Information about theland islands

Location of Aland Islands on the world map

The Aland Islands is the autonomous region of Finland (according to the new administrative and territorial division of the country of January 1, 2010), which occupies the same archipelago in the Baltic Sea. Includes about 6000 islands at the entrance to the combat bay. Part of the Baltic within which the Aland Islands lie is called the archipelagoic sea, being the largest cluster of the islands on Earth.

Most borders are marine. The Aland Islands borders in the East with the area of \u200b\u200bthe original Finland. In the West - with Swedish Lena Stockholm. In the extreme northwest with Swedish Lena Uppsala. With the last Aland Islands, it also borders on land - on the tiny island of the mercury, with an area of \u200b\u200bonly 3 hectares.

Map of the Aland Islands

State Story of the Aland Islands

Theland Islands are an autonomous region of Finland. Until 2010, the autonomous province was the same name.

In 1920, Finland provides autonomy to the islands, issuing the "Alands Actomy Law", which the inhabitants of the islands did not accept. In 1951, the law was replaced by the new one, which on August 16, 1991, after 20 years of preparation, was re-updated, and adopted by the Finnish Parliament with the consent of the Aland Islands Parliament. On January 1, 1993, the Authority Act entered into force.

The inclusion of the islands in Finland on January 4, 1918 (after recognition of the independence of Finland, Sweden and Russia) initially caused a wave of protest both among the population of the Aland Islands themselves and the continental part of Sweden. People feared for their original Swedish culture. Therefore, two meetings were convened to solve disagreements on the initiative of the League of Nations. From June 24, 1921, the islands began to be considered part of Finland, with the provision of broad autonomy. After another 3 days between Sweden and Finland, the Aland Agreement was signed - a peace treaty on the status of the islands.

Modern islands are a fully demilitarized territory. The construction of military fortifications is prohibited, deploying military units. The Demilitarization of the Aland Islands was unilaterally established by the Russian side on the results of the Paris Peace Treaty of 1856, which put the end of the Crimean War.

In the International Convention from 1921, the status of the islands, their demilitarization and neutral status during combat operations were confirmed. The convention was signed by 10 states, Russia among which was not. However, in the Moscow Agreement on the Aland Islands from 1940s and the Parisian peace treaty from 1947 there are decisions on the demilitarization of the islands. At the same time, the mention of neutral status is not in any of the documents.

Residents of the islands, as well as those who moved to the islands until the twelve-year-old age is not called for military service. Wearing and storing any firearms except hunting, citizens are prohibited. An exception is made only for policemen.

The official language of the Aland Islands is the Swedish (Aland dialect). In this language, all national television and radio gears are being conducted, training in schools. All written correspondence sent to public institutions should also be in Swedish.

Accommodation on the islands may acquire only persons who have citizenship of the Aland Islands. It is done to preserve the priority rights of ownership of land and real estate for its citizens.

The internal policy of the islands is regulated by the Aland Islands Parliament - Laging, which is the legislative body. Foreign policy is in the jurisdiction of the Finnish Parliament - Eduskunt.

The executive power of the islands is in the hands of the government, which consists of more than 8 people. Members of the government deputies are elected, and usually rely on the parliamentary majority.

Deputies of Lagta are elected every 4 years by secret and direct voting. The first elections to Parliament took place on June 9, 1922, and this date from that time is celebrated every year as the day of the self-government of the Aland Islands. Today, the parliament of 30 deputies.

Control over such areas of public life as: education and culture, environmental protection, health care, transport, post office, television and broadcasting, utilities, police and economic development, is carried out by the Office of the Office, controlled by the Government of the Aland Islands. All laws in these areas taken by Parliament are then sent to the Finnish President, who basses its decision on the conclusion of the Aland delegation and, sometimes, the Supreme Court of the Republic. The Chairman of the Aland delegation is the Governor of the Aland Islands, appointed by the President of Finland after agreement with the Chairman of the Lagtan.

Foreign policy, legal proceedings, customs system, criminal and civil law, tax investigation, are controlled by the same laws that operate throughout Finland. To comply with the legal interests of the Aland Islands, one deputy from the islands is presented in the Finnish parliament.

Brief History of the Aland Islands

To settle the Aland Islands, people began before AD. The first traces of a person's stay in the form of products from ceramics belong to 4 thousand BC.

Over the next centuries, the island has more than once become a host of hostilities between the Baltic States. In particular in 1714-21. The Aland Islands were almost completely looted by Peter the Great, and the population ran to neighboring Sweden.

Until the early 19th century, the Swedish kingdom had the power of the Aland Islands, after which the islands as part of the Great Principality of Finland under the Fredricsham Agreement on September 17, 1809 were attached to the Russian Empire.

In 1832, the Russian fortress Bomaxund was built on the islands. During the Crimean War, the fortress was captured by the Allied English and French troops. On March 30, 1856, an agreement was signed between the United Kingdom, France and Russia on the inadmissibility of the structure on the islands of military fortifications and deploying military forces.

In December 1917, the Finnish parliament proclaimed independence from Russia, using the instability of the situation in the latter. The population of the Aland Islands at the same time, fearing for the safety of its Swedish and culture, seeks to reunite with Sweden. However, on January 4, 1918, Sweden and Russia recognize the independence of Finland and the island are included in its composition. The final agreement between the two Scandinavian states on the status of the islands was achieved only in 1921. Following the meeting, 2 commissions created by the Liga of Nations. As a result, on June 24, 1921, the League of Nations decided to consider the islands with part of Finland, but with the provision of autonomy. Three days later, Sweden and Finland signed an "Aland Agreement" - a peace treaty on the status of the islands.

On October 20 of the same year, representatives of the Ten States: Great Britain, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Finland, France, Sweden and Estonia signed the Convention on Demilitarianization and Neutrality of the Aland Islands in Geneva. Representatives of Russia this convention was not signed, because considered contrary to the interests of the Russian state. The fact is that the islands lie near the entrance to the Finnish Bay, and the Convention actually signed by the world's powers actually gave them complete control over the bay and the sea forces of Russia. Before World War II, in violation of the Finnish Convention on the islands, fortifications were erected, but under the terms of agreements on the results of the Soviet-Finnish war, Finland was obliged to carry out demilitarization of the islands, which literally a few months later the Finnish side was broken. Only 3 years later, how much Finland fought on the side of the Fascist Germany, between the USSR and the United Kingdom on the one hand and Finland on the other hand, the agreement on the inadmissibility of hostilities in the Aland Islands was restored.

Theland of the Aland Islands

Area of \u200b\u200bthe Aland Islands (Fin. Ahvenanmaa) 1552 km 2, of which about 27 km 2 are busy rivers and lakes. The rest of the territory is 6757 large and small islands and rocks. Inhabited of them are only 60.

The largest of the islands is the island of Aland or chief Island, occuping an area of \u200b\u200b685 km 2. Other large islands are Equito, Vardo, Lemland and Lumbarland. The islands are hilly, composed of granites and gneis. The highest point of all islands - ORRDALSKLINT peak lies in the Saltvik commune and reaches 132 meters of height. The second height is the mountain Casbergen mountain of 129 meters in the mountains of Yet.

Numerous small islands and rocks occupying extensive areas within the archipelago are called ski and usually uninhabited.

The climate of the islands is moderately continental marine, softer than the climate of the neighboring regions of Continental Finland. The average annual air temperature is 7-8 ° C. In summer, the average temperature of the air rises to 15 ° C, it drops to -2.5 ° C in winter. In general, the islands climate is very smooth: the influence of the Baltic Sea affects. The sea is accumulating for a long time and then gives it warm for a long time, so far in the fall on the islands is very warm, and the spring is cool.

The precipitation falls a little - 550 mm per year. Great number of sunny days. According to the latter, the Aland Islands are the most sunny region of Northern Europe.

Most of the islands occupy pine and largest forests. The rest of the territory is a meadow, shrubs and arable land.

Administrative and territorial device of the Aland Islands

Theland Islands are divided into 16 communes, which are united in 3 subregion: Archipelago, Village and Mariehamn.

Commune	Area (km 2)	Population (as of October 31, 2010)	Population density (person / km 2)
Brande	108,07	482	4
Word	101,5	449	4
Jomal	142,55	4072	29
Yet	84,36	484	6
Kumling	99,26	371	4
Lemland	113,09	1820	16
Luparaland	36,25	392	11
Mariehamn.	11,79	11146	945
Saltvik	152,09	1795	12
Sottung	28,05	119	4
Sunda	108,07	1017	9
Fögle	134,78	573	4
Finstrem	123,26	2507	20
Hammarkland	138,19	1503	11
Chökar.	63,55	261	4
Equile	107,71	945	9

Population of the Aland Islands

The population of the Aland Islands as of October 31, 2010 amounted to 27,899 people, of which more than 11 thousand people lived in the capital of Mariehamne. In addition, about 50 thousand immigrants from the islands live beyond: in Sweden, Finland, Norway.

The average population density of 18 people / km 2.

The majority of the population of the Aland Islands are ethnic Swedes (92%), and therefore the Swedish language is appreciated by state. Another 5% of the population is the descendants of Finnish fishermen. In the commune brand, the share of financial-speaking citizens above - 9%.

The proportion of women in the population structure is 51%.

The overwhelming majority of the population - 94.8% belong to the evangelical luteran church.

The distribution of the population in the age groups in the Aland Islands the following: from 0-14 years - 17.3%, from 15-64 (labor resources) - 65.9, over 65 years - 16.8 (data is given in 2005). The islands are characterized by increasing the share of people of pension and pre-pre-age, reduction of the share of children, as well as a decrease in fertility and mortality, which ultimately gives a low natural population growth of only 0.3 ppm. In addition, annually the population of the Aland Islands increases by about 200 by immigrants that arrive in autonomy from neighboring Sweden and Finland.

The unemployment rate in 2009 amounted to 5.4%, which is below the country in 8.2%. However, in previous pre-crisis years, the unemployment rate fluctuated in the region of 1-2%.

Economy of the Aland Islands

The Aland Islands Economy is based on the production and processing of crop production (sugar beets, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, onions), dairy animal husbandry, fisheries, tourism, pulp and paper industries, trade and product transportation services.

In total, over 2000 enterprises are registered in the Aland Islands, most of which (30%) work in the field of trade and tourism. About 20% of the existing enterprises are engaged in construction, mainly wooden cottages, which is associated with the presence of an extensive construction base and the surrender of almost a third of all cottages for renting tourists, the number of which from year to year is growing continuously and in recent years exceeds 2 million people a year, Of which only a quarter stay on the islands longer than on one day. The main flow of tourists comes from neighboring Sweden and Finland.

17% of the Aland Islands enterprises work in the financial sector. Insurance and banking are becoming an important source of income today.

