75 Facts About the Aland Islands

The Archipelago of Enchantment

The Åland Islands, also known as the Åland archipelago, is an autonomous region of Finland located in the Baltic Sea. It is made up of over 6,500 islands, of which around 80 are inhabited. The Åland Islands have a unique culture, history, and political status, making them a fascinating destination to visit. Here are some facts for you.

Geographic

1. The Åland Islands, also known as the Åland archipelago, are an autonomous territory of Finland located in the Baltic Sea.
2. The archipelago consists of around 6,500 islands and skerries.
3. The main island is Fasta Åland, on which the capital Mariehamn is located.
4. The Åland Islands have a total area of around 1,527 square kilometers.
5. The population of the islands is around 30,000.
6. The official languages are Swedish and Finnish.
7. The islands have a maritime climate, with mild summers and cold winters.
8. The Åland Islands are a demilitarized zone and the only neutral territory in the European Union.

National Symbols

9. The flag of the Åland Islands, which features a red field with a yellow cross.
10. The coat of arms of the Åland Islands, which features three golden lions on a red field.
11. The provincial flower of the Åland Islands, which is the wild strawberry
12. The provincial bird of the Åland Islands, which is the black guillemot
13. The provincial tree of the Åland Islands, which is the silver birch.
14. The national anthem of the Åland Islands, which is “Vårt land”
15. The traditional dance of the Åland Islands, which is the “polka”
16. The traditional musical instrument of the Åland Islands, which is the “accordion”

Political

17. The Åland Islands are an autonomous territory of Finland.
18. The Åland Islands have their own parliament, called the Lagting, which has 30 members.
19. The Åland Islands have their own postal service and license plates.
20. The Åland Islands are demilitarized and neutralized under Finnish sovereignty.
21. The Åland Islands are a popular tourist destination, known for their archipelago, maritime culture, and historic sites.
22. The Åland Islands are a member of the Nordic Council, but not the European Union.

Cultural

23. The Åland Islands have a rich maritime culture, with a strong tradition of seafaring and shipbuilding.
24. The official languages are Swedish and Finnish.
25. The Åland Islands have a distinctive dialect of Swedish called Åländska, which is spoken by the majority of the population.
26. The Åland Islands have a rich folk culture, with traditional costumes, music, and dances.
27. The Åland Islands have a long history of agriculture, with a strong tradition of growing potatoes, barley, and oats.
28. The Åland Islands have a number of historic churches, including the medieval church of Kökar, which is the oldest church in the archipelago.
29. The Åland Islands have a number of artists and craftspeople, who are known for creating works in a variety of media, including textiles, ceramics, and wood.
30. The Åland Islands are known for their delicious local cuisine, which includes seafood dishes, traditional breads, and locally grown produce.

Economic

31. The Åland Islands have a strong economy based on shipping, tourism, and service industries.
32. The Åland Islands have a high standard of living and low unemployment rate.
33. The Åland Islands have a unique tax system, which includes a low corporate tax rate and a lack of VAT.
34. The Åland Islands have a significant shipping industry, with the Åland Maritime Academy training future maritime professionals
35. The Åland Islands has a growing service sector, including IT and financial services.
36. The Åland Islands have a strong renewable energy sector, with a high percentage of wind and solar power.
37. The Åland Islands are a member of the Nordic Council, but not the European Union, which affects certain trade agreements.
38. The Åland Islands have a small but growing local food production and farming industry
39. The Åland Islands have a relatively small population, and thus have a small domestic market, but it has a high GDP per capita.

Art, Music, Poetry and Litrature

40. Many Ålandic artists, writers, and poets are known for their works in the Swedish language.
41. The Åland Islands have a number of poets and writers who have gained recognition in the Nordic countries and internationally.
42. The Åland Islands have a tradition of folk music and traditional dances that is still alive today.
43. The Ålanders have a number of choir and orchestras, both professional and amateur.
44. They have a strong tradition of storytelling, which is still alive in the form of oral storytelling, and also in literature.
45. The Ålanders have a number of literature prize, such as the Åland Islands Literature Prize, which is awarded annually to authors and poets for their contributions to Ålandic literature.

Sports

46. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the Åland Islands, with many amateur and semi-professional teams.
47. The Åland Islands have a number of sports clubs, such as IFK Mariehamn, which competes in the Finnish football league system.
48. The Åland Islands have a number of sports facilities, including football stadiums, ice rinks, and swimming pools.
49. The Åland Islands have a tradition of ice hockey, with the local team, IFK Mariehamn, competing in the Finnish second-tier league.
50. The Åland Islands have a strong tradition of sailing, with several annual regattas and a large number of sailing clubs.
51. The Åland Islands hosts a number of international sports events, such as the Aland Island Games, which include a variety of sports such as football, athletics, and gymnastics.

Festivals and Celebrations

52. The Åland Islands have an annual Christmas market, which is held in the capital city of Mariehamn, and features traditional crafts, food, and entertainment.
53. The Åland Islands have an annual Folk Music Festival, which features traditional music and dancing from the Åland Islands and other Nordic countries.
54. The Åland Islands have an annual Åland Islands Peace Day, which is celebrated on June 3rd, and commemorates the autonomy of the Åland Islands.
55. The Åland Islands have an annual Day of the Swedish Language, which is celebrated on November 6th, and celebrates the Swedish language and culture of the Åland Islands.
56. The Åland Islands have a traditional celebration of the Epiphany on January 6th.
57. The Åland Islands have a number of other annual festivals, such as the Åland Islands Film Festival, the Åland Islands Literature Festival, and the Åland Islands Maritime Festival.

Famouse Personalities

58. Jenny Wickström, an Ålandic artist known for her paintings and illustrations, many of which depict the landscapes and culture of the Åland Islands.
59. Leif Salmén, an Ålandic author and poet known for his works in the Swedish language.
60. Anders Eriksson, a retired professional football player who played for IFK Mariehamn, and also represented the Åland Islands national team.
61. Marko Sundqvist, a retired professional ice hockey player who played for IFK Mariehamn, and also represented the Åland Islands national team.
62. Elisabeth Ingvarsson, an Ålandic author and translator known for her works in both Swedish and Finnish.
63. Pia Jansson, an Ålandic illustrator and graphic designer.
64. Ingemar Backman, a professional snowboarder from Åland Islands, Olympic and X-games gold medalist.
65. Christina Håkansson, an Ålandic author and translator known for her works in both Swedish and Finnish.

Tourist Attractions

66. The Åland Archipelago Sea and Maritime Museum, which showcases the maritime history and culture of the Åland Islands.
67. The Kastelholm Castle, a medieval castle and historical site that dates back to the 14th century.
68. The Åland Islands Art Museum, which features art from the Åland Islands and other parts of Finland.
69. The Åland Islands Botanic Garden, which has a collection of native plants and flowers from the archipelago.
70. The Åland Islands Museum, which explores the history and culture of the Åland Islands.
71. The Mariehamn City Museum, which showcases the history of the capital city of Mariehamn.
72. The Åland Islands Nature Reserve, which is home to a variety of wildlife and natural landscapes.
73. The Åland Islands Maritime Quarter, which features a number of historical ships and boats.
74. The Åland Islands Peace Park, which commemorates the autonomy of the Åland Islands and the peaceful resolution of disputes over the archipelago.
75. The Åland Islands Golf Club, which features an 18-hole golf course and beautiful views of the archipelago.