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The unique seascape of the Åland Islands captures the imagination of everyone who sees it for the first time. Picturesque skerry landscape, mild climate and a large number of sunny days are attracted to Åland Islands many vacationers. And thanks to the soils, which are rich in limestone, a flora has formed here that is rather not typical for Scandinavia: oaks, ash trees, maples, elms and lindens and various types of orchids.
People began settling on the islands around 4200 BC. e., and for many centuries the islands were a “bridge” between Finland and Sweden, and the population of Åland was constantly increasing. During the Northern War, the islands, together with Finland, went to Russia in 1809, and in 1921 they were again transferred to Finland with the rights of a self-governing zone. In 1954, the Åland Islands received their own flag (red cross in a yellow field on a blue background); The official language on the islands is Swedish. They have been issuing their own postage stamps here since 1984. (Finnish stamps are not valid). Ålanders are proud of their special status and do not like to be called Finns. The main occupations of the Ålanders are shipping, vegetable growing and the tourism industry. After the abolition of duty-free trade in EU countries, the Åland Islands remain the only tax-free oasis in Europe.
On the Åland Islands you can see the oldest churches in Finland, examine the traces of the ancient Agriculture and buildings from the 12th century. Many ships were shipwrecked here, the most famous being the Vrou Maria, a Dutch ship loaded with treasures acquired by Catherine the Great. In 1999, the exact location of the shipwreck was finally discovered.
Turku - oldest city Finland, largest port, former capital. This is an excellent base for visiting the islands, especially if you are traveling by bike - the fact is that there are always free ferries between the islands, a real miracle public transport. Here you can also observe a variety of flora and fauna, including seabirds, moose, seals, while experiencing the rural charm of the inner islands and giant lighthouses.
What to see on the Åland Islands
Mariehamn
Mariehamn or Mariehamn (11 thousand inhabitants, or 40% of the total population of the islands) - main city islands. The city of a thousand linden trees in the south of the archipelago was founded in 1861 by Russian Emperor Alexander II and named after Empress Maria Alexandrovna. Since 1889, Mariehamn has been a popular seaside resort; now it is the administrative and industrial center of Åland. The magnificent 1000 m long Norra Esplanadgatan street connects the Western and Eastern ports. Don't ignore the old one Marine Quarter.
On Storagatan - the Museum of the Åland Islands with a rich archaeological collection; The cultural history of the region is also well represented. In the same building - Art Museum (Opening hours: daily 10.00-16.00, Tue. 10.00-20.00).
A maritime museum has been opened in the Western Port - its building resembles a ship (Opening hours: May-June, Aug. 9.00-17.00, July 9.00-19.00, other times 10.00-16.00). In the same port, the sailing ship "Pommern" is anchored - now a museum. Four-masted barque (95 m long)- the symbol of the city. From 1903 to 1952 he transported grain from Australia to England (Opening hours: May-Aug. 9.00-17.00, July 9.00-19.00, Sep.-October 10.00-16.00.)
Ramsholmen
3 km west of Mariehamn lies the beautiful Ramsholmen nature reserve (Ramsholmen). Here you can find species of meadow and shrub plants typical of the Åland Islands.
Kastelholm Fortress
23 km northeast of Mariehamn stands the Kastelholm fortress (Kastelholm). The first written mention of it occurs in 1388. Until 1634, “Northern Gibraltar” was the residence of the governor of Åland. In 1507, the Danish fleet destroyed the castle, and in the middle of the 18th century. The castle was damaged by fire. Today it has been restored and is open for inspection. (Opening hours: May, June, early-mid August 10.00-17.00, July 10.00-17.30, mid-Aug.-Sept. 10.00-16.30).
Jan Karl's estate
Not far from Kastelholm - a museum under open air"Jan Karl's Estate" ("Jan Karlsgarden"). Museum visitors get acquainted with the traditional way of life of local peasants, and can also look into the historical prison of the 18th century. "Vita Bjorn" (Polar bear) . Opening hours: May-Sept. 10.00-17.00.
Sund
A little further north of Kastelholm in Sunda (Sund) stands the stone church of St. John the Baptist (XIII century) with wooden sculptures. Not far from it in the forest are the ruins of the Viking fortress Borgboda (Borgboda).
Bomarsund
To the east of Kastelholm (11 km) stands the Bomarsund fortress, built by the Russians in 1832-1854. The fortress was conceived as a powerful citadel Russian Empire, but during the Crimean War it was destroyed in 1854. Information about the fortress can be obtained from the “Pilot’s House” on the island of Presto. Opening hours: May-Ser. Aug. Tue-Sun 10.00-15.00.
Saltvik
North of Mariehamn (23 km along the highway through Jomala, before Kastelholm turn left) we will find Saltvik (Saltvik). The local church of St. Mary is one of the oldest on the islands. Of greatest interest are the baptismal font made of Gotlandic limestone, the triumphal cross and the altar chest (XV century)
Orrdalsklint
Northeast of Saltvik - Orrdalsklint (Orrdalsklint), the most high place (129 m above sea level) islands. A beautiful view also opens from the Kasberg hill north of Saltvik.
Finström
20 km north of Mariehamn (after Jomala turn left) Finström municipality is located (Finstrom) centered in Godby (Godby). In the Church of St. Michael (13th century) frescoes from the 15th century have been preserved.
Geta
Another 21 km north of Godby - and we are in the northernmost commune of Göta on the Åland Islands (Geta). Mount Soltuna, the second highest, offers beautiful views.
Hammarland
21 km northwest of Mariehamn stands the Church of St. Katharina in Hammarland (XIII century). In Skarpnato commune Hammarland (Hammarland) A local history museum has been opened. Peasant buildings from the 18th century are interesting. and ancient windmills.
Eckero
In Storby under Eckero in the old post office building (1897) There is a postal museum. Among the exhibits there are even postal boats, on which the royal mail was delivered to Stockholm until 1910. Opening hours: May-Ser. June, mid. Aug.-Mid. Sep. 10.00-16.00, midday June-September Aug. 10.00-18.00.
Every year in June a traditional post boat race is held here. (40 km) along the Gulf of Bothnia - to Grisslehamn (Sweden).
The Hunting and Fishing Museum tells about the conditions of former life on the islands (Karingsund, Eckero).
Lemland
Lemland municipality (Lemland) is located on an island 15 km southeast of Mariehamn. Near the ruins of St. Olaf's maritime chapel (XIII century)- an ancient Viking cemetery, the largest in Åland. The former Viking sanctuary is a stone labyrinth. Historic Pellas Shipowners' House Museum (1884) open: midday June-September Aug.
Kökar
To the town of Kökar (kokar, 300 inhabitants, guest ports Sandvik and Hellso)- a true paradise for sailing enthusiasts - accessible by ferry from Cogro (74 km southwest of Turku) and Langnas (28 km east of Mariehamn). It is worth visiting the church made of gray wacca, built on the ruins of a Franciscan monastery (XIV century). A small local history museum has been opened in Kökar; There are hotels, a restaurant and a campsite.
Information about the Åland Islands
Location of the Åland Islands on the world map
The Åland Islands are an autonomous region of Finland (according to the new administrative-territorial division of the country dated January 1, 2010), occupying the archipelago of the same name in the Baltic Sea. Includes about 6,000 islands at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia. The part of the Baltic within which the Åland Islands lie is called the Archipelago Sea, being largest cluster islands on Earth.
