Biography

Members of Ålands Radioamatörer (Aland-Islands hamradioclub) celebration THE ÅLAND AUTONOMY 100Year with this specialcall from Jun 9 2021 to Jun 9 2022 !

ÅLAND IN BRIEF
The archipelago’s islands, mild climate and location between Sweden and Finland make Åland unique. The Ålanders have always travelled by sea and used the sea to support themselves. The sea has also set the conditions for island life. The position in the middle of the Baltic Sea has always made Åland a natural meeting point both for seafarers and travellers.


ÅLAND FACTS

20,000 islands and skerries, of which about 6,700 have names and 60 are inhabited

Total area: 13,517 km2, of which 1,527 km2 land area

Longest distance on the main island: 50 km

Average temperature: in July +19C, in January -2C

Time zone: +2 GMT

Currency: euro

Best-known historical sights: the Kastelholm Castle, the Bomarsund fortress, the Eckerö Post and Customs House and the museum ship Pommern.

To do in Åland: Hiking, Disc Golf, cottage life, boatlife, fishing, golf


A HISTORY DEFINED BY THE SEA
The first people came to the Åland Islands 7,000 years ago when people came from a long way to hunt seals and to fish. Ever since has Åland been a strategic place for seafarers and its history is defined by the sea and shipping. An important era in Åland history is the age of the sailing ship that bloomed in Åland about 100 years ago. Mariehamn was at that time a home of shipping companies and windjammers, such as Pommern. It’s the only four-masted merchant sailing ship in the world still in its original state and now a museum.



A SWEDISH-SPEAKING PART OF FINLAND
The era 100 years ago is important in the Åland history in another way as well. A few years after Finland became an independent republic in 1917, it was affirmed by the League of Nations in June 1921 that the Åland Islands would get the status of an autonomous island province within the republic of Finland. Åland was then determined to be exclusively Swedish-speaking, demilitarised and granted extensive autonomy.



THE ÅLAND AUTONOMY
Åland has been an autonomous province in the republic of Finland since 1921. The first Åland parliament convened 9 June 1922 and 9 June is thus celebrated as the Åland “national day”. Ålanders have their own government and parliament, their own budget and the right to legislate within education and training, healthcare, trade and industry, municipal administration and traffic and transport. They also have their own flag, their own stamps and car registration plates, not to mention the top domain “ax” which all are important labels on Åland’s autonomous status.