Cape Nordkin is a unique natural attraction of Norway and is located in its very north. These places are known to many as the birthplace of the mighty Vikings. In addition, Cape Nordkin, or, as the Norwegians themselves call it, Cape Kinnarudden, is also the northernmost point of the European part of the continent. The cape itself is like an ordinary rock. The peninsula with the same name ends with it.
Cape Nordkin coordinates: latitude and longitude
You can find out the location of the famous cape not only using GPS, but also using a regular map. "Where is Cape Nordkin?" - This question is asked by novice tourists. You should take a look at the map of the Norwegian coast. In order to better understand where the peninsula and the rock itself are located, and if you want to visit it, you will need to familiarize yourself with the geographical coordinates of Cape Nordkin.
The peninsula is located in the Arctic Ocean and officially belongs to Norway (the administrative unit (fülke) is Finnmark). If you expect to see abundant vegetation and green mountains on the cape, you will obviously be disappointed. Despite the fact that Norway, as one of the countries of Scandinavia, is itself very rich in coniferous forests and not only, the flora on the peninsula is rather scarce. This is due to the location of the cape and a specific natural zone - the tundra, which is very typical for it. In addition to weather conditions and scarce fauna, Finnmark is notable for its area, by the way, the largest in Norway: 48 thousand square meters. km, which is proportional to 1/2 of the Leningrad region.
The detailed coordinates of Cape Nordkin, namely the width and longitude, will be quite useful for novice travelers or experienced tourists. So, Nordkin has the following coordinates: 71 ° 08'02 'north latitude and 27 ° 39'00' east longitude.
Landscape
Description of Cape Nordkin should begin with the main characteristics, namely: the climate of the area and its landscape. The cape is located on the territory of the Finnmark fülk, its relief does not differ from the object in question, plus it has an identical level of landscaping.
Just because of the lack of comfort sufficient to want to move to this place, there are few people in Finnmark, even compared to many of our provinces - only 72 thousand people. Residents do not even think about fertile land and crops, it is not there at all. Dwellings and buildings were built literally on the rocks, ice and tundra swamps.
Climate
Due to the fact that the warm Gulf Stream simply does not bring its heat to the Scandinavian Peninsula, the climate here is extremely unpleasant and very harsh. For example, even in March, a severe snowstorm can easily fall on the terrain, so snowblowers have to be ready even in the spring months. However, it is thanks to the Gulf Stream that the Norwegian Sea is never covered with ice. It’s not even worth talking about the wind - it blows here constantly, and it’s very cold.
Description of Cape Nordkin
Why do people want to visit this magnificent place? There are many different reasons, but the most obvious is the truly ancient greatness of the north. Staying on Cape Nordkin, you clearly realize that Scandinavia is still not at all like the rest of Europe. Looking at the majestic mountains, cliffs, rocks, crystal clear waterfalls, you involuntarily recall the Vikings, which many have so often heard in old tales and legends.
It is no secret that, looking at the endless sea, you can see a whale with your own eyes. Isn't that something unusual? Although the locals themselves were very skeptical of such beauties before, they say that rocky places are the place of trolls, and the colorful blue sea is the main enemy teeming with monsters. Such is the whole Scandinavian culture and myths. Therefore, even the first Vikings tried to choose green plains for living, to hide in the forests.
Tourist magnet
The town closest to Cape Nordkin is Mehamn. To get to it, you have to overcome 23 kilometers. Nevertheless, despite the distance of the path, most tourists prefer to walk instead of driving, enjoying nature. After all, this is a great adventure.
For this, absolutely all conditions have been created, that is, you definitely will not have to wade through impassable rocks. Everywhere trodden on footpaths. Difficult or easy - choose the traveler. They didn’t forget about safety either, each trail is marked on the GPS, therefore, left alone with the wildlife, you can not be afraid that you will be missing.
Nordkin Pastures
Nordkin pastures are divided among themselves by nine Sami families (the indigenous people of Northern Europe). Most representatives of the Finno-Ugric people completely assimilated, but they did not forget about their roots, as well as traditions. There is a great chance that you will be greeted here in Sami, in which case you should not be surprised - this is a commonplace among connoisseurs of folk culture.
No need to judge the Sami by their possibly pronounced conservatism, on the contrary, they are a very friendly and hospitable people, which is famous for its unique dwellings - lava. In them, some travel agencies organize not only a traditional lunch, but even an overnight stay. Their cuisine is simpler than the Scandinavian, although it seems that this is impossible, but nevertheless, the basis of the Sami diet is fish and venison cooked on a hearth located in the middle of the house.
Photographers and landscape
In addition to those who love adventure and active tourism, this region is often visited by numerous photographers. Still, the northernmost, most severe point of Europe captured in the photograph should definitely be in the collection of every self-respecting photographer.
Cape Nordkin is loved not only for some of its uniqueness, but also for the most beautiful "cold" landscapes. In addition to the characteristic cold, in the pictures you can also notice the heat from the sun's rays, brightly illuminating the rocks during sunset. Photos of Cape Nordkin, as you can see, convey a special atmosphere of the severity of the northern slopes, the strongest ice waves and the cleanest horizon.
Where to stay
The Sami plague is by no means the only place to stop tourists. The enterprising authorities quickly felt the opportunity to make good money on the interest of tourists. Local converted for renting travelers all kinds of rooms. And this is not about standard hostels, lodges and campgrounds. For example, in Nordkin it is quite possible to spend the night at the once-working fish processing factory, in huts (new and old) located in the mountains, and the most unusual and, perhaps, romantic place to spend the night is the Schlettnes lighthouse. A caretaker is not required for the latter - everything has been automated for a long time, but a house intended for the caretaker himself is also rented out to travelers.
There are only two full-fledged hotels here. One of them is in Mehamn, and the second is in Kulleford. Just the view from the last window will allow you to enjoy another miracle of the area - a group of large rocks of Finnkirk. From a window or on a boat, having examined this miracle, it is easy to confuse it with the ancient ruins of a temple or palace, this is precisely the unusual Finnkirk cliffs. There are legends about sailors who settled various evil spirits in the rocks. They sincerely believed that this would provide them luck on the way. Nowadays, Finnkirk is equipped with a powerful backlight, thanks to which it is visible to passengers of all floating liners.
Nordkin and Nordkapp
It is easy to confuse Cape Nordkin and Cape Nordkapp just because of the name, and a huge number of sources call the North Cape the most northern point of Europe. However, there is still a difference, albeit not so huge in scale, because Cape Nordkapp (coordinates: 71 ° 10'21 'north latitude) is only 2 units south of Nordkin. Getting to the second is a little more difficult, you should not forget about this either. If the first one can be reached by car, ship or on foot, then you can approach the North Cape only by sea: by boat. At the same time, the captain of a small ship will carefully "probe" the water on the treacherous rocky islets.
Scandinavian sun and Nordkin
It is believed that in summer only crazy people can go to the northern corners of our planet. This is explained by the fact that it is impossible after virtually a six-month winter to spend money on a slightly less cold summer than in winter in Scandinavia. But if someone decided to conquer Nordkin in winter, experienced tourists do not recommend this.
So still, what exactly attracts more and more people to the north? Norwegian traditions and customs, local colorful festivals held in every even the most remote village, legends and myths or the worldwide glory of the great Vikings? All these things fade in comparison with the grandeur of the simplest, but such beautiful things as the bright orange Scandinavian sun, which in the summer, barely touching the ocean at sunset, suddenly rises again. Big foamy waves beating on the rocks, cold blowing wind - together they create unique natural music.