Most borders are maritime. The Åland Islands border on the east with the region of Original Finland. In the west - with the Swedish county of Stockholm. In the extreme northwest with the Swedish county of Uppsala. The Åland Islands also border on the latter by land - on the tiny island of Merketa, with an area of only 3 hectares.
Map of Åland Islands
Government system of the Åland Islands
The Åland Islands are an autonomous region of Finland. Until 2010, they formed an autonomous province of the same name.
In 1920, Finland granted autonomy to the islands by issuing the “Aland Islands Autonomy Act,” which the islanders did not accept. In 1951, the law was replaced by a new one, which on August 16, 1991, after 20 years of preparation, was again updated and adopted by the Finnish Parliament with the consent of the Åland Parliament. On January 1, 1993, the autonomy law came into force.
The inclusion of the islands into Finland on January 4, 1918 (after the recognition of Finnish independence by Sweden and Russia) initially caused a wave of protest both among the population of the Åland Islands themselves and the mainland of Sweden. People feared for their original Swedish culture. Therefore, to resolve disagreements, two meetings were convened at the initiative of the League of Nations. On June 24, 1921, the islands began to be considered part of Finland, with broad autonomy granted to them. After another 3 days, the “Åland Agreement” was signed between Sweden and Finland - a peace treaty on the status of the islands.
The modern islands are completely demilitarized territory. The construction of military fortifications and the deployment of military units are prohibited here. The demilitarization of the Åland Islands was unilaterally established by the Russian side following the Paris Peace Treaty of 1856, which ended the Crimean War.
In an international convention of 1921, the status of the islands, their demilitarization and neutral status during hostilities were confirmed. The convention was signed by 10 states, Russia was not among them. However, the Moscow Agreement on the Åland Islands of 1940 and the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947 contain provisions on the demilitarization of the islands. At the same time, there is no mention of neutral status in any of the documents.
Residents of the islands, as well as those who moved to the islands before reaching the age of twelve, are not conscripted for military service. Citizens are prohibited from carrying and storing any firearms other than hunting ones. An exception is made only for police officers.
The official language of the Åland Islands is Swedish (Åland dialect). All national television and radio programs and teaching in schools are conducted in this language. All written correspondence sent to government agencies must also be in Swedish.
Housing on the islands can only be purchased by persons with citizenship of the Åland Islands. This is done to preserve the priority right of ownership of land and real estate for its citizens.
The internal politics of the islands is regulated by the parliament of the Åland Islands - Lagting, which is the legislative body. Foreign policy is under the jurisdiction of the Finnish Parliament - Eduskunt.
The executive power of the islands is in the hands of the government, which cannot consist of more than 8 people. Members of the government are elected by Lagting deputies, and as a rule rely on the parliamentary majority.
Lagting deputies are elected every 4 years by secret and direct vote. The first parliamentary elections were held on June 9, 1922, and this date has since been celebrated annually as Åland Self-Government Day. Today there are 30 deputies in the parliament.
Control over such areas of public life as: education and culture, environmental protection, health care, transport, postal services, television and radio broadcasting, utilities, police and economic development is carried out by the administrative apparatus controlled by the government of the Åland Islands. All laws in these areas passed by Parliament are then sent to the President of Finland, who bases his decision on the conclusion of the Åland delegation and, sometimes, Supreme Court republics. The chairman of the Åland delegation is the governor of the Åland Islands, appointed by the President of Finland after agreement with the chairman of Lagting.
Foreign policy, legal proceedings, the customs system, criminal and civil law, taxation are controlled by the same laws that apply throughout Finland. To protect the legitimate interests of the Åland Islands, one deputy from the islands is represented in the Finnish Parliament.
A Brief History of the Åland Islands
People began to populate the Åland Islands even BC. The first traces of human habitation in the form of ceramic products date back to 4 thousand BC.
Over the next centuries, the islands more than once became the scene of hostilities between the Baltic states. In particular in 1714-21. The Åland Islands were almost completely plundered by the forces of Peter the Great, and the population fled to neighboring Sweden.
Until the beginning of the 19th century, the Kingdom of Sweden had power over the Åland Islands, after which the islands as part of the Grand Duchy of Finland were annexed to the Russian Empire by the Treaty of Fredrikshamn on September 17, 1809.
In 1832, the Russian fortress Bomarsund was built on the islands. During the Crimean War, the fortress was captured by allied English and French troops. On March 30, 1856, an agreement was signed between Great Britain, France and Russia on the inadmissibility of building military fortifications on the islands and deploying military forces.
In December 1917, the Finnish parliament declared independence from Russia, taking advantage of the instability of the situation in the latter. At the same time, the population of the Åland Islands, fearing for the safety of their Swedish language and culture, seeks to reunite with Sweden. However, on January 4, 1918, Sweden and Russia recognize the independence of Finland and the islands are included in its composition. The final agreement between the two Scandinavian states on the status of the islands was reached only in 1921 following a meeting of 2 commissions created by the League of Nations. As a result, on June 24, 1921, the League of Nations decided to consider the islands part of Finland, but with the provision of autonomy. Three days later, Sweden and Finland signed the Åland Agreement, a peace treaty on the status of the islands.
On October 20 of the same year, representatives of ten states: Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Finland, France, Sweden and Estonia signed a convention on the demilitarization and neutrality of the Åland Islands in Geneva. This convention was not signed by representatives of Russia, because was considered contrary to the interests of the Russian state. The fact is that the islands lie near the entrance to the Gulf of Finland, and the convention signed by the leading world powers actually gave them complete control over the gulf and naval forces Russia. Before the Second World War, in violation of the convention, Finland erected fortifications on the islands, but under the terms of the agreements following the Soviet-Finnish war, Finland was obliged to demilitarize the islands, which was violated by the Finnish side literally a few months later. Only 3 years later, after Finland fought on the side of Nazi Germany, between the USSR and Great Britain on the one hand and Finland on the other, following a truce, an agreement on the inadmissibility of military operations on the territory of the Åland Islands was restored.
Nature of the Åland Islands
The area of the Åland Islands (Finnish: Ahvenanmaa) is 1552 km2, of which about 27 km2 is occupied by rivers and lakes. The rest of the territory consists of 6,757 large and small islands and rocks. Only 60 of them are inhabited.
The largest of the islands is the island of Åland or main island, covering an area of 685 km 2. Other large islands are Eckerø, Vardø, Lemland and Lumparland. The islands are hilly, composed of granites and gneisses. The most high point of all islands - Orrdalsklint peak lies in the commune of Saltvik and reaches 132 meters in height. The second highest is Mount Kasbergen, located in the Yeta Mountains, with a height of 129 meters.
Numerous small islands and rocks occupying vast areas within the archipelago are called skerries and are usually uninhabited.
The climate of the islands is temperate continental maritime, milder than the climate of neighboring areas of continental Finland. The average annual air temperature is 7-8°C. In summer, the average air temperature rises to 15°C, in winter it drops to -2.5°C. In general, the climate of the islands is very even: the influence of the Baltic Sea is felt. The sea accumulates heat for a long time and then releases it for a long time, making the islands very warm in the fall and cool in the spring.
There is little precipitation - 550 mm per year. There are a lot of sunny days. According to the latest indicator, the Åland Islands are the sunniest region in Northern Europe.
Most of the islands are occupied by pine and broad-leaved forests. The rest of the territory is meadows, shrubs and arable land.
