Norway PM to consider offering Arctic mountain to Finland
Norway’s Prime Minister is to consider a proposal to give Finland the peak of Halti mountain in Lapland as a present to make a hundred years of Finnish independence.
The idea originated with a retired geographer and was then presented to the government by Kåfjord municipality where the peak is located.
Finland’s highest point could soon be a little bit higher if a proposal for Norway to give a mountain peak to its neighbour is approved by the Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.
Peak 1,331 metres above sea level
The Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports on Wednesday that the proposal from Kåfjord municipality is under consideration by the government. It would move the border slightly to ensure the peak of Halti fell is in Finland, making that the highest point in the country.
Halti’s peak is 1,331 metres above sea level. The highest point in Finland is a little way down the mountainside at the border, which is located 1,324 metres above sea level. Shifting the border 40 metres would ensure Finland can lay claim to the top of the mountain.
“The peak would be a wonderful gift to our sister nation,” said Svein Leiros of Kåfjord municipality in the spring.
Proposal challenges under consideration
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg confirmed to Norway’s TV2 station that the government has received an official request to offer the peak of Halti to Finland.
“There are some formal challenges and I haven’t yet decided my own view on the matter,” said Solberg. “But we are considering it.”
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: New national park planned in Canada’s High Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Arctic parks among most visited in Finland, Yle News
Norway: Nordic countries discuss closer defense cooperation, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian environmentalists want park status for Arctic island, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Study finds bird declines in mountains of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Alaska Dispatch News
United States: Arctic remains refuge of friendly US-Russia relations, Alaska Dispatch News
