The Åland nature
Thousand of islands, harsh coastlines, smooth bedrock, lush forest
meadows and windswept stunted pine trees. The Åland nature contains
many fascinating nature types and the closeness to the sea and the
coast is very tangible on the whole island.
The landscape on the main island varies between pine forests with a
great number of deciduous trees, worked grounds with fields and
pastures and the forest meadows that Åland is well known for. The
climate on Åland is mild due to the surrounding sea and that, in
combination with fertile soil, ensures a rich diversity of species both
in the flora and the bird life.
Red granite
The Åland bedrock's
characteristically red granite is visible almost everywhere in the
landscape, but especially along the coastlines and on the islands. The
red granite is used as paving on Åland and this means that both winding
gravel roads as well as asphalted roads have a reddish hue.
The countryside
The Åland nature is maybe as
most spectacular in spring and early summer when the forest meadows
basically explode in an array of flowers. A forest meadow is like a
mosaic of trees and open meadows. In April-May flowers the Hepaticas,
Wood anemones, Lesser Celandine, Bird in a Bush, the landscape flower
Cowslip and different orchids. Later follows flowers in strong colours
such as Wood Crane's bill, Red Campion, Buttercup and Water Avens.
Beautiful forest meadows to enjoy are Tullarns Äng in Mariehamn,
Höckböle in Geta and Ramsholmen in Jomala.
Another nature type that has been shaped by grazing animals can be
seen in many places in Åland, especially on the archipelago islands.
Where the ground is drier junipers, Bluebells, Mountain Everlasting,
Red Clover and Maiden Pink thrive. This nature type can be seen in the
nature reserve of Herrön in Lemland and Borgboda ancient monument area
in Sund.
The archipelago
In the archipelago and along the
coasts there are often sparsely vegetated pine forests with windswept
stunted pine trees. The farther out to the sea you get, the less
vegetation, and all the way out to sea there are only harsh skerries.
On the small barren skerries only certain herbaceous plants grow.
Sitting on a rock warmed by the sun with nothing but sea and horizon in
front of you, is a pleasant feeling you'll never forget.