Administrative and territorial structure of the Åland Islands
The Åland Islands are divided into 16 communes, which are combined into 3 subregions: archipelago, village and Mariehamn.
| Commune | Area (km 2) | Population (as of October 31, 2010) | Population density (persons/km 2) |
| Brando | 108,07 | 482 | 4 |
| Vordo | 101,5 | 449 | 4 |
| Jomal | 142,55 | 4072 | 29 |
| Yeta | 84,36 | 484 | 6 |
| Kumlinge | 99,26 | 371 | 4 |
| Lemland | 113,09 | 1820 | 16 |
| Lumparland | 36,25 | 392 | 11 |
| Mariehamn | 11,79 | 11146 | 945 |
| Saltvik | 152,09 | 1795 | 12 |
| Sottunga | 28,05 | 119 | 4 |
| Sund | 108,07 | 1017 | 9 |
| Föglö | 134,78 | 573 | 4 |
| Finström | 123,26 | 2507 | 20 |
| Hammarland | 138,19 | 1503 | 11 |
| Chokar | 63,55 | 261 | 4 |
| Ekerö | 107,71 | 945 | 9 |
Population of the Åland Islands
The population of the Åland Islands as of October 31, 2010 was 27,899 people, of which more than 11 thousand people lived in the capital Mariehamn. In addition, about 50 thousand people from the islands live outside their borders: in Sweden, Finland, and Norway.
The average population density is 18 people/km 2 .
The majority of the population of the Åland Islands are ethnic Swedes (92%), and therefore the Swedish language has been given the status of the state language. Another 5% of the population are descendants of Finnish fishermen. In the municipality of Brandø the proportion of Finnish-speaking citizens is higher - 9%.
The share of women in the population structure is 51%.
The vast majority of the population, 94.8%, belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The distribution of the population by age group on the Åland Islands is as follows: from 0-14 years old - 17.3%, from 15-64 (labor resources) - 65.9, over 65 years old - 16.8 (data given for 2005). The islands are characterized by an increase in the proportion of people of retirement and pre-retirement age, a reduction in the proportion of children, as well as a decrease in fertility and mortality, which ultimately results in a low natural population growth of only 0.3 ppm. In addition, every year the population of the Åland Islands increases by about 200 people due to immigrants who arrive in the autonomy from neighboring Sweden and Finland.
The unemployment rate in 2009 was 5.4%, which is lower than the national rate of 8.2%. However, in previous pre-crisis years, the unemployment rate fluctuated around 1-2%.
Economy of Åland Islands
The economy of the Åland Islands is based on the production and processing of crop products (sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, onions), dairy farming, fishing, tourism, the pulp and paper industry, trade services and transportation of products.
In total, over 2,000 enterprises are registered on the territory of the Åland Islands, most of which (30%) operate in the field of trade and tourism. About 20% of operating enterprises are engaged in the construction of mainly wooden cottages, which is due to the presence of an extensive construction base and the rental of almost a third of all cottages to tourists, the number of which is constantly growing from year to year and in recent years exceeds 2 million people per year, of whom only a quarter remain on the islands for more than one day. The main flow of tourists comes from neighboring Sweden and Finland.
17% of businesses in the Åland Islands operate in the financial sector. Insurance and banking are becoming important sources of income today.
10% of enterprises are engaged in industrial production and transportation. The location of the Åland Islands halfway between the main industrial areas of such highly developed countries as Sweden and Finland makes the islands an important transit point between them. And today, profits from transporting goods through the territory of the Åland Islands provide up to a third of the regional GDP.
The GDP of the Åland Islands in 2002 reached 906 million € or approximately 35 thousand € per capita, which is higher than in neighboring Finland and Sweden.
It is very interesting that approximately 15% of the total GDP of the Åland Islands comes from the Finnish state budget. This measure is taken as compensation for taxes, customs duties and excise taxes paid to the state treasury. In 2007, the amount allocated was €190 million, which is equal to about 45% of Finland's total income minus public debt.
Today's Åland Islands are one of the richest regions of the European Union.
The largest is the island of Åland, with an area of 640 km 2. Despite their northern location, these islands are one of the sunniest regions of Northern Europe. The borders with neighboring Sweden are mainly maritime. The only exception is Merket Island; it is uninhabited, while its western part belongs to Sweden, the eastern part to Finland.
The archipelago is divided from south to north into four groups of islands by the Delet, Lapwezi and Skiftet straits. The water area between the Åland Islands and the Swedish coast, 40-45 km wide, is called the Gulf of Åland. It freezes only during the most harsh winters, but ice hummocky fields form off the coast almost every year. The strip of sea between the archipelago and the Finnish coast is a real labyrinth of skerries - small rocky islands. Their base is composed mainly of granites and gneisses, the relief is hilly, in places with moraine deposits. The islands have many shallow bays, entry to which is accessible only to small ships.
The name of the islands comes from the Old Norse Ahwaland, or " water land", where ahwa means the same as in Latin aqua - "water". From the same base comes the Finnish name of the islands - Ahvenanmaa, which can also be translated as “Land of the Perch”.
People began to populate the Åland Islands in the 4th millennium BC. e. In 2400-1500 BC e. The Neolithic culture of Kiukais developed here. The main occupations of the people were hunting and fishing. The feudal period left the only significant evidence of itself on the Åland Islands - medieval castle Kastelholm. It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1388, although it was built long before this date. From 1300 to 1600, Kastelholm Castle was a constant target of assaults and sieges during the feudal wars.
During the Northern War between the coalition of northern states and Sweden for the Baltic lands in 1700-1721. In 1714, a large naval battle took place near the Åland Islands between the Russian fleet of 30 battleships and 180 training ships under the command of Admiral Apraksin and the Swedish fleet, which was three times smaller. The Swedes wanted to prevent the Russians from landing on the Åland Islands, but were forced to retreat, and Tsar Peter I (1672-1725) - with the rank of rear admiral under Apraksin - captured the flagship of the Swedish admiral Erinshild. At the same time, the population of the archipelago left the islands and headed to mainland Sweden.
In 1809, the islands became part of the Russian Empire as part of the Grand Duchy of Finland - according to the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty of September 17, 1809. Russia built a powerful military fortress of Bomarsund on the islands, but during the Crimean War of 1853-1856. it was captured and destroyed by the Anglo-French squadron. In 1856, according to the Paris Peace Treaty, which summed up the results of the war, the Åland Islands were given the status of a demilitarized zone.
After the fall of autocracy in Russia, the population of the Åland Islands, fearing for the safety of the Swedish language and their unique culture, tried to reunite with Sweden. A petition was drawn up to the King of Sweden with thousands of signatures, but on December 6, 1917, Finland declared independence from Russia, and on January 4, 1918, Russia and Sweden recognized it.
The territory of Finland thus became sovereign and indivisible. Discontent began to grow among the residents of Apanda, who were offensively late with their petition, and heated debates on this topic took place in local authorities. A compromise solution, with the patronage of Great Britain, was found by the League of Nations. In 1921, Sweden and Finland signed an agreement worked out by the League, according to which the Åland Islands remained in Finland, but acquired broad rights of self-government. In the same 1921, another convention was signed in Geneva: on the demilitarization and neutrality of the Åland Islands. During World War II, Finland, an ally of Nazi Germany, violated the convention, but after the war signed a tripartite treaty with the USSR and Great Britain to restore the status of the Åland Islands as a demilitarized zone. Residents of the Åland Islands have a kind of dual citizenship. On the cover of their passport it is written, not like other Finnish citizens, “Suomi - Finland”, but “Suomi - Finland - Åland”.