10% of enterprises are manufactured by industrial products and transportation. The location of the Aland Islands halfway between the main industrial areas of such highly developed countries, like Sweden and Finland, makes the islands with an important transit point between them. And today, profits from transportation through the territory of the Aland cargo islands gives up to a third of regional GDP.

The GDP of the Aland Islands in 2002 reached 906 million € or about 35 thousand € per capita, which is higher than in the neighboring Finland and Sweden.

It is very interesting that about 15% of all the GDP of the Aland Islands constitute allocations from the state budget of Finland. This measure is taken as compensation for tax fees, customs duties and excise taxes contributed to the state treasury. In 2007, the amount of allocations amounted to 190 million €, which is about, 45% of the total income of Finland minus government debt.

Today's Aland Islands are one of the richest regions of the European Union.

The Aland Islands have been considered a demilitarized country for more than 100 years, thanks to the Parisian peace treaty. The presence of military operations on them is completely excluded, since the islands are a neutral zone. Alands have 3 administrative areas and conclude 16 communes. The territory has 6757 islands, where the bulk is covered by landscapes of untouched nature.

The remaining 60 islands admire their cultural Heritage and development policies. Lagting is the local parliament, which in its decisions is not subject to Finland. It is at this legislative assembly that regulation is being solved: educational, cultural, transport and other issues. And this policy has a beneficial effect on all spectra of the development of a comfortable life in these parts.

The wonderful condition of museums, fortresses and castles will take place during the creation of these attractions. Alands open: New horizons in sailing, wide expanses for hunting or fishing. It is on the Aland Islands that everyone can become an artist, since the harmony of flora opens a new line of consciousness for a person.

Coordinates: 60.20100000,20.48500000

Aland Museum

If you have plans to visit the Aland Islands in Finland, do not forget to add to the font-to visit the Aland Museum. This museum is located in the city of Mariehamn and divides the building with the Aland Art Museum.

The permanent exposition of the Aland Museum represents the lives of people from prehistoric times to the present day (showing the life of the residents of Finland and Sweden) and divided into 8 thematic parts: hunting and fishing, agriculture, society, people, sea, city, war, autonomy. For temporary exhibitions where local artists are exhibited, a separate territory is assigned. During the year there are about 10 such exhibitions on various topics.

In 2010, a shipwreck artifact exhibition was held there. The exhibition featured the oldest bottles of champagne and beer, which found after shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea in the 19th century.

The entrance to the museum is free:

In the period from October to April

Aland Museum Card also gives the right to enter all the 4th Museum of the Aland Islands.

The museum is closed for reconstruction 2013 - 2014

Coordinates: 60.09734400,19.94468900

And what sights of the Aland Islands did you like? Next to the photography there are icons by clicking on which you can estimate this or that place.

Castle Castelholm

Castelholm Castle, located on the Aland Islands owned by Finland, from the end of XV he was an administrative center of the island and a Queen's hunting house.

The exact date of construction of the castle of Castelholm is unknown, but the first mentions of him were still in the documents of the XIV century.

The castle was built from the end of the XIV to the middle of the XVII century and is a complex architectural complex.

In 1745, the castle suffered a lot during a devastating fire on the islands and was renovated and open to visiting only in the 20th century.

Coordinates: 60.23876700,20.08343000

The Adventure Island "Vaski" will postpone your entire family in those days when the pirates kept many countries in fear, when numerous frightening and romantic legends about pirates are composed - about their audacity and energetic, nobility and mutual execution.

Arriving here at the real pirate ship, you fully forget about modern urban life. The pristine nature is so manitis to go in search of treasures, which, according to the legend, once hid pirates.

And, to the great surprise of those who are for the first time here, everything on the island of Pirates is ready to go to an amazing adventure journey. After all, only here, on the island of Vaski, you can feel a "pirate romance": see the most real pirate fortress, the fishing village, sunken ships, test your strength on the climbing, suspended crossings and participate in other different conversion and courage.

The entire program is prepared by the organizers to the smallest detail. The island of Vaski will be remembered by a wonderful rest of the whole family, because here not only in the game, but also the most realistic form, you can live for a while in the image of the pirates of the Middle Ages.

Coordinates: 60.48712500,21.97707700

Mooma Trolley Island

The island of Mumina-Trolli, located near the resort Finnish town of Naantali (in the vicinity of the old town of Turku), is simply a fairy tale in which all children dream of visiting. Yes, and adults will not hurt to plunge into childhood with his family. After all, on the island of Moomin-trolls, everything has ...

This fictional country, which dreamed of all the boys and girls, familiarized with the wonderful work of Tuva Jansson about good-natured mumi-trolls and their amazing friends, is open to everyone. Only here you can personally meet the heroes of the Mooma-Valley themselves, to visit their cozy house, like a fabulous castle, stroll through the magic forest ...

Cardiac meeting and an exciting walk by Moomin-Trolley's possessions is waiting for everyone who decided to visit the attractions of Finland and look at Kaylo Island. The wonderful country of mumi-trolls is open to everyone who wants to get closer to the fairy tale. And small tourists, and their parents will be delighted with the acquaintance with the amazingly hospitable and good owners of the island.

Coordinates: 60.47312700,22.00793300

Mount Yeta

Yet Mountain is one of the main attractions of the Aland Islands. Delightful natural landscapes and an inimitable romantic atmosphere of the Scandinavian depthion, like a magnet, thousands of tourists attract annually. To go through pedestrian routes, not only lovers go to Mount Yethu active rest, but also people more old age, and even couples with young children. All this is possible due to the high-class infrastructure that allows you to travel with maximum comfort.

Reaching the top of the mountain, do not rush to leave it. Here, tired travelers are not only an excellent restaurant, but also a real observation tower. Rising to her, you can increase your impressions and enjoy the surrounding beauty from a bird's eye view.

Coordinates: 60.38333400,19.85000100

Mariable Museum in Mariehamne

The Museum of Waving in Mariehamne is located in the Aland Islands. His permanent exhibition includes 8 sections telling about a variety of topics.

One of the halls of this museum, who tells us about the hunt and fishing, returns us to the events of the Stone Age and the first settlers of these islands. It was thanks to these first settlers to the island a culture from the west of Norway was brought.

There are also exposition halls that tell us about agriculture, people, society, sea, city, war, and of course about autonomy! After all, the beginning of autonomy on the Aland Islands was made thanks to the First World War. You can add that every year, June 9, on the day of autonomy, the museum is open to everyone!

The main museum tells about brave pioneers of marine spaces: brave sailors mined food for family, as well as pirates. Here you can see various elements of ships decoration - coat of arms, flags and much more.

The most important exhibits of the museum are ships and sailboats in a natural value in all their brilliance and splendor. Fishing boats, military ships, submarines and much more are presented.

Next to the museum is a monument to an unknown sailor, he is devoted to all people who have tied their lives with the sea and those who died in the sea.

Coordinates: 60.05550000,19.56400000

Russian fortress Bomaxund

The Russian fortress Bomaxund, located in the Aland Islands owned by Finland, was built from 1832 to 1846 by the Russian Empire.

During the Crimean War, the fortress, in the territory of which at that time was the main fort and three defensive towers, the Orthodox church and the garrison city was burned by local residents.

Brick from the blown walls of the fortress served in the construction of many Finnish buildings.

From the bomissund fortress today, only ruins remained, but they also attract tourists from around the world as one of the historic attractions of the islands.

Not far from the fortress is the Museum of Boussund.

Coordinates: 60.21262400,20.23870300

Mount Heta

Mount Heta, towering at 98 meters above sea level, is the natural attraction of the Aland Islands. It offers a chic view of the Botanical Bay, the surrounding islands and virgin forests. At the 300-meter vertex of the mountain there is an observation tower and a restaurant "Soltun". On the "magic path" leading down, you can easily stroll even with young children. Going away from the mountain you can visit the Aland caves, which, however, will have to go 5 km.

Pedestrian routes on Mount Geta, such as "caves", "Trail of the Middle Ages", "Troll trail" make it possible to enjoy the nature of the islands and admire the large variety of birds.

Coordinates: 60.38660000,19.84450000

Museum "Mariehamn in Miniature"

Museum "Mariehamn in Miniature", located in the same name of the Finnish city of Mariehamn, is a unique museum, one of the few of its kind in the country. The museum takes a small premises in almost the city center.

The expositions of the museum, which bears the second name Mariepark, introduce visitors with the history of each house of the city, starting from the year of its foundation in 1859 and until 1920, as well as the history of its owners. Among the exhibits you can see the mocks of the sights of the city, many documents and photos.

Coordinates: 60.09190700,19.93258600

Ramsholmen Natural Reserve

The Natural Reserve Ramsholman, located about 4 kilometers from the Finnish city of Marienhamen, is famous for its picturesque meadows and mixed forests. The territory of the reserve is small, but very diverse in the field of flora and fauna.

Locals and tourists are often walking in the park. Here you can see a wide variety of trees: birch, pine, spruce, oaks, maples and ash. Animal world Ramsholmen Reserve is also very diverse. Squirs, cunits, many unusual birds are found here. In the summer of visitors to the reserve are pleased with the flowers, among which the main flower of the country - Rhododendron, and flowering shrubs.

Coordinates: 60.12370200,19.96457900

The most popular attractions in the Aland Islands with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose best places To visit famous hotels of the Aland Islands on our site.

Aland Islands - a place for "gourmets", those who managed to be happy with traditional routes. This amazing archipelago in the Baltic Sea on paper belongs to Finland, but in fact, the inhabitants of the islands mentally rather soon to the Swedes, and they say most of them exclusively in Swedish.

I love Alands for the absence of a crowd of tourists, commercial desires like "photo with dinosaur" and annoying sellers of excursions. Here, the very local flavor, commervers are usually hunted. He was not formed, not adapted for the tourist - in Alands really have to live in local laws.

If you are a lover of nightlife, beach entertainment and foam parties, in no way I advise you to go here: it will be boring. But the fans of outdoor activities in nature, fishing and beautiful sunsets are worth it to visit these northern Islands.

With a probability of 80%, you will find yourself a pioneer among your friends: It is unlikely that any of them visited Alands. What to talk about Russian tourists, if even Finns extremely rarely attend this archipelago. For them, Akhvenanmaaa (Finnish islands name) - the sick question, thelandians consider almost separatitis. Many residents of Suomi believe that the inhabitants of the archipelago do not teach Finnish from harm to demonstrate their disrespect. I do not assume how this is. And since the national throwing of the Finns you still alone, I advise you to spend your vacation in Alands.

How to get

Best of all, in my opinion, go to Alanda ferry. It is convenient, fast and cheap. There is also an option to fly by plane, but it has many material minuses.

