Jomala | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
| Jomala kommun | |
 "Welcome to Jomala." The coat of arms of Jomala featuresSt. Olav sitting on a throne and holding an axe and aglobus cruciger | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Jomala inFinland | |
  Jomala Location in Åland | |
| Coordinates:60°09′N019°57′E / 60.150°N 19.950°E /60.150; 19.950 | |
| Country |  Finland |
| Region | Åland |
| Sub-region | Countryside |
| Government | |
| • Municipal manager | Christian Dreyer |
| Area (2018-01-01)[1] | |
• Total | 687.00 km2 (265.25 sq mi) |
| • Land | 142.73 km2 (55.11 sq mi) |
| • Water | 544.43 km2 (210.21 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 282nd largest in Finland |
| Population (2024-12-31)[2] | |
• Total | 5,794 |
| • Rank | 156th largest in Finland |
| • Density | 40.59/km2 (105.1/sq mi) |
| Population by native language | |
| • Swedish | 87.5% (official) |
| • Finnish | 4.6% |
| • Others | 7.9% |
| Population by age | |
| • 0 to 14 | 21.6% |
| • 15 to 64 | 63.3% |
| • 65 or older | 15.2% |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+03:00 (EEST) |
| Website | www.jomala.ax |
Jomala is amunicipality ofÅland, an autonomous territory ofFinland. In terms of population, it is the next largest afterMariehamn, the capital ofÅland.
The municipality has a population of 5,794 (31 December 2024)[2] and covers an area of 687.00 square kilometres (265.25 sq mi) of which 544.43 km2 (210.21 sq mi) is water.[1] Thepopulation density is 40.59 inhabitants per square kilometre (105.1/sq mi).
The municipality is unilinguallySwedish.
Mariehamn Airport is located in Jomala. Three of Åland's fourhighways cross the municipality of Jomala as they start from Mariehamn;highway 1 runs west toEckerö,highway 2 northeast toSund andhighway 3 east toLumparland.
"Jomala" is the name of agod common to manyFinno-Ugric peoples. Jumala is Finnish for god and Jomala is one of the sites where the Christian church organized itself in Finland. Other versions of the name that have occurred are Jwmala in 1356, Jomalum in 1414, Jomala in 1486 and Jwmala in 1494. One of oldest churches in Finland stands here as testament to these times.[citation needed]
Jomala was inhabited around 2000 BC with Jettböle being one of the most renowned prehistoric sites. Other ancient sites include Borgberget, where there was a Viking fortress, and Kasberget which was one of the many mountains where signal fires were lit when enemies were seen approaching.[citation needed]
Before the city ofMariehamn was established in 1861, the peninsula where the city is situated was a part of Jomala.[citation needed]
The church of Jomala is dedicated to thepatron saint of Åland,St. Olav. It is the oldest surviving church in Finland[5] and it is situated in the village of Prästgården. The oldest parts of the church date from the 13th century. The church tower is 52 meters tall and there is also a memorial for all the Ålanders who emigrated. Another memorial refers to sailors who lost their lives at sea. The "King of Åland"Julius Sundblom is buried here. A large medieval cemetery with graves from theIron Age can be visited behind the church.
The Lemström channel divides Jomala from its neighboring municipality,Lemland. It was widened byRussianPOWs in 1882.[citation needed]
The Kungsöbattery was one of the tencoastal batteries which the Russians built in Åland during theFirst World War in 1916. The battery was situated 32 meters abovesea level, on the highest point of Dalsberg. Finnish,Swedish andGerman troops invaded it in 1918. It was dismantled in 1919 byFinnish civilian workers.
There are various well-preserved windmills in Jomala, e.g. onNorrgård farm in Björsby.[6]
Since Jomala belongs to the Swedish-speaking areas of Finland,Midsummer is celebrated every year by hoisting up amaypole. It was a tribute to thesun in the ancient times. Harvest festivities are held every September.
Jomala is bordered byLemland in the southwest,Mariehamn in the south,Hammarland in the northwest,Finström in the north andSund in the northeast.
These are Andersböle, Björsby, Buskböle, Dalkarby, Djurvik, Gottby, Gölby, Hammarudda, Hinderböle, Ingby, Jomalaby, Karrböle, Kila, Kungsöby, Möckelby, Möckelö, Norrsunda, Rasmansböle, Ringsböle, Sviby, Södersunda, Torp, Ulvsby, Vargsunda, Västansunda, Västerkalmare, Ytterby, Ytternäs, Ödanböle,Önningeby, Österkalmare and Överby.
Media related toJomala at Wikimedia Commons
Places adjacent to Jomala | |
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