| Country | Finland |
|---|---|
| Region | Lapland |
| Municipality | Utsjoki |
| Coordinates | 70°04′50″N 027°52′30″E |
| Other name | Njuorggán |
| Population total | 200 |
| Population as of | 2025 |
Nuorgam (se: Njuorggán) is a traditional Sámi village in the northern periphery of Finland. Administratively, it is part of the municipality of Utsjoki, within the region of Lapland.[1] It is the northernmost point of Finland, as well as the northernmost point of the European Union.[2] As of 2025, it had a population of approximately 200 people.[1]
The 2022 Finnish action film Sisu was filmed primarily in Nuorgam.[3]
Etymology
Nuorgam is a Finnish adaptation of the Northern Sámi name Njuorggán, which is of unknown meaning and origin. The Finnish name was Niorgaisoando in 1740, became Niorkam in the 1770s when it started to be used as a surname, and became Njorkama in 1804.[4] The first family to use the surname Nuorgam arrived in the village sometime in the late 18th century from the nearby village of Pulmangi on the Norwegian side.[4]
Geography
Nuorgam is located in the municipality of Utsjoki, situated on the Teno (Tana) river, opposite of the Njuorggánvárri estuary in Norway.[4][5] Located 500 kilometres (310 mi) above the Arctic Circle, it is the northernmost settlement of Finland and the European Union.[2]
Demographics
As of 2025, the population of Nuorgam was approximately 200 people. Northern Sámi, Finnish, and Norwegian are spoken among the local populace.[1]
Economy
The local economy is a mix of traditional jobs like hunting, fishing, and cattle farming, and modern initiatives like cross-border trade and tourism. The village is reportedly fully employed, with many residents having jobs in Norway.[1]
Transport
Ivalo Airport and Kirkenes Airport (in Norway) have flights to and from Nuorgam. The village can also be accessed by road, and a number of Finnish accommodation companies offer transport there.[2]
In popular culture
The Finnish action film Sisu, directed by Jalmari Helander, was filmed mainly in Nuorgam in 2021. Set during the Lapland War of World War II, producer Petri Jokiranta commented that the remoteness of the village in the Finnish tundra provided an ideal setting, as was the abandoned Kaamanen Airport for some scenes in particular.[3] Locals were involved in the film's production and gave permission for film sets to be built in the village.[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Nuorgam Village & Info". Nuorgam Holiday Village. Nuorgamin Lomakeskus. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ "Nuorgam – the northernmost village of Finland and EU". Lapland North Destinations. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ "Sisu – Helander returns to film Lapland action". Lapland.fi. Archived 11 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
- ^ "Suomalainen Paikannimikirja" [Finnish Toponymy] (in Finnish). kaino.kotus.fi. p. 295. Archived 16 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Utsjoki and Nuorgam Travel Guide". Life In Lapland. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
- ^ Guttorm, Susanna (17 September 2021). "Palanut huoltoasema ja muita outoja rakennelmia ilmestyi Nuorgamin tunturimaastoon: alueella kuvataan suomalaista toimintaelokuvaa" [A burntout gas station and other strange structures appeared in the Nuorgam fell terrain: a Finnish action movie is being filmed in the area]. Yle. Archived 29 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 29 April 2023.