View source for Åland

{{Short description|Autonomous region of Finland}}
{{Distinguish|Öland}}
{{About|the region of Finland|the constituency|Åland (parliamentary electoral district)|the former province|Province of Åland|other uses|Aland (disambiguation)}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox dependency
| name                     = Åland
| native_name              = {{lang|fi|Ahvenanmaa}}
| official_name            = Region of Åland<br />{{native name|sv|Landskapet Åland}}<br /> {{native name|fi|Ahvenanmaan maakunta}}
| settlement_type          = [[Regions of Finland|Autonomous region]]
| linking_name             = Åland
| image_flag               = Flag of Åland.svg
| flag_size                = 125
| flag_link                = Flag of Åland
| image_seal               = Coat_of_arms_of_Åland_3.svg
| seal_size                = 75
| seal_type                = Coat of arms
| seal_link                = Coat of arms of Åland
| motto                    =
| anthem                   = {{native phrase|sv|"[[Ålänningens sång]]"|italics=off}}<br />({{Langx|en|"Song of the Ålander"}}) <br /> [[File:Song of the Ålanders.ogg]]
| image_map                = Ahvenanmaa in Finland.svg
| map_caption              = Location of Åland within Finland
| map_alt                  = Location of Åland within Finland
| mapsize                  = 200px
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = [[Finland]]
| established_title        = Autonomy granted
| established_date         = 7 May 1920<ref name="autonomy">{{cite book|author=Hurst Hannum|title=Basic Documents on Autonomy and Minority Rights|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_oV3pKJfnvcC|year=1993|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=0-7923-1977-X|chapter=Agreement between Sweden and Finland Relating to Guarantees in the Law of 7 May 1920 on the Autonomy of the Aaland Islands|page=141|access-date=11 October 2015|archive-date=7 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707025145/https://books.google.com/books?id=_oV3pKJfnvcC|url-status=live}}</ref>
| established_title2       = First Regional Assembly ([[Åland's Autonomy Day|Autonomy Day]])
| established_date2        = 9 June 1922<ref name="assembly"/><ref name="sg-day"/>
| established_title3       = [[Special member state territories and the European Union#Åland Islands|EU accession]]
| established_date3        = 1 January 1995
| official_languages       = [[Swedish language|Swedish]]
| demonym                  = {{hlist|Ålandic/Ålandish|Ålander| Ålänning|Åländare|Ahvenanmaalainen}}
| capital                  = [[Mariehamn]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|60|07|N|019|54|E|type:city}}
| largest_city             = capital
| government_type          = [[Devolution|Devolved]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[Autonomous administrative division|autonomous region]]
| leader_title1            = Governor
| leader_name1             = [[Marine Holm-Johansson]]
| leader_title2            = [[Lantråd|Premier]]
| leader_name2             = [[Katrin Sjögren]]
| leader_title3            = [[Parliament of Finland|MP]]
| leader_name3             = [[Mats Löfström]]
| legislature              = [[Parliament of Åland|Lagting]]
| area_km2                 = 1,580<ref name=norden>{{cite web |url=http://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vamuu/005_vamuu_tau_101.px/?rxid=f57a9b0d-6b40-4851-a896-18275f7b60dd |title=Ennakkoväkiluku sukupuolen mukaan alueittain, helmikuu.2016 |website=Pxnet2.stat.fi |access-date=31 March 2016 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410020711/http://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vamuu/005_vamuu_tau_101.px/?rxid=f57a9b0d-6b40-4851-a896-18275f7b60dd |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| area_rank                = unranked
| area_sq_mi               = 610 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| elevation_max_m          = 129.1
| population_estimate      = 30,129<ref>{{cite web|last=Tilastokeskus|title=Population|url=https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html|access-date=9 August 2021|website=tilastokeskus.fi|language=en|archive-date=10 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710143515/https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/tup/suoluk/suoluk_vaesto_en.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_census        =
| population_estimate_year = 2020
| population_estimate_rank = 223rd
| population_census_year   = 2013
| population_density_km2   = 19.07
| population_density_sq_mi = 49.39 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank  =
| GDP_PPP                  = $1.563 billion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asub.ax/text.con?iPage=227|title=Välkommen till ÅSUB! – Ålands statistik- och utredningsbyrå|website=Asub.ax|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-date=15 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115224407/http://www.asub.ax/text.con?iPage=227|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year             = 2007
| GDP_PPP_per_capita       = $55,829
| Gini                     = <!--number only-->
| Gini_year                =
| Gini_change              = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref                 =
| Gini_rank                =
| HDI                      = 0.900 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year                 = 2017
| HDI_change               = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                  = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-date=23 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923120638/https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| HDI_rank                 =
| currency                 = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])
| currency_code            = EUR
| timezone                 = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset               = +02:00
| timezone_DST             = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST           = +03:00
| date_format              = dd.mm.yyyy
| drives_on                = right
| calling_code             = [[Telephone numbers in Åland|+358 18]]
| postal_code_type         =
| postal_code              =
| iso_code                 = {{hlist|[[ISO 3166-2:AX|AX]]|[[ISO 3166-2:FI|FI-01]]}}
| cctld                    = [[.ax]]
| website                  = [https://www.aland.ax/en www.aland.ax]
| GDP_nominal              = €1.1 billion
| GDP_nominal_year         = 2020
| GDP_nominal_per_capita   = €36,200<ref>{{cite web|title=Facts about Åland {{!}} Nordic cooperation|url=https://www.norden.org/en/information/facts-about-aland|access-date=9 August 2021|website=norden.org|language=en|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809152414/https://www.norden.org/en/information/facts-about-aland|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
'''Åland''' ({{IPA|sv|ˈǒːland|lang|Aland.ogg}}; {{langx|fi|Ahvenanmaa}}) is an [[Federacy|autonomous]] and [[Demilitarized zone|demilitarised]] region of [[Finland]]. Receiving its autonomy by a 1920  decision of the [[League of Nations]],<ref name="autonomy"/> it is the smallest [[region of Finland]] by both area (1,580&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) and population (30,129), constituting 0.51% of Finland's land area and 0.54% of its population. Its only official language is [[Swedish language|Swedish]] and the [[capital city]] is [[Mariehamn]].
Åland is situated in a Finnish [[archipelago]], called the '''Åland Islands''', at the entrance to the [[Gulf of Bothnia]] in the [[Baltic Sea]]. It comprises [[Fasta Åland]], on which 90% of the population resides,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.osterholm.info/aland/index.html|title=The Aland Islands|date=9 May 2012|website=Osterholm.info|access-date=26 October 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509120701/http://www.osterholm.info/aland/index.html|archive-date=9 May 2012}}</ref> and about 6,500 [[Skerry|skerries]] and islands to its east,<ref name="readersnatural">{{Cite book|title=Natural Wonders of the World|publisher=Reader's Digest Association, Inc|year=1980|isbn=0-89577-087-3|editor-last=Scheffel|editor-first=Richard L.|location=United States of America|page=3|editor-last2=Wernet|editor-first2=Susan J.}}</ref> of which about 60–80 are inhabited. Fasta Åland is separated from the coast of [[Roslagen]] in Sweden by {{convert|38|km|nmi|frac=2|abbr=off}} of open water to the west. In the east, the Åland archipelago is [[Geographic contiguity|contiguous]] with the [[Archipelago Sea|Finnish archipelago]]. Åland's only land border is located on the uninhabited skerry of [[Märket]], which it shares with Sweden.<ref>An account of the border on Märket and how it was redrawn in 1985 appears in ''Hidden Europe Magazine'', 11 (November 2006) pp. 26–29, {{ISSN|1860-6318}}</ref> From Mariehamn, there is a ferry distance of about {{convert|160|km|nmi|abbr=off}} to [[Turku]], a coastal city of [[mainland Finland]], and also to [[Stockholm]], the capital of Sweden.
