Oulanka National Park. 02/02/04; Oulu, Lapland; 29,390 ha; 66°27'N 029°20'E. Natura 2000 SPA, SCI, National Park, Finnish Mire and Esker Conservation Programmes. Representative of the mire vegetation region of main aapa mires of sloping type, which is characterized by deep canyons formed by River Oulankajoki with its tributaries, mires and gently-featured coniferous and herb-rich forests. The Park is rich in small lakes and ponds, extensive sandy areas and rich alluvial meadows. Because of calcareous soil the flora includes more than 23 national threatened and rare vascular plant species such as Crepis tectorum subsp. nigrescens or Arctic Campion species Silene furcata subsp. Angustiflora. Altogether more than 40,000 pairs of about 100 bird species breed in the Park, which also supports wolf, wolverine, brown bear, lynx and otter populations. Reindeer husbandry is an important livelihood in the area and some of the alluvial meadows of rivers were mowed to produce food for wintering. Significant values also include tourism and outdoor recreation with about 150,000 visitors per year. Fish farming operations have changed the abundance ratios of the original fish fauna. Ramsar site no. 1525. Most recent RIS information: 2005.