It is expressed, in particular, in special privileges for the local parliament - the Lagting. It passes its laws and the provincial budget without the consent of Helsinki. At the same time, the Parliament, according to the Constitution of Finland, has the right to change the law on self-government of Åland, but only with the consent of the local government authority. The absolute majority of the population of the Åland Islands are ethnic Swedes by origin; the number of Finns here is insignificant. Moreover, Swedish is the only official state language of the Åland Islands. The Finnish language is taught at school, and although it is not one of the compulsory subjects, almost all residents of Åland speak it: as they say, life forces you. The birth rate on the islands is low, and the population of Åland is increasing mainly due to visitors from the continent - from Sweden and Finland. Almost half of all island residents live in Mariehamn, the main city of the archipelago.
Mariehamn was built by the Russians according to the personal order of Tsar Alexander II (1818-1881). In 1861, the settlement received the status of a city and was named Mariehamn, translated from Swedish as “Mary’s Harbor”, in honor of the emperor’s wife Maria Alexandrovna. In the park in front of the Mariehamn City Hall in 2011, during the performance of the Russian “Kalinka,” a monument to the Empress by sculptor A. Kovalchuk was erected, a gift from Russia to Mariehamn in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the province. And “Kalinka” was performed because it was written by composer I. Larionov in 1860, that is, also 150 years ago.
The capital of Åland has two ports, on the western and eastern ends of the island. The western port is of international importance: ferries to Sweden and mainland Finland pass through it. The yacht harbor of the Eastern Port is one of the largest on the Baltic Sea.
The subsoil of the islands is by no means rich in minerals, and yet the Åland Islands are in tenth place on the list of the richest regions of the European Union.
The islands' economy is based on shipping, trade and tourism. The number of tourists is growing; almost a third of all island residents are occupied with their services. Most tourists come, as you might guess, from Sweden and Finland.
Although the rocky soil of the islands supports only a very thin layer of soil, the islanders grow barley, wheat, oats, sugar beets, and potatoes on it. Local meadows are quite suitable as pastures for sheep and cattle. The water in the coastal zone near the islands has a low salt content, so both sea and freshwater fish are found here: pike perch, whitefish, salmon and salmon, pike and sea taimen, the latter two species growing to extremely large sizes off the coast of Åland. Both the land and the coastal waters of the islands are private property. The owners of sea “lands” unite into fishing artels.
Part of the agricultural products of the islanders' fishing catch is delivered fresh or frozen to the mainland, the rest is processed locally. Fermented milk products, canned fish, granulated sugar, potato chips, and apple cider are produced.
And today, the silhouettes of the surviving windmills are typical of Åland, giving them an external accent of the pastoral nature of local life, which, in general, corresponds to reality. Some mills are still used for their intended purpose, others have been converted into housing, cafes, and small museums. local significance. More than a third of all electricity on the Åland Islands, as well as throughout Scandinavia, is generated by direct descendants of windmills - modern wind generators. Recently, the financial sector of the economy - insurance and banking - has become increasingly important in Åland.
general information
Administrative status: province of the Åland Islands, part of the Republic of Finland.
Administrative division: 16 municipalities (Brandø, Ekere, Finström, Föglö, Eta, Hammarland, Jomala, Kumlinge, Cökar, Lemland, Lumparland, Mariehamn, Saltvik, Sottunga, Sund, Vårdø).
Origin of the islands: continental.
Administrative center: city of Mariehamn - 11,005 people. (2013).
Languages: Swedish (official), Finnish.
Ethnic composition: Swedes - 92%, Finns - 5%, others - 3%.
Religion: Protestantism.
Currency unit: euro.
The most important ports: Mariehamn, Berghamn, Langnäs.
Neighboring countries and territories: in the east - the region of Original Finland, in the west - Stockholm County (Sweden), in the northwest - Uppsala County (Sweden, including the land border on the island of Merket).
Nearest airports: international airports Helsinki Vantaa and Turku.
Numbers
Area: 1580 km2.Population: 28,355 people. (2011).
Population density: 18 people/km 2 .
Number of islands: about 6500, inhabited - about 150.
Length: from north to south - 130 km.
Highest point: Orrdalsklint hill on the island of Åland (128 m).
Climate and weather
Moderately continental with a strong maritime influence, generally cool.Average January temperature: -4°C.
Average temperature in July: +15°C.
Average annual precipitation: 550 mm.
Relative humidity: 75%.
Economy
GRP: $1,563 million (2007), per capita - $55,829 (2007).
Port industry, passenger shipping.
Industry: food, as well as the production of spare parts for ferries, a large laundry service for ferries.
Agriculture: crop farming (sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, onions), livestock farming (cattle, sheep).
Fishing and shrimp production.
Service sector: insurance banking, trade, tourism.
Attractions
■ Åland Island: Kastelholm Castle (XIV-XVII centuries), next to the Vita Bjorn Prison Museum, the Jan Karlsgarden Farm Museum (traditional Åland houses and windmills), Viking burial mounds, the ruins of the Russian military fortress Bomarsund (19th century), the village of Yeta with a 15th century church, nearby is Mount Yeta (98 m) with an observation tower, red granite rocks, pedestrian hiking trails(“Caves”, “Trail of the Middle Ages”, “Troll Trail”), equipped with benches for rest and on steep banks surrounded by low fences, a snail farm.■ City of Mariehamn(Aland Island): sailing ship-museum "Pommern", St. George's Church (1927), main building of the Åland Maritime College (1927), city hall building (1939), local history museum, Museum of Åland Art, Marine Quarter , Museum of Hunting and Fishing.
■ Uninhabited rocky island of Cobba Klyntar with an old pilot's house, where a small museum is located.
■ Ruins of the Franciscan monastery XIII century (Kökar Island), island museum.
Curious facts
■ Märket Island, which marks the border between Sweden and Finland, is the westernmost point of Finland. Its area is 3 hectares: it is one of the smallest islands in the world, divided between countries. Since the island's territory changes due to natural reasons, the border is demarcated every 25 years. The last boundary line adjustment was carried out in 2006.■ Residents of the archipelago are not conscripted for military service, they are prohibited from carrying or storing any firearms other than hunting ones. This ban does not apply to the police.
■ In the Åland Islands, twin births are unusually common compared to other regions of Scandinavia. The islanders have such a special heredity, according to doctors and geneticists.
■ Since 1970, the Åland Islands have had their own independent representation in the Nordic Council, an organization that coordinates cooperation between the parliaments of the Nordic countries.
■ Mailboxes in Mariehamn are often decorative objects; they are painted with flowers and shaped like lighthouse lanterns. In general, every owner tries to make his box the most beautiful.
■ The word “dacha” in Swedish has the same meaning as in Russian, because it was borrowed from Russian.
■ Since 1984, the Åland Islands have issued their own postage stamps. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the city of Mariehamn, a stamp was issued with a portrait of Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
The Åland Islands are an archipelago in the Baltic Sea. It is an autonomous province within Finland. It has the same telephone code as Finland, but its own parliament, flag, post office, stamps and domain.
The archipelago is located at the entrance from Baltic Sea to the Gulf of Bothnia. The Åland Islands border by sea with Finland, in the west and north-west with Sweden, including a land border on the island of Märket. The archipelago stretches 130 km from north to south and consists of 6,757 islands (of which 60 are inhabited). This is an archipelago with the largest concentration of islands on Earth. The largest of the islands of the archipelago is the island of Åland with an area of 685 km². The highest point of the archipelago is Orrdalsklint hill with a height of 129 m. 
