The municipalities of Åland (Swedish: Ålands kommuner) are the sixteen local government units that administer the Åland Islands. Despite being a part of Finland, Åland has a high degree of self-government under the Act on the Autonomy of Åland, with its municipalities managing a wide range of local public services. Swedish is the sole official language in both regional and municipal administration. All public services, including education, are conducted exclusively in Swedish.
The size of Åland’s municipalities varies significantly. Mariehamn, the largest, has a population of 11,898, accounting for over 40% of Åland’s total population, while Sottunga is the smallest in both Åland and in all of Finland with just 103 residents.
Municipal Elections Each municipality is governed by an elected municipal council, which serves a four-year term. To vote in these elections you must, be at least 18 years old, have the right of domicile, and have been a resident of Åland for the previous year.
Municipal Responsibilities Municipalities in Åland maintain a wide range of responsibilities, many of which have been regionalised elsewhere in Finland. These include, but not limited to: public buildings and facilities, public transport, economic development, environmental protection, waste management, land use, local infrastructure, and primary, secondary, and adult education.
Inter-Municipal Cooperation Municipalities cooperate in several areas through municipal associations and jointly owned corporations.
Associations
Ålands kommunförbund - Association of Åland Municipalities Miljöservice (Mise) - Waste management De Gamlas Hem - Old people's home Ålands omsorgsförbund - Åland Care Association Södra Ålands högstadiedistrikt - South Åland high school Norra Ålands högstadiedistrikt - North Åland high school
Corporations
Mariehamns Centralantenn Ab - TV and broadband company Mariehamns Telefon Ab - Telecom company Ålands vatten Ab - Produces drinking water Ålands Problemavfall Ab - Handles hazardous waste Svinryggens deponi Ab - Landfill Fastighets Ab Marstad - Real estate company
Sub-regions The 16 municipalities are informally grouped into three sub-regions:
Mariehamn - The capital and only city in Åland. The Countryside - Rural municipalities on the main island (Fasta Åland) The Archipelago - Municipalities that make up the other islands.
Municipalities __NOTOC__
Coat of Arms Municipality Code Sub-region Population Land area Population density MH Mariehamn JM Countryside FN Countryside LE Countryside SV Countryside HM Countryside SD Countryside EC Countryside FG Archipelago BR Archipelago GT Countryside VR Archipelago LU Countryside KM Archipelago KK Archipelago ST Archipelago
Population data as of: Area data as of:
See also Politics of Åland Government of Åland Parliament of Åland
References
External links Ålands statistik- och utredningsbyrå (ÅSUB)