Ålands

The Åland Islands, commonly referred to as Åland, is an autonomous and demilitarized region of Finland located in the Baltic Sea, at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden. The archipelago includes thousands of islands and skerries, with Fasta Åland (Mainland Åland) as the largest island. The capital and largest town is Mariehamn. The region covers about 1,580 square kilometers and has a population of around 32,000, resulting in a low population density.

History and status: Åland was part of the Swedish realm for centuries before becoming part of the Russian Empire with Finland in 1809. After Finland gained independence, the status of Åland remained unresolved until the early 1920s. In 1921–1922, the League of Nations established a special autonomy arrangement that demilitarized the islands and granted them their own parliamentary and governmental structures while recognizing Swedish as the administration’s official language. Today Åland is an autonomous region of Finland with its own laws and tax regime, while Finland retains responsibility for foreign affairs and defense.

Government and law: Åland has a 50-member Parliament (Lagting) and an executive government (Landskapsregering). It operates under a constitution specific to the archipelago, and it maintains its own tax system, postal services, education, and other public services. The Finnish central government handles defence and overarching foreign policy.

Language and people: Swedish is the predominant language in administration and public life; Finnish is spoken by a minority. The population is largely Swedish-speaking, with strong local cultural traditions and identity.

Economy and transport: The economy relies on maritime services, shipping, tourism, and agriculture. The Åland Islands are a popular cruise and tourism destination, with ferries linking to Sweden and Finland and a regional airport serving Mariehamn.