Maakuntia

Maakuntia, singular maakunta, is a Finnish term meaning region. In Finland, maakunnat are the country’s main subnational administrative units, grouping several municipalities to support regional development, planning, and coordination of services. There are 19 maakunnat, each covering its own geographic area and demographic profile. The autonomous Åland Islands form a separate regional administration with special status and are not usually counted among the 19.

Each maakunta has a regional council (maakuntavaltuusto) whose members are elected by the municipalities within the region. The council oversees regional planning and development and appoints a regional board and a regional director who heads the regional administration. The regions work to promote economic development, land-use and housing planning, transportation planning, culture, and the environment. They act as a bridge between municipalities and the central government, coordinating projects and programs, including the use of European Union funds.

The regional level also interacts with the state administration, which operates at the regional level through the Centers for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY-centers). These centers handle certain state functions in cooperation with the regions and municipalities.

Historically, Finland replaced the older provincial system (lääni) with the maakunta model in the late 20th century. Since 2010, the provinces have been dissolved, and regional governance has been organized around maakuntat and their councils. Maakuntien borders and responsibilities are defined by national law, but the regions retain autonomy in regional development and planning within the framework of national legislation.