Plane

So, what I did not please the plane? The first and main reason - prices for flights. The capital of Alands Mariehamn has regular (twice a day) Flights from, Turku and Stockholm. From the Finnish side, they are served by Finnair, known for its excellent service, security and robber ticket prices. In the summer season, the cost of the hour flight - Mariehamn (Turku - Mariehamn) can easily reach 200-250 EUR. NEXT JET aircraft fly from Stockholm, the ticket will cost about 150 EUR.

In addition to biting prices, the flight to Mariehamna is bad restriction in the provision of baggage and hand baggage. That is, there may be problems with the transportation of fishing accessories, tents and other attributes of the tourist, riding to actively explore the archipelago.

If prices for flights are not very important and take a lot of choices with you, you can safely book your aircraft flights. See all the offers currently available, for example.

One plus at the flight still has: the airport is just three kilometers from the center of the capital of Alands Mariehamna. But here everything is not so floral-candy. It will not go from the airport on public transport, there are simply no bus tickets there. The only suitable option is a taxi that does not differ in accessibility: 3 kilometers drive to the center of Mariehamna you pay about 20 EUR.

In general, I advise you to think hard before you decide to fly to Alands: the minuses of the air travel significantly more than the pros.

Car

Take a car with you to Alanda - a good idea: on your car you can get to the hard-to-reach parts of the archipelago, where public transport does not go.

Since there are no tunnels or bridges on the island, it will be possible to get to it only with theft of ferry. Therefore, our conversation on the auto designer smoothly flows to the point of the peculiarities of the trip along the water. The only thing I want to point out is not forget - do not forget to book tickets for the ferry in advance, because the number of places on the deck for cars is limited. In the summer season, free spaces for transporting cars sometimes have to wait for weeks.

Ferry

The most successful and favorable price is a way to travel to Aland. Dozens of large ships and small ferries from, Turku and Naantali go to the islands. Competitor companies providing such transportation, many: Eskerö Line, Viking Line, Silja Line, Finnlines, Ålandstrafiken.

Getting around the sea, you can add new interesting strokes to your trip. For example, buy an evening cruise from and enjoying all the delights of such trips: shopping, good restaurants and nightclubs, live music. We most often combine the summer trip to Alands with a day-to-visit Stockholm: in the evening we put forward out of the night on the ship, the next morning put on Stockholm and walk there for 5-6 hours. And on the way back on the same ferry sailing to Alands.

If the time is not very much, and you do not want to spend it on the road, you can take a ticket for a small fast ferry from Turku or Naantali. Such a trip will last about 4-5 hours. If you decide to choose a small ferry, look for tickets on the websites of the company Ålandstrafiken, the other members of the firms sell me tickets to large cruise ships.

Tickets for large ferries are about 30 EUR without cabin, the standard cabin on 4 people will cost about 100 EUR. Small ferries are even more democratic: a ticket for them will cost about 20 EUR. If you take a car with you, get ready to pay about 40-50 EUR.

Plus traveling on small ferries also in the fact that they, as a rule, arrive directly to the port of Mariehamna. From him to the city center no more than a kilometer, you can walk on foot or take a taxi. Large cruise ships, which follow the route Helsinki - Stockholm, usually stop at night in the Långnäs port, which will have to go to Mariehamn about 30 kilometers. At such a time to get to the city by public transport will not work, you need to order a taxi in advance. Therefore, if you drive without a car, it is best to take a ticket to a small ferry.

Prompt:

Aland Islands - Time Now

The difference in the clock:

Moscow 1.

Kazan 1.

Samara 2.

Ekaterinburg 3.

Novosibirsk 5.

Vladivostok 8.

When the season. When it is better to go

The best time for a trip to Alanda is definitely summer. It is pleasant here, non-jar: The temperature is rarely rising above +25 ° C. The season lasts from May to the end of September, at this time the main island entertainment is available: walks on boats, fishing, cycling. And in Mariehamna since May, farm markets and fairs are opening, where you can buy fresh and tasty environmentally friendly products: berries, fruits, fish and meat.

Do not be afraid of the dominance of tourists in the season: they are here, of course, more than in winter, but not so much as in some Italy-France. Since the islands themselves are not very tight, visitors simply dissolve among the local, hardly you even feel their presence. The same applies to the cost of rest: the Alanders are not too spoiled by the abundance of tourists, so they do not have the habit of hard to do prices in the season.

Monitoring tours on Alanda can be on search sites, for example,.

Aland Islands in summer

Summer in Alands is beautiful, although a little unpredictable. Rain can go at any time, even when it seems that there is no cloud in the sky. I do not carry the heat, so the local + 23-25 \u200b\u200b° C degrees in June - July is ideal for me.

The very chapter of the beauty of summer on the islands is that almost everywhere you can move by bike. Fans of two-wheeled friends here are at all late: Alands seemed to be created for cycling. The relief on the majority of the islands of the archipelago is flat, the coastline is not very long, and the landscapes along it are awesome. You can rent great (about it below) and spend several days on two wheels, studying the beauty of the island.

And the beauty of summer months is that you can live in campsites and tents, ride boats and boats, enjoy white nights. If you arrive at the islands at the end of June, get to the celebration of the Day of the Summer Solstice of Yuhannus (Swedish MidSommar). This is a fun national holiday, which is widely celebrated in Finland and Sweden: hide fires, sing songs, organize fishing competitions.

In general, in all respects, the summer is the most good time to get acquainted with the archipelago. I repeat, tourists here even in the season are not very much, but if you are completely Misanthrop and you want to relax almost alone, come here in August. In schools of Sweden and Finland, classes are already beginning, the holidays in Alands are very little.

Aland Islands in autumn

In the fall, it is worth come to Alanta except in September - early October. And that if you are not too thermalized creature: already at the end of August on the islands noticeably cold, the temperature is kept at + 15-18 ° C.

If the coolness does not frighten, you can still stop in campsites, ride fishing in summer, enjoy the sea cruises and cycling. Well, of course, doing stunning pictures: the autumn nature of the archipelago is very picturesque, the rocks along the shores as if they were embraced by fire.

Aland Islands in Spring

In March - April on Alands is still quite cold, and most importantly, very windy, so enjoy the natural charnels of the archipelago at this time will not work. Yes, and a trip to the ferry early spring - the idea is not always successful, sometimes his storms so that you are still afraid to move once again (I remember my trip to the ferry in Sweden on March 8 last year, which I spent lying face down on the sofa at the window).

But Mai is a completely different matter, at this time on Alands are always warm and sunny (often it turns out that Mai is much better here and roasting June). Another plus trip is late in the spring in the fact that there are almost no problems with places for cars on the ferries, tickets do not have to buy in advance.

Aland Islands in winter

To go to Alands in the winter I advise only the most desperate extremal. For it is cold (very cold!), Dark and quite boring. The most finished Misanthropa is afraid: even Marienhamen is completely dying in the winter, after 4:00 pm, the probability of meeting on Elk Street is much higher than to stumble upon a person.

And the point of traveling to the winter archipelago? On bicycles and boats, we especially do not ride ski slopes And there are almost no resorts here.

What are the prices for rest

Alands can hardly be attributed to budget tourist destinations. The region is considered one of the most economically successful in Finland. For Alanders, this is, of course, happiness, which cannot be said about tourists. It will have to be scored literally for everything: ranging from accommodation and ending with tickets to public transport. Especially robber prices for hotels: A day on an average three-star hotel will cost you 100-120 EUR per season.

Most often I book hotels on, and you can compare prices from different resources. Check if private owners are offered for rent apartments.

Dinner in a restaurant for two (second dishes, desserts, 2 wines glasses) from 70 EUR.

The only good news for tourists: There are no high prices for entrance tickets to Museums and Exhibitions: On average, about 8-10 EUR. Well, a pleasant bonus: for children up to 12 years old entrance is almost everywhere free. We go to Alanda every summer, so we developed for themselves several ways to save:

Main attractions. What to see

The main attractions of Alands are Natural, there are many picturesque bays and bays, rocky shores. Therefore, be prepared for what you have to carry out a lot of time in the air, stock comfortable clothing, shoes and umbrellas / raincoats.

A good idea is to rent a boat and bicycles for all the time: with their help you can thoroughly explore the islands and do not depend on public transportwhich in the Alandians does not always work perfectly.

However, the abundance of natural beauty does not mean that the lover of historical places is boring on Alands. On the contrary, for them there is a lot of interesting things here, because at one time the island belonged to the Russian Empire, and Sweden. In Marienhame and other archipelago prefectures, it is very interesting to observe how three cultures are combined with each other.

Tourist streets on the islands are a bit, and almost all of them are located in Mariehamne.

Be sure to walk by:

• Stora Gatan.. The central street of the city, where is full of souvenir shops, cafes and shops with local aland craft souvenirs.
• Torggatan.. The main shopping street of the city, all the best shops of Mariehamna are located here and in nearby lanes.
• Esplanadi.. Street street, very pleasant and very lively in the summer. There are always a lot of young people, musicians and tourists.

To go to Alands for one day - the present crime, because to inspect all the delights of the archipelago you will definitely do not have time. If it happened so that you decided to jump here for a while on the way to Sweden, I advise you to stay on the main island and devote your time Mariehamna and Yomale. And after going to the sound to see the historical places of the archipelago.

Mariehamn.

It is worth starting his "tour" with Mariehamna Stora Gatan shopping streets and Torggatan. Here you can admire the antique wooden houses, which are very much reminded by traditional Russian leaves, buy local souvenirs. Stroll to the City Town Hall and the Cathedral of St Görans Kyrka.

Then go to the Maritime Museum and do not forget to inspect the monument to the Russian merchant Sitkov and the Pommerm Sailboat. This little excursion will take you somewhere for 4 hours. Distances in the city are small, but if you rent a bike, put at 3-3.5 hours.

Yomala

After that, on the bus station Mariehamn, sit on the LEMLAND bus - Mariehamn - Jomala and go to Yomala to see the local medieval church of St. Olofs Kyrka. Together with the expensive tour of the church will take about 1-1.5 hours.

Here, in Yomala, I advise you to remember the dinner and visit a cozy restaurant on the Ulfsby Gård farm. It is close to the church, within walking distance. In this place, incredibly delicious mutton dishes and berry desserts are served.

Sunda

There is no direct bus - there is no, there will have to transfer to Mariehamne, so the road will take about 1-1.5 hours. On the site immediately go to inspect the castle Castelholm and the Bomaxund fortress. It will take you about 2.5 hours.

In principle, if you have time to visit all the above places, you can make some picture about Alands. But still the main charm of the archipelago is its natural wealth and opportunities for outdoor activities. Therefore, hardly island can be considered a good direction for a trip for one day.

Top 5.

