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Åland Islands facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Åland Islands (in Swedish: Åland, in Finnish: Ahvenanmaa) are a group of islands in the Baltic Sea. They are located at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia. Åland is a special place because it is an autonomous region of Finland. This means it has its own government and can make many of its own rules.

Åland is also a demilitarized area. This means there are no armies or military bases allowed there. Most people in Åland speak Swedish, making it a Swedish-speaking part of Finland. It is the smallest province in Finland, both in terms of land area and population.

Quick facts for kids
Åland Islands
Flag of Åland
Flag
Coat of arms of Åland
Coat of arms
Motto: "Islands of Peace"
Anthem: Ålänningens sång
Location of Åland
Capital
and largest city
 Mariehamn
Official languages Swedish
Demonym(s)
    • Ålandic
    • Ålandish
    • Ålänning
    • Åländare
  • Ahvenanmaalainen
Government Autonomous region of Finland
• Governora
 Peter Lindbäck
• Premier
 Katrin Sjögren
Autonomy
• Declared
 1920
• Recognized
 1921b
Area
• Total
 1,580 km2 (610 sq mi) (unranked)
Population
• 2011 estimate
 28,355
• Density
 18.14/km2 (47.0/sq mi)
GDP (PPP) 2007 estimate
• Total
 $1.563 billion
• Per capita
 $55,829
HDI (2007) 0.967
very high
Currency Euro (€)d (EUR)
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)
 UTC+3 (EEST)
Calling code +358e
ISO 3166 code AX
Internet TLD .axf
  1. The governorship is an administrative post appointed by the Government of Finland and does not have any authority over the autonomous Government of Åland.
  2. Settled by the League of Nations following the Åland crisis.
  3. Åland held a separate referendum and then joined at the same time as the rest of Finland.
  4. Until 1999, the Finnish markka. The Swedish krona (SEK) is also widely used.
  5. Area code 18.
  6. Replacing .aland.fi from August 2006. The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with Finland and the rest of European Union member states.

Discovering the Åland Islands

The Åland Islands are a group of islands, also called an archipelago. They are located in the Baltic Sea, which is a sea in Northern Europe. This special location is at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, a large bay between Finland and Sweden.

The islands are known for their beautiful nature. You can find many small islands and rocky islets here. The total land area of Åland is about 1,580 square kilometers (610 square miles).

Who Lives in Åland?

About 28,355 people live in Åland. Most of them are called Ålanders. The official language spoken here is Swedish. This makes Åland a unique place within Finland, where the main languages are Finnish and Swedish.

The capital city of Åland is Mariehamn. It is the largest city on the islands. Mariehamn is a lively place with shops, restaurants, and a busy harbor. Many people visit Mariehamn to enjoy its charm.

How Åland is Governed

Åland is an autonomous region of Finland. This means it has a special status. It has its own parliament, called the Lagting. The Lagting makes laws for Åland.

Even though it's part of Finland, Åland has a lot of control over its own affairs. This includes things like education, healthcare, and policing. Finland's government appoints a Governor for Åland. However, this Governor does not control Åland's own government.

A Special History of Peace

Åland's special status comes from a long history. In 1920, the islands were declared autonomous. This was officially recognized in 1921 by the League of Nations. This happened after a disagreement, known as the Åland crisis, about whether the islands should belong to Finland or Sweden.

The League of Nations decided that Åland would stay with Finland. But it also decided that Åland would be a demilitarized area. This means no military forces or weapons are allowed on the islands. It is also a neutral zone, meaning it does not take sides in wars. This makes Åland known as the "Islands of Peace."

Fun Facts About Åland

  • The currency used in Åland is the Euro (€). Before 1999, they used the Finnish markka. The Swedish krona is also often used.
  • Åland has its own flag, which is blue, yellow, and red. It looks similar to the Swedish flag but with an extra red cross.
  • The time zone in Åland is Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2. In summer, they use Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), which is UTC+3.
  • Åland joined the European Union at the same time as Finland in 1995. However, Åland held its own vote to decide this.

Images for kids

  • Geographisch delineation öffver Ålandh

    Swedish Map of Åland from before 1667 with shipping lanes, harbours, churches and various boundaries marked

  • Alands

    The Åland Islands during the Crimean War. It was here that the Battle of Bomarsund was fought.

  • Aland Islands License Plate

    An Åland licence plate

  • Vandring Åland

    People hiking in Åland

  • Degersand

    The Degersand Beach in Eckerö.

  • SoedraLinjen 15

    Sheep grazing on a small island.

  • Mariehamn Airport

    Mariehamn Airport in Jomala

  • SoedraLinjen 05

    Ferry port in Överö [sv], Föglö

  • 201109 - Åland (Mariehamn) (2)

    Torggatan, a pedestrian street in the city of Mariehamn

  • Ålandsbanken, Mariehamn, 2019 (01)

    The Bank of Åland at Nygatan in the city of Mariehamn

  • Ålands lyceum May 2016 04

    Ålands Lyceum, a gymnasium in Mariehamn

  • Jomala church 2 retouched

    The St. Olaf's Church, Jomala, is the oldest in Åland

  • Aaland 1

    The sailing ship Linden (center) in Östra Hamnen, Mariehamn's eastern port

  • Wiklof Holding Arena Mariehamn

    Wiklof Holding Arena

  • Georg August Wallin (1811-1852), Scandinavian orientalist and explorer

    G. A. Wallin (1811–1852)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Åland para niños

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Åland Islands Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.