Summary

Lappajärvi is a lake in South Ostrobothnia, Finland. It is formed from a 23 km wide meteorite impact crater, which is estimated to be 76 million years old. It is Europe’s largest crater lake and is well-known among geologists and crater researchers. However it is not known among tourists and general public.

The Finnish rural development programme helped finance a feasibility study aiming to  prepare an application for Unesco Geopark-status. The study also includes preparations for the creation of a geo and nature information centre to serve tourists and explain the uniqueness of the lake. In addition the project aims to develop a business model for a Nordic/European planetary information centre.

Results

As a result of this feasibility study it is expected that the improved tourist services will attract at least 10.000 visitors per annum.

One of the early results of this project is that it contributes to local level understanding of the value of Lappajärvi as a unique natural asset.