Beaches. What better

Alands have many wonderful beaches, both wild and equipped. Of those I visited myself, I can advise the following:

The best beaches Aland Islands on the map:

Churches and temples. What are you worth a visit

In all the prefectures of Alands are full of churches and cathedrals: wooden and stone, medieval and relatively young (all of them about 16). But the fans of architecture and history will advise to pay the vision of these:

Museums. What are you worth a visit

There are quite a few museums of various profiles on the islands, but if you discard the local lore, I can advise the 4 most curious:

Parks

All Aland Islands are one solid park, there are a lot of vegetation, lakes and beaches, cycling tracks and picnic places.

But still, I advise you to pay special attention to these:

• Smart Park.. This is not so much natural as entertaining park in Eckerö. There are water rides, an autodrome, almost every day conduct various contests and games. There is a toy laboratory, where children show interesting experiences and talk about the world's device. Lovers of outdoor activities in the nature of the park will also like it: here you can rent boats, sigwei, bicycles, arrange picnics. Address: Eckerö, Eckerövägen, 388.
• Kobba Klintar.. This natural object should be visited for the sake of luxury marine landscapes and views of the port of Mariehamna. The park has a cafe, where incredibly tasty freshly baked donuts and other snacks are served.

• Nåto and Järsö.. These places are difficult to call parks. Rather, they are walking trails on the territory of Lemland Island. Trails are simple for beginners, short-term (about 2 kilometers each) and very picturesque. You can enjoy sea landscapes and mini-islands that surround Lemland.

Food. What to try

Food at Alands is a special topic, it is distinctive, tasty and almost always made from local environmentally friendly products. There are a lot of farms here, where most establishments buy meat, milk, vegetables and fruits. Often, right at farms have restaurants that prepare only of the freshest ingredients.

Including therefore, it is almost useless to look for budget restaurants on the islands. The food is expensive, the average second dish (meat plus a side dish) will cost 20-25 EUR. Street food here is very small, it is practically no. If you decide to live in a campsite and cook yourself, I advise you to attend Marienhamen or Yomala markets: they sell fresh fish, meat, cheeses and baking. However, it is hoped that prices will be highly low, do not stand: local products and markets are expensive. Cheaper to buy food in Lidl, Prisma, City-Market, S-Market.

Theland cuisine is interesting because she absorbed something from Russian, Finnish and Swedish, but at the same time kept its originality. The main edible product of the local is naturally fish, they have thousands of interesting recipes for her cooking. It was here for the first time I tried salmon marinated in a liqueur of resin.

Long doubted, but eventually remained very pleased. Another important component of local cuisine - lamb, it can be safely trying in all restaurants, will always be delicious.

Separate history - drinks in Alands. Here they prepare a delicious cider from local apples and blueberries, drink wine and beer. The fans of the latter must be going to the village of Grelsby, which is in Finström Prefecture. On the local farm, the so-called "slow beer" is boiled, the preparation process of which lasts from 4 weeks. I myself am not a fan of a foam drink, so I can not tell about his taste virtues, but the friends of the brewer first do on arrival on the islands just go to buy beer in Grelsby.

Top dishes to try in Alands

Medium level:

• Indigo Restaurang & Bar. Mariehamn, Nygatan, 1;
• Bistro Koppar Grytan.. Jomala, Sparvägen, 1;
• Cafe La Strada.. Mariehamn, Torggatan, 6;
• Ass Paviljongen.. MarieHamn, SjöProMenaden;
• OvningsRestaranang HJORTEN. Mariehamn, Strandgatan, 1a.

• SMAKBYN.. Sund, Slottsvagen, 134 (Kastelholm);
• Nautical. Mariehamn, Hamngatan, 2;
• Bagarstugan Cafe & Vin. Mariehamn, Ekonomiegatan, 2;
• St.randhugget..Sottunga, Strandhugget, 1.

Grocery shopping on Alands is also characterized by some elitism. That is, to hunt with huge bags for sanction cheeses, ham and milk here is not worth it: the prices of all this is good on the mainland of Finland much more humane, so leave this kind of purchase for later.

But it is very possible to purchase something from quality purely Aland products here. For example, in these stores:

• Mercedes Chocolaterie. (Eckerö, Eckerö POST & Tullhus). This store is worth visiting even if you are not going to buy anything. It is located in a beautiful old post office, is very interestingly decorated inside. Here you can buy excellent handmade chocolate souvenirs, marzipan candies, dark chocolate bars with local berries and fruits.
• Stallhagen. (Godby, Getavägen, 196). The very beer shop that I mentioned above and who adore my friends-brewing. There is both "constant" and "seasonal" beer varieties. Almost every day arrange a tasting of new products.

Holidays

Juhannus / MidSommar (Ivan Day Kupala)

The most interesting thing that could happen to you in Alands is the holiday of the local day of Ivan Kupala, or Yuhannus (Juhannus), or, as the Swedes, Midsommar (Midsommar) say. He comes on Friday from 19 to 25 June.

In fact, this holiday is widely celebrated in Finland, and in Sweden, but for some reason he is especially loved on the archipelago islands. Most often I have come to catch Yuhannus on the mainland of Finland, and I can say that it is much more modest there than in Alands. Here since the morning everyone is actively preparing for the holiday: decorate at home, wreaths weave, prepare a treat. All day people are having fun, walk on dancing, harness fires. Many are going to companies and go to relax in cottages or campgrounds.

Where to go

Be sure to visit the evening fire on the central square of Mariehamna. There will be dancing, songs, contests and, of course, you will be offered traditional treats: Salty Sellic, young potatoes with dill, grilled meat and local cider, beer or sparkling wine.

In Eskerö, fishing competitions are usually carried out on this day, you can get a good prize. In any case, in whatever prefectures you do not live, there is a lot of interesting things there. Just take care in advance about food and drinks: Find an open shop on this day will be difficult even in Mariehamne.

Harvest Holiday

Interesting and very favorite local event. It is usually held in the last weekend of September. These days, the Archipelago farm opens the doors for everyone: you can ride from one to another, try local products and watch, how to prepare Jams, Wines, Juices, etc. In addition to gastronomic entertainment, farmers try to organize an active program for guests: High ride , Different lectures and Mater Classes.

Where to go

In principle, you can visit any of the farms, almost all of them participate in the holiday. Be sure to go to the Smart Park, where the festival is opening: there is an entertainment program for children.

Christmas

New Year Thelanders are not particularly complaining, as, however, and Finns with the Swedes. It is noted very modest here. But Christmas is another thing, this is the main day of the local calendar. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24-25), thelanders gather with families at the table, give gifts and go to the sauna.

These days in cities it is useless to wait for the entertainment program. But about a month before the Christmas, a festive canor will begin to feel very clearly: almost every day concerts, fairings, fairs, restaurants are taking place on solemn lunches.

Where to go

In late November, visit the opening of the Christmas season, a fair and a big festive concert in Mariehamne. Usually this action is completed with fireworks on retail space. Do not forget to take children: Santa will hand out their ginger cookies, candy and glue - traditional hot berry drinks with spices.

Safety. What to beware is worth

Actually, to become a victim of fraudsters on Alands approximately simply, how to get a sun blow in Lapland in January. That is - almost impossible. Local residents Very calm, friendly and peace-loving.

In the already super-safe Finland, the archipelago is considered one of the most relaxing places. If in the mainland, Suomi can be embarrassed by Tsygan or refugees from the Middle East in the evening, then there are practically no of them on the Alands (at least I did not come across any). Here you can safely walk in the evenings and nights, leave the car open, forget things in public places: you will be returned anyway!

We often ride in the evenings by hitchhiker, if you need to get from the campsite to Eckerö to Mariehamna - I have never met suspicious personalities, all the drivers were very miles and benevolent. We never even took money. So you can calmly relax and enjoy holidays: Alands certainly do not belong to the places where you need to be alert.

Things to do

In the summer, the Alands are full of places for active leisure, you can devote every day to a new hobby. From particularly popular entertainment, these:

• Golf and tennis. Again, thanks to a calm even relief, there are plenty of good golf plots on Alands. Especially my friends like places near Castelholm Castle (for example, LinnanKenttä) and platforms in Eckerö (Eckerö Golfklubb). There is still enough tennis courts that can be rented hourly. The most popular are in Mariehamne near IDROTTSPARK.
  
• Horseback riding. When I watch the young Alands of rider, it seems to me that these children were born in the saddle. It is so popular horse riding that many wealthy adhesives have private stables. Newbies with pleasure teaching communicating with horses. Horseback riding can be enrolled in Stall Aftonsol schools, Midgård Islandsstall (Sund), Ridklubben Sleipner (Maarihamn), Stall Rosenqvist (Eckerö).
  
• Bars. I will say right away and honestly: with bars, pubs and nightclubs on the islands True trouble. The fact that in the understanding of the Alanders is a bar, we will seem rather something like a bistro-cafe. In the pubs, Alands hold their favorite concept: I need to prepare food only from local products, and drinks should be expensive and high quality. In all institutions there are rock music, on Saturdays and Fridays invite local groups. For most of our tourists, the time of the bars becomes a surprise: almost all of them on Friday and Saturday are closed at 2:00, on weekdays - at 00:00. However, they mention the places of the archipelago, which in the presence of a good fantasy can be taken for bars:
  • Pub Niska.(Mariehamn, Sjökvarteret). A good place For those who like to enjoy not only drinks and music, but also a "bar" food. Here they prepare the best pizza in Mariehamna, again, only from local products. The waiters somehow boasted us that even the cheese for pizza brought from the farm on the island of Eckerö.
  • Tullkällarn Pub. (DeGerby, Lotsuddsvägen). Pretty stylish institution, located in the premises of the former warehouse of local customs. Again, in our understanding it is difficult to call the pub: here are pizza and different snacks, and only light beverages can be enjoyed: beer and setoes, wines, cocktails. For a stronger alcohol, the institution simply does not have a license. Nevertheless, the bar is worth a visit for its unusual design and delicious fish snacks.
  • Pub ettan. (Mariehamn, Torggatan, 1). In my opinion, the most traditional bar on Alands. At least, it loves local and often collected here in the evenings behind the beer boilers. There is not so much food and a rich selection of drinks. Local musicians play every Saturday and Friday.
• Shopping. It is unlikely that I can call the Alands of the perfect place for shopping. To Milan outlet and Stockholm shopping centers with these stores Oh, how far.
  But on the islands there are plenty of cute shops with local souvenirs and designer things to pay attention to. Basically, all of them are focused in Mariehamne.
  • Stores Hand Made. I can recommend the following:
    • Salt.. Local goods store in Mariehamna Maritime Quarter (Sjökvarteret). Here you can buy products from fabrics, ceramics, wood and iron. Everything is very expensive and efficient.
    • Labelled. Store of the Aland designer Linda Carlsson in Mariehamne (Torggatan, 15). Many curious products from recycling: dresses, bags, sweaters. There are souvenirs for home. In general, the design on an amateur, but the Green Peace Style will enjoy adherents.
    • Gretas Butik.. Half Texthend, half-heineide shop, where you can find curious vintage decorations and homes. It is also in Mariehamne (Skarpansvägen, 23).
    • Judy's Hantverk & Infredning (Jomala, Hindersvägen, 1). Cute color shop copyright from ceramics from local designer Judy Kuitunen. All goods of bright positive colors. Here you can also find Textile Hand-Maid from other Aland artists.
    • Guldviva. (Mariehamn, Sjökvarteret). This shop from the soul advise the same as I crazy fans of robberies. Here you can buy interesting silver and gold products from local designers. At times, there are truly unique things, so that the gifts and female friends and relatives can safely go here.
  • Shops branded things. Immediately warning, brand things here are very expensive. Large sale on the islands are not so often (mainly after the Christmas holidays), so the chance to get better with something luxury is not so great. If the prices are not so important to you, you can pay attention to these stores:
    • ZIZ ZACI. (Mariehamn, Torggatan, 9b);
    • Boutique Niccola.(Mariehamn, Norragatan, 1);
    • Tara. (Mariehamn, Torggatan, 13);
    • Martin's.(Saltvik, Dragödavägen, 57).
  • Large shopping center - MAXINGE CENTER. Actually, the only shopping mol on the territory of Alands, where you can find inexpensive clothes, accessories, equipment, cosmetics, etc. Also, here are full of cafes, restaurants, playgrounds. There are also grocery supermarkets. Located, oddly enough, not in Mariehamna, but in Yomala. Address: Jomala, Sparvägen, 1.