Åland's autonomous status means that those provincial powers normally exercised by representatives of the central [[Finnish Government]] are largely exercised by [[Government of Åland|its own government]]. The current demilitarised, [[Military of Åland|neutral position of Åland]] dates back to the [[Treaty of Paris (1856)|Paris Peace Treaty]] after the [[Åland War]] in the 1850s.<ref name="demilitarisation"/>
== Autonomy ==
{{see also|Special member state territories and the European Union|Åland's Autonomy Day}}
The autonomous status of Åland was affirmed by a decision made by the [[League of Nations]] in 1921 following the [[Åland Islands dispute]]. It was reaffirmed within the treaty admitting Finland to the [[European Union]]. By law, Åland is politically neutral and entirely demilitarised, and residents are exempt from [[conscription]] to the [[Finnish Defence Forces]]. Åland was granted extensive autonomy by the [[Parliament of Finland]] in the Act on the Autonomy of Åland of 1920, which was later replaced by new legislation of the same name in 1951 and 1991. The [[constitution of Finland]] defines a "[[constitution of Åland]]" by referring to this act. Åland remains exclusively [[Swedish language|Swedish]]-speaking by this act.<ref name="FINLEX">{{cite web |url=http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1991/en19911144.pdf |title=Act on the Autonomy of Åland |date=1991 |website=Finlex |access-date=25 January 2017 |archive-date=16 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216134355/https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1991/en19911144.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
Although [[1994 Finnish European Union membership referendum|a referendum to join the European Union]] had been held in mainland Finland on 16 October 1994, Åland held [[1994 Ålandic European Union membership referendum|a separate vote]] on 20 November as they were a separate customs jurisdiction. EU membership was approved by 73.64% of voters.<ref name="DD">[http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=ax011994 Åland-Inseln (Finnland), 20. November 1994 : Beitritt zur EU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716023025/http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=ax011994 |date=16 July 2015 }} Direct Democracy</ref> In connection with Finland's admission to the European Union, a protocol was signed concerning Åland that stipulates, among other things, that provisions of the [[European Community Treaty]] shall not force a change of the existing restrictions for foreigners (i.e., persons who do not enjoy "home region rights"—{{lang|sv|hembygdsrätt}}—in Åland) to acquire and hold real property or to provide certain services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurooppatiedotus.fi/public/download.aspx?ID=123677&GUID=%7B2534ca4e-598b-4ae6-b067-76c3b3715642%7D |title=Åland in the European Union |page=7 |date=2013 |website=Europe Information |publisher=Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland |access-date=25 January 2017 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821005839/http://eurooppatiedotus.fi/public/download.aspx?ID=123677&GUID=%7B2534CA4E-598B-4AE6-B067-76C3B3715642%7D |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Etymology ==
Åland's hypothetical name in the [[Proto-Norse language]] was {{lang|non|*Ahvaland}}. The [[Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic]] stem {{wikt-lang|gem-x-proto|ahwō}} is related to the Latin word for water, {{lang|la|aqua}}. In Swedish, this toponym first developed into {{lang|sv|Áland}} and eventually into {{lang|sv|Åland}}, literally 'river land'—even though rivers are not a prominent feature of Åland's geography. The [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Estonian language|Estonian]] names of the area, {{lang|fi|Ahvenanmaa}} and {{lang|et|Ahvenamaa}} ("[[perch]]-land", from Finnish {{lang|fi|ahven}}, for the type of fish), are believed to preserve another form of the old name.<ref>Virrankoski, Pentti (2001). {{lang|fi|Suomen historia. Ensimmäinen osa}}. SKS. {{ISBN|951-746-321-9}}. p. 59.</ref>
There are several theories about the origin of the Finnic word {{lang|fi|Ahvenanmaa}}, varying from it being a Finnish variant of the Swedish {{lang|sv|Åland}}, it being the original name that the toponym Åland derived from, and it having formed independently.<ref name="Hulden">Lars Hulden (2001) ''Finlandssvenska bebyggelsenamn''; Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland. {{ISBN|951-583-071-0}}.</ref>
The official name, {{lang|sv|Landskapet Åland}}, means "the Region of Åland"; {{lang|sv|[[Historical provinces of Finland|landskap]]}} is [[cognate]] to English ''landscape''.
== History ==
{{main|History of Åland}}
[[File:Geographisch delineation öffver Ålandh.jpg|thumb|left|Swedish Map of Åland from before 1667 with shipping lanes, harbours, churches and various boundaries marked]]
Members of the [[Neolithic]] [[Comb Ceramic culture]] started settling the archipelago some 7000 years ago, after the islands had begun to re-emerge from the sea after being pushed down by the weight of the continental ice of the [[Last glacial period|latest ice-age]]. Two Neolithic cultures met on Åland: the Comb Ceramic culture and the later [[Pit–Comb Ware culture|Pit-Comb Ware culture]] which spread from the west.<ref name="MUSEUM">{{cite web |url= http://www.alandsmuseum.ax/en/historiens-aland/ |title= åland, the history |author= <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |publisher= Aland Museum |access-date= 15 January 2016 |archive-date= 23 January 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170123080712/http://www.alandsmuseum.ax/en/historiens-aland/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
[[Stone Age]] and [[Bronze Age]] people obtained food by hunting seals and birds, fishing, and gathering plants. They also started agriculture early on. From the [[Iron Age]], Åland has six [[hillforts]]. From the [[Vikings|Viking age]] there are over 380 documented burial sites.<ref name="MUSEUM"/>
Construction of the [[Kastelholm Castle]] began in the 1380s. In 1505 it was captured by the Danish naval officer [[Soren Norby]]. In 1665 and 1668 the [[Kastelholm witch trials]] took place.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
The [[coat of arms of Åland]] was originally to be granted to the Swedish island [[provinces of Sweden|province]] of [[Öland]] in 1560; the two had been mixed up by mistake. It displays a golden [[red deer]] (which does not live in Åland) on a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite book |last1=Nevéus |first1=Clara |last2=Wærn |first2=Jacques de |title=Ny Svensk Vapenbok |year=1992 |language=sv |location=Stockholm, Sweden |publisher=Streiffert & Co Bokförlag HB |isbn=91-7886-092-X |page=32}}</ref> This is traditionally surmounted by a [[count|comital]] [[coronet]] of the elder Swedish style.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |url=http://www.kunnat.net/k_perussivu.asp?path=1;29;102942;486;85008 |title=Maakuntien vaakunat |language=fi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221072304/http://www.kunnat.net/k_perussivu.asp?path=1%3B29%3B102942%3B486%3B85008 |archive-date=21 February 2007 |access-date=19 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Along with Finland, Åland formed part of the territory ceded to [[Russian Empire|Russia]] by Sweden under the [[Treaty of Fredrikshamn]] in September 1809. As a result, they became part of the newly established [[Grand Duchy of Finland]] that existed until 1917. During negotiations, Sweden failed to secure a provision that the islands not be fortified.
[[File:Alands.jpg|thumb|The Åland Islands during the [[Crimean War]]. It was here that the [[Battle of Bomarsund]] was fought.]]
In 1832, Russian Empire started to fortify the islands, with the great fortress of [[Bomarsund, Åland|Bomarsund]]. In 1854, as part of the [[Baltic theatre of the Crimean War|campaign in the Baltic]] during the [[Crimean War]] against Russia, a combined British and French force of warships and marines captured and destroyed the fortress during the [[Åland War]]. The [[Treaty of Paris (1856)|1856 Treaty of Paris]] demilitarised the entire Åland archipelago.<ref name="demilitarisation">{{cite web|url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/03/24/121603852.pdf|title= Uneasy Sweden and the Menace of Prussianism; An Analysis of the Scandinavian Situation in View of Kaiser's Reported Ambition to Make the Baltic a German Lake|website= Query.nytimes.com|access-date= 26 October 2017|archive-date= 28 August 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210828025256/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/03/24/121603852.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref>
[[File:Haraldsby artillery 1918.jpg|thumb|Swedish artillerymen in Haraldsby during the [[Invasion of Åland]] in 1918.]]
During the [[Finnish Civil War]], in 1918, [[Invasion of Åland#The Swedish invasion|Swedish troops intervened]] as a [[peacekeeping]] force between the Russian troops stationed on the islands and [[Whites (Finland)|"White"]] and [[Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic|"Red"]] Finnish troops who came from Finland over the frozen sea. Within weeks, the Swedish troops gave way to [[Baltic Sea Division|German troops]] who [[Invasion of Åland#The German invasion|occupied Åland]] at the request of the "White" (conservative) [[Senate of Finland]]. The only remarkable battle fought in Åland during the civil war included the {{ill|Battle of Godby|fi|Godbyn taistelu}} near the village of [[Godby]] in [[Finström]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Harjula|first=Mirko|date=2010|title=Itämeri 1914–1921: Itämeren laivastot maailmansodassa sekä Venäjän vallankumouksissa ja sisällissodassa|location=Helsinki|publisher=Books on Demand|language=fi|isbn=978-952-49838-3-9}}</ref>
[[File:Historical province of Åland, Finland.svg|left|upright|thumb|Åland (blue) with historical and modern (yellow lines) provinces of the rest of Finland (gray) juxtaposed.]]
