Where are the Åland Islands? Finland, Åland Islands: attractions, fishing, reviews, photos. Status of the Åland Islands

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 a year attract 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 different kinds 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, see traces of 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 bicycle - 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, and at the same time feel the rural charm inner islands, explore the 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 - 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 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 there is an 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. Beautiful view It also opens from the Kasberg elevation 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) open local history museum. 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

Municipality of Lemland (Lemland) is located on an island 15 km southeast of Mariehamn. Near the ruins of St. Olaf's maritime chapel (XIII century) - ancient cemetery Vikings, 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.

The Åland Islands are an archipelago in the Baltic Sea. It is an autonomous province within Finland. Same here telephone code, like 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 most high point archipelago - Orrdalsklint hill 129 m high.

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, erecting fortifications, performing maneuvers, etc. 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 The coat of arms of the Åland Islands is 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. The Åland Islands are beautiful wilderness 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 one medieval castle in Åland, first mentioned in chronicles in 1388 as the “House of Kastelholm”. 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 the main preparatory measures for the construction of the fort were completed: the forest at the site of the fort was cut down, and a new military hospital was built on the island of Prästö.
But due to Patriotic War 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 Märket, 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 the states of the 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.

When I was going to Aland, I was faced with the fact that there was not enough available information about them. I heard that they offer wonderful cycling tours there, that it is environmentally friendly, uncrowded, and very Scandinavian. This was enough to make me want to visit these islands. But I couldn’t really understand how to relax here: where to start, what exactly I need to do, where to book. I had very little time before the trip, I looked through a couple of sites, but I didn’t have a clear understanding.
…In general, I come to the conclusion that no one will give such advice and tell you about a place the way you do when you visit it. Other people still care about something slightly different; they have different expectations, goals, physical and financial capabilities.
The reconnaissance, first trip is always not ideal: no matter how you plan, you didn’t have time to go somewhere, didn’t see something, didn’t adjust to the weather somewhere, didn’t fit into the schedule. Your next trip has a chance to be more successful; you become the owner of unique, exclusive, live information about the place. Yours.
I really didn’t have enough clear advice on Åland (I admit that I simply didn’t find it), so I’m writing here what I understood myself in 3 days - partly so as not to forget, and also to help travelers :)

The Åland Islands are 6,700 islands, of which 60 are inhabited. The main island has the only city in the archipelago, Mariehamn. You can get there on the beautiful Silja Line ferry from Helsinki (overnight sailing), from Turku (5 hours) and from Stockholm (also a few hours).
The archipelago has several of the most big islands, each with its own museums and tiny attractions; the rest, distant and small, there is not enough time and energy to explore during a short vacation. Communication between the islands is by buses and ferries.
The islands belong to Finland, but the official language is Swedish.
From food here you need to try smoked salmon (and fish in general), delicious local ice cream and incredible cider (Åland is a very apple-rich place).
Apparently, people who come to these islands are very independent and knowledgeable tourists. And local ones :) Because here, even at the height of tourist season, No organized excursions, and so, right away, little is clear.
We, just getting off the deck of the ferry and throwing our things at the hotel, came to the tour info with a question: we will be here for three days, what do you recommend we definitely see? This question brought the girl into a stupor. She was able to pull out maps and brochures, give a ferry schedule, but highlight the main thing, tell, help, orient - definitely not. What should we do with this schedule? Where to go on this bus and for how long? What to focus on? There are a lot of islands) Probably, these are too high demands on the employee of the main Åland tour info :)
On this day, the city hosted: a rock festival, a gay pride parade, sea ​​days and a vintage car show, but she didn’t tell us about that.
We started exploring Åland on our own. By the way, the 2012 Lonely Planet guide to Finland helped us a lot. Everything there is clear and relevant, right down to the bus numbers.
As a result, we came to some conclusions:

Conclusion one: you don’t need to live in Mariehamn (it was named, by the way, during the period when the islands belonged to Russia, in honor of Empress Maria Alexandrovna). This is an uninteresting town, completely devoid of architecture, with a nice embankment and shops, for which three or four hours of leisurely exploration is enough. This is exactly the place in Åland that will not help you experience their zest. We really liked one local glass store, one with silver, also of local design, and another with textiles, all sorts of cute things, very stylish and unique.
We, who had not slept after getting up early and the ferry, in the fog, were stunned to watch the gay pride parade (very touching, so local, intimate and fun), and then the ancient multi-colored cars sailing importantly in an endless line along the embankment.
In general, you need to live in a house in nature, so that there are trails and the sea nearby. It is better to book in advance, because both Finns and Swedes love Åland as a holiday destination.

