Øvre Divi Valley National Park

What is Øvre Divi Valley National Park?

Øvre Divi Valley National Park is a national park located in the eastern portion of the Divi valley in Troms county, northern Norway. Established in 1971, the park covers an area of 286 square miles (741 square km).¹

The park’s diverse landscape ranges from lowland pine and birch forests to rolling hills and mountain plateaus, which are dotted with various lakes and bogs. This environment provides a habitat for several predators, including the lynx, wolverine, and wolf, as well as bears. Additionally, the area serves as a summer grazing ground for large herds of tame reindeer that migrate from Sweden.¹

What types of animals live in the Norwegian wilderness?

The Norwegian wilderness is home to a diverse array of wildlife, ranging from large mammals to various bird and fish species.

Mammals

Large predators such as the bear, wolf, and lynx are found in limited areas, primarily in the north. Other notable mammals include:²

• Ungulates: Reindeer are found throughout the country, though they are restricted to mountain areas in the south. Moose (elk) are common in large coniferous forests, and red deer are numerous along the west coast.²³
• Small Mammals: Lemmings, wolverines, foxes, otters, badgers, beavers, and several species of marten are also present.²³

Birds and Fish

Norway hosts a wide variety of birds, including many migratory species. Partridges and various types of grouse are popular game birds in forests and mountains. In northern regions, millions of seabirds nest on coastal cliffs. Other species, such as the golden eagle, osprey, and ptarmigan, inhabit mountain areas.²³

The country’s rivers and lakes are rich in fish, most notably trout and salmon, the latter of which are found in at least 160 rivers.²

How do reindeer migrate between Norway and Sweden?

Reindeer migration in the region of northern Norway and Sweden is deeply tied to the traditional practices of the Sami people. While wild tundra reindeer naturally migrate between forests and tundra in annual cycles to find food, the movement of domesticated herds is managed by herders.³

Historically, the Sami practiced full-scale nomadism, with entire families migrating alongside their herds across these landscapes. Today, this lifestyle has largely modernized. Instead of the whole family following the herd, the practice has shifted so that only the herders accompany the reindeer during their seasonal movements, while their families reside in permanent housing.⁸⁹

These herds often move across borders, such as between Sweden and Norway, to reach necessary grazing grounds. Although the herds are managed communally, individual animals are privately owned, and herders today may use modern methods to direct the animals, a significant evolution from the traditional nomadic lifestyle that defined the Sami economy for centuries.⁸

What are the characteristics of a subarctic climate?

The continental subarctic climate is a major climate type characterized by extreme seasonal temperature variations and long, harsh winters.

Key Characteristics

• Temperature Extremes: This climate features some of the largest annual temperature ranges on Earth. Winters are long and bitterly cold, often lasting six to eight months with mean temperatures frequently falling 40–50 °C (40–58 °F) below freezing in interior regions like Siberia. Summers are short and mild, with mean temperatures rarely exceeding 16 °C (61 °F).¹¹
• Precipitation: Annual precipitation is generally low, typically totaling less than 50 cm (about 20 inches), with most occurring during the summer months. Winter precipitation is primarily in the form of snow, which remains on the ground for extended periods.¹¹
• Geographic Distribution: It is located in a broad band between 50° and 70° N, spanning from Alaska and Canada in North America to northern Scandinavia and Siberia in Eurasia.¹¹
• Growing Season: The frost-free period is very brief, lasting only 50 to 90 days per year, which significantly influences the local boreal forest and subarctic vegetation.¹¹¹²