After 1917, the residents of Åland worked towards having them ceded to Sweden. In 1919 96.4% of the voters in Åland signed [[1919 Ålandic status referendum|a petition]] for secession from Finland and for integration with Sweden, with over 95% in favour.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=ax011919|title= Åland-Inseln (Finnland), ??. Juni 1919 : Anschluss an Schweden [in German]|first= Beat Müller, beat (at-sign) sudd (dot)|last= ch|website= Sudd.ch|date= June 1919|access-date= 26 October 2017|archive-date= 13 March 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130313155417/http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=ax011919|url-status= live}}</ref> Swedish nationalist sentiments had strengthened particularly as a result of the anti-Swedish tendencies in Finland and as a result of Finnish nationalism fueled by Finland's struggle to retain its position as an autonomous [[grand duchy]] due to beginning of country's active [[Russification of Finland|Russification]].<ref name="Finland Divided 2016 w199">{{cite web | title=The Birth of Finnish Nationalism | website=Finland Divided | date=21 September 2016 | url=https://finlanddivided.wordpress.com/finland-in-the-russian-empire/ | access-date=11 September 2023 | archive-date=30 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430013642/https://finlanddivided.wordpress.com/finland-in-the-russian-empire/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Finland's language strife|conflict between the Swedish-speaking minority and the Finnish-speaking majority]] on the Finnish mainland, prominent in Finnish politics since the 1840s, contributed to the apprehension of the Åland population about a future within Finland.
Finland, however, declined to cede the islands and instead offered the islanders an autonomous status. Nevertheless, the residents did not approve the offer, and in 1921 the dispute over the islands went before the newly formed [[League of Nations]]. The latter decided that Finland should retain [[sovereignty]] over the province, but that Åland should be made an autonomous territory.<ref>{{Cite EB1922 |wstitle= Åland Islands |volume = 30 |last= Rudmose-Brown |first= Robert Neal  |author-link= Robert Rudmose-Brown |page= |short=1}}</ref> One of the important proponents of a diplomatic solution to the case was [[Nitobe Inazō]], who was one of the Under-Secretaries General of the League and the director of the International Bureaux Section, in charge of the [[International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation]].<ref>Margery Post Abbott, Mary Ellen Chijioke, Pink Dandelion & John William Oliver: ''Historical Dictionary of the Friends (Quakers)'', p. 246. Scarecrow Press, 2011. {{ISBN|0810868571}}.</ref> The [[Åland convention]] of 20 October 1921, signed by Sweden, Finland, [[Weimar Republic|Germany]], the United Kingdom, [[French Third Republic|France]], [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]], Denmark, [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]], [[Estonia]], and [[Latvia]], was the first international agreement achieved by the League.<ref>F. S. Northedge, ''The League of Nations: Its Life and Times, 1920–1946'' (Holmes & Meier, 1986, {{ISBN|978-0-7185-1316-0}}), pp 77, 78</ref> Thus, Finland was obliged to ensure the residents of Åland the right to maintain the Swedish language, as well as their own culture and local traditions. The convention of 1921 established the neutral status of Åland by international treaty, prohibiting the placing of military installations or forces on the islands.<ref name=ELGAN>{{cite book |last= Elgán |first= Elisabeth |date= 2015 |title= Historical Dictionary of Sweden |publisher= Rowman & Littlefield |page= 26 | isbn= 9781442250710}}</ref> Åland's Regional Assembly convened for its first plenary session in Mariehamn on 9 June 1922;<ref name="assembly">{{cite magazine | title = Ahvenanmaa pähkinänkuoressa| magazine = Ahvenanmaa – ahaa!| date = 2007 | page = 3 | language = fi}}</ref> today, the day is celebrated as [[Self-Government Day of Åland]].<ref name="sg-day">{{cite web | url = http://www.pohjola-norden.fi/fi/tietoa_pohjoismaista/ahvenanmaa/historiaa_lyhyesti/?id=280 | title = Ahvenanmaan historiaa lyhyesti | work = Pohjola Norden | access-date = 10 December 2020 | language = fi | archive-date = 29 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129231821/http://www.pohjola-norden.fi/fi/tietoa_pohjoismaista/ahvenanmaa/historiaa_lyhyesti/?id=280 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
[[File:Åland Islands status shown in public signage, Mariehamn.jpg|thumb|Åland Islands status shown in public signage, Mariehamn]]
Because of the condition of neutrality under the 1921 Convention, the islanders enjoyed safety at sea during [[World War II]], as their merchant fleet sailed both for the [[Allies of World War II|Allied countries]] and for [[Nazi Germany]]. Consequently, Åland shipping was not generally attacked, as the various military forces rarely knew which cargo was being carried or to whom.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
Finland marked the 150th anniversary of the demilitarisation of Åland by issuing a high-value commemorative coin, the €5 [[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Finland)#2006 coinage|150th Anniversary of Demilitarisation of Åland commemorative coin]], minted in 2006. The obverse depicts a pine tree, a typical feature of Åland. The reverse features a boat's stern and rudder, with a dove perched on the tiller, a symbol of 150 years of peace.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
== Government and politics ==
{{main|Politics of Åland}}
[[File:Ålands lagting.jpg|thumb|The [[Parliament of Åland]] with the flags of the [[European Union]], Åland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Germany, [[Estonia]], Russia, [[Lithuania]], and [[Latvia]].]]
Åland is governed according to the Act on the Autonomy of Åland and international treaties. These laws guarantee the region's autonomy from Finland, which has ultimate sovereignty over them, as well as a demilitarised status. The [[Government of Åland]], or {{lang|sv|Landskapsregering}}, answers to the [[Parliament of Åland]], or {{lang|sv|Lagting}}, in accordance with the principles of [[parliamentary system|parliamentarism]].<ref name="FINLEX"/>
Åland has [[Flag of Åland|its own flag]] and has issued its own postage stamps since 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alandstamps.com/en/products/stamps/product-catalogue-1984-2014 |title=Product catalogue |website=Aland Stamps |access-date=10 February 2017 |archive-date=11 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211081247/http://www.alandstamps.com/en/products/stamps/product-catalogue-1984-2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It runs its own police force, and is an associate member of the [[Nordic Council]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2007/11/7/53338/0615 |title=The 2007 Session of the Nordic Council |date=2007 |website=European Tribune |access-date=10 February 2017 |archive-date=2 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202045424/http://www.eurotrib.com/story/2007/11/7/53338/0615 |url-status=live }}</ref> Åland is demilitarised, and the population is exempt from [[conscription]]. Although Åland's autonomy preceded the creation of the [[regions of Finland]], the autonomous government of Åland also has responsibility for the functions undertaken by Finland's regional councils. [[Åland Post]] provides postal services to the islands, and is a member of the [[Small European Postal Administration Cooperation]]. Åland is considered a separate entity for [[amateur radio]] purposes and have their own [[call sign]] [[ITU prefix|prefixes]] granted by Finland: <code>OH0</code>, <code>OF0</code> and <code>OG0</code> (last character is zero).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rsgb.org/main/operating/licensing-novs-visitors/international-prefixes/ |title=International Prefixes |publisher=Radio Society of Great Britain |access-date=10 February 2017 |archive-date=26 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026214419/http://rsgb.org/main/operating/licensing-novs-visitors/international-prefixes/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Åland is guaranteed representation in the [[Parliament of Finland|Finnish parliament]], to which they elect one representative. Åland also has a different system of [[List of political parties in Finland|political parties from the mainland]].
