Åland Islands

Åland is a Swedish-speaking autonomous region of Finland in the Baltic Sea. Its capital is Mariehamn.

Find Åland Islands

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Mariehamn
Languages: Swedish
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Population: 30,83631 December 2025 · Statistics Åland
Area: 1,580 km²610.04 square miles
Autonomy: 1921–1922International settlement in 1921; first parliament in 1922.

Åland Islands in context

Europe and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Mariehamn; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

A Baltic archipelago of low rocky islands, wooded land and sheltered waterways.

Languages

Languages used in public life include Swedish.

Location

Between Sweden and mainland Finland, near the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia.

Flag

A blue field with a red Nordic cross bordered in yellow.

Sources: Åland · autonomy and economy · Åland Parliament · autonomy · Statistics Åland · 2025 population

History & status

Åland was transferred with Finland from Sweden to Russia in 1809. After Finland became independent, islanders sought reunion with Sweden. In 1921 the League of Nations confirmed Finnish sovereignty with safeguards for Swedish language and local autonomy. The elected parliament first met in 1922.

1809
Åland passes from Sweden to Russian rule with Finland
1921
League of Nations settles the sovereignty dispute
1922
The first autonomous parliament meets

Sources: Åland · autonomy and economy · Åland Parliament · autonomy · Statistics Åland · 2025 population

Economy

Main activities

Shipping, ferry services, trade and tourism are important activities. Food production and small manufacturing businesses also contribute. Transport links connect the islands with both Finland and Sweden.

Industry and production

See the main activities described here. Sector size and importance can change over time.

Sources: Åland · autonomy and economy · Åland Parliament · autonomy · Statistics Åland · 2025 population

Population

30,836 · 31 December 2025 · Statistics Åland

Sources: Åland · autonomy and economy · Åland Parliament · autonomy · Statistics Åland · 2025 population

Government

An autonomous, demilitarized region of Finland. The elected Lagting makes laws in devolved fields, and the Government of Åland administers them. Finland retains responsibilities including foreign affairs.

Sources: Åland · autonomy and economy · Åland Parliament · autonomy · Statistics Åland · 2025 population

Knowledge check

Three questions about Åland Islands.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which country has sovereignty over autonomous Åland?

Sources & notes

Sources: Åland · autonomy and economy · Åland Parliament · autonomy · Statistics Åland · 2025 population

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.