The town of Rovaniemi and the minicipalities of Rovaniemi maalaiskunta (rural minicipality) and Ranua comprise the Rovaniemi sub-region. The number of inhabitants ranges from Ranua's 5 000 to Rovaniemi's 36 000 inhabitants. The total population of the Rovaniemi sub-region is 63 000 inhabitants.

Rovaniemi has maintained contact with the surrounding countryside, but the urban infrastructure creates opportunities for development and also provides versatile educational and cultural facilities. Within 10 kilometres from the city centre you can find undisturbed nature or a busy international airport.

There has probably been continuous settlement in the Rovaniemi area since the Stone Age. But the oldest surviving instance of the name, Rovaniemi, in writing dates from 7th of September 1453.