[[Homeschooling]], which has been effectively banned in Sweden since 2011, is allowed by the Finnish government. Due to the islands' proximity to Sweden and because they are Swedish-speaking, a number of Swedish homeschooling families have moved from the Swedish mainland to Åland, including Jonas Himmelstrand, the chairman of the Swedish association for homeschooling.<ref>{{cite web |title=Allt fler hemundervisare flyttar till Åland |url=http://www.alandstidningen.ax/nyheter/allt-fler-hemundervisare |website=Ålandstidningen |access-date=12 August 2015 |archive-date=23 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223031148/http://www.alandstidningen.ax/nyheter/allt-fler-hemundervisare/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
After a reform of the electoral law, Åland was to introduce internet voting in 2019 for expat voters in the parliamentary elections, considering opening the use of the same system for the next elections (2023) to all the voters.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/5zr2e |title=Krimmer, R., Duenas-Cid, D., Krivonosova, I., Serrano, R. A., Freire, M., & Wrede, C. (2019, September 27). Nordic Pioneers: facing the first use of Internet Voting in the Åland Islands (Parliamentary Elections 2019). |doi=10.31235/osf.io/5zr2e |access-date=25 October 2020 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707025147/https://osf.io/5zr2e/ |url-status=live |last1=Krimmer |first1=Robert |last2=Duenas-Cid |first2=David |last3=Krivonosova |first3=Iuliia |last4=Serrano |first4=Radu Antonio |last5=Freire |first5=Marlon |last6=Wrede |first6=Casper |s2cid=242767959 }}</ref> However, its use was cancelled at the last minute due to a lack of evidence of the trustability of the system.<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-60347-2_3|chapter=Tripped at the Finishing Line: The Åland Islands Internet Voting Project|first1=David|last1=Duenas-Cid|first2=Iuliia|last2=Krivonosova|first3=Radu|last3=Serrano|first4=Marlon|last4=Freire|first5=Robert|last5=Krimmer|title=Electronic Voting|series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science|editor-first1=Robert|editor-last1=Krimmer|editor-first2=Melanie|editor-last2=Volkamer|editor-first3=Bernhard|editor-last3=Beckert|editor-first4=Ralf|editor-last4=Küsters|editor-first5=Oksana|editor-last5=Kulyk|editor-first6=David|editor-last6=Duenas-Cid|editor-first7=Mihkel|editor-last7=Solvak|date=7 May 2020|volume=12455|publisher=Springer International Publishing|pages=36–49|via=Springer Link|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-60347-2_3|isbn=978-3-030-60346-5|s2cid=221911723|access-date=7 May 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507190600/https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-030-60347-2_3|url-status=live}}</ref>
Åland's parties include a [[Separatism|separatist party]] called the [[Future of Åland]] ({{langx|sv|Ålands Framtid}}), whose main program includes driving autonomous Åland into a completely [[independent state]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newsnowfinland.fi/editors-pick/viva-aland-independence-dream-not-dead-but-more-autonomy-comes-first |title=Viva Åland! Independence Dream Not Dead, But More Autonomy Comes First |access-date=25 March 2021 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120030827/https://newsnowfinland.fi/editors-pick/viva-aland-independence-dream-not-dead-but-more-autonomy-comes-first |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/wednesdays_papers_alands_separatists_take_heart_housing_market_warning_and_pig_farm_vaccinations/9864858|title=Wednesday's papers: Åland's separatists take heart, housing market warning and pig farm vaccinations|website=Yle Uutiset|date=4 October 2017|access-date=25 March 2021|archive-date=11 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411140312/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/wednesdays_papers_alands_separatists_take_heart_housing_market_warning_and_pig_farm_vaccinations/9864858|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Åland and the EU ===
Åland held its own [[referendum]] on membership of the [[European Union]] on 20 November 1994. A majority of Ålanders voted in favour of membership, and it followed Finland into the Union in 1995. A special Åland protocol regulates Åland's position within the EU. It has some important exceptions, concerning the right of non-Ålanders to own real estate and the right of non-Ålandic companies to establish themselves in the region, and concerning EU tax [[legislation]]. The last item's derogation means that Åland is considered a third country for tax purposes, which has had the most important effect of allowing the profitable sale of tax-exempt goods on ferries to and from Sweden and Finland to continue.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
=== Administration ===
[[File:Aland Islands License Plate.jpg|thumb|An Åland licence plate]]
The State Department of Åland represents the Finnish central government and performs many administrative duties. It has a somewhat different function from the other Regional Administrative Agencies, owing to its [[Wiktionary:autonomy|autonomy]]. Before 2010, the state administration was handled by the [[Åland State Provincial Office]].
The State Department is led by the Governor of Åland, who also serves as a representative of the Finnish State in Åland. The Governor is responsible for opening the Lagting on behalf of the President of the Republic. The Governor is appointed by the President in consensus with the Speaker of the Lagting. If consensus can’t be reached the Lagting shall nominate 5 individuals of which the President shall appoint 1. <ref>url=https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/1991/19911144</ref>
The Governors of Åland are listed below:
*[[William Isaksson]] (1918-1922)
*[[Wilhelm Fagerlund]] (1922-1938)
*[[Torsten Rothberg]] (1938-1938)
**[[Walter Johansson]] (acting 1938)
*[[Ruben Österberg]] (1938-1945)
*[[Herman Koroleff]] (1945-1954)
*[[Tor Brenning]] (1954-1972)
*[[Martin Isaksson]] (1972-1982)
*[[Henrik Gustafsson]] (1982-1999)
*[[Peter Lindbäck]] (1999-2023)
*[[Marine Holm-Johansson]] (2023-present)
Åland has its own postal administration but still uses the Finnish five-digit postal code system, using the number range 22000–22999, with the prefix AX. The lowest numbered postal code is for the capital Mariehamn, AX 22100, and the highest AX 22950 for Jurmo.
=== Municipalities ===
{{main|Municipalities of Åland}}
Åland contains 16 municipalities. Over forty percent of all inhabitants live in Mariehamn, the capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://um.fi/the-special-status-of-the-aland-islands|title=The special status of Åland|author=<!--Not stated-->|website=Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723180645/https://um.fi/the-special-status-of-the-aland-islands|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
*[[File:Maarianhamina.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Mariehamn]] '''[[Mariehamn]]'''
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Mariehamn}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Jomala.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Jomala]] [[Jomala]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Jomala}}}} {{growth}}
*[[File:Finström.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Finström]] [[Finström]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Finström}}}} {{growth}}
*[[File:Lemland.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Lemland]] [[Lemland]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Lemland}}}} {{growth}}
*[[File:Saltvik.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Saltvik]] [[Saltvik]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Saltvik}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Hammarland.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Hammarland]] [[Hammarland]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Hammarland}}}} {{increase}}
*[[File:Sund.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Sund, Åland]] [[Sund, Åland|Sund]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Sund}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Eckerö.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Eckerö]] [[Eckerö]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Eckerö}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Föglö.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Föglö]] [[Föglö]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Föglö}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Geta.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Geta, Åland]] [[Geta, Åland|Geta]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Geta}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Vårdö.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Vårdö]] [[Vårdö]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Vårdö}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Brändö.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Brändö]] [[Brändö]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Brändö}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Lumparland.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Lumparland]] [[Lumparland]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Lumparland}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Kumlinge.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Kumlinge]] [[Kumlinge]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kumlinge}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Kökar.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Kökar]] [[Kökar]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Kökar}}}} {{decrease}}
*[[File:Sottunga.vaakuna.svg|15px|link=Sottunga]] [[Sottunga]]
**Population: {{Formatnum: {{Data Finland municipality/population count|Sottunga}}}} {{decrease}}
{{colend}}
Population as {{#time: j F Y|{{Data Finland municipality/population count|sourcedate}} }}.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.asub.ax/sites/www.asub.ax/files/attachments/page/statistisk_arsbok_for_aland_2019_1.pdf |title=Statistical Yearbook ÅLAND |access-date=22 December 2019 |archive-date=24 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724224258/https://www.asub.ax/sites/www.asub.ax/files/attachments/page/statistisk_arsbok_for_aland_2019_1.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of Åland}}
[[File:Topographic map of Åland.svg|thumb|upright=1.4|Geographical features and municipalities of Åland]]
[[File:Vandring Åland.jpg|thumb|left|People [[hiking]] in Åland]]
Åland occupies a position of strategic importance, as it commands one of the entrances to the port of [[Stockholm]], as well as the approaches to the [[Gulf of Bothnia]], in addition to being situated near the [[Gulf of Finland]].
The Åland archipelago includes nearly three hundred habitable islands, of which about 60–80 are inhabited; the remainder are merely some 6,200 [[skerry|skerries]] and desolate rocks.<ref name="readersnatural" /> The archipelago is connected to the [[Åboland]] archipelago in the east ({{langx|fi|Turunmaan saaristo}}, {{langx|sv|Åbolands skärgård}})—the archipelago adjacent to the southwest coast of Finland. Together they form the [[Archipelago Sea]]. To the west of Åland is the [[Sea of Åland]] and to the north is the [[Bothnian Sea]].
[[File:Degersand.JPG|thumb|The Degersand Beach in [[Eckerö]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldbeachguide.com/finland/degersand.htm|title=Degersand Beach / Finland|first=Copyright-The World Beach|last=Guide|website=World Beach Guide|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185631/https://www.worldbeachguide.com/finland/degersand.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
The surface of the islands is generally rocky and the soil thin due to glacial stripping at the end of the most recent ice age.<ref name="readersnatural" /> The islands also contain many meadows that are home to many different kinds of insects, such as the [[Glanville fritillary]] butterfly.
Åland's landmass occupies a total area of {{convert|1527|km2|sqmi|frac=2}}.<ref name="Statfin">{{cite web|title=Statistical Yearbook of Finland 2016|page=505|access-date=7 February 2017|url=http://www.stat.fi/tup/julkaisut/tiedostot/julkaisuluettelo/yyti_stv_201600_2016_16179_net.pdf|website=Stat.fi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080945/http://www.stat.fi/tup/julkaisut/tiedostot/julkaisuluettelo/yyti_stv_201600_2016_16179_net.pdf|archive-date=11 February 2017}}</ref> Ninety percent of the population live on [[Fasta Åland]], which is also the site of the capital town of [[Mariehamn]]. Fasta Åland is the largest island in the archipelago. Its area is difficult to estimate due to its irregular shape and coastline, but estimates range from 740 square kilometres<ref name="readersnatural" /> to 879 square kilometres<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsWT8Ukcq48C&q=aland&pg=PA251|title=Biodiversity and Climate Change: Reports and Guidance Developed Under the Bern Convention|last=Europe|first=Council of|date=1 January 2012|publisher=Council of Europe|isbn=9789287170590|page=251|language=en|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=7 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707025145/https://books.google.com/books?id=EsWT8Ukcq48C&q=aland&pg=PA251|url-status=live}}</ref> to over 1,010 square kilometres, depending on what is included or excluded. There are several harbours.