The main population of the Åland Islands are Finnish Swedes. The archipelago has a demilitarized status, which means that military installations and other objects have been liquidated on its territory and the maintenance of armed forces, the construction of fortifications, the performance of maneuvers, etc. are prohibited. There are no military units, naval or air bases of the armed forces. The islands have the status of neutral territory and cannot be involved in the theater of operations in the event of armed conflicts. Unlike all other Finnish citizens, residents of the Åland Islands are not conscripted for military service. It is also prohibited to store and carry any firearms other than hunting ones (with the exception of the police).
The islands ended up in Finland because of Russia: Aland occupies a strategic position in the Baltic, from the time of Peter I they were the target of the Russian-Swedish wars, and in 1809, together with Finland, they passed to Russia under Alexander I.
State symbols
Flag- similar to the Swedish one, that is, it is a rectangular blue panel with a yellow Scandinavian cross. However, the yellow cross on the Åland flag is wider and has a red Scandinavian cross inserted into it. Approved April 7, 1954
Coat of arms– is an image of a golden deer on a blue field. On top of the shield is crowned with a pearl crown, decorated precious stones. This feature makes the coat of arms of the Åland Islands similar to the coats of arms of some regions of Finland and the official coat of arms of Sweden, which owned the islands until the beginning of the 19th century.
State structure
Form of government is an autonomous province within Finland.
Capital– Mariehamn.
The largest city– Mariehamn, the only city.
Head of the province- Governor.
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Territory- 1,552.57 km².
Population– 30,361 people About a third of the population lives in the capital.
Currency– euro. Åland's own coins of the first half of the 1990s - dalers; they were legal tender in the Åland Islands and are accepted for exchange by banks.
Official language– Swedish.
Religion- mostly Lutherans.
Climate– moderate, cool. At the same time, Åland is one of the sunniest regions among the Nordic countries.
Administrative division– 16 communes.
Economy– fishing, dairy farming, tourism (sea resorts). 
Nature
FloraÅland is represented mainly by pine and broad-leaved (mainly ash) forests, shrubs, and meadows. Stones, greenery and a lot of water around - this is a typical Åland landscape. 
There are several reserves on the islands.
Rough rocks of unusually bizarre shapes, bays and bays with clear azure water smoothly flow into dense cloaks of coniferous and deciduous forests. Åland Islands are beautiful wild nature with minimal traces of civilization. They have always been famous for their unique nature.
Fauna: Animals that are not afraid of people live here: unafraid hares, roe deer and moose. Predatory animals include the common fox, pine marten and others. Fishing is a popular activity on the Åland Islands. Salmon, sea taimen, pike and salmon live in local waters.
Sights of the Åland Islands
Kastelholm
Medieval castle in the municipality of Sund on the Åland archipelago. The exact date of foundation is unknown.
This is the only medieval castle in Åland, first mentioned in chronicles in 1388 as “Castelholm House”. IN modern form This is a complex architectural complex that was built and expanded from the end of the 14th to the mid-17th centuries.
The castle flourished in the 15th-16th centuries. In the second half of the 16th century. The castle belonged to the Stenbock family, which was in opposition to the Swedish king Eric XIV. In 1599, during the internecine war for the Swedish throne, the castle was severely destroyed by the troops of King Charles IX.
In the XVII-XVIII centuries. was used as a prison. In the 20th century The castle was restored and opened to the public.
19th century fortress Founded in 1832 by the Russian Empire on the island of Åland. Destroyed in 1854 by the Anglo-French fleet during the Crimean War.
The Bomarsund fortress was supposed to be grandiose, but the technology turned out to be outdated. It was based on the principle of deep defense - several layers of ditches and earthen ramparts. Of the twelve round towers, only three were built on Bomarsund. But the fortress was quickly taken and destroyed by the British and French in 1854. Russia did not lose Aland, but the skeletons were demilitarized, and the fortress was never restored (only dismantled for building materials). Today, a highway passes through the ruins.
History of the fortress
After the end of the war of 1808-1809 and the conclusion of the Friedrichsham Peace Treaty, Finland and the Åland Islands, which previously belonged to the Kingdom of Sweden, became part of the Russian Empire. The islands became the westernmost outpost of the empire; a garrison was placed on their territory and a decision was made to build a military fort.
During 1809 all major preparatory activities for the construction of the fort were completed: the forest on the site of the fort was cut down, a new military hospital was built on the island of Prästö.
But due to the Patriotic War of 1812 and the death of the Russian commander Barclay de Tolly, who was responsible for the construction of Bomarsund, work on the construction of the fort had to be stopped.
In 1820, while visiting the islands, Nikolai Pavlovich, the Grand Duke and Inspector of Fortresses, decided to resume construction and ordered new plans for the fortification of Bomarsund.
Work on the islands began in 1830 with the construction of wooden barracks and other buildings for the military contingent and prisoners sent to the island to build the fort.
In 1853, the Crimean War began, on the side Ottoman Empire England and France performed. The Baltic Sea was blocked and Bomarsund was isolated. The battle took place in August 1854, after four days of battle the fortress was taken. Later, the fortress was completely destroyed, as the British wanted to prevent Russian military activities on the islands.
In 1856, the Treaty of Paris gave the Åland Islands the status of a demilitarized zone, which remains to this day.
The fortress was never restored, although the muzzles of formidable cannons still look into the sea from the dilapidated walls.
Ekerö
An island in the Baltic Sea, located in the far west of the Åland Islands.
From 1809 to 1917 Ekerö was part of the Russian Empire and has rich history, as evidenced by Russian inscriptions on the building of the Post and Customs Office in Sturbby. Located in the center of the Swedish Empire, Ekerö, during military campaigns, became the westernmost coast of the Russian Empire. The municipality of Ekerö also includes the uninhabited island of Merket, divided equally between Sweden and Finland. The only land border on the Åland Islands with Sweden runs along it.
Prison Vita Bjorn
Prison near Kastelholm Castle in Sund. Built in 1784 and in use until 1975, one half of the house was used as an apartment for the jailer and his family, while the other was divided into cells.
In the early 1980s, the building was restored; in 1985, a prison museum was opened here, where an exhibition was organized on the development of the penitentiary (penal) system from the end of the 18th century. to 1950
City of Mariehamn
The houses in the city are predominantly wooden.
The main attraction of Marianahamin is the Church of St. George, donated to the city by shipowner August Troberg.
Consulate Russian Federation on the Åland Islands can also please Russian tourists.
History of the Åland Islands
The Åland Islands were inhabited by people around the 4th millennium BC. e. (based on ceramic items found by archaeologists).
For several centuries the islands became the scene of hostilities between states. Baltic region: in 1714-1721 Åland was almost completely destroyed by the troops of Peter the Great, and the population of the archipelago migrated to neighboring Sweden, which until the beginning of the 19th century. exercised authority over the archipelago.
In 1809, according to the Treaty of Friedrichsham, the archipelago became part of the Russian Empire as part of the Grand Duchy of Finland. The functions of the governor of Åland were abolished.
In 1832, the Russian military fortress Bomarsund was built on the islands. During the Crimean War, the fortress was captured by British and French troops, and from 1856 the islands became a demilitarized zone.
