Тиетта. 2011, N 3 (17).

Holy Baptism Pond) and Pyhankasteenputous (in English: Holy Baptism Falls) (Fig 4). The new religion was not automatically accepted, and it is known that the sacrificial sites were in use even later, however in secret. During those same times, the Finnish set­ tlement began to spread into the area along the river valleys. The border between Sami Lapland and the area inhabited by Finns crossed the highest top of Pyha (540 m). However, the border remained only for a short time, and as the settlement continued, the Sami people withdrew from the area northwards. In the early 20th century geologists and biolo­ gists started making exploration trips to the area (Tanner 1915). Consequently a better understanding was gained of the unique natural environment of Pyha - Luosto. Pyha was turned into a national park in 1938, one of the first in Finland. In March 2005 it was increased to three times its former size, as the Lu- osto area was included. The scientists were followed by hikers and tourists, who were also enchanted by the scenery. Initially they had at their disposal only a small reindeer herding hut. From these modest be­ ginnings two lively, year-round tourist centres devel­ oped, named Pyha and Luosto after the mountains where they are located. The growth of nature tourism has had a welcome effect on the economical and cul­ tural development of the region. Hotels, winter sports facilities and other enterprises are situated near the National Park, serving the visitors. At the same time the National Park protects and manages the moun­ tain range and the old forests and mires around it, by guiding the hikers to marked trails. They lead to the finest geological and biological attractions of the National Park. Various structures have been made to facilitate hiking, such as information boards, cab­ ins, shelters and a bird watching tower for observing birdlife on the aapa mire. Due to rocky terrain, trails have been built partly along wooden walkways and steps. They make it easier to walk and increase the se­ curity of the visitors (Fig. 5). The spine of the network of trails is a 32 km long hiking route, connecting the mountains of Pyha and Luosto. Metsahallitus, the national forest administra­ tion, which also administrates the National Park, has built a Visitor Centre at Pyha in 1984. Its permanent exhibition "Down by the Sea" is a presentation of the geological history of the area. Changing exhibitions and various events related to the National Park are held there, including lectures and guided tours as a tool for environmental education. Special activity programmes for children are also arranged. In 2010 the Pyha - Luosto National Park and its Visitor Cen­ tre was visited by 120 000 persons. This number will probably grow significantly during 2012 as a new Visitor Centre at Pyha will be ready to serve visitors. In future the membership in the European Geoparks Network and cross-border cooperation between Lapland and Murmansk Oblast would improve the quality of services offered to geotourists (Pihlaja et al. 2010). It would promote the consciousness and awareness of the public towards the protection of geological and geomorphological heritage, too. References 1. Johansson, P. (2005) - Glaciohydrological indicators of deglaciation on the Pyhatunturi mountain , Finnish Lapland. In: Kolka V., Korsakova O. (Eds) Quaternary geology and landforming processes. Prosceedings of the International Field Symposium, Kola Peninsula, NW Russia, September 4 - 9, 2005, Apatity, 20-22. 2. Johansson P., Kujansuu R. (Eds), Eriksson B., Gronlund T., Johansson P., Kejonen A., Kujansuu R., Maunu M., Makinen K., Saarnisto M., Virtanen K., Vaisanen U. (2005) - Pohjois-Suomen maapera: maaperakarttojen 1:400 000 selitys. Summary: Quaternary deposits of Northern Finland - Explanation to the maps of Quaternary deposits 1:400 000. Geologian tutkimuskeskus - Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo, 236 p. (in Finnish). 3. Johansson P., Ojala, A., Raisanen, J. & Rasanen, J. (2007) - Pyha-Luosto: Geologinen retkeilykartta ja opaskirja - Geological outdoor map and guidebook. Geological Survey of Finland, Rovaniemi. 47 p. 4. Metsahallitus (2005) - Pyha - Luosto National Park, Le parc national de Pyha - Luosto, Nationalpark Pyha - Luosto. Information brochure in English, in French and in German. 5. Mielikainen P. (1979) - Pelkosenniemi. Geological map of Finland 1:100 000. Pre-Quaternary rocks, sheet 3642. Geological Survey of Finland, Espoo. 6. Pihlaja, J., Itkonen, P., Johansson, P. Lehtinen, K. & Voytekhovsky, Y. (2010). Future prospects for the development of geotourism in northern Finland and north-western Russia. In: 35. Hauptversammlung der Deutschen Quartarvereinigung DEUQUA e. V. & 12th Annual Meeting of the INQUA PeriBaltic Working Group, Greifswald, 13.-17.9.2010: Tagungsunterlagen - Conference proceedings. Deutsche Quartarvereinigung DEUQUA, 145-146. 7. Rasanen J., Makela M. (1988) - Early Proterozoic fluvial deposits in the Pyhatunturi area, northern Finland. Geological Survey of Finland, Special Paper 5, 239-254. 8. Sarala, P., Johansson, P. & Valkama, J. (2007) - End moraines in the southern Pyha-Luosto fell area, northern Finland. In: The Quaternary of western Lithuania : from the Pleistocene glaciations to the evolution of the Baltic Sea. The INQUA Peribaltic Group Field Symposium, May 27-June 02, 2007, Plateliai, Lithuania: proceedings. Lithuanian Geological Survey, Vilnius. 68-69. 9. SodermanG. (1980) - Slope processes in cold environments of northern Finland. Fennia 158 (2), 83-152. 10.Tanner V. (1915) - Studier ofver kvartarsystemet i Fennoskandias nordliga delar III. (Resume en frangais: Etudes sur le systeme quaternaire dans les parties septentrionales de la Fennoscandie). Bulletin de la Commission geologique de Finlande 38, 815 p. (in Swedish) Peter Johansson, Ph.D. Geological Survey o f Finland, Northern Office P.O. Box 77, FIN 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland 5