Conclusion two: buses rarely run. If you choose one of the islands and decide to go there by bus from Mariehamn (and even more so from all other places), be sure to find out the schedule in advance. Spontaneity will not work here. They can go, for example, at 10.05 and at 16.05. If you don't know about 10.05 and start getting ready late in the morning, oops may happen. At 16 it seems too late to go. Moreover, the inconvenience is that the last bus leaves back from these islands around 17.00.
And a taxi is expensive: they charge 9.20 euros for a ride, and a thirty-minute trip costs about 42 euros. True, there are no problems with taxis - the tourist information office gives the number of local taxis, and any restaurant will be happy to call a car for the guest.
Therefore, it is worth renting a car (about 62 euros per day) to enjoy the free roads of the island. Or a bicycle. Or just don’t go anywhere, but walk along the roads, breathe, take photographs.

Conclusion three: the sights in Åland are not great. Well, depending on what you compare it to, of course. This is clearly not Rome :)There is one modest small castle (by the way, very nice), there are also ruins, many local museums, one sandy beach.
We went to Kastelholm Castle (this is the first and only thing the girl at the tourist information office told us about), and also to the island of Geta. There walking trail 5.5 km and the highest point of the archipelago. There is also a magnificent hotel located on the rocks right by the sea, where you can, without even staying there, for a fee, swim in a small pool, sit in a jacuzzi overlooking the sea and pine trees, have a very tasty lunch with a view of the forest and boats, charge your phone ... It's just a kingdom of relaxation and happiness.

Conclusion four: you need to carefully find information about the weather in Åland.
Gismeteo (which never really failed) indicated 17-21, and it was 28. Mid-July. Heat. We didn't expect this weather.

…While on the third day on the Åland Islands, we wondered what their highlight was. For us, who have traveled a lot in the Russian north, there is nothing particularly new here. The nature is similar to Solovki, the sea and islands are similar to the Pellinki archipelago (which is much closer to Helsinki), there is practically no architecture. Why go here, so far away?
We are not athletes, not cyclists, not fishermen. We are tourists loving hiking along eco-paths, silence, air and sea. The answer I found for myself is that you shouldn’t expect anything special. It's just a vacation. Amazing nature. Sunsets. Empty roads. Delicious food. It feels like you're on an island. The unusualness, the novelty of the place (none of my friends, with the exception of the friend who told me about them, and my geographer mother, understood at first what the “Åland Islands” were. Culture active rest. This is the combination of all this, the most beautiful, light, joyful - what is worth coming back here for.
The main conclusion: Åland will be good for those who love wildlife, active species recreational activities such as cycling, fishing, mini golf, horse riding, hiking. And also contemplation and photography. Those who want to admire architecture and art will be disappointed. Those who are used to booking excursions on the spot will be left without them. Those who crave impressions and events should study this on the Åland website in order to come when the Viking holiday begins, for example.
You need to live in a house or in a campsite, immersing yourself in nature. It’s better to come for a week to get comfortable, get involved, and get into the calm rhythm of these places.

We had a very good feeling from our trip to these islands. Now we understand how to relax there. Maybe we'll meet them again :)
Special thanks pamsik , her travel notes They helped us a lot in finding our way around Åland :)
And the most important thank you baryshnya_piter , who gave me the idea of ​​Åland.

This is a sign of the united Åland cyclists:


This is an intimate, compact Kastelholm castle:


such retro cars, a hundred or more of them, drove along the Mariehamn embankment, showing off)




nearby at that time there was a gay pride parade - residents equally joyfully welcomed both gays and motorists)


proud, handsome Åland bus, an infrequent guest at bus stops:


The most delicate, talented local glassware...




That's what a wonderful transport we used to sail to Aland, and what sunsets we saw on the way back!

This unique place, located between Helsinki and Stockholm in Gulf of Bothnia in the very center of Scandinavia. Åland consists of 6,757 islands, 60 of which are inhabited. The archipelago is the largest collection of islands on Earth.

The length of the archipelago from north to south is 130 km. The territory is 1552 km², of which about 27 km² are rivers and lakes. The largest of the islands of the archipelago is the island of Åland, covering an area of ​​685 km². Highest point archipelago- Orrdalsklint hill, whose height is 129 m.

