation overall, averaging 650.6 mm
annually. The time zone is Eastern European Time (UTC+2), shifting to
UTC+3 during daylight saving.
The first permanent settler of Kemijärvi was Paavali
Ollinpoika Halonen, who moved from Niskankylvi in Utajärvi to
Kemijärvi in about 1580. His wife was Anna Laurintytär Halonen and
his children were Paavo, Olli and Pekka Halonen. Paul's residence is
now known as Halosenranta. Other pioneers who arrived at the same
time were Pekka and Matti Kärppä of the Kärpä family, coming from
Muhos along the Oulujoki River, who inhabited two of all 13 houses
in Kemijärvi according to the 1631 house list. Four of these
remained permanently inhabited: the house of Paavo Halonen, the
houses of Pekka and Matti Kärpä and the house of Heikki Häikä called
Luusua. Ämmänvaara in the area of Kemijärvi municipality is an
ancient Sámi place of sacrifice. When the first new pioneers
arrived, the Sámi no longer lived in the area of what is now
Kemijärvi.
The Kemijärvi parish was separated from the Kemi
parish in 1779 and the Kemijärvi municipality was founded in 1871.
The Kemijärvi church village was formed into a large-scale community
in 1912 and in 1957 the church village was separated from the
municipality into a town and the former Kemijärvi municipality
changed to Kemijärvi rural municipality. This was the last time the
word rural municipality was added to the name of a Finnish
municipality. The period of separation lasted only 16 years, as in
1973 the Kemijärvi township and the Kemijärvi countryside merged. At
the same time, Kemijärvi became the city of Kemijärvi.
The
coat of arms of the former Kemijärvi countryside, which had
originally been affixed to the entire municipality of Kemijärvi
before the separation of the town, was taken as the city's coat of
arms. The population of Lake Kemijärvi was at its peak just before
the union of rural and urban areas, when a total of more than 16,000
inhabitants lived in these municipalities. Ecclesiastically, the
center of Kemijärvi has never been separate from the surrounding
sparsely populated area; During the existence of the Kemijärvi
township and the rural municipality, the inhabitants of both
municipalities belonged to the same Kemijärvi parish and therefore
there were no parishes whose names would have been the Kemijärvi
township and rural parish. Kemijärvi Church was built in 1950,
originally located in the then municipality called Kemijärvi and in
1957–1972 in a township.
The closure of the Kemijärvi pulp
mill in the spring of 2008 attracted a great deal of attention. The
continuation of the local industry was then generously supported by
public funds. Arktos Group, which was to start manufacturing glulam
beams, became the successor of the factory. However, production
could not start and in early 2012 the company underwent a corporate
restructuring.
Keitele Group opened the property of the
former pulp mill. Its factory produces softwood sawn timber, planed
timber and glulam.
In 2015, it was reported that a
biorefinery investment of EUR 700-800 million is planned for
Kemijärvi, which will create an estimated 1,000 jobs. Numerous
complaints were registered about the biorefinery's environmental
permit in 2019.
As of June 30, 2025, Kemijärvi has a population of 6,918, making it the 133rd largest municipality in Finland with a low density of 1.97 inhabitants per km². The population is aging, with 9.7% under 15, 50.3% between 15-64, and 40% over 65. Linguistically, 94.6% speak Finnish as their native language (official), 0.1% Swedish, and 5.2% other languages. The area reflects Lapland's multicultural influences, including Sami heritage.
The economy is primarily based on natural resources and services. Forestry plays a significant role, as evidenced by companies like Pölkky, a major wood processing firm, which recently opened procurement offices in Kemijärvi in 2025 to expand operations. Tourism is a growing sector, leveraging the natural environment for activities like skiing at Suomu resort and lake-based recreation. Other industries include trade, small-scale manufacturing, and public services. Unemployment and economic data specifics are not detailed in recent sources, but the town's location supports seasonal employment in hospitality and outdoor guiding.
Kemijärvi's cultural scene revolves around its Lapland heritage, with facilities like the Cultural Centre, Puustelli art center (hosting exhibitions and events), and the old Puustelli farmstead, which preserves traditional architecture. Annual events include a sculpture festival, showcasing local and international artists. The Kemijärvi Church, a historic wooden structure, serves as a cultural landmark. Education includes basic schooling, with higher education accessible in nearby Rovaniemi. Sami influences are evident in place names and occasional cultural programs.
Kemijärvi offers diverse attractions year-round. Top sites include
the Kemijärvi Local History Museum, which details the region's past;
Joutsijärven Bunkkerit (WWII bunkers); and the Pöyliövaara nature trail
for hiking. The Suomu ski resort provides winter sports like downhill
skiing and snowmobiling, while summer activities encompass hiking,
fishing on Lake Kemijärvi, and berry picking. Northern Lights viewing is
prime in winter, and the "nightless night" (midnight sun) draws visitors
in summer. Other highlights: the Arctic Circle monument, Kemijärvi
Church, and nearby nature reserves for wildlife spotting.
The
official tourism site promotes it as a "happy lakeside village" with
peaceful trails and cultural experiences. Accommodations range from
lakeside cabins to hotels, and it's a starting point for trips to
Rovaniemi or further north.
Kemijärvi is well-connected by rail, with the Kemijärvi railway station offering passenger services to Rovaniemi, Oulu, and Helsinki, including overnight trains restored in 2008 and made permanent in 2014 after line electrification. The Santa Claus Express, a scenic winter train, runs through the area, showcasing snowy landscapes. Road access is via highways linking to neighboring towns, and there's a small airport, though commercial flights are limited. Public buses and car rentals facilitate local travel.