Åland facts

Åland is an autonomous and unilingually Swedish region in Finland with its own flag; a blue flag with a yellow/red cross. Åland also has its own stamps, licence plates and its own top domain (.ax).

There are a total of 27,500 persons living in Åland in 16 different municipalities. Of them some 11,000 live in the only town in Åland, Mariehamn. The town was founded in 1861 and is today the centre for industry and politics. Here is also the Åland Government, called "Landskapsregering," located.

Economic life
The most important industries in Åland are shipping, trade, banking, farming and food industry. Shipping has always been especially important for Åland and no other industry has had such influence on the population.

Visit the Maritime Museum, the Museum Ship Pommern and the Maritime Quarter in Mariehamn to find out more about the exiting shipping history.

Typical for Åland
Unique for Åland is the untouched archipelago and the beautiful bedrock, worn smooth by the inland ice, with the typical red colour of the Åland granite. With its 6.500 islands Åland offers an island world where the sea is always present. Did you know that Åland has the most sunshine of all the Nordic countries from May through August?

Distinctive for Åland is also the midsummer poles with their colourful ornaments and the old-fashioned windmills. You find them for example at the Jan Karlsgården open air museum in Kastelholm. The museum also depicts a typical Åland farm from the end of the 1800's.

Åland in brief

  • Inhabitants: 27.500
  • Language: Swedish
  • Currency: Euro € is the official currency but most service spots also accept Swedish crowns.
  • Time: Eastern European time
  • Total area: 6 787 km2
  • A total of more than 6 500 island of which 65 are inhabited.
Latest articles
Åland Guide shows the way to the best vacation

The activity and event brochure Åland Guide is the world’s best handbook for your Åland vacation in the summer of 2009. Read more

Quick guides at visitaland.com

With our quick guides you will quickly and conveniently find important information and facts concerning different ... Read more

Grocers in Åland

Good food and delicacies from Åland, such as black bread, "hemvete" bread and tasty cheese from ÅCA can be found ... Read more

Facts about Åland
History of Åland
Travel offers
Golf holiday package with cottage stay
Golf holiday package with cottage stay Combine your golf session with accommodation in a cottage and enjoy staying close to the nature in a comfortable atmosphere.
Romantic weekend
Feel free to call us romantics, but at HavsVidden we believe in love, in all its forms. Grab your soul-mate and treat yourselves to a truly romantic weekend by the sea.
Short Vacation at Hotel Savoy
Price includes round trip with ferry, accommodation in a double at Hotel Savoy breakfast included, and three course meals for each traveller.
Dance weekend at Hotel Arkipelag
Relax with good food and dancing in Hotel Arkipelag in Mariehamn
Short Break Package
Åland and the archipelago town Mariehamn are a very popular travel destination for travellers from near and far.
Our recommendations
Ålcom   We can offer internet connections for temporary use during your stay on the Åland islands...
Högskolan på Åland  
Ålands Mobiltelefon   Call inexpensively and conveniently when you visit Åland...
Posten Åland Ab   Welcome to the Åland post office. We offer 21 offices in Åland...
Föglö kommun   Välkommen till Föglö - en äkta skärgårdskommun på södra Åland...
ads