The following is an outline of and topical guide to the Åland Islands:
Åland – an autonomous, demilitarized, Swedish-speaking region and historical province of Finland, located in the Baltic Sea at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia. Governance is primarily handled by the Government of Åland, separate from Finland’s central administration.
General reference
Common English name: Åland or the Åland Islands Official English name: Autonomous State of Åland, Republic of Finland ISO code: AX Top-level domain: .ax Subdivision code: FI-01 Currency: Euro (EUR) Etymology: Name of Åland
Geography of Åland
Åland is an archipelago of over 6,500 islands Location: Northern Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere Europe, Northern Europe Baltic Sea Population (2023): ~30,500 Total land area: ~1,580 km² Capital: Mariehamn Largest island: Fasta Åland
Administrative divisions
Åland is divided into 16 municipalities:
Government and politics
Political system: Parliamentary system, autonomous and demilitarized Capital: Mariehamn Parliament: Parliament of Åland (Lagting) Executive: Government of Åland Head of government: Lantråd Representation in Finland: 1 MP in the Parliament of Finland Autonomy governed by: Act on the Autonomy of Åland Related international treaty: Åland convention Relationship with the EU: Special status in EU
Law and military
Åland is demilitarized by treaty Local police force under regional control Residents are exempt from conscription No military forces or bases are present
History
Key periods include: Swedish rule (until 1809) Russian Empire (1809–1917) Åland crisis and League of Nations ruling (1921) Autonomy established (1922) Status reaffirmed in Finland's EU accession treaty (1995)
Culture
Language: Swedish (official and sole language) National symbols: Flag of Åland Coat of arms of Åland Anthem: Ålänningens sång Religion: Mostly Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Notable heritage sites: Kastelholm Castle Bomarsund, Åland Cuisine of Åland Museums of Åland: Åland Museum Åland Maritime Museum and Pommern (ship)
Economy and infrastructure Major sectors: shipping, trade, tourism, small business, food production Local currency: Euro (€) Post: Åland Post Tax status: separate customs zone from the EU VAT area Main port: Western Harbour (Mariehamn)
Transport
Airports: Mariehamn Airport Ferries: Frequent service to Sweden and mainland Finland Road: Local highways across Fasta Åland Ports: Långnäs, Berghamn (Åland)
Education
Language of instruction: Swedish Institutions: Ålands lyceum Åland Vocational School Åland University of Applied Sciences Alandica Shipping Academy
Demographics
Population: ~30,500 Language: Swedish (sole official language) 17% of residents have foreign background Right of domicile regulates voting rights and property ownership
Sport
IFK Mariehamn – men's football club Åland United – women's football club Ålands Fotbollförbund – football association Åland Islands national football team (non-FIFA) Participates in the Island Games
See also
Index of Åland-related articles List of Åland-related topics List of islands by area Outline of Finland Outline of Europe Nordic countries Baltic Sea
References
External links
Official Government site Åland tourism portal Åland Post Ålandstidningen newspaper Act on the Autonomy of Åland (archived)