 In another portrait of Pajala by Niemi, the crime novel ""Mannen som dog som en lax"" (""The Man who Died like a Salmon""), the author discusses the state of the minority language Meänkieli in Pajala today.Pajala has a harsh subarctic climate that is somewhat moderated by the influence of the North Atlantic.Its inland position and lower elevation cause warmer summers, and winters are a bit milder than most areas on similar parallels.