[[File:SoedraLinjen 15.jpg|thumb|Sheep grazing on a small island]]
During the [[Åland Islands dispute]], the parties sought support from different maps of the area. On the Swedish map, the most densely populated main island dominated, and many [[skerry|skerries]] were left out. On the Finnish map, many smaller islands or skerries were, for technical reasons, given a slightly exaggerated size. The Swedish map made the islands appear to be closer to the mainland of Sweden than to Finland; the Finnish map stressed the continuity of the archipelago between the main island and [[mainland Finland]], while a greater gap appeared between the islands and the archipelago on the Swedish side. One consequence is the often repeated number of "over 6,000" skerries that was given authority by the outcome of the arbitration.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}}
Many animals that live in the islands are not native. Animals such as [[Moose|elk]] and other species of deer were introduced in the 20th century.
=== Climate ===
Åland has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Dfb]]) that is influenced by its maritime position, especially in summer. While summers are cooler than on both the Swedish and Finnish mainland, winters see little difference to the adjacent parts of Sweden and are only narrowly milder than in mainland Finland.{{Weather box
| location = Mariehamn Airport (normals 1991–2020, extremes 1914–present)
| Mar precipitation mm = 38
| Jan precipitation days = 17
| year precipitation mm =
| Dec precipitation mm = 59
| Nov precipitation mm = 71
| Oct precipitation mm = 70
| Sep precipitation mm = 61
| Aug precipitation mm = 76
| Jul precipitation mm = 52
| Jun precipitation mm = 53
| May precipitation mm = 35
| Apr precipitation mm = 31
| Feb precipitation mm = 35
| Mar precipitation days = 12
| Jan precipitation mm = 53
| precipitation colour = green
| year record low C = -32.9
| Dec record low C = -28.9
| Nov record low C = -20.0
| Oct record low C = -11.8
| Sep record low C = -6.7
| Aug record low C = -0.5
| Jul record low C = 0.1
| Jun record low C = -3.2
| May record low C = -6.5
| Feb precipitation days = 13
| Apr precipitation days = 9
| Mar record low C = -25.0
| May sun = 297
| date = April2016
| source 2 = record highs and lows 1961– present<ref name="FMI open data">{{cite web
| url = http://suja.kapsi.fi/fmi-tilastot.php?taulukkomoodi=true
| title = FMI open data
| publisher = FMI
| access-date = 26 April 2016
| archive-date = 1 October 2018
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181001132758/https://suja.kapsi.fi/fmi-tilastot.php?taulukkomoodi=true
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
[[Finnish Meteorological Institute|FMI]](record highs and lows 1914–1961)<ref name="Suomen Maakuntien ilmasto-Ilmatieteenlaitos">{{cite web|url=https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/15734/2009nro8.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=SUOMEN MAAKUNTIEN ILMASTO|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=19 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319235916/https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/15734/2009nro8.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|url-status=live}}</ref>
| source 1 = FMI climatological normals for Finland 1991–2020<ref name="FMI">{{cite web |url=https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/35880/Tilastoja_Suomen_ilmastosta_1991_2020.pdf |title=FMI normals 1991–2020 |publisher=fmi.fi |access-date=26 April 2016 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707025154/https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/35880/Tilastoja_Suomen_ilmastosta_1991_2020.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| year sun =
| Dec sun = 26
| Nov sun = 41
| Oct sun = 91
| Sep sun = 163
| Aug sun = 235
| Jul sun = 312
| Jun sun = 296
| Apr sun = 207
| May precipitation days = 10
| Mar sun = 130
| Feb sun = 74
| Jan sun = 39
| unit rain days = 0.1 mm
| year precipitation days =
| Dec precipitation days = 17
| Nov precipitation days = 17
| Oct precipitation days = 16
| Sep precipitation days = 12
| Aug precipitation days = 13
| Jul precipitation days = 9
| Jun precipitation days = 10
| Apr record low C = -18.9
| Feb record low C = -32.9
| metric first = Yes
| Dec record high C = 11.1
| Oct high C = 9.6
| Sep high C = 15.5
| Aug high C = 20.0
| Jul high C = 20.8
| Jun high C = 17.5
| May high C = 13.4
| Apr high C = 8.0
| Mar high C = 3.1
| Feb high C = 0.4
| Jan high C = 1.0
| year record high C = 31.3
| Nov record high C = 16.6
| Dec high C = 2.5
| Oct record high C = 19.0
| Sep record high C = 24.8
| Aug record high C = 30.7
| Jul record high C = 31.3
| Jun record high C = 29.4
| May record high C = 27.1
| Apr record high C = 21.1
| Mar record high C = 17.0
| Feb record high C = 10.5
| Jan record high C = 10.9
| single line = Yes
| Nov high C = 5.2
| year high C = 9.8
| Jan record low C = -32.3
| Feb low C = -5.5
| year low C = 2.7
| Dec low C = -2.5
| Nov low C = 0.6
| Oct low C = 3.5
| Sep low C = 7.8
| Aug low C = 11.6
| Jul low C = 12.2
| Jun low C = 8.6
| May low C = 4.0
| Apr low C = -0.1
| Mar low C = -3.7
| Jan low C = -4.3
| Jan mean C = -1.3
| year mean C = 6.4
| Dec mean C = 0.4
| Nov mean C = 3.2
| Oct mean C = 6.8
| Sep mean C = 11.8
| Aug mean C = 16.1
| Jul mean C = 16.8
| Jun mean C = 13.3
| May mean C = 8.9
| Apr mean C = 3.8
| Mar mean C = -0.2
| Feb mean C = -2.3
| source =
}}
== Economy ==
{{See also|Transport on the Åland Islands}}
[[File:Mariehamn Airport.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mariehamn Airport]] in [[Jomala]]]]
[[File:SoedraLinjen 05.jpg|thumb|left|Ferry port in {{ill|Överö|sv}}, [[Föglö]]]]
[[File:Aaland 1.jpg|thumb|The sailing ship ''Linden'' (center) in Östra Hamnen, Mariehamn's eastern port]]
Åland's economy is heavily dominated by shipping, trade and [[Tourism in Åland|tourism]]. Shipping represents about 40% of the economy, with several international carriers owned and operated from Åland. Most companies aside from shipping are small, with fewer than ten employees. Farming and fishing are important in combination with the food industry. A few high-profile technology companies contribute to a prosperous economy. Wind power is rapidly developing, aiming at reversing the direction in the cables to the mainland in coming years. In December 2011, wind power accounted for 31.5% of Åland's total electricity usage.{{Citation needed|date= January 2017}}
The main ports are the [[Western Harbour (Mariehamn)|Western Harbour]] of [[Mariehamn]] (south), [[Berghamn (Åland)|Berghamn]] (west) and [[Långnäs]] on the eastern shore of the Main Island. Fasta Åland has the only four [[highway]]s in Åland: [[Åland Islands Highway 1|Highway 1]] (from Mariehamn to [[Eckerö]]), [[Åland Islands Highway 2|Highway 2]] (from Mariehamn to [[Sund, Åland|Sund]]), [[Åland Islands Highway 3|Highway 3]] (from Mariehamn to [[Lumparland]]) and [[Åland Islands Highway 4|Highway 4]] (from [[Finström]] to [[Geta, Åland|Geta]]).
Mariehamn served as the base for the last large oceanic commercial sailing-ships in the world. Their final tasks involved bringing Australian wheat to Great Britain, a trade which Åland shipowner [[Gustaf Erikson]] kept going until 1947. The ships latterly made only one round-trip from South Australia to Britain per year, (the [[grain race]]), after each marathon voyage going back to Mariehamn to lay up for a few months. The ship [[Pommern (ship)|''Pommern'']], now a museum in Mariehamn, was one of these last vessels.
