Lapland

Meanings

1. 1proper nounproper

   A region in northern Europe, in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia, mostly above the Arctic Circle.

   Grammar: Capitalised, no the: travel to Lapland.

   We are flying to Lapland to see the northern lights.

   Lapland has long, dark winters.

   The reindeer herds of Lapland roam freely.

2. 2proper nounproper

   A Finnish province, famous as a holiday spot and the claimed home of Santa Claus.

   Grammar: Used as a place name: Rovaniemi in Lapland.

   Children visit Lapland to meet Santa Claus.

   Lapland is Finland's largest region.

   They spent Christmas in Lapland.

Common combinations

northern Lapland

They stayed in northern Lapland for a week.

trip to Lapland

A trip to Lapland costs a lot at Christmas.

Finnish Lapland

Finnish Lapland has many ski resorts.

Arctic Lapland

Arctic Lapland experiences polar nights.

Lapland holiday

A Lapland holiday is a special gift for kids.

Synonyms and how they differ

Sápmi

Sápmi is the Sámi name for the homeland and is preferred by its people.

Arctic

Arctic is a whole polar zone, wider than Lapland.

Scandinavia

Scandinavia is a larger region, and Lapland is only its northern part.

Nordic

Nordic refers to a bigger group of countries.

Word family

Lapp noun

an outdated word for Sámi that many find offensive

Sámi noun

an Indigenous people of the region

Laplander noun

an older term for a person from there

Commonly confused: Lapland or Finland?

Practice

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