In March 1917, after the fall of the monarchy in Russia, the population of the Åland Islands made attempts to reunite with Sweden, but on December 6, 1917, Finland declared its independence from Russia, and therefore the Åland Islands were denied the right of self-determination.
On January 4, 1918, Sweden and Russia recognized the independence of Finland, and the islands of the archipelago were included in its composition, which caused a wave of protest both among the population of the Åland Islands themselves and the mainland of Sweden.
In June 1919, a referendum was held on the status of the islands - 95.48% of Ålanders who voted expressed a desire for the archipelago to become part of Sweden. In May 1920, the Finnish Parliament granted autonomy rights to the islands, but the law was not accepted by the population of Åland, which led to the so-called Åland crisis.
With the mediation of Great Britain, the Åland Convention was signed on June 24, 1921, according to which it was decided to leave the archipelago under the control of Finland, but with the provision of broad autonomy status.
On October 20, 1921, representatives of ten states: Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Finland, France, Sweden and Estonia signed a convention on the demilitarization and neutrality of the Åland Islands in Geneva. The mentioned convention was not signed by representatives of Russia, as it was considered contrary to the interests of the Russian state.
Before World War II, Finland erected fortifications on the islands (in violation of the convention). A few years later, Finland, which participated in the war on the side of Nazi Germany, signed a trilateral agreement following the truce with the USSR and Great Britain on restoring the status of the inadmissibility of military operations on the territory of the Åland Islands.
Since 1954, the Åland Islands have had their own flag, and on March 1, 1984, Åland began issuing its own postage stamps.
The month is coming to an end, and I still have quite a few unfulfilled wishes from my friends. Now it's time to nordlight_spb We listen to the request:
"I would like to know more about the Åland Islands, the capital of the islands, Marienhamn, as well as about the Archipelago Sea."
So, move on to the unknown!
The Åland Islands are located between Sweden and Finland at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea. The region's population is about 27,000 people, more than 90% of whom are Swedes. James Barros in his book divides the history of the islands into three main periods:
1. Control of Sweden (1157 - 1809);
2. Control of Russia (1809 - 1917);
3. Control of Finland (since 1917).
Due to the strategic location of the islands, the Åland Islands have been the subject of geopolitical games by several major powers for many centuries. In 1714, during the reign of Peter the Great, the region was occupied, albeit for a short period, by the Russian Empire. Over the following years, Russia and Sweden repeatedly fought for control of the region, which constantly passed from one empire to another. Only after the military campaign of 1808-1809 did Russia eventually manage to establish control over the Åland Islands and a number of Finnish regions, which were under Swedish control at that time.
The Åland Islands are located in the Archipelago Sea (Finnish: Saaristomeri, Swedish: Skärgårdshavet). It is part of the Baltic Sea between the Bothnian and Gulfs of Finland within Finnish territorial waters.
The Archipelago Sea includes a huge number of islands. The exact number depends on the definition of the term "island", since land areas range from small stones peeking out of the water to big islands with several villages or even a city on them. There are 257 islands in the Archipelago Sea with an area greater than 1 km² and about 18,000 islands with an area greater than 0.5 hectares. Including smaller uninhabited rocks and skerries, the archipelago includes more than 50,000 islands (for comparison, the number of islands in the Indonesian archipelago ranges from 13,000 to 18,000). The territory of the archipelago is roughly divided into internal and external groups of islands. The outer group consists mainly of small uninhabited islands. The archipelago occupies a triangular area with the cities of Mariehamn, Uusikaupunki and Hanko at the corners.
The islands began to rise from the water immediately after the last ice age. Due to the post-glacial rise of land, the process is still ongoing, new skerries and islands are formed, old ones increase in size or merge. The current rate of rise is between 4 and 10 millimeters per year. Since the islands are mainly composed of granite and gneiss, two very hard rocks, the rate of erosion is much less than the rate of uplift.
Barros in his book describes how Swedish diplomats “in vain insisted on the fact that the Åland Islands have always been a province of Sweden,” to which Russian diplomats responded that “we are now occupied not with the old borders of Sweden, but with the new borders of the Russian Empire.” According to Barros, "by using the Åland Islands as a military base against Sweden, the Russians were well aware of the strategic importance in terms of the defense of Finland, as well as the establishment of control in the Baltic Sea."
According to the Treaty of Fredrikshamn (September 17, 1809), the Åland Islands, as well as a number of territories of modern Finland, ceded to Russia. The issue of militarization or demilitarization of the Åland Islands was constantly on the agenda of Russian-Swedish negotiations throughout the 19th century. Sweden demanded the neutralization of the islands “as an independent state under the protectorate of France, England and Sweden,” and this demand was supported by Great Britain, but was rejected by Russia.
Mariehamn - translated from Swedish - “Mary's harbor”. Alexander II named the city in honor of his wife. Mariehamn has two ports, a sailing ship-museum, a steamboat-restaurant, modern high-speed yachts and cruise ships. The islanders call Mary their godmother, although they know little about her. Probably because the Empress herself had never been to the city that was named after her.
In 1856, Russia, France, and Great Britain signed the "Convention for the Demilitarization of the Åland Islands," which ended the debate until at least the collapse of the Swedish-Norwegian alliance in 1905. In 1907, in exchange for recognition of Norwegian independence, Russia demanded the annulment of the 1856 convention, which would allow Russia to station its troops on the islands. However, when Russia publicly voiced a proposal to annul the 1856 convention, it caused an uproar in Sweden and Great Britain, and the issue was taken off the agenda for some time.
During the First World War, Germany promised to return the Åland Islands to Sweden, but in exchange demanded Sweden's allied participation in the war. But Stockholm remained neutral and demanded that the Åland Islands be turned into a neutral zone. At the same time, Russia, knowing that Germany was preparing to occupy the islands, was preparing military forces for confrontation. In a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Sazonov on January 1, 1915, the minister navy Vice Admiral Ivan Grigorovich emphasized the importance of the islands for Russia. “The entire territory is of strategic importance, so one of the main tasks of the navy is to keep the islands under strict Russian control.”
A turning point began for the Åland Islands with the fall of the Tsarist government in Russia, the establishment of the Provisional Government, and then the coming to power of the Bolsheviks.
After the fall of the monarchy in Russia, representatives of the Åland province-communes gathered in Mariehamn to jointly begin work on reunification with their old fatherland - Sweden. A request was made to the Swedish king and government to take Åland under their protection. By December 1917, signatures had been collected from almost the entire adult population of the Åland Islands.
During this period, Finland demanded independence from Russia, and in Sweden demands for the unification of Sweden with the Åland Islands intensified.
On December 6, 1917, Finland declared itself an independent republic (self-proclaimed, as we would say now) and denied Åland their right to self-determination, understood as joining Sweden. At the same time, Aland was still promised self-government. In May 1920, the Finnish parliament passed a law on Åland self-government. The Alanders met this law with hostility. In the Åland parliament, elected back in 1918, heated debates took place, ending with the two leaders Sundblom and Berkman being arrested on charges of treason.
England intervened in the matter, proposing to refer the issue to the League of Nations. On May 24, 1921, the League decided on Finnish sovereignty over Åland, but recommended that it give the Ålanders legislative guarantees of self-government, demilitarization and neutrality. Three days later, Sweden, reluctantly, signed the so-called Åland Treaty with Finland.
