Aland islands

Aland Islands

The Aland Islands or Åland is an autonomous and demilitarized region of Finland. It is located in the Baltic Sea and is primarily Swedish-speaking. The islands consist of the main island Fasta Åland (where 90% of the population resides) and an archipelago to the east that has over 6,500 skerries and islands.

History

The history of Aland Islands dates back to the Iron Age. The islands were historically part of the Kingdom of Sweden until the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in 1809, when they were ceded to Russia. They were then incorporated into the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland. In 1921, the League of Nations established the islands as a demilitarized autonomous region of Finland.

Geography

The Aland Islands are located at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. They consist of nearly three hundred habitable islands, of which about eighty are inhabited; the remainder are some 6,000 skerries and desolate rocks. The archipelago's highest point is Orrdalsklint.

Demographics

The population of the Aland Islands is predominantly Swedish-speaking and identifies as Swedish. The official language is Swedish.

Economy

The economy of Aland Islands is heavily dominated by shipping, trade and tourism. Shipping represents about 40% of the economy, with several international carriers owned and operated off Åland. The main ports are Mariehamn (south), Berghamn (west) and Långnäs on the eastern shore of the Main Island.

Politics

The Aland Islands are governed according to the Act on the Autonomy of Åland and international treaties. These laws guarantee the islands' autonomy from Finland, which has ultimate sovereignty over them, as well as a demilitarized status.

Culture

The culture of Aland is Swedish in nature. Like Finland, Aland celebrates Midsummer, when townsfolk erect a maypole to be danced around. The most important sources of folk culture are the local folk music, the hunting traditions, the boat-building tradition and the archipelago culture.

See also

• List of islands of Finland
• Demographics of Aland
• Politics of Aland
• Economy of Aland