Extreme sports

Extreme entertainment on the islands is not so much due to the most notorious even relief, which is so loved by cyclists. But there is one hot-friendly local extreme view Sports - sea rowing on kayaks.

On Alands, ideal conditions for rowing both for beginners and experienced, because there are many closed bays and open beaches.

Want to practice, slowly walk on Kayak along the coast and enjoy beautiful landscapes? Choose the beaches of Yomala or Sunda Prefecture: They are reliably protected from strong winds. If you consider yourself an experienced rower, go straight to Degersand Beach. This is an outdoor beach, within its limits, almost always gorgeous waves, and will have to work hard so that the boat does not turn over.

Kayak and rescue equipment can be rented in a famous local company. Single kayak will cost you at 50 EUR per day, double - 90 EUR per day. You can rent them for a short time, for 2 hours. It will cost 35 EUR for a single and 60 EUR for a double kayak. Special kayaks for surfing cost from 55 EUR per day. The same company offers guide on rowing and group tours along the routes.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

As you already understood, Alanda is a very atypical corner of Finland, so traditional sweaters with deer and magnets with yoloupocks are not separated as souvenirs. Otherwise, no one will believe that you have been on the islands. So, the most interesting gifts from here:

Aland Islands - Recreation with children

Alands are not suitable for recreation with children, and even with the smallest. Everything is adapted here for young tourists: in cottages, camping and hotels you will be offered baby cots, in all cafes there are chairs for feeding. And in general, the islands are very calm and safely, children can be saved to walk on the platforms.

Beaches on Alands are well-kept, and many of my familiar Finns call them Lapsiystävälliset, which literally means "friendly for children."

What to do with children

• Visit Castelholm, Bomasund and Sailboat "Pommerage". All three objects are not very big and interesting, children will not have time to be toured during their visits and at the same time will penetrate the medieval romance of fortifications, maritime stories about the adventures of the sailboat.

Ski rest

Because of the surprisingly flat relief on Alands there are no more or less worthy ski slopes, so I would not advise lovers of winter sports as a place for vacation.

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

Alands consist of 16 prefectures, 10 of which are located on the largest island of the MANNER-Ahvenanmaa archipelago.

Prefectures of the Aland Islands on the map:

The attention of the tourist deserve the following of them:

With the above prefectures of Alands, I advise you to get acquainted in the first place, because the most "delicious" places of the archipelago are concentrated in them. If you are going to the islands for a week and more, it is worth seeing other prefectures of Alands: Geta, Hammarland, Saltvik, Lemland, Lumparland, Brändö, Föglö, Kumlinge, Kökar, Vårdö. All of them are pretty and picturesque, each has enough interesting pleasure and cycling routes.

How to move around the islands

Public transport in Alands is not developed as well as I would like. The only available look is buses. There are no trams here and quite exactly for the sake of 25 thousand people of the population no one would build a subway. From the island on the island there are ferries.

In general, the most convenient and most profitable option for travelers is to come to the islands on your car. If there is no such possibility, I advise you to rent it already in Mariehamne, although it will be significantly more expensive. You can compare proposals using various sites aggregators, for example.

Those who decide to use the services of public transport, I advise you to be patient and the Internet. That buses that the ferries do not have so often, sometimes you have to wait 20-30 minutes, other and in general. So it is best to check schedules on the website of the local carrier Ålandstrafiken. There you can immediately buy tickets. If you do not want to pay online, contact Ålandstrafiken cash register in Mariehamne and on the marins. Tickets also sell in the buses themselves and ferry.

One bus trip costs 2 EUR, but you can also buy cards by 10, 25 or 50 times. The larger the number of trips, the one, respectively, it is more profitable for: a card by 10 times will cost you at 18 EUR, at 25 - 42 EUR, by 50 - 70 EUR. One-time ferry trip costs 5 EUR. We sell subscriptions to them, you can only buy an annual card, but why is she a tourist who will spend on the islands at best two weeks?

"Unmamaric" travelers advise you to think about moving through the islands of the hitchhiking. Here is a common phenomenon and safe. I myself experienced it many times on myself and never came across problems. Just do not forget to write in large letters on some cardboard destination, and most likely you will select you for 10-15 minutes.

It is worth paying attention to both boats: a very convenient way to move around the islands for those who do not want to be tied to the time of the movement of ferries. In Mariehamne there is only one company offering "solid-caliber" boats and canoes for rent, already familiar to us. Apparently, therefore, she is not the most democratic prices: a day of using a conventional rowing boat will cost you about 100 EUR, in the case of a motor, add the cost of fuel. Rent for a week is more profitable: it will cost about 250-300 EUR. Canoea costs a little cheaper: about 80 EUR per day and 150 per week.

Conditions for renting boats do not differ from the rules of bicycle rental: you will only ask you to pay the deposit of paying.

The most familiar way of movement for the local, the bike in Alands has each, regardless of the level of income and social status. Even important officials are often achieved to work on two wheels. I advise you to move around the islands on bicycles, then you will not have to depend on not too convenient public transport. Yes, and savings will be significant, because gasoline in Alands is not cheap: liter of the 95th stands somewhere 1.5 EUR, 98th - 1.7 EUR.

If you are on the islands in the summer, you can especially not worry about equipment: most of the day here is light, the risk of getting into trouble even on the most lively tracks is minimal. If you suddenly decide to sit on a bike in late autumn or early spring, it is better to take care in advance about reflectors - they can be bought in any supermarket and souvenir shops. Do not forget about helmets, especially when you go beyond the city. You will not finish for their absence, but for your own calmness, it is better to protect your head.

Almost everywhere on the islands there are cycling paths that are laid slightly away from the main route. As a rule, in the area of \u200b\u200bMariehamna, Yomala and Eskerle, they are covered well. In remote areas of the archipelago (type of Soldung), it is often saved on electricity, so take care that your two-wheeled friends are equipped with overall lights (rolling bikes check strictly here, so they will necessarily comply with all safety standards).

So, if my arguments convinced you and you decided to take a bike for rent, you can contact the already well-known company. Their prices are fairly democratic: the rental of the rent will cost 10 EUR, week - 50 EUR. This company also has a lot of additional cycling equipment like children's chairs, trailers for the transport of animals, etc. Conditions for rentals are simple: only a passport will be required for renting bicycles even pledge. Well, try to return the equipment on time, otherwise you will have to pay some kind of symbolic fine.

Taxi. What features exist

If you arrive at Alanda without a car, a taxis will have to use quite often. To start at least with the fact that getting from the airport or seaport to the center of Mariehamna will only be on it. Be prepared for the fact that a taxi here is a luxury. When you sit in the car, the counter already shows 9 EUR. There are no underground "cabers" in Alands, everything is officially and on the counter. Taxi prices are so inhumanly due to high taxes: the airport trip will cost you about 20 EUR. If you get on a taxi from the long port of Långnäs, which is 30 kilometers from Mariehamna, be prepared to fork up 60-80 EUR.

However, in the cooking official, taxi on Alands has its advantages: for example, all machines are fused by terminals, and you can always pay a card. It is not customary to catch a taxi on the street here, usually take them on special parking in ports, airport, on the central square. You can call and order a car by phone: Operators of local firms Taxi are perfectly english.

Public transport

As I noted, buses are not the most convenient means of movement through the islands. Fully rely on them will not work: the buses are not always a convenient schedule of motion. And on weekends and holidays, the number of departures is reduced at all: in small settlements It may not be at all buses, for example, on Sundays. In the capital, Jomala and Eckerö, the situation is better, but still far from ideal. In any case, do not forget to use this site, then the probability of getting into the unpleasant situation will be reduced to a minimum.

Transport rental

Rental cars in Alands are quite popular, the service is offered both by local companies and branches of large international firms. According to my observations, the price of international companies is slightly lower. We have rented cars several times at Hertz: prices there turned out to be the lowest on the islands, and the fleet is quite rich. In addition to the standard cars, the manager proposed minibuses and jeeps where you can climb into any wilderness of the archipelago. Try searching for cars and other companies: Expedia, Car Hire, Runbergs Bil & Service.

The last company is purely local, Aland, we had a short one with her, but a pleasant experience of communication. We took a car for rent for a trip to Stomatong and remained very satisfied with the service. Nobody demanded a collateral with us, asked for a passport, which immediately returned after removing the copy. As far as I know, this principles work all the local firms where cars are rented.

Prices for cars in all companies are also different: as a rule, a day of rent is about 80 EUR, a week - about 400 EUR. Add to this the cost of gasoline, which is not cheap at Alands: about 1.5 EUR - 95th, 1.8 EUR - 98th. Fortunately, on the islands not very long distances between the main tourist objects, and it is unlikely that you will spend too much fuel.

It is best to compare the proposals, as I said, use the assets-aggregators. Let's say.

Alands are one of the most calm drivers in the world, so you can navigate the islands and at all an experienced driver. Even if you slow down and for a long time to look for the rotation you need, no one becomes irritated and rushing. There are several things to pay attention to the archipelago:

• Remember the speed limit, in the cities it is 40 kilometers per hour! And on Alands, unlike Russia, there is no "corridor" 20 kilometers per hour, an error is officially allowed at 5 kilometers per hour. However, on our experience, the camera will not fix the disorder up to 10 kilometers per hour.

