| Aavasaksa | |
|---|---|
 Aavasaksa fromÖvertorneå central town (Matarengi). | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 242 m (794 ft) |
| Coordinates | 66°23′52″N23°43′30″E / 66.39778°N 23.72500°E /66.39778; 23.72500 |
| Geography | |
  Aavasaksa Location of Aavasaksa in Finland | |
| Location | Lapland,Finland |
Aavasaksa is a sharp-edgedhill inYlitornio municipality inFinnish Lapland. It has anelevation of 242 metres (794 ft). Aavasaksa is famous for its sights both towards Finland and Sweden, and it is included in the list of theNational landscapes of Finland.[1][2] Decorative hunting cabin "Imperial Lodge" (Keisarinmaja) is one of the buildings on top of the hill. Its construction began with a visit byAlexander II of Russia in mind, but due to political instability it never happened. It's only open in the summer.[3]
Due to Aavasaksa's distinctive elevation above other nearby hills, it was first used byPierre Louis Maupertuis in theFrench Geodesic Mission (1736–1737), and later became part of theStruve Geodetic Arc. As a result of this,UNESCO named Aavasaksa aWorld Heritage Site, along with the 33 other sites used in the Struve Geodetic Arc.
Aavasaksa is often considered the southernmost point in Finland where themidnight sun is literally visible. The hill is surrounded by rivers running next to it:Torne River to the west and the smallerTengeliönjoki to the east and north.
Asteroid2678 Aavasaksa is named after the hill.
Media related toAavasaksa at Wikimedia Commons