HISTORY OF THE ALAND ISLANDS
THE ALAND ISLANDS TOUR
Facts:
- Official
name: Aland (Swedish), The Aland Islands (English)
- Status:
Autonomous and demilitarized province of Finland, member of the European
Union
- Population:
25.706
- Number
of islands: 6500, of which 65 are inhabited
- Total
area: 6.784 km2 of which land area is 1.527 km2
- Main
island: 50 km long, 45 km wide, inhabited by 90 % of the population
- Number
of municipalities: 16, Mariehamn is the only town with 10.500 inhabitants
- Language:
Swedish
- Currency:
Finnish Mark (FIM) and from 2002 Euro
- Time:
Eastern European time, GMT:12.00 = 14.00 in the Aland Islands
- Average
temperature: July: +16 degrees Celsius, February: - 4 degrees Celsius
The islands have an
ancient history stretching back to around 4200 BC when the first inhabitants
arrived. In 900 AD the population was already quite dense and trade was common
with foreign countries as far away as Arabia for example. Vikings resided in the
islands and the first Christian signs occur during this time. In the 14th
century the islands belong to Finland and Kastelholm Castle is first mentioned
in old writings. For the centuries to come, many wars were fought in the waters
around the islands. Danes, Swedes, Russians and Finns all took turns in ruling
the islands. By the beginning of the 19th century the islands had become an
international matter, with their important location between several kingdoms.
The demilitarization
is a result of a conflict started already in 1809 when Russia had acquired the
islands from the Kingdom of Sweden and started building a fortress in Bomarsund.
During the Crimean war France and Britain attacked and defeated the Russians and
in the peace treaty the Aland Islands were declared demilitarized for the
future. In the 1920ies a new conflict arose between Finland and Sweden. Who
should the islands belong to? The islanders themselves wanted to belong to
Sweden, but the question was delicate due to the internationally important
location of the islands. The matter had to be decided by the newly formed League
of Nations (today UN) in 1921. A treaty was signed by ten countries that the
islands should belong to Finland but they were to remain demilitarized and
autonomous in order to secure the culturally and historically unique society.
The islands are
autonomous since 1921. The islands have their own parliament with rights to pass
legislation in certain areas that concern the islands. Since 1954 The Aland
Islands have had their own flag and since 1984 their own stamps. Otherwise
Finnish law and governmental policies apply also in the islands. Still today
these rules apply and anyone with a regional citizenship in the islands is freed
from compulsory military service and no troops are allowed to be stationed in
the islands. The regulations are also quite strict in other areas in order to
secure the customs , culture and language of the islands. It is necessary to
possess regional citizenship in order to vote and stand for elections in the
local parliament, own and hold real estate in Aland and carry on business in
Aland.
All these facts have
lead to the unique society that we see today. The islanders are a proud people
who know their value and their role in the international community. The islands
are today a very peaceful and safe place and the locals are very friendly to
visitors. The islands have a seafaring history that stretches thousands of years
back and contacts with foreigners are nothing new. The special international
regulations and history of the islands have resulted in a unique island
atmosphere where the sea and local customs have kept their importance in
everyday life.
NATURE, CULTURE & TASTES
OF ALAND:
The nature of the
Aland Islands is perhaps one of the most important reasons for visiting the
islands. Spectacular variation with thousands of islands and skerries in
contrast to the greens of land and the blue sea and sky are a truly unique
experience. Rugged cliff shores, dense pine forests, wooded meadows, cultivated
land and well-kept gardens are just some of the diverse scenarios you can enjoy.
With their fairly isolated location and thousands of years of natural evolution,
the islands have developed their own flora and fauna. Many kinds of rare wild
orchids can be found here and nature conservancy is well developed. You can
still enjoy strolling in these protected areas since special nature trails have
been established. These large untouched nature areas are a great asset for
people who want to get close to nature and experience pure natural environments.
With few larger industries in the nearby area, both land, sea and air are
cleaner than in most other European areas today. The Aland Islands lie in the
so-called oak zone of Scandinavia, with relatively large elements of deciduous
trees such as oak, ash, elm, maple and linden. The mild climate has contributed
to an abundant flora and some southern European varieties of flowers. More
varieties of vegetation can be found here than in any other part of Finland.
The culture of the
Aland Islands bears traces from many of the historical epochs the islands have
been through. The island culture mixes Scandinavian traditions with own
additions and amendments. The perhaps most obvious cultural heritage is linked
to the islands seafaring traditions. There are museums, shipyards where old ship
models are still built and old captains homesteads open for visitors and several
marinas prove that going to sea in a smaller scale is still popular. Contacts to
all neighboring countries are dense.
The visual arts have
always had great inspiration from the beautiful natural surroundings of the
islands and there are several art galleries in Mariehamn as well as special
exhibitions in summertime. Crafts of all kinds also flourish, both among
amateurs and pros. Textiles, ceramics, jewellery, wood and metal objects are
among the most popular souvenirs as they are hand made locally and can be found
in all price ranges. Music and theatre are popular interests and many concerts
and shows can be experienced throughout the year. Not only local talents
perform, there are also festivals with well-known musicians performing. To
mention a few there is a jazz festival, an organ festival and a rock festival.
Internationally renowned authors like Sally Salminen and Anni Blomqvist have
also found their inspiration here. Hunting and fishing are old means of
livelihood that still today act as recreational traditions for a large part of
the population. For a visitor there are plenty of opportunities to participate.
Special local holidays play an important role in preserving folklore and
traditions. Midsummer celebrations are perhaps the largest festivity in summer
with the raising of midsummer poles in all villages around the islands, bonfires
and traditional dinners.
Traditional food and drinks are also readily
available. Between some of the restaurants in the archipelago there is a
co-operation called "Taste of the Archipelago". These restaurants have
committed themselves to a high standard of service and cuisine. As many as
possible of the used products are locally produced with ecological farming
methods. There is also a similar co-operation among the craftsmen in Aland. Some
of the most famous dishes are, not surprisingly, based on locally caught fish.
There is also a special pancake and a bread called Black bred which are
considered delicacies.
THE ALAND ISLANDS TOUR
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