The largest is the island of Aland, 640 km 2. Despite its north location, these islands are one of the most sunny regions of Northern Europe. Borders with neighboring Sweden mostly sea. The only exception is the island of Merket; He is uninhabited, while its western part belongs to Sweden, Eastern - Finland.

The straits makes, Lapetzi and Skift archipelago divided from the south to the north into four groups of the islands. The water area between the Aland Islands and the Swedish coast of 40-45 km width is called the Aland Bay. It freezes only in the most severe winters, but the ice peasic fields are formed from the coast almost every year. The strip of the sea between the archipelago and the Finnish coast is a real labyrinth of Schächer - small rocky islands. The base is composed mainly by granites and gneysami, relief - hilly, places with moraine sediments. There are many shallow bays on the islands, the entrance to which is available only to small ships.
The name of the islands takes place from the Strossanandavian Ahwaland, or the "Water Earth", where Ahwa means the same thing that Aqua is "water" in Latin. From the same basis, the Finnish name of the islands islands - Akhvenmanmaa, which can also be translated as "Earth of Perch."
People began to settle the Aland Islands in IV thousand BC. e. In 2400-1500 BC e. Here developed the Neolithic Culture of Kiukius. The main classes of people were hunting and fisheries. The feudal period left about himself in the Aland Islands, the only significant testimony is the medieval castle of Castelholm. He is first mentioned in the annals of 1388, although it was built long before this date. From 1300 to 1600, Castelholm Castle was a permanent assault object and Opad in the period of feudal wars.
During the Northern War between the coalition of the Nordic States and Sweden for the Baltic lands in 1700-1721. In 1714, the Aland Islands held a large marine battle between the Russian fleet of 30 linear and 180 training ships under the command of Admiral Apraksin and the Swedish fleet, which was three times less. The Swedes wanted to prevent Russian to fall on the Aland Islands, but were forced to retreat, and King Peter I (1672-1725) - in the rank of Admiral in Apraksin - captured the flagship ship of the Swedish Admiral Erischild. At the same time the population of the archipelago left the islands and headed to the mainland Sweden.
In 1809, the islands became part of the Russian Empire as part of the Grand Principality of Finland - according to the Friedrichsgam Peace Treaty of September 17, 1809. Russia built a powerful military fortress Bomaxan on the islands, but during the Crimean War 1853-1856. It was captured and destroyed by the Anglo-French squadron. In 1856, at the Parisian peace treaty, summing up the war, the Aland Islands was assigned the status of a demilitarized zone.
After the fall of the autocracy in Russia, the population of the Aland Islands, fearing for the preservation of the Swedish language and its unique culture, tried to reunite with Sweden. A petition was drawn up to the king of Sweden with thousands of signatures under it, but on December 6, 1917, Finland proclaimed independence from Russia, and on January 4, 1918, Russia and Sweden recognized it.
The territory of Finland, thus became sovereign and indivisible. Among the inhabitants of Apand, displeased with their petition, began to grow discontent, the stormy debates on this topic were in local authorities. A compromise solution, when patronage, UK, found a league of nations. In 1921, Sweden and Finland signed an agreement developed by League, according to which the Aland Islands remained Finnish, but they acquired broad rights of self-government. In the same 1921, another convention was also signed in Geneva: about demilitarization and neutrality of the Aland Islands. During World War II, Finland - an ally of fascist Germany - violated the Convention, but after the war he signed a tripartite agreement with the USSR and the UK on the restoration of the Status of the Aland Islands as a demilitarized zone. Residents of the Aland Islands have peculiar dual citizenship. They have written on the cover of passports, not like the remaining subjects of Finland, Suomi - Finland, and "Suomi - Finland - Alands."
It is expressed, in particular, in special privileges for the local parliament - Lagtang. He takes his laws and the budget of the province without coordination with Helsinki. At the same time, the parliament, according to the Finnish Constitution, is entitled to change the law on the self-government Aland, but only with the consent of the local authority. The absolute majority of the population of the Aland Islands in their origin - ethnic Swedes, the number of Finns here is slightly. At the same time, the Swedish language is the only official state language of the Aland Islands. Finnish language is taught at school, and, although in the number of mandatory subjects, it does not enter, they own almost all residents of Aland: what is called, life makes. Fertility on the islands is low, and the population of Aland increases mainly due to visitors from the continent - from Sweden and Finland. Almost half of all residents of the islands live in Mariehamne - the main city of the archipelago.
Mariehamn was built by the Russians by the registered command of the king Alexander II (1818-1881). In 1861, the settlement received the status of the city and was called Mariehamn, translated from the Swedish - "Harbor Mary", in honor of the wife of Emperor Mary Alexandrovna. In the square in front of the city hall of Mariehamna in 2011, under the execution of the Russian Kalinka, a monument to the Empress of the sculptor A. Kovalchuk was established, the gift of Russia Mariehamna in honor of the 150th anniversary of the provincial foundation. And Kalinka was performed because it was written by composer I. Larionov in 1860, i.e., too, 150 years ago.
In the capital of Aland - two ports, on the western and eastern tip of the island. The Western port has international importance: the path of ferries in Sweden and mainland Finland passes through it. The Yacht Harbor of the Eastern Port is one of the largest in the Baltic Sea.
The islands of the islands are by no means rich in minerals, and nevertheless the Aland Islands are in a tenth place in the list of the richest regions of the European Union.
The basis of the economy of the islands is maritime transportation, trade operations and tourism. The number of tourists is growing, their service is occupied almost a third of all the inhabitants of the islands. Most tourists arrive, as it is easy to guess, from Sweden and Finland.
Although the stony soil of the islands holds on itself only a very thin layer of the soil, barley, wheat, oats, sugar beets, potatoes are grown on it. Local meadows are quite suitable as pastures for sheep and cattle. The water in the coastal zone at the islands has a low salt content, so marine, and freshwater fish are also found here: Sudak, Sig, Salmon and Salmon, Pike and Sea Tymen, and the last two species grow off the coast of Aland to extremely large sizes. And the Earth, and the coastal waters of the islands - private possessions. The hosts of the sea "land" are combined into fishing artels.
Part of the agricultural products of the fishing street of the islanders in fresh or frozen form is supplied to the mainland, the remaining is recycled in place. Equal milk products, canned fish, sand sugar, potato chips, apple cider.
And today the silhouettes of the surviving windmills are typical for Aland, giving them an external emphasis of the pastorality of the local being, which, in general, corresponds to reality. Some mill mills are still used in direct appointment, others turned into housing, cafe, small museums of local importance. More than a third of all electricity in the Aland Islands, as in the whole of Scandinavia, is produced by direct descendants of windmills - modern wind generators. Recently, the financial sector of the economy is becoming an increasing role in Alands - insurance and banking operations.

general information

Administrative status: The Province of the Aland Islands, as part of the Finnish Republic.

Administrative-territorial division: 16 Commune (Brande, Equra, Finstrem, Fögle, Ethe, Hammarkland, Yomala, Kumling, Chökar, Lempands, Lupaceland, Mariehamn, Saltvik, Suttung, Sunda, Worth).

The origin of the islands: Continental.

Administrative center: Mariehamn city - 11,005 people. (2013).

Languages: Swedish (official), Finnish.

Ethnic composition: Swedes - 92%, Finns - 5%, others - 3%.

Religion: Protestantism.

Currency unit: Euro.

Major ports: Mariehamn, Berghamn, Longnes.

Neighboring countries and territories: In the East - the area of \u200b\u200bthe original Finland, in the West - Len Stockholm (Sweden), in the north-west - Len Uppsala (Sweden, including the land border on the island of Merket).

Nearest airports: international Airports Helsinki Vantaa and Turku.

Numbers

Area: 1580 km 2.

Population: 28 355 people. (2011).
Population density: 18 people / km 2.
Number of islands: about 6500, inhabited - about 150.
Extension: from north to south - 130 km.
The highest point: Hill Orrdalsklit on the island of Aland (128 m).

Climate and weather

Moderately continental with a strong influence of the marine, in general - cool.

The average temperature of January: -4 ° C.

The average temperature of July: + 15 ° C.

The average annual amount of precipitation: 550 mm.
Relative humidity: 75%.

Economy

VRP: $ 1563 million (2007), I am inflation - $ 55,829 (2007).

Port industry, passenger shipping.
Industry: Food, as well as the production of ferries spare parts, a large laundry, serving ferries.

Agriculture: Crop (sugar beet, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, onions), animal husbandry (cattle, sheep).

Fisheries and shrimp mining.

Field of services: Insurance banking operations, trade, tourism.

sights

■ Aland Island.: Castle Castelholm Castle (XIV-XVII century), Nearby - Museum of Prison Vita Bjorn, Farm Museum "Jan Karlsgorda" (traditional Aland houses and windmills), Viking Kurgan, Ruins of the Russian Military Flight Bassend (XIX century), Yet village With the Church of the XV century, near the Mount Yet (98 m) with a viewing tower, red granite rocks, pedestrian tourist trails ("caves", "Trail of the Middle Ages," Troll trail "), equipped with benches for recreation and fenced on the sheer shores low fences, a farm for the breeding of snails.
■ The city of Mariehamn (Aland Island): Sailboat-Museum "Pomever", Church of St. George (1927), the main building of the Aland Sea College (1927), the building of the city municipality (1939), the local history museum, the Aland Art Museum, the Maritime Quarter , Museum of hunting and fisheries.
■ Uninhabited rocky Kobba Cobbar Island With ancient house of Lotsmana, where a small museum is located.
■ The ruins of the monastery of Franciscantsev XIII century (Kökar Island), Island Museum.

Curious facts

■ Merket Island, according to which the border goes between Sweden and Finland is the most western point of Finland. Its area is 3 hectares: it is one of the smallest islands in the world divided between countries. Since the territory of the island varies in natural reasons, every 25 years the border demarcation passes. The last correction of the border line was carried out in 2006.
■ The inhabitants of the archipelago are not called upon military service, they are prohibited by wearing and storing any firearms except hunting. Police This ban does not concern.
■ In the Aland Islands, twins are unusually often compared to other regions of Scandinavia, twins are born. Such islanders have a special heredity, according to physicians and genetic scientists.
■ Since 1970, the Aland Islands have their own independent representation in the Northern Council - an organization coordinating cooperation between the parliaments of Northern Europe.