The abolition of tax-free sales on ferry boats travelling between destinations within the [[European Union]] made Finland demand an exception for Åland on the [[EU VAT area|European Union value-added tax rules]]. The exception allows for maintained tax-free sales on the ferries between Sweden and Finland (provided they stop at Mariehamn or Långnäs) and at [[Mariehamn Airport|the airport]], but has also made Åland a different tax-zone, meaning that tariffs must be levied on goods brought to the islands. Two million people visit Åland every year – but most of them just for a few hours before the ferry returns again, or the passengers change from one ship to another.<ref>[http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/in-focus-2019/sustainable-tourism/article.2019-06-26.4591163555 Åland: many travellers, far fewer overnighters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815215322/http://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/i-fokus/in-focus-2019/sustainable-tourism/article.2019-06-26.4591163555 |date=15 August 2021 }}, ''Nordic Labour Journal'', 27 June 2019</ref>
Unemployment was 3.9% in January 2014;<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.asub.ax/files/arblos_01_2014.pdf |title= Archived copy |access-date= 12 August 2014 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140812104216/http://www.asub.ax/files/arblos_01_2014.pdf |archive-date= 12 August 2014 }}</ref> the employment rate was 79.8% in 2011 and 84.2% in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://statfin.stat.fi:443/PxWeb/sq/fe49a22d-fa62-4219-aa18-20b7e78da220|title=Saved query for employment statistics 2011–2021|website=[[stat.fi]]}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
[[File:201109 - Åland (Mariehamn) (2).JPG|thumb|right|Torggatan, a [[pedestrian street]] in the city of Mariehamn]]
[[File:Ålandsbanken, Mariehamn, 2019 (01).jpg|thumb|left|The [[Bank of Åland]] at Nygatan in the city of Mariehamn]]
The Finnish State also collects taxes, duties and fees in Åland. In return, the Finnish Government places a sum of money at the disposal of the Åland Parliament. The sum is 0.5% of total Government income, excluding Government loans. If the sum paid to the Finnish state exceeds 0.5%, then any amount above goes back to the Parliament of Åland as "diligence money".<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lagtinget.ax/text.con?iPage=32&m=167|title= Lagtingets uppgifter|date= 22 October 2015|website= Lagtinget.ax|access-date= 26 October 2017|archive-date= 2 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151002063258/http://www.lagtinget.ax/text.con?iPage=32&m=167|url-status= live}}</ref> In 2010 the amount of taxes paid by Åland Islanders comprised 0.7% of the total taxes paid in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ambetsverket.ax/files/d_10_11_04_1_201211_skattegorelsebeslut_2010.pdf|date= 13 March 2013|access-date= 26 October 2017|url-status= bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313205638/http://www.ambetsverket.ax/files/d_10_11_04_1_201211_skattegorelsebeslut_2010.pdf|title=Om landskapet Åland tillkommande skattegottgörelse för 2010|archive-date= 13 March 2013}}</ref>
The [[euro]] is the sole legal tender (as with the rest of Finland), although most [[business]]es in Åland unofficially accept the [[Swedish krona]].<ref>
{{Citation|last1= Symington|first1= Andy|last2= Bain|first2= Carolyn|last3 = Bonetto|first3 = Cristian|last4 = Ham|first4 = Anthony|last5= Kaminski|first5= Anna| name-list-style = amp| title = Scandinavia| publisher  = [[Lonely Planet]]| year = 2013}}</ref> According to [[Eurostat]], {{as of | 2006 | lc = on}} Åland was the 20th-wealthiest of the EU's 268 regions, and the wealthiest in Finland, with a GDP per inhabitant 47% above the EU mean.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-CD-07-001-13/EN/KS-CD-07-001-13-EN.PDF|title=Europe's Regions|date= 20 August 2012|access-date= 26 October 2017|url-status= bot: unknown|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120820071236/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-CD-07-001-13/EN/KS-CD-07-001-13-EN.PDF|archive-date= 20 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Ahvenanmaa on EU:n 20. vaurain alue|url= http://www.hs.fi/talous/artikkeli/Ahvenanmaa+on+EUn+20+vaurain+alue/1135243664753|work= [[Helsingin Sanomat]]|date= 19 February 2009|access-date= 19 July 2009|archive-date= 8 November 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111108121520/http://www.hs.fi/talous/artikkeli/Ahvenanmaa+on+EUn+20+vaurain+alue/1135243664753|url-status= dead}}</ref>
[[Bank of Åland]] is headquartered on the island, and the government of Åland owns [[Paf (company)|Paf]], a gambling operator with headquarters in Mariehamn.
The [[COVID-19]] pandemic caused a sharper decrease in the total volume of the economy of Åland than for neighbouring Sweden or Finland. Since the pandemic, the economy of Åland has been on a trajectory of recovery.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.asub.ax/sv/statistik/ekonomisk-oversikt-hosten-2020 |title=Ekonomisk översikt hösten 2020 &#124; Ålands statistik- och utredningsbyrå |language=sv |publisher=Asub.ax |date=9 October 2020 |accessdate=30 June 2022 |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522010235/https://www.asub.ax/sv/statistik/ekonomisk-oversikt-hosten-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Demographics==
=== Ethnicity and language ===
{{See also|Languages of Åland}}
{{bar box
|title=Languages in Åland (2021)
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Languages
|right1=percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Swedish|darkblue|86.0}}
{{bar percent|Finnish|green|4.6}}
{{bar percent|Romanian|black|1.8}}
{{bar percent|Latvian|red|1.6}}
{{bar percent|Others|purple|6.0}}
}}
Most inhabitants speak [[Swedish language|Swedish]] (the sole [[official language]]) as their [[first language]]: 86% in 2021, while less than 5% spoke [[Finnish language|Finnish]]. The language of instruction in publicly financed schools is Swedish. (In the rest of Finland, bilingual municipalities provide schooling both in Finnish and in Swedish.) For information about the dialect, see [[Åland Swedish]].
The ethnicity of the Ålanders and the correct linguistic classification of their language remain somewhat sensitive and controversial. Ålanders may be considered either ethnic [[Swedes]] or [[Swedish-speaking population of Finland|Swedish-speaking Finns]], but their language is closer to the [[Uppländska dialect]] of Sweden than to [[Finland Swedish]].{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} (See [[Languages of Sweden]].)
[[Nationality law of Åland|Regional citizenship or the right of domicile]] ({{lang|sv|hembygdsrätt}}) is a prerequisite for voting, standing as a candidate for the Legislative Assembly, or owning and holding real estate situated in unplanned areas of Åland.<ref name="FINLEX"/>
17.3% of Ålanders have a foreign-background, which is the highest proportion of any region in Finland. Most of them are from Sweden, with 7% of Ålanders having a Swedish-background. There are also sizable Romanian and Latvian communities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11rt.px/ | title=Väestö 31.12. Muuttujina Maakunta, Taustamaa, Sukupuoli, Ikä, Syntyperä, Vuosi ja Tiedot | access-date=1 September 2022 | archive-date=15 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415184307/https://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11rt.px/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Residents by country of origin (2021)
|-
! Country || Population
|-
| Total residents || 30,344
|-
| {{flagu|Finland}} || 25,099
|-
| Foreign-background || 5,245
|-
| {{flagu|Sweden}} || 2,135
|-
| {{flagu|Romania}} || 557
|-
| {{flagu|Latvia}} || 477
|-
| {{flagu|Estonia}} || 211
|-
| {{flagu|Thailand}} || 169
|-
| {{flagu|Russia}} || 146
|-
| {{flagu|Germany}} || 126
|-
| {{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} Former Yugoslavia || 114
|-
| {{flagu|Iran}} || 104
|-
| {{flagu|Philippines}} || 98
|-
| {{flagu|Poland}} || 83
|-
| {{flagu|United Kingdom}} || 71
|-
| {{flagu|Ukraine}} || 65
|-
| {{flagu|Syria}} || 55
|-
| {{flagu|Morocco}} || 54
|-
| {{flagu|Lithuania}} || 43
|-
| {{flagu|Norway}} || 43
|-
| {{flagu|United States}} || 38
|-
| {{flagu|Brazil}} || 35
|-
| {{flagu|Vietnam}} || 35
|-
| Other || 586
|-
|}
===Structure of the population===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right"
|+ Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2021) (Population statistics are compiled from registers.):<ref>{{cite web | title=Demographic and Social Statistics | website=UNSD | date=3 April 2023 | url=https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/products/dyb/#statistics | access-date=25 June 2023 | archive-date=27 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327163314/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/products/dyb/#statistics | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! Age Group
! Male
! Female
! Total
! %
|-
| Total
| 15 039
| 15 198
| 30 237
| 100
|-
| 0–4
| 751
| 731
| 1 482
| 4.90
|-
| 5–9
| 888
| 855
| 1 743
| 5.76
|-
| 10–14
| 897
| 860
| 1 757
| 5.81
|-
| 15–19
| 818
| 755
| 1 572
| 5.20
|-
| 20–24
| 708
| 524
| 1 232
| 4.07
|-
| 25–29
| 816
| 781
| 1 597
| 5.28
|-
| 30–34
| 1 008
| 941
| 1 949
| 6.45
|-
| 35–39
| 963
| 961
| 1 923
| 6.36
|-
| 40–44
| 951
| 944
| 1 895
| 6.27
|-
| 45–49
| 1 010
| 958
| 1 967
| 6.51
|-
| 50–54
| 1 024
| 1 067
| 2 091
| 6.92
|-
| 55–59
| 1 036
| 1 055
| 2 091
| 6.92
|-
| 60–64
| 896
| 1 031
| 1 926
| 6.37
|-
| 65–69
| 941
| 1 037
| 1 977
| 6.54
|-
| 70–74
| 905
| 959
| 1 864
| 6.16
|-
| 75–79
| 715
| 714
| 1 429
| 4.73
|-
| 80–84
| 397
| 481
| 877
| 2.90
|-
| 85–89
| 221
| 330
| 551
| 1.82
|-
| 90–94
| 80
| 159
| 239
| 0.79
|-
| 95–99
| 19
| 55
| 74
| 0.24
|-