Generally unique Åland Islands not only in geographical location. Surprisingly, being part of Finland, the Åland Islands are an independent province. In the full sense of the word.

Official language of Åland- Swedish. It has its own parliament, its own government, residents have their own citizenship. The Åland Islands have their own postage stamps, their own Internet domain, their own license plates and their own flag.

And of course nature of the Åland Islands attracts tourists and cyclists. Red rocks predominate on the Åland Islands, hence even the roads have a pleasant pinkish color. An abundance of mushrooms and berries, excellent fishing. By the way, the water there is sea, but less salty, and therefore fish is found in both freshwater and sea. Observing fishing rules on the islands, you can enjoy this type of recreation.

We traveled islands up and down and believe me, we are constantly drawn there. There comes incredible peace and tranquility. No one is in a hurry there. There's one hundred percent safety for tourists. There, even weapons are prohibited except for hunting and for the police. The Åland Islands are a demilitarized territory. There are no military units, naval or air bases here.

The administrative unit is the commune. There are 16 communes in Åland:

Ekerö, Finström, Föglö, Eta, Hammarland, Joiala, Kumlinge, Lemland, Lumparland, Saltvik, Sottunga, Sund, Vordo

Aland - the formation of self-governmentThe Åland Islands are an example to followExecutive branchParliament of Åland IslandsÅland citizenship

Culture of the Åland Islands and the history is almost akin to Swedish. Historically, the Ålanders were part of the Kingdom of Sweden. During the war of 1808-1809, Sweden ceded Finland and Åland to Russia, and they became part of the Grand Duchy of Finland.

In August 1917, a secret meeting of all Åland communes decided to ask for reunification with Sweden. A petition signed by almost the entire adult population of Åland was handed over to the King of Sweden and the government.

At the end of 1917, or rather in December, Finland declared itself an independent republic, but with regard to the Åland Finland was not ready to support the Åland demand for reunification with Sweden and proposed a special form of internal self-government. In 1920, a law on self-government was issued, although the Ålanders did not accept this law. Due to the fact that the Åland question assumed an international character, consideration was transferred to the created League of Nations and the league in 1921 adopted a compromise decision that suited Finland, Sweden and the Åland Islands. Finland received sovereignty over the Åland Islands but in return guaranteed to preserve them native language, swedish, culture, local customs and the system of self-government offered to the Ålanders in 1920 by Finland.

The League of Nations signed a treaty on demilitarized and neutral status Åland Islands.

Solving the Minority Problem islands of the Åland archipelago for the scientific world, journalists, publicists and politicians is a unique example of a successful solution. The powers that were divided between the central and Åland authorities, the Åland right of residence and restrictions on property ownership, identity - all this is of great interest. At the same time, have the opportunity to influence international treaties. This territory is a unique example of self-government that has existed for a long time and was achieved without the use of any military intervention. Plus, the Åland Islands are a completely demilitarized territory

Åland Government should not exceed eight people. The Provincial Councilor is the head of the provincial government. The government is appointed by parliament after negotiations between political factions. To solve problems in areas of public life that fall within the jurisdiction Åland Islands(provinces), parliament has a governing apparatus (administration)

Due to Åland have self-government, Ålanders can make laws, although only concerning their internal policies, and of course they can determine their budget. Lagting is the parliament of the Åland Islands. Parliament appoints the government of Åland. There is a law on self-government of Åland which regulates self-government. Parliament of Finland can change this law constitutionally but only with the consent of parliament of Åland. The Åland Parliament can exercise legislative power in the following areas of public life:

Police

Economy and its development

Healthcare and of course environmental protection

Culture and education

Transport

Utility management

Finnish laws apply in other areas of public life

Policy

Customs regulations

Legal proceedings

Foreign policy

The Lagting consists of 30 deputies and elections are held every four years. Citizens receive the right to vote subject to the presence of the so-called Ålandian right of residence and after reaching 18 years of age

Economy of Åland

Parliament adopts the local budget. The main source of income consists of own income and allocations from the state budget. The state budget is a form of partial refund of taxes paid by Ålanders to the state treasury.

Right of residence

Each child is provided with right of residence, if at least one of the parents has one. Anyone who moved to Åland to live, who has lived there continuously for five years and speaks Swedish can apply for the right of residence. However, as a rule, it is only available to Finnish citizens.

Language status

On Åland Islands(Aland Province) the official language is Swedish.

This means that all documents and written correspondence sent to Åland must be in Swedish. Schools are taught in Swedish. The official language for government and public services is Swedish.