Finnish independence
In August 1917, the Ålanders held a secret assembly at which the issue of unification with Sweden was discussed. “A four-person delegation was formed with a mandate to convey to the Swedish government and parliament the deep desire of the Åland Islands to reunite with the Kingdom of Sweden for a number of special reasons,” writes Barros. From December 25 to 29, the population of the Åland Islands held a kind of referendum and signed a petition to King Gustav of Sweden calling for unification. This message strengthened the position of Swedish political groups that advocated the immediate occupation of the Åland Islands.
Taking advantage of the weakening position of Russia, King Gustav sent a message to Germany, Austria and Turkey demanding that the issue of the Åland Islands be considered during peace negotiations with Russia in Brest-Litovsk in order to “protect the vital interests of Sweden in these islands.” Germany offered Sweden its assistance in negotiations with the Bolsheviks on the issue of annexing the islands to Sweden. At the same time, Germany put forward a number of conditions: Sweden had to “allow the inhabitants of the islands to determine their future fate in a referendum, not build any fortified outposts or bases on the islands, not transfer the islands to any third party, and also begin negotiations to increase exports iron ore from Sweden to Germany after the war."
However, on January 4, 1918, Russia recognized the independence of Finland. It is surprising that, ahead of other European states, Sweden recognized Finnish independence on the same day. Subsequently, Helsinki will more than once use the argument that “Sweden and other states, by recognizing the independence of Finland without any preconditions, actually recognized the Åland Islands as a sovereign part of Finland.”
A few weeks after the recognition of Finnish independence, Civil War. While King Gustav tried to take cautious steps and avoid direct confrontation with Finland, the Swedish opposition demanded immediate control of the islands. Soon after this, Sweden sent ships of its fleet and occupied the Åland Islands. Subsequently, German troops established control over the entire territory of Finland, including the Åland Islands.
Status of the Åland Islands
Finnish independence did not solve the problem of the Åland Islands, and negotiations between Finland and Sweden, as well as negotiations between the superpowers and Russia, continued. Helsinki accused Stockholm of interfering in its internal affairs by supporting the islanders in their desire to unite with Sweden. This increased tension between the two states. The Finnish government has notified residents of the islands that it "guarantees the complete security of the islands and urgently requests residents to avoid actions that could damage the territorial integrity of Finland, as such actions will be strictly suppressed."
"In the spring of 1918, Stockholm advised the inhabitants of the islands that independence could only be achieved by building their own institutions of self-government, and by preparing for a plebiscite at the right time regarding separation from Finland and annexation to Sweden."
At some point, speculation arose that Finland was considering the possibility of a “territorial exchange” by transferring the Åland Islands to Sweden and receiving the territory of Eastern Karelia in return. However, these speculations were refuted by a special statement from the Finnish government. Instead, Finland offered the islanders a high status of autonomy within Finland.
Negotiations between Stockholm and Helsinki did not produce results, and the parties agreed to transfer consideration of the issue of the status of the Åland Islands to the League of Nations. While the superpowers tried to mediate, the situation in both Sweden and Finland worsened. Public opinion in both countries hardened and demanded an immediate solution to the issue of the status of the islands. As a result, the League of Nations created two special commissions to resolve the issue of the islands. The first commission was to comprehensively study the political, legal and historical aspects of the Åland problem and propose possible solutions. The task of the second commission was to develop specific recommendations and draw up a peace agreement.
After hearing the arguments of both sides and conducting its own research, the first commission (commission of lawyers) concluded that “the fundamental issue is a legal one, namely the right of Finland to sovereignty over the Åland Islands. It is necessary to discuss the question of whether Finland was a sovereign state after the collapse of its union with Tsarist Russia and whether its sovereignty extends to the islands in the same way as to other parts of Finland" (Article 314). Regarding the question of Finland's right to the Åland Islands, the commission concluded that "the independence of Finland in 1917, which was recognized by other states, included the islands." This means that "Finland's sovereignty over the Åland Islands was not subject to dispute and the islands legally became part of the Finnish state."
The issue of the primacy of the territorial integrity of the state over the right of minorities to self-determination, which is still relevant today, was also discussed by the League of Nations commission. Question: “Is it possible to recognize as absolute the right of a minority to secede for the purpose of further unification with another state or declaring independence?” was raised in the commission's report. Quoting the commission's report, Barros writes: "To give in to the demands of any minority (whether linguistic, religious or otherwise) for separation from the community to which they belong, simply because it is their desire, would be a clear destruction of order and stability within the state and would give rise to anarchy in international life."
As a result, the commission of lawyers made the following recommendations regarding the status of the Åland Islands within Finland:
. “In the province of Åland, primary and technical schools must provide instruction only in Swedish. The compulsory study of Finnish, which is approved by law, should not apply in this territory.
. Residents of the islands in any situation should have priority rights in matters of acquiring land on the islands. In addition, newly arrived settlers can only gain the right to vote in elections after five years of residence on the islands.
. The Ålanders should have the right to submit to the government in Helsinki a list of three candidates for the post of governor of the islands, and the governor should be appointed only from this list."
The commission also threatened a referendum on the status of the Åland Islands if the Finnish government rejected these recommendations. These recommendations were added to the already existing guarantees of island autonomy adopted by the Finnish government. The final decision on the islands issue was made on June 24, 1921, and the League of Nations reaffirmed Finland's sovereignty over the Åland Islands. Three days later, on June 27, Sweden and Finland signed the Åland Agreement, a peace treaty on the status of the islands.
Autonomy structure of the Åland Islands
The Act of Autonomy for the Åland Islands was hastily drawn up and adopted by the Finnish Parliament on May 6, 1920. The islanders initially rejected the act. However, after the League of Nations debated the status of the islands, the proposed recommendations were added to the Autonomy Act of 1920. Lars Ingmar Johannson, who served as Secretary General of the Åland Islands Parliament in the 1980s, writes that “the first popularly elected institution on the islands was the Landsting, or Åland Parliament, which was elected by popular election in the Åland Islands, and its first plenary session was held June 9, 1922" (Article 25). Later, the Autonomy Act was again revised twice. This happened for the first time on December 28, 1951, and then again in 1993. The current legislation is fully harmonized with the Finnish government and the population of the Åland Islands.
The “fundamental principle” of the Autonomy Act was “to give the inhabitants of the Åland Islands the widest freedom in the management of their internal affairs in order to ensure the internal and external security of (Finland).”
The Autonomy Act clearly and clearly divides legal responsibility between the Finnish and Åland parliaments. The Åland parliament works on a similar principle to the Finnish parliament. It consists of 30 members elected every four years and functions as an institution that makes laws and decisions on issues of island life such as police, health care, education, communications, economic development of the region, etc. Johansson states that " in these areas, the functions of the Åland Parliament are practically no different from the functions of the legislative and executive bodies of an independent state."
"Preliminary laws approved by the Åland Parliament apply on the islands and are superior to laws passed by the Finnish Parliament. However, in those areas where the Åland Parliament is not vested with the power to legislate, Finnish laws have the same force on the islands as in the rest of the country "Such areas include the postal, customs and monetary services, the courts, the criminal code, and many aspects of civil law relating to family, inheritance, trade and foreign affairs."
Ålanders also have a quota in the Finnish parliament and are directly elected by the island's population, just like the rest of the country's parliament. All adopted legislative acts of the Åland Parliament are sent for signature to the President of Finland, who has the right of veto only in two cases: if the law adopted by the Åland Parliament “goes beyond its competence” and if the adopted act “threatens the internal and external security of the country.”
