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ARCTIC CIRCLE, Finland, Dec 18 (Reuters) A lot has changed since September 11, but people still want to see Santa Claus.

Amid the snow-covered fells of Finland's far north, Santa is still sitting on his worn-out rocking chair receiving guests from around the globe.

"Everyone loves Santa," a tall and large Father Christmas said, roaring with laughter in his Lapland office.

"People like tradition. They like what Santa stands for and difficult times like this have brought back people's attention to what's important in life -- the family -- and that's good," he told Reuters, as he stroked his long white beard.

But even Santa is surprised that people have not let the events of September 11 stop them from travelling thousands of kilometres (miles) to visit what he says is the true home of Santa, the symbol of Christmas for millions of children.

The attacks on Washington and New York that killed thousands of people, the deadly anthrax letters and the global economic downturn have shaken millions and stopped many people from travelling abroad. Yet Santa counts himself lucky.

Not as many people are expected to visit him as he had thought previously, but Santa still expects some 420,000 people to come to Santa Claus Village in the Arctic Circle this year, the same number as last year.

Some 70,000 of them will arrive during the busy December weeks, with about 5,000, mostly children, sitting on his lap each day.

"I'm old but still strong," he said.

Most visitors come from Europe, but Santa Claus Village is also popular among Asians, particularly the Japanese, who are fascinated by Santa and the northern lights which appear up here as curtains of greenish-white light stretching east to west across the sky for thousands of kilometres.

Father Christmas attributes his continuing popularity to renewed attention on the family and family values and the perception that neutral Finland is a safe destination.

"People come here to be together and they come here because they feel it's safe," he said. "Parents also don't want to break a promise to their kids about visiting Santa."

Visitors agree.

"It's a safe place to visit and there's snow and Santa," said Frankie, on a trip here from Dublin, Ireland, with his wife Michelle and nine-year-old son Brian, as they eagerly queued to talk to Santa.

What started out as a shack on the Arctic Circle outside the town of Rovaniemi to mark a visit by Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1950s now lures tourists with Santa's office, the postal centre, gold-panning and reindeer and dog-sledding and snow scooters. There is also a Santa shopping centre.

"We've come here for our honeymoon," said Mike Rodman, who is from the United States but lives in Yokohama, Japan.

"I planned to take my Japanese wife to the Maldives but cancelled it to travel to a safe place. The Arctic Circle has been a big hit with my wife. The Japanese love it."

While Santa is more than willing to talk about his diet, how many hours he works a day and what he enjoys, he's very coy about the exact location of his humble home. He says he still lives in the quiet wilderness of Korvatunturi in the eastern part of Lapland and travels each day with his reindeer to Santa Claus Village. All he shows are his reindeer.

Santa Claus and his elves say they have seen a big change in what young and old people are wishing for this Christmas.

Unlike last year many people are asking for more time with their families as well as wishing for peace in the world and in Afghanistan. Santa's post office expects to get more than 600,000 letters this year, with most coming from Japan and then Britain.

"Half of the letters from children are about hopes for peace and time with their families. That's much higher than what we've had in the past," says Chief Elf Taima Ollila, sales manager for Santa Claus's main post office.

"This year's letters are also softer, more positive and not so materialistic. That's a very good thing," she adds.

Of course most children's letters also mention toys.

Ollila said Harry Potter was at the top of children's wish lists but said children who only sent letters asking for gifts would not receive a reply from Santa.

Santa replies to about 150,000 letters but makes a point of writing to those who are not just seeking material things, elf Ollila said.

"If you want a letter from Santa, write what's on your heart," she said as the last glimmers of light disappear from the crisp polar sky in the early northern afternoon.

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