Overview of and topical guide to the Åland Islands
Location ofÅland in the Baltic Sea
Political map of the Åland IslandsThe following is anoutline of and topical guide to the Åland Islands:
Åland – anautonomous,demilitarized,Swedish-speakingregion andhistorical province ofFinland, located in theBaltic Sea at the entrance to theGulf of Bothnia. Governance is primarily handled by theGovernment of Åland, separate from Finland’s central administration.
Topographic map of Åland- Åland is an archipelago of over 6,500 islands
- Location:
- Population (2023): ~30,500
- Total land area: ~1,580 km²
- Capital:Mariehamn
- Largest island:Fasta Åland
Administrative divisions
[edit]Åland is divided into 16 municipalities:
Government and politics
[edit]- Åland is demilitarized by treaty
- Local police force under regional control
- Residents are exempt fromconscription
- No military forces or bases are present
Key periods include:
- Swedish rule (until 1809)
- Russian Empire (1809–1917)
- Åland crisis and League of Nations ruling (1921)
- Autonomy established (1922)
- Status reaffirmed in Finland's EU accession treaty (1995)
Economy and infrastructure
[edit]- Major sectors: shipping, trade, tourism, small business, food production
- Local currency: Euro (€)
- Post:Åland Post
- Tax status: separate customs zone from the EU VAT area
- Main port:Western Harbour (Mariehamn)
- Language of instruction: Swedish
- Institutions:
- Population: ~30,500
- Language: Swedish (sole official language)
- 17% of residents have foreign background
- Right of domicile regulates voting rights and property ownership
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