The Åland parliament also makes laws regarding its own budget and taxation. Taxes, customs duties and other payments are collected from island residents in the same manner as from all other Finnish citizens. At the same time, the Finnish state budget has an annual guaranteed line for contributions to the Åland Islands. In addition to this, the Åland Parliament has the right to request additional funding from the Finnish state budget.
Ålanders have their own flag and local police forces. Moreover, the islands issue their own postage stamps and are represented (as part of the Finnish delegation) in the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Nordic Council is a regional organization that consists of ministers and parliamentarians of the Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark) and the Åland Islands (Finland).
You probably noticed when sailing from Stockholm to Helsinki that the ferry makes a ten-minute stop halfway through the journey in a city with an unpronounceable name. Perhaps because the word Maarianhamina is difficult to pronounce, this city receives so little attention. However, it’s very in vain. Mariehamn (Maarianhamina) is worth a stopover for a couple of days. Cozy island life, so unlike life in a metropolis, or even life in a godforsaken village, will open before you in all its quiet splendor.
Marienhamn is located on a peninsula, therefore it has two ports, on the west and east coasts.
The history of Mariehamn is connected with the Eastern, or Crimean War, which determined the future fate of Åland as demilitarized islands. After the war, the local community petitioned Emperor Alexander 11 to allow the founding of a port city on the main island.
And in order to be sure to get consent, the petitioners proposed to name the city in honor of the emperor’s wife Maria Alexandrovna. By the Tsar’s manifesto on February 4, 1859, the founding of the city of Mariehamn (“Mary’s Harbor”) was “most graciously” permitted, and on February 20, 1861, a charter was signed establishing the city’s statute. Its existence is counted from this date.
The western port (Västerhamn) is of international importance, with ferries stopping several times a day on the route between Finland and Sweden.
East Harbor is one of the largest Scandinavian yacht ports.
For tourists, the capital of the Åland Islands offers ample opportunities for urban recreation: many hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes and museums will happily welcome their visitors. Not far from the city center is Lilla Holmen - a wonderful beach for the whole family and the Mariebad water park with a spa center.
The most interesting way to get to Mariehamn, the capital of the Åland Islands, is by ferry, going from Stockholm to Helsinki, and not vice versa: in this direction the ferry arrives not at four in the morning, but at midnight, which is much more convenient. Don’t be surprised by the very paradoxical pricing: getting from Mariehamn to Helsinki costs even more than from the more distant Stockholm to Helsinki.
Mariehamn has quite a lot of museums for such a small town. These are, firstly, the famous sailing ship Pommern, The Maritime Quarter and Maritime Museum(Åland Maritime Museum), Åland Museum, hunting and fishing museum, art museum and a little more.
Looking into the museum from the entrance, we concluded that these are typical provincial museums, which are not worth spending much time on if you are not a connoisseur of local arts and crafts. It only makes sense to visit the sailing ship Pommern. But if you don’t have enough time, you can still admire it from the pier (the masts and rigging look especially beautiful against the sunset).
Clean streets with toy houses not hidden behind fences, and silence, which is only occasionally broken by the roar of an old American car from the mid-century (every now I remember Stephen King’s “Christine”). As it turned out, taxes on the purchase of a new car are very high here, so young people prefer to buy impressive-looking “dinosaurs”, literally bring them into brilliant condition and in the evenings, wearing a cowboy hat, leisurely drive around the city with the whole company.
Ålanders are very careful about their mailboxes. Old mailboxes are wooden, hand-painted, and only a few dare to install newfangled plastic ones.
Mariehamn's main attraction is its hiking trails (especially in the western part of the island). Coastline reminds me a lot South coast Crimea: steep cliffs, small pine trees, winding paths. But, unlike Crimea, where only in the New World there is an equipped walking “ecological” trail, here there are equipped trails everywhere (and even inside the island, marked with a red line on the map).
This means that every N meters there are benches, bridges, fences and no garbage (despite the fact that during the season the tourist load on them is appropriate). All walking routes are designed in such a way that after 2-3 hours of a leisurely walk you will return to the city.
There are several equipped beaches in the eastern and northeastern parts of the island. The sandy and muddy bottom is very flat - it will take a long time to get into the water. Because of this bottom topography, it is especially interesting to observe low tides, when a significant area of the seabed is exposed.
The museum sailing ship Pommern is anchored in the western port. In the eastern harbor there is a Dutch steamship Jan Nieveen (also called F.P. von Knorring), converted into a restaurant. We also recommend visiting the city museum and art museum.
For architecture connoisseurs, it will be interesting to know that Marienhamn has several buildings designed by the famous Finnish architect Lars Sonck: the main building of the Åland Maritime College (1927), Marienhamn Church (1927), and the city municipality building (1939).
In the park in front of the city hall there is a statue of the city's patroness, Empress Maria Alexandrovna.
In 2011, Marienhamn celebrated its anniversary - 150 years since its foundation. This bronze monument is a gift from the Russian side.
Sculpture on a pedestal made of red granite. The monument was erected in the very center of the Åland capital.
The Russian fortress of Bomarsund reminds us of the military past of the Åland Islands. Now there is little left of it, only ruins, but the Alanders proudly bring tourists here. At the beginning of the 19th century, these islands, together with Finland, became part of the Russian Empire. But the history of Åland has been closely connected with Russia since the time of Peter the Great.
With this observation deck most visible beautiful road, running between the islands. In the 18th century, an important postal route from St. Petersburg to Stockholm passed through Åland. Peasants living along the highway at a distance of up to 3 miles were at the disposal of the postal department and were required to deliver letters and parcels along a chain from yard to yard.
Postal workers were the first to celebrate the city's anniversary. They issued a stamp in honor of the Russian Empress. For the miniature, the authors used one of the most famous images of Maria Alexandrovna; there is exactly the same portrait in the Hermitage.
This is also a joint project between Åland and Russian post. The godmother of the city against the backdrop of a historical landscape. In Åland, only locally issued stamps are used, so now, with the help of the miniature Empress Maria, you can send a letter from Mariehamn to St. Petersburg. Very symbolic.
How to get there
Marienhamn can be reached from Turku and Helsinki, Finland, and from Stockholm or Kapellskär, Sweden.
A reliable, comfortable and popular form of transport for traveling to the capital of the Åland Islands is ferries.
Different fish are caught at each time of the year. In the summer - pike perch and salmon, in the fall - pike and sea taimen of frightening sizes, in winter ice fishing with a short rod is good, and in the spring salmon, sea taimen and pike bite well.
Since the land on the islands (and coastal waters) is privately owned, fishing is only possible in specially designated areas. These territories often consist of many small private holdings, the owners of which have united into fishing farms. There are about fifty of them in total.
To fish, you must purchase a fishing permit or a license for the territory where you plan to fish. To do this, you need to decide in advance on the fishing place (or rather, on the place where to live, since there is no point in living in one place and fishing in another). The license can be ordered in advance when booking a cottage or purchased directly on site from its owner. The cost of licenses fluctuates quite widely, depending on the amount of fish and the size of the territory. Each territory has its own rules; you should check them with the owner of the cottage when purchasing a license.
You need to immediately clarify what types of fishing are allowed in these places: pike are caught with spinning rods and spoons, perch - with light spinning rods, jigs and small spoons, salmon are caught by trolling (fishing at great depths in the open sea), sea taimen - with spoon-shaped spoons and wobblers, pike perch - on large wobblers and jigs.
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