■ Mailboxes in Mariehamna - often the subject is decorative, they paint them with flowers, give them the form of lighthouses. In general, each owner tries that his drawer is the most beautiful.
■ The word "cottage" in Swedish has the same meaning as in Russian, because it is borrowed from Russian.
■ Since 1984, the Aland Islands produce their own postage stamps. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the city of Mariehamn, a brand was released with the portrait of Empress Mary Alexandrovna.

The month is nearing the end, and I have more decently not fulfilled the wishes of the FRANDS software. So the line has come to nordlight_Spb. We listen to the application:

"I would like to know more about the Aland Islands, the capital of Marienhamina Islands, as well as about the archipelagoic sea."

So, forward to the unknown!

Theland islands are located between Sweden and Finland at the entrance to the Baltic Sea Bathroom. The population of the region is about 27,000 people, more than 90% of whom are Swedes. James Barros in his book divides the history of the islands for three main periods:

1. Monitoring Sweden (1157 - 1809);
2. Control of Russia (1809 - 1917);
3. Control of Finland (since 1917).

Due to the strategic location of the islands over the centuries, the Aland Islands were the subject of geopolitical games of several large powers. In 1714, during the reign of Peter the first, the region was occupied, albeit for the short period of the Russian Empire. Over the next years, Russia and Sweden have repeatedly fought for control over the region, which constantly passed from one empire to another. Only after the military campaign of 1808 - 1809 of Russia eventually managed to establish control over the Aland Islands and a number of Finnish regions that were under the control of Sweden.

Aland Islands are located in the Archipelago Sea (Finsk. Saaristomeri, Swede Skärgårdshavet). This is part of the Baltic Sea between the Botnik and Finnish bays within the Finnish territorial waters.

The archipelago Sea includes a huge number of islands. The exact number depends on the definition of the term "island", since the land plots vary from small stones looking out of the water, to big Islands With several villages or even the city on them. In the Archipelago Sea 257 islands with an area exceeding 1 km² and about 18,000 islands with an area of \u200b\u200bmore than 0.5 hectares. Given the smaller uninhabited cliffs and schkers in the archipelago more than 50,000 islands (for comparison, the number of Islands of the Indonesian archipelago varies from 13,000 to 18,000). The territory of the archipelago is approximately divided into the inner and external groups of the islands. The external group consists mainly of small uninhabited islands. The archipelago occupies a triangular area with the cities of Mariehamn, Ousikaukunka and Hanko in the corners.

The islands began to rise from under the water immediately after the last glacial period. Due to the post-post lift of the sushi, the process still continues, new schkers and islands are formed, the old increases in size or combine. The current speed of the lifting is from 4 to 10 millimeters per year. Since the islands are mainly consisting of granite and gneis, two very hard rock rocks, then the speed of erosion is significantly less than the speed of the lifting.

Barros describes in his book, as Swedish diplomats "were in vain insisted on the fact that the Aland Islands were always a province of Sweden", to which Russian diplomats answered that "we are now busy with the old borders of Sweden, but the new borders of the Russian Empire." According to Barrosa, "Using the Aland Islands as a military base against Sweden, the Russians were well aware of the strategic importance from the point of view of Defense of Finland, as well as the establishment of control in the Baltic Sea."

Under Fredrikshamna Treaty (September 17, 1809), the Aland Islands, as well as a number of territories of modern Finland, moved to Russia. The issue of militarization or demilitarization of the Aland Islands was constantly on the agenda of Russian-Swedish talks throughout the XIX century. Sweden required the neutralization of the islands "as an independent state under the protectorate of France, England and Sweden," and this requirement found the support of the UK, but was rejected by Russia.

Mariehamn - Translated from Swedish, - "Harbor Mary". Alexander II gave the name of the city in honor of his spouse. In Mariehamna, there are two ports, there is a sailboat museum, a steamer-restaurant, modern high-speed yachts and cruise liners. The islanders call Maria by the godfather, although he knows little about her. Probably because the Empress itself never happened in the city, which is named after her honor.

In 1856, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom signed the "Convention on Demilitarization of the Aland Islands", which put an end to the debate at least before the collapse of the Swedish-Norwegian Union in 1905. In 1907, in exchange for recognition of independence of Norway, Russia demanded the revocation of the 1956 Convention, which would allow Russia to accommodate their troops in the territory of the islands. However, when Russia publicly voiced the proposal to cancel the 1856 Convention, it caused noise in Sweden and the UK, and the question was removed from the agenda for a while.

During World War I, Germany promised to return the Aland Islands of Sweden, but in exchange required the allied participation of Sweden in War. But Stockholm retained neutrality and demanded the transformation of the Aland Islands into a neutral zone. At the same time, Russia, knowing that Germany is preparing for the occupation of the islands, cooked military forces to confront. In a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Sazonov On January 1, 1915, the Minister of Marine Fleet Vice-Admiral Ivan Grigorovich emphasized the importance of the islands for Russia. "The whole territory is of strategic importance, therefore one of the main tasks of the maritime fleet is to preserve the islands under the tight control of Russia."

The turning point began for the Aland Islands from the fall of the royal government in Russia, the establishment of a temporary government, and then coming to the power of the Bolsheviks.

After the fall of the monarchy in Russia, representatives of the Aland Provinces-Communication-Commune gathered in Mariehamna to begin work on reunion with their old fatherland - Sweden. A request was made to the Swedish king and the government to adopt Alands under its patronage. By December 1917, the signatures of almost the entire adult population of the Aland Islands were collected.

During this period, Finland demanded independence from Russia, and in Sweden, the requirements of the Unification of Sweden with theland Islands increased.

On December 6, 1917, Finland declared himself an independent republic (self-proclaimed, as we would say now) and refused the Alands in their right to self-determination, understood as joining Sweden. At the same time, Alands still promised self-government. In May 1920, the Finnish Parliament adopted the Aland government law. Thelanders met this law "in bayonets". In the Aland parliament, chosen back in 1918, there were a rapid debate, which ended with the fact that two leaders Sundbloum and Berkman were arrested on charges of state treason.

England intervened in the case, who proposed to convey the question to the League of Nations. On May 24, 1921, League decided on the sovereignty of Finland over Alands, but recommended to give to Alanders legislative guarantees of self-government, demilitarization and neutrality. Three days later, Sweden, fastening the heart, signed the so-called Aland agreement with Finland.

Independence of Finland

In August 1917, thelandians held the Secret Assembly, which discussed the issue of unification with Sweden. "A delegation of four people were formed with a mandate to bring to the Government and Parliament of Sweden, the Deep Desire of the Aland Islands to reiterate with the Kingdom of Sweden on a variety of special reasons," writes Barros. From December 25 to December 29, the population of the Aland Islands held a semblance of a referendum and signed a petition to the king of Sweden Gustavu with a call to unification. This message strengthened the position of the Swedish political groups, which advocated the immediate occupation of the Aland Islands.

Using the weakening of the position of Russia, the King Gustav sent the message of Germany, Austria and Turkey with the requirement of consideration of the Question of the Aland Islands in the course of peace negotiations with Russia in Brest-Litovsk to "protect the vital interests of Sweden on these islands." Germany suggested Sweden their assistance in negotiations with the Bolsheviks on the accession of the islands to Sweden. At the same time, Germany put forward a number of conditions: Sweden was supposed to "allow residents of the islands to determine their further fate on the referendum, not to build any strengthening outposts and bases on the islands, not to transfer the islands to any third party, as well as begin negotiations to increase exports iron ore from Sweden to Germany after the war. "

However, on January 4, 1918, Russia recognized the independence of Finland. It is surprising that, ahead of the rest of European states, on the same day, Finnish independence also recognized Sweden. Subsequently, Helsinki will more than once use the argument that "Sweden and other states recognize the independence of Finland without any prerequisites actually recognized the Aland Islands sovereign part of Finland."

A few weeks after the recognition of Finnish independence, civil war began in this country. While King Gustav tried to take careful steps and avoid direct confrontation with Finland, the Swedish opposition demanded the immediate establishment of control over the islands. Soon after, Sweden sent the ships of his fleet and occupied the Aland Islands. Subsequently, the troops of Germany installed control over the entire territory of Finland, including the Aland Islands.

The Status of the Aland Islands

The independence of Finland did not solve the problems of the Aland Islands, and negotiations between Finland and Sweden, as well as the negotiations of the superpower with Russia continued. Helsinki accused Stockholm in interference in his internal affairs through the support of the inhabitants of the islands in their desire to unite with Sweden. It strengthened tensions in the relations of two states. The Finnish government notified the inhabitants of the islands that it guarantees full security The islands and urgently asks the residents to avoid actions that may damage the territorial integrity of Finland, since such actions will be hard to stop. "

"In the spring of 1918, Stockholm advised the inhabitants of the islands, which independence can only be achieved by building their own self-government institutions, as well as preparations for the commissioning of Plebiscitis regarding separation from Finland and joining Sweden."

At some point, speculation appeared that Finland is considering the possibility of "territorial exchange" by transferring the Aland Islands of Sweden and obtaining in return to East Karelia. However, these speculations were refuted by a special statement of the Finnish government. Instead, Finland offered the inhabitants of the islands a high status of autonomy as part of Finland.

Negotiations between Stockholm and Helsinki did not give results, and the parties agreed to convey the consideration on the status of the Aland Islands of the League of Nations. While the superpowers tried to mediate, position both in Sweden and in Finland worsened. Public opinion in both countries has tightened and demanded an immediate decision on the status of the islands. As a result, Liga Nations created two special commissions to address the issue of the islands. The first commission was to comprehensively explore the political, legal and historical aspects of the Aland problem and offer possible solutions. The task of the second committee was to develop specific recommendations and drawing up a peace agreement.

After listening to the arguments of both parties and conducting his own research, the first commission (commission of lawyers) concluded that "the fundamental issue is the legal, namely the right of Finland to sovereignty over the Alandskie Islands. It is necessary to discuss whether Finland has a sovereign state after the collapse of its union with Tsarist Russia and whether its sovereignty is spreading on the island as well as on other parts of Finland (Art. 314). Regarding the question of Finland's right to the Aland Islands, the Commission concluded that "Finnish independence in 1917, which was recognized by other states, included the islands." This means that "the sovereignty of Finland over the Alandskie Islands was not the subject of disputes, and the islands legally became part of the Finnish state."

