| Abisko National Park | |
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| Abisko nationalpark | |
 Lapporten in the Abisko National Park | |
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| Location | Norrbotten County,Sweden |
| Nearest city | Kiruna |
| Coordinates | 68°19′N18°41′E / 68.317°N 18.683°E /68.317; 18.683 |
| Area | 77 km2 (30 sq mi)[1] |
| Established | 1909[1] |
| Governing body | Naturvårdsverket |
Abisko National Park (Swedish:Abisko nationalpark) is aNational Park inSweden, established in 1909.
Abisko is situated in the Swedish province ofLapland near theNorwegian border (distance approx. 37 km (23 mi) by railway), and belongs toKiruna Municipality, Sweden's northernmost and largest municipality. It begins at the shores ofTorneträsk, one of Sweden's largest lakes where the village ofAbisko is located, and extends some 15 km (9.3 mi) to the south-west. It is situated about 195 km (121 mi). north of theArctic Circle. The area of the park is 77 km2 (30 sq mi)
Permafrost is common in the national park, though permafrost at lower elevations is disappearing because ofglobal warming and increased snowfall.[2]
The park was proposed and established in 1909, the same year Sweden's first laws on nature conservation were created, by a group of prominent Swedish scientists, including the well-known geologistFredrik Svenonius [fi].
The purpose of the Abisko National Park was to "preserve an area with northernNordic fell nature in its original condition and as a reminiscence for scientific research". The region has proved to be of much scientific interest, as is shown by theAbisko Scientific Research Station which exists to study the area. Furthermore, the national park was intended to be a prominent tourist attraction.
Abisko is also home to the Abisko Scientific Research Station, first established in 1903 approximately 31 km west of Abisko in Vassijaure. After a fire in 1910 a new station was built in its present location in Abisko in 1912 and opening in 1913. The research station was incorporated within the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1935. It is used primarily for biological, climate, ecological, environmental, and geological research and contains on-site laboratories as well as off-site field research stations.
The 440 km (270 mi) longKungsleden hiking trail, which follows theScandinavian mountain range, starts (or ends) at the Abisko Turiststation (consisting of a railway station of the same name and the Abisko Youth Hostel) (approx. 4 km (2.5 mi) west of the village itself) and follows through the national park. TheNordkalottruta uses trails of the park as part of its longer passage. TheAbisko Turiststation, run by theSvenska Turistföreningen (STF), houses many visitors to the park and provides lodging, food, and other amenities, and is one of many similar facilities located periodically along the Kungsleden trail. The national park is known for itscross-country skiing opportunities,snowshoeing, and other winter sports (Mount Nuolja and nearby Björkliden providesbackcountry skiing andfreeriding opportunities). As its location is 195 km north of the Arctic Circle, summer hikers enjoy themidnight sun, while winter visitors may find the light pollution-free location ideal for viewing theaurora borealis.
Daily passenger electric trains run bySJ AB connectStockholm with the Norwegian city ofNarvik, stopping at both the Abisko village (the name of that railway station isAbisko Östra [east]) and the Abisko Turiststation. Additional regional trains provide links within the Kiruna-Narvik stretch. Abisko is also reachable by car via the highway E10 which links Kiruna and Narvik since early 1980s. Other local forms of local transportation include hiking and dog-sledding in winter. A chair-lift provides access to the summit of nearby Mt. Nuolja.
There are many species of birds in the park.
Of themammals, smaller ones like themarten,stoat,squirrel, the felllemming and similar are common parts of the fauna. Of larger animals, themoose andreindeer are common, and moose droppings and tracks are found; however,wolverines,Arctic foxes,lynx andbears are only seen sporadically.
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