| 100+
| 2
| 6
| 8
| 0.03
|- style="border-top: 3px solid #aaa"
| 0–14
| 2 536
| 2 446
| 4 982
| 16.48
|-
| 15–64
| 9 223
| 9 011
| 18 234
| 60.30
|-
| 65+
| 3 280
| 3 741
| 7 021
| 23.22
|-
|}
=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Åland}}
[[File:Ålands lyceum May 2016 04.jpg|thumb|right|Ålands lyceum, a [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]] in Mariehamn]]
In 2010, there were 22 [[primary schools]] in Åland. Eight of them covered both upper and lower [[secondary school]]s, two were upper secondary schools and 12 were primary schools (grades 1–6).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kommunforbundet.ax/standard.con?iPage=109&iLan=1 | title = Grundskolor på Åland | publisher = Ålands kommunförbund | access-date = 24 November 2020 | language = sv | archive-date = 6 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306004428/http://www.kommunforbundet.ax/standard.con?iPage=109&iLan=1 | url-status = dead }}</ref> There exists two places of post-primary studies on the islands: the traditional high school of {{ill|Ålands lyceum|sv|Ålands lyceum}} or the Åland vocational high school, which offers a double degree in high school and vocational studies. Of these, Ålands lyceum is a relatively large [[high school]]; according to the 2018 statistics of the education administration, as many as 432 high school students studied there.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://vipunen.fi/fi-fi/_layouts/15/xlviewer.aspx?id=/fi-fi/Raportit/Lukiokoulutus%20-%20opiskelijat%20-%20koulutuksen%20j%C3%A4rjest%C3%A4j%C3%A4.xlsb | title= Lukiokoulutuksen oppilaat | publisher= Opetushallinnon tilastopalvelu Vipunen | website= vipunen.fi | access-date= 24 November 2020 | language= fi | archive-date= 29 November 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201129072808/https://vipunen.fi/fi-fi/_layouts/15/xlviewer.aspx?id=/fi-fi/Raportit/Lukiokoulutus%20-%20opiskelijat%20-%20koulutuksen%20j%C3%A4rjest%C3%A4j%C3%A4.xlsb | url-status= live }}</ref> The schools on Åland also include {{ill|Ålands folkhögskola|sv}} and other several primary and secondary schools.<ref>{{cite web|title=Skolor på Åland {{!}} Utbildningsbyrån|url=https://www.utbildning.ax/skolor-pa-aland|access-date=22 November 2021|website=utbildning.ax|archive-date=18 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118092954/https://www.utbildning.ax/skolor-pa-aland|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Åland University of Applied Sciences]] teaches about 600 students<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ha.ax/text.con?iPage=39&m=705 | title = Info om Högskolan på Åland | website = ha.ax | access-date = 24 November 2020 | language = sv | archive-date = 19 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210419033834/https://www.ha.ax/text.con?iPage=39&m=705 | url-status = live }}</ref> in maritime, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, IT, finance, hotels, restaurants and health care.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ams.ax/studera-pa-aland | title = Studera på Åland | publisher = AMS – arbetsmarknad – Studierna | access-date = 24 November 2020 | language = sv | archive-date = 28 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160128100749/http://www.ams.ax/studera-pa-aland | url-status = dead }}</ref> The maritime education of Åland are all part of [[Alandica Shipping Academy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ASA {{!}} Alandica Shipping Academy|url=https://asa.ax/|access-date=22 November 2021|website=ASA|language=sv-SE|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621003614/https://asa.ax/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The education in Åland is similar to that of Finland and the [[Nordic countries|Nordics]], and the language of education on Åland is officially Swedish. [[Finnish language]] has been a compulsory subject in upper secondary school, but optional in primary school; however, 80 per cent of students have chosen it. In 2006, it was proposed to remove the compulsory Finnish language from upper secondary schools.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=185&artikel=819923 | title = Pakkosuomi uhan alla Ahvenanmaalla | newspaper = Sveriges Radio | date = 2006 | publisher = Sveriges Radio Sisuradio | access-date = 24 November 2020 | archive-date = 30 August 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170830231432/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=185&artikel=819923 | url-status = live }}</ref>
=== Religion ===
[[File:Jomala church 2 retouched.jpg|thumb|right|The [[St. Olaf's Church, Jomala]], is the oldest in Åland]]
The majority of the population, 70.5%, belongs to the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]].<ref>[http://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11ra.px/ Key figures on population by region in 1990–2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212080620/http://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/en/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_11ra.px/ |date=12 December 2019 }} Statistics Finland</ref> Åland contains Finland's oldest Christian churches, including [[St. Olaf's Church, Jomala]], which dating from the late 13th century is likely to be the oldest in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alluringworld.com/saint-olafs-church-2|title=Saint Olaf's Church|website=Alluring World|date=8 July 2017|access-date=19 May 2022|archive-date=19 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919020903/http://www.alluringworld.com/saint-olafs-church-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Åland's largest church is the [[Church of St. John the Baptist, Sund|Church of St. John]] in [[Sund, Åland|Sund]], dating from shortly after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.muuka.com/finnishpumpkin/churches/aland/church_aland.html|title=Churches in Åland|website=Muuka.com|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606005532/http://www.muuka.com/finnishpumpkin/churches/aland/church_aland.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Culture == <!-- redirects lead to here -->
=== Literature ===
The most famous writers in Åland are [[Anni Blomqvist]], known for her five-volume ''[[Stormskärs-Maja]]'' series,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://authorscalendar.info/annib.htm|title=Anni Blomqvist|website=authorscalendar.info|access-date=31 July 2020|archive-date=18 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118050104/http://authorscalendar.info/annib.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Sally Salminen]], whose best-known work is the 1936 novel ''[[Katrina (novel)|Katrina]]'',<ref>[https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2019/10/27/romanen-katrina-var-bara-borjan-sally-salminen-var-sa-mycket-mer-sager-ulrika "Romanen Katrina var bara början – Sally Salminen var så mycket mer" säger Ulrika Gustafsson som skrivit en biografi över småbrukardottern från Vårdö som blev författare mot alla odds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020183516/https://svenska.yle.fi/artikel/2019/10/27/romanen-katrina-var-bara-borjan-sally-salminen-var-sa-mycket-mer-sager-ulrika |date=20 October 2020 }} (in Swedish)</ref> and [[Ulla-Lena Lundberg]], who has described her native [[Kökar]]. Each of these works are set in Åland.
=== Cinema and television ===
A 2016 [[historical drama film]] ''[[Devil's Bride (2016 film)|Devil's Bride]]'', directed by Saara Cantell, takes place in the 17th century in Åland during the [[witch hunt]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://brosmark.com/portfolio-item/devils-bride/ | title= Devil's Bride – Brosmark | website= Brosmark.com | access-date= 31 July 2020 | archive-date= 2 October 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201002092205/http://brosmark.com/portfolio-item/devils-bride/ | url-status= live }}</ref> It won the Best Foreign Language Film Award at the [[Toronto]] [[Female Eye Film Festival]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.elinpetersdottir.com/ | title= Best Foreign Feature | website= Elinpetersdottir.com | date= June 2017 | access-date= 31 July 2020 | archive-date= 13 August 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200813142258/http://www.elinpetersdottir.com/ | url-status= live }}</ref> Also, a 2013 [[drama film]] ''[[Disciple (film)|Disciple]]'', directed by {{ill|Ulrika Bengts|sv||fi}}, is set in Åland.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.uusisuomi.fi/artikkelit/kotiapulaisesta-kirjailijaksi | title= Kotiapulaisesta kirjailijaksi | date= 2008 | publisher= Uusi Suomi | access-date= 31 July 2020 | language= fi | archive-date= 5 March 2016 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072538/http://www.uusisuomi.fi/artikkelit/kotiapulaisesta-kirjailijaksi | url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.elokuvauutiset.fi/site/dvd-arvostelut/kotimaiset/5539-oppipoika-2013 | title= Oppipoika (2013) | work= Elokuvauutiset | date= 25 September 2014 | access-date= 31 July 2020 | language= fi | archive-date= 5 November 2020 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201105145359/https://www.elokuvauutiset.fi/site/dvd-arvostelut/kotimaiset/5539-oppipoika-2013 | url-status= live }}</ref>
=== Sport ===
{{See also|Football in Åland}}
[[File:Wiklof Holding Arena Mariehamn.jpg|thumb|[[Wiklof Holding Arena]]]]
In [[association football]] [[Åland Islands official football team|Åland national team]] competes in the biennial [[Island Games]], which it hosted in 1991 and 2009. Åland also hosted the [[1974 Women's Nordic Football Championship|1974]] and [[1977 Women's Nordic Football Championship|1977]] [[Women's Nordic Football Championship]]. Competitions and teams are organised by the [[Åland Football Association]] which also organise the [[Ålandscupen|Ålands Cup]] for clubs.