The question of the rule of the territorial integrity of the state over the right of minority to self-determination, which is relevant today, was also discussed by the Commission of the League of Nations. Question "Is it possible to recognize the" absolute "right of minority to the department in order to further associate with another state or declaration of independence?" was raised in the report of the Commission. By quoting the Commission's report, Barros writes: "To give the requirements of any minority (on a language, religious or other sign) to the separation from the community to which they belong, only because this is their desire, it would be an unequivocal destruction of order and stability Inside the state would give an anarchy in international life. "

As a result, the commission of lawyers made the following recommendations regarding the status of the Aland Islands in Finland:
. "In the province of the Aland Islands, primary and technical schools must provide training only in Swedish. The obligatory study of Finnish, which is approved by the law should not act in this territory.
. Residents of the islands with any situations should have a priority law in the acquisition of land on the islands. In addition, the newly applied settlers can receive the right to vote in the elections only after five years of residence on the islands.
. Thelanders should have the right to submit to the government in Helsinki a list of three candidates for the post of governor of the islands, and the governor should be appointed only from this list. "

The Commission also threatened a referendum on the status of the Aland Islands, if the Finnish government rejects these recommendations. These recommendations were added to the existing warranties of the autonomy of the islands adopted by the Government of Finland. The final decision on the issue of the islands was made on June 24, 1921, and the League of Nations reaffirmed the sovereignty of Finland over the Aland Islands. Three days later, June 27, Sweden and Finland signed the "Aland Agreement" - a peace treaty on the status of the islands.
Alandland Autonomy Structure

The Alandian Islands Act was hastily compiled and adopted by the Finnish Parliament on May 6, 1920. First, the inhabitants of the islands rejected this act. However, after the League of Nations discussed the status of the islands, the proposed recommendations were added to the Act of Autonomy of 1920. Lars Ingram Johannson, who worked as Secretary General of the Aland Islands Parliament in the 1980s, writes that Landsting, or the Aland parliament, who was elected to the Aland Islands, was written on the first people of the Aland Parliament, and his first plenary session took place June 9, 1922 "(Art. 25). Later, the act of autonomy was revised twice again. For the first time this happened on December 28, 1951, and then again in 1993. The current legislation is fully agreed with the Government of Finland and the population of the Aland Islands.

The "fundamental principle of" Avtomy Act was "to provide residents of the Aland Islands of the widest freedom in managing their internal affairs to ensure internal and external security (Finland)."

The act of autonomy is unambiguously and clearly shares the legal liability between the Parliaments of Finland and the Aland Islands. The Aland Parliament works on the similar principle with the Finnish parliament. It consists of 30 deputies elected every four years, and functions as a institution that adopts laws and decisions on issues of the life of the islands, such as the police, medical care, education, communication, economic development of the region, etc. Johansson claims that " In these areas, the functions of the Aland Parliament do not differ from the functions of the Legislative and Executive Body of the Independent State. "

"The preliminary laws approved by the Aland Parliament are applied on the islands and are above the laws taken by the Finnish Parliament. However, in those areas where the Aland parliament is not endowed with the authorities to take legislative acts, Finnish laws have the same force on the islands as in the rest of the country's territory. . Such areas include postal, customs and monetary services, courts, criminal code, many aspects civil lawrelated to family, inheritance, trade and foreign affairs.

Thelanders also have a quota in the Finnish parliament and are elected by direct vote of the island's population, as well as the rest of the country's parliament. All accepted legislative acts of the Aland Parliament are sent to the signature to the President of Finland, which has the right of veto only in two cases: if the law adopted by the Alandian parliament "goes beyond its competence" and if the actual act "threatens the internal and external security of the country."
The Aland Parliament also accepts laws regarding its own budget and taxation. Taxes, customs duties and other payments are collected from the inhabitants of the islands in the same procedure, as in all other citizens of Finland. At the same time, in the Finnish state budget every year there is a guaranteed line about deductions in favor of the Aland Islands. In addition to this, the Aland parliament has the right to request additional funding from the Finnish state budget.

Thelanders have their own flag and local police units. Moreover, the islands produce their own postage stamps and are presented (as part of the Finnish delegation) in the Council of Ministers of the Northern Council (The Nordic Council of Ministers). The Northern Council is a regional organization that consists of ministers and parliamentarians of the Scandinavian countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands (Denmark), Greenland (Denmark) and the Aland Islands (Finland).

Probably, you noticed when I sailed from Stockholm to Helsinki, that the ferry makes a ten-minute stop in the middle of the road in the city with a non-promotable name. Maybe because to say the word Maarianhamina is not easy, this city is paying so little attention. However, very in vain. Mariehamn (Mariehamn, Maarianhamina) is worth making a stop on a couple of days. Cozy island life, so does not like anything in a metropolis, nor even on life in the god forgotten village, will open in front of you in all its quiet splendance.

Marienhamen is located on the peninsula, therefore has two ports, on Western and east coasts.

The history of Mariehamna is connected with the eastern, or Crimean war, which determined the further fate of the Alands as demilitarized islands. After the war, the local community appealed to Emperor Alexander 11 with a petition to resolve the foundation of the city city on the main island.

And for sure to obtain consent, Guodatai offered to name the city in honor of the spouse of Emperor Mary Alexandrovna. The royal manifesto on February 4, 1859, the foundation of the city of Mariehamna ("Harbor Mary") was allowed, and on February 20, 1861, a gram was signed, established the statute of the city. From this date, its existence is conducted.

Western port (Västerhamn) has important international importance, ferries are stopped in it several times a day on the route between Finland and Sweden.

Eastern harbor is one of the largest Scandinavian ports for yachts.

Tourists The capital of the Aland Islands offers ample opportunities for urban recreation: many hotels, shops, restaurants, cafes and museums will gladly meet their visitors. Not far from the city center is Lilla Holman - a beautiful beach for the whole family and the water park Mariebad with a spa center.

Getting to Mariehamn, the capital of the Aland Islands, most interestingly on the ferry, and coming from Stockholm to Helsinki, and not the opposite: in this direction, the ferry comes not at four in the morning, and at midnight, which is much more convenient. Let it not surprise a very paradoxical pricing: to get from Mariehamna to Helsniki is even more expensive than from the more distant Stockholm in Helsinki.

In Mariehamna, there are quite a few museums for such a small town. This, first, the famous Pommern sailboat (Pommern), the Maritime Quarter (Åland Maritime Museum), the Aland Museum of the Aland Islands (Åland Museum), the Museum of Hunting and Fisheries, Art Museum and also lasting.

Looking at the museum from the entrance, we concluded that these are typical provincial museums that should not be particularly spending time if you are not connoisseurs of local decorative and applied arts. It makes sense except to visit the Pommerm Sailboat. But if you do not have enough time, then you can still admire it from the pier (especially beautiful masts and tackle look on the background of sunset).

Clean streets with toy houses that do not hide behind the fences, and silence, which only sometimes violates the root of the old American machine of the middle of the century (now and the case is remembered by Kristina Stephen King). As it turned out, taxes on the purchase of a new car are very high here, so the youth prefers to buy spectacularly looking "dinosaurs", bring them literally, in a brilliant state and in the evenings, putting a cowboy hat, slowly drive around the city with the entire company.

Thelanders are very reverent about their mailboxes. Old wooden mailboxes, hand-painted, and only a few risks to put new-fashioned plastic.

The main attraction of Mariehamna is his pedestrian trails (especially in the western part of the island). Coastline Largely reminded South coast Crimea: sheer cliffs, small pines, winding paths. But, unlike the Crimea, where only in the new world there is an equipped pedestrian "ecological" trail, here equipped trails everywhere (and even inside the island are labeled with a red line on the map).

This means that every N meters of benches, bridges, fences and no garbage (despite the fact that during the season, the tourist load on them is appropriate). All pedestrian routes are thought out in such a way that after 2-3 hours of a leisurely walk, you will return to the city.

In the eastern and northeastern parts of the island there are several equipped beaches. Sand-orst bottom very far - to go into the water will have long. Because of such a relief of the bottom, it is especially interesting to observe the fetches when a significant seabed area is exposed.

Pommern Sailboat Museum is anchored in the Western Port. In the Eastern Harbor there is a Dutch steamer Jan Nieveen (the name of F.P. von Knorring), refurbished under the restaurant. We also recommend visiting the city museum and the art museum.

For connoisseurs of architecture, it will be interesting to know that in Marienhame several buildings designed by the famous Finnish architect Lars Sonck (Lars Sonck): the main building of the Aland Sea College (1927), the Church of Marienhamna (1927), the city municipality building (1939).

In the square in front of the City Hall building, the statue of the patroness of the city is the Empress of Maria Alexandrovna.

In 2011, Marienhamn celebrated the anniversary - 150 years since the founding. This bronze monument is a gift to the Russian side.

Sculpture on a pedestal of red granite. The monument was established in the heart of the Aland capital.

The Russian fortress of Bomaxund resembles the Russian fortress of the Aland Islands. Now it is not enough from her that left, some ruins, but the Alands are proud of tourists here. At the beginning of the XIX century, these islands, together with Finland, were part of the Russian Empire. But the history of Alands is closely connected with Russia since the time of Peter the Great.

With this observation deck It is visible the most beautiful road running between the islands. In the XVIII century, an important postal path from St. Petersburg in Stockholm passed through Alands. The peasants living along the route at a distance of 3 miles were made to the post office and were obliged to deliver letters and parcels along the chain from the courtyard to the yard.

Postal workers were the first to celebrate the anniversary of the city. They released a brand in honor of the Russian Empress. For miniatures, the authors used one of the most famous images of Mary Alexandrovna, exactly the same portrait is in the Hermitage.

This is also a joint project, Aland and Russian Mail. The godmother of the city against the background of a historic landscape. On Allands, the brands of only local release are used, so now, with the help of a miniature Empress Mary, you can send a letter from Mariehamn to St. Petersburg. Very symbolic.

How to get

Marienhamen can be reached from Turku and Helsinki, Finland, and from Stockholm or Kapelsher, Sweden.

Reliable, comfortable and popular type of transport for a trip to the capital of the Aland Islands is ferries.

Every time of year, various fish is caught. In the summer - pike perch and salmon, in the fall - the frightening sizes of the pike and sea taper, in the winter it is good at the ceremony of the short fishing rod, and the salmon, marine timing and pike are notable.

Since the land on the islands (and coastal waters) are in private possession, it is possible to fish only in specially reserved places. These territories are often consisting of many small private possessions whose hosts united in fishing economy. All of them are about fifty.

For fishing, it is necessary to purchase permission to fish or a license to the territory where the fish is planned. To do this, it is necessary to decide in advance with the fishing site (or rather - with a place where to live, since it makes no sense to live in one place, but to fish in another). License can be ordered in advance when booking a cottage or purchase directly on the site of his host. The cost of licenses fluctuates quite strongly - depending on the number of fish and the territory of the territory. Each territory has its own rules, they should be clarified by the cottage host when buying a license.

It is necessary to immediately clarify which types of fishing are allowed in these places: Shchuk catch on spinning and gloss, perch - on light spinning, jigs and small brillicks, salmon catching the trolling method (fishing at large depths in the open sea), sea timing - on a spoonful brillina And wobbler, Sudak - on the wobblers of large sizes and jigs.

sources