The World's Most Northerly Cities
Alta is among the most northerly cities on Earth, at about 70.0deg N.
| # | Ville | Pays | Latitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Alta | Norway | 70.0deg N |
| 🥈 | Tromsø | Norway | 69.7deg N |
| 🥉 | Talnakh | Russia | 69.5deg N |
| 4 | Zapolyarnyy | Russia | 69.4deg N |
| 5 | Dudinka | Russia | 69.4deg N |
| 6 | Nikel | Russia | 69.4deg N |
| 7 | Kayyerkan | Russia | 69.4deg N |
| 8 | Norilsk | Russia | 69.3deg N |
| 9 | Gadzhiyevo | Russia | 69.3deg N |
| 10 | Polyarnyy | Russia | 69.2deg N |
| 11 | Severomorsk | Russia | 69.1deg N |
| 12 | Murmansk | Russia | 69.0deg N |
| 13 | Murmashi | Russia | 68.8deg N |
| 14 | Harstad | Norway | 68.8deg N |
| 15 | Narvik | Norway | 68.4deg N |
| 16 | Olenegorsk | Russia | 68.1deg N |
| 17 | Monchegorsk | Russia | 67.9deg N |
| 18 | Kiruna | Sweden | 67.9deg N |
| 19 | Nar'yan-Mar | Russia | 67.6deg N |
| 20 | Apatity | Russia | 67.6deg N |
| 21 | Vorgashor | Russia | 67.6deg N |
| 22 | Kovdor | Russia | 67.6deg N |
| 23 | Vorkuta | Russia | 67.5deg N |
| 24 | Polyarnyye Zori | Russia | 67.4deg N |
| 25 | Bodø | Norway | 67.3deg N |
| 26 | Kandalaksha | Russia | 67.2deg N |
| 27 | Labytnangi | Russia | 66.7deg N |
| 28 | Salekhard | Russia | 66.5deg N |
| 29 | Rovaniemi | Finland | 66.5deg N |
| 30 | Udachny | Russia | 66.4deg N |
| 31 | Mo i Rana | Norway | 66.3deg N |
| 32 | Novyy Urengoy | Russia | 66.1deg N |
| 33 | Usinsk | Russia | 66.0deg N |
| 34 | Kuusamo | Finland | 66.0deg N |
| 35 | Aykhal | Russia | 65.9deg N |
| 36 | Tornio | Finland | 65.8deg N |
| 37 | Boden | Sweden | 65.8deg N |
| 38 | Kemi | Finland | 65.7deg N |
| 39 | Akureyri | Iceland | 65.7deg N |
| 40 | Luleå | Sweden | 65.6deg N |
| 41 | Nadym | Russia | 65.5deg N |
| 42 | Piteå | Sweden | 65.3deg N |
| 43 | Haukipudas | Finland | 65.2deg N |
| 44 | Pechora | Russia | 65.2deg N |
| 45 | Oulu | Finland | 65.0deg N |
| 46 | Kem’ | Russia | 65.0deg N |
| 47 | Tarko-Sale | Russia | 64.9deg N |
| 48 | Kempele | Finland | 64.9deg N |
| 49 | Fairbanks | United States | 64.8deg N |
| 50 | Badger | United States | 64.8deg N |
| 51 | Skellefteå | Sweden | 64.8deg N |
| 52 | Anadyr | Russia | 64.7deg N |
| 53 | Raahe | Finland | 64.7deg N |
| 54 | Yagry | Russia | 64.6deg N |
| 55 | Kostomuksha | Russia | 64.6deg N |
| 56 | Severodvinsk | Russia | 64.6deg N |
| 57 | Arkhangel’sk | Russia | 64.5deg N |
| 58 | Isakogorka | Russia | 64.5deg N |
| 59 | Gubkinskiy | Russia | 64.4deg N |
| 60 | Novodvinsk | Russia | 64.4deg N |
| 61 | Kajaani | Finland | 64.2deg N |
| 62 | Nuuk | Greenland | 64.2deg N |
| 63 | Reykjavik | Iceland | 64.2deg N |
| 64 | Kópavogur | Iceland | 64.1deg N |
| 65 | Hafnarfjörður | Iceland | 64.1deg N |
| 66 | Steinkjer | Norway | 64.0deg N |
| 67 | Reykjanesbær | Iceland | 64.0deg N |
| 68 | Keflavík | Iceland | 64.0deg N |
| 69 | Onega | Russia | 63.9deg N |
| 70 | Kokkola | Finland | 63.8deg N |
| 71 | Umeå | Sweden | 63.8deg N |
| 72 | Muravlenko | Russia | 63.8deg N |
| 73 | Segezha | Russia | 63.8deg N |
| 74 | Levanger | Norway | 63.8deg N |
| 75 | Beloyarskiy | Russia | 63.7deg N |
| 76 | Jakobstad | Finland | 63.7deg N |
| 77 | Sosnogorsk | Russia | 63.6deg N |
| 78 | Ukhta | Russia | 63.6deg N |
| 79 | Iisalmi | Finland | 63.6deg N |
| 80 | Trondheim | Norway | 63.4deg N |
| 81 | Örnsköldsvik | Sweden | 63.3deg N |
| 82 | Noyabrsk | Russia | 63.2deg N |
| 83 | Östersund | Sweden | 63.2deg N |
| 84 | Kristiansund | Norway | 63.1deg N |
| 85 | Korsholm | Finland | 63.1deg N |
| 86 | Vaasa | Finland | 63.1deg N |
| 87 | Siilinjärvi | Finland | 63.1deg N |
| 88 | Lapua | Finland | 63.0deg N |
| 89 | Medvezh’yegorsk | Russia | 62.9deg N |
| 90 | Kuopio | Finland | 62.9deg N |
| 91 | Seinäjoki | Finland | 62.8deg N |
| 92 | Mirnyy | Russia | 62.8deg N |
| 93 | Molde | Norway | 62.7deg N |
| 94 | Härnösand | Sweden | 62.6deg N |
| 95 | Joensuu | Finland | 62.6deg N |
| 96 | Yemva | Russia | 62.6deg N |
| 97 | Mirny | Russia | 62.5deg N |
| 98 | Ålesund | Norway | 62.5deg N |
| 99 | Yellowknife | Canada | 62.5deg N |
| 100 | Nizhnesortymskiy | Russia | 62.4deg N |
What Is Life Like in the World's Northernmost Cities?
The world's most northerly cities lie deep in the Arctic, in Norway, Russia, Canada, Greenland and Alaska. They endure long, dark winters and bright midnight-sun summers, and many exist because of mining, fishing, defence or research. Reaching and supplying them is a feat of logistics.
Despite the cold and isolation, these communities have rich cultures adapted to the far north. The northernmost major city on this list is Alta, at about 70.0deg N.
Frequently Asked Questions: The World's Most Northerly Cities
What is the northernmost city in the world?
Among cities of meaningful size, Alta ranks at the top here at about 70.0deg N. Tiny settlements and research bases sit even further north.
What is life like in the far north?
Winters are long, cold and dark with polar night, while summers bring the midnight sun. Communities rely on shipped or flown-in supplies and tight-knit local life.
Why do cities exist so far north?
Often for natural resources (mining, oil, fishing), strategic and military reasons, or scientific research.