[[Women's association football|Women's football]] club [[Åland United]], founded in 2004, and men's [[IFK Mariehamn]] are Åland's leading football clubs. IFK play in the [[Veikkausliiga]], Finland's highest football league. Both clubs play at the [[Wiklöf Holding Arena]] in [[Mariehamn]].
Other smaller clubs include [[FC Åland]], [[IF Finströms Kamraterna]], [[IF Fram]] and [[Lemlands IF]].
Åland hosted the [[2017 Paf Masters Tour|2017]] and [[2018 Paf Masters Tour|2018]] [[Paf Masters]], an annual [[bonspiel]]-[[women's curling]] tournament hosted in [[Eckerö]].
The Åland Stags is Åland's only [[rugby union]] club.
[[Disc golf]] is popular in Åland.
=== Heraldry ===
The [[coat of arms of Åland]] features a golden [[red deer]] on a blue [[field (heraldry)|field]]. This is traditionally surmounted by a [[count|comital]] [[coronet]] of the elder Swedish style.<ref name="auto2"/> The arms borne today by Åland were originally by mistake granted to the island [[provinces of Sweden|province]] of [[Öland]] in 1560, displaying a golden [[red deer]] on a blue field.<ref name="auto1"/>
== Notable people ==
[[File:Georg August Wallin (1811-1852), Scandinavian orientalist and explorer.jpg|thumb|120px|upright|[[Georg August Wallin]], portrait made in 1853]]
[[File:Sally-Salminen-1941.jpg|thumb|120px|[[Sally Salminen]], 1941]]
[[File:Sjolund daniel.jpg|thumb|120px|[[Daniel Sjölund]], 2010]]
* [[Sara Holmsten]] (1713–1795), writer
* [[Frans Peter von Knorring]] (1792–1875), social reformer
* [[Georg August Wallin]] (1811–1852), professor, explorer and [[Orientalism|orientalist]]
* [[Karl Emanuel Jansson]] (1846–1874), a painter, primarily of genre scenes
* [[Robert Mattson (businessman)|Robert Mattson]] (1851–1935), shipowner and businessman.
* [[Gustaf Erikson]] (1872–1947), ship-owner, operated a fleet of [[Iron-hulled sailing ship|windjammers]]
* [[Joel Pettersson]] (1892–1937), painter and author
* [[Atos Wirtanen]] (1906–1979), politician and journalist
* [[Sally Salminen]] (1906–1976), author; nominated for the [[Nobel Prize in Literature]] three times.
* [[Ture Bengtz]] (1907–1973), a Finnish-American artist with the [[Boston Expressionism|Boston Expressionist]] school
* [[Ville Salminen]] (1908–1992), film actor and director
* [[Anni Blomqvist]] (1909–1990), author and novelist
* [[Jaakko Suolahti]] (1918–1987), classical scholar and historian
* [[Pehr Henrik Nordgren]] (1944–2008), composer
* [[Ulla-Lena Lundberg]] (born 1947), author
* [[Peter Lindbäck]] (born 1955, Helsinki), the governor of Åland since 1999
* [[Stefan Lindfors]] (born 1962), an industrial & interior designer, film-maker and sculptor.
* [[Veronica Thörnroos]] (born 1962), politician,  Head of Government of the Åland Islands since 2019
* [[Jeremy Duns]] (born 1973), a British author of spy fiction, lives in Åland.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thebulletin.be/bulletin-60-thriller-writer-jeremy-duns-enjoyed-digging-deep-belgian-life-during-his-bulletin-years | title=The Bulletin at 60: Thriller writer Jeremy Duns enjoyed "digging deep" into Belgian life during his Bulletin years | date=6 October 2022 | access-date=6 July 2023 | archive-date=6 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206003153/https://www.thebulletin.be/bulletin-60-thriller-writer-jeremy-duns-enjoyed-digging-deep-belgian-life-during-his-bulletin-years | url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Sport ===
* [[Kaarlo Mäkinen]] (1892–1980), freestyle wrestler, medallist at the 1924 and [[1928 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Frej Liewendahl]] (1902–1966), track and field athlete; team gold medallist at the [[1924 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Daniel Sjölund]] (born 1983), former footballer with 380 club caps and 37 with [[Finland national football team|Finland]]
* [[Adelina Engman]] (born 1994), football player, 84 games with [[Finland women's national football team|Finland women]]
* [[Robert Helenius]] (born 1984), [[heavyweight]] boxer, lives in Åland
* [[Johan Hellström]] (1907–1989), boxer who competed in the [[1928 Summer Olympics]].
* [[Annica Sjölund]] (born 1985), football player, 67 games with [[Finland women's national football team|Finland women]]
== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Åland's Autonomy Day]]
* [[Battle of Åland Islands]]
* [[Flag of Åland]]
* [[Provincial Governors of Finland]]
* [[Public holidays in Åland]]
* [[Bibliography of the Åland Islands]]
* [[Index of Åland-related articles]]
* [[Outline of the Åland Islands]]
{{colend}}
== Further reading ==
* Barros, James – ''The Aland Islands Question: Its Settlement by the [[League of Nations]].''<ref>{{cite journal|last=Upton|first=A. F.|date=July 1970|title=Review|journal=The English Historical Review|publisher=Oxford University Press|volume=85|issue=336|page=631|doi=10.1093/ehr/lxxxv.336.631-a|jstor=563263}}</ref>
* [[William Richard Mead|Mead, W. R.]] - ''Saltvik: Studies from an Aland Parish.''<ref>{{cite journal|last=Coleman|first=Alice|date=December 1964|title=Review|journal=The Geographical Journal|publisher=Blackwell Publishing on behalf of The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers)|volume=130|issue=4|pages=571–572|doi=10.2307/1792320|jstor=1792320}}</ref>
* Sederholm, J. J. - ''On [[Migmatite]]s and Associated [[Pre-Cambrian]] Rocks of Southwestern Finland, Part III: The Aland Islands.''<ref>{{cite journal|last=Grogan|first=Robert|date=Oct–Nov 1935|title=Review|journal=The Journal of Geology|publisher=The University of Chicago Press|volume=43|issue=7|page=784|bibcode=1935JG.....43..784G|doi=10.1086/624372|jstor=30057950}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links ==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline}}
*{{wikiatlas|Åland}}
*{{official website|https://www.aland.ax/en}} {{in lang|en}}
*[http://www.regeringen.ax/ Government of Åland] {{in lang|sv}}
*[http://www.b7.org/ B7 Baltic Islands Network] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213193331/http://www.b7.org/ |date=13 February 2008 }}
*[http://finland.fi/public/default.aspx?contentid=160122&contentlan=2&culture=en-US The example of Åland, autonomy as a minor protector] The Åland example: autonomy protects a minority
*[http://www.alandstidningen.ax/ Ålandstidningen] (local newspaper)
{{Åland Islands topics}}
{{Regions of Finland}}
{{Nordic countries}}
{{Nordic Council}}
{{Finland topics}}
{{Islands in the Baltic Sea}}
{{Sovereign states of Europe}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|60|15|N|20|22|E|type:country|display=title}}
{{portalbar|Geography|Europe|Finland|Islands}}
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[[Category:Åland| ]]
[[Category:Geography of Scandinavia]]
[[Category:Finnish islands in the Baltic]]
[[Category:Historical provinces of Finland]]
[[Category:Provinces of Finland (1917–1997)]]
[[Category:Provinces of Finland (1997–2009)]]
[[Category:Members of the Nordic Council]]
[[Category:NUTS 1 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1920]]
[[Category:Autonomous regions]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where Swedish is an official language]]
[[Category:Swedish-speaking population of Finland]]
[[Category:Demilitarized zones]]
[[Category:1920 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Former disputed islands]]