Maakunnat

Maakunnat, or regions, are administrative divisions used in Finland to organize the country into larger geographical areas for governance and planning purposes. The concept of maakunnat was introduced in 1997 as part of a reform aimed at streamlining Finland’s regional administration. Before this, Finland was divided into provinces (*lääni*), but the new regional structure was designed to better reflect local needs and improve cooperation between municipalities.

Finland currently has 19 maakunnat, each serving as a framework for regional development, healthcare, education, and other public services. These regions are not directly governed by central authorities but instead coordinate activities among municipalities within their boundaries. The boundaries of maakunnat are based on historical, cultural, and geographical factors, though they do not always align with traditional provincial divisions.

The regional structure includes two special cases: Uusimaa, which contains the capital city of Helsinki, and Åland, an autonomous region with its own distinct Swedish-speaking culture and governance. Each maakunta has a regional council (*maakuntahallitus*) responsible for strategic planning and overseeing regional services, while day-to-day operations remain under municipal control.

The establishment of maakunnat was intended to enhance regional cooperation, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure more efficient resource allocation. While they do not have legislative authority, they play a key role in implementing national policies at the local level. The regional model has been influential in Finland’s decentralized governance system, balancing central direction with local autonomy.