Finland Yearbook - 1997

A H V EN A N M A A N : M A A K U N TA - LANDSKAPET ÅLANO
Å L A N D
THE AUTO NOMOUS TERRITO RY O F THE Å LAND ISLANDS
G eneral
Because of its autonomy and demilitarization based on international agreements, Åland occupies a special
position in Finland. In view of this, the Statistical Yearbook of Finland introduces a special section on Åland
in which the most important data on the territory are gathered together.
The natural environm ent
Aland comprises a total of approx. 6,500 islands, 62 of which are inhabited. Mainland Åland is the largest
island. Orrdalsklint in Saltvik is the highest point (128.8 m above sea level). There are more than 160 lakes.
Åland has a land area of 1,526.5 sq. km and a total area - including inland waters and sea areas - of 6,784.2
sq.km.
Population an d the econom y
Åland had25,257 inhabitants at the end of 1996, an increase of over 20 per cent on 1970. More than 40 per
cent of the population lives in Mariehamn, which is the only urban municipality on Åland and serves as its
administrative and economic centre. In addition, there are 15 rural municipalities with a population of 120 to
3,175.
Primary production and shipping used to be the backbone of Aland’s economy. During the 1960s and ’70s,
however, Åland became a sen/ice economy in which tourism plays an important part. In 1996, Åland received
over 1.2 million visitors. The service sector accounts for over 80 per cent of Aland’s gross domestic product.
A utonom y
Aland has wide-ranging autonomy with the right to enact own laws. The legislative assembly, Lagtinget, has
30 members who are elected by general elections. The relations between Åland and the Finnish State are
governed by the provisions of the Autonomy of Åland Act. An amended act took effect in 1993, granting Åland
the right to enact legislation concerning statistics on Aland.
Policies concerned with autonomy are prepared and implemented by the Government of Åland, with the
administrative services provided by a central office.
The origins of Aland’s autonomy go back to the year 1917, when the Alanders began to discuss what country
they should belong to and expressed their desire to rejoin Sweden. As Sweden and Finland could not agree
on the issue, it was referred to the League of Nations. According to the League of Nations resolution of 1921,
Aland was to belong to Finland and Finland was to guarantee the inhabitants of Aland their Swedish language,
culture and local customs by giving them autonomy. Aland’s demilitarization, which goes back to the end of
the Crimean War in 1856, was also confirmed in this connection.
Aland is exclusively Swedish as far as language is concerned. It has had its own cross flag in blue, yellow
and red since 1954 and its own postage stamps since 1984. Aland is represented in the Nordic Council and
participates in the work of the Council of Ministers. Further, there is the concept of citizenship of Aland, a
status you get at birth or can apply for after being a resident of Aland for at least five years.
Å lan d in the Statistical Yearbook o f Finland
Apart from its own tables below, Aland is included in:
1. Normally, all figures for the whole country (any exceptions are mentioned in connection with the tables)
2. All tables with data by province or by county (totalling more than 60)
3. The following tables with data by municipality:
No. 31 (surface area, population, etc. - pp. 74-75)
No. 317 (local government finances - pp. 316-317)
No. 318 (municipal and real estate taxation - p. 328)
4. The following tables on special topics:
No. 3 (climate - pp. 34-35)
No. 265 (sea ports - p. 262)
No. 273 (traffic at airports - p. 266)
More exhaustive, detailed information on Aland can be found in Statistisk Årsbok för Åland, a yearbook of
statistics on Aland edited by the Department of Statistics and Economic Research in Åland.
512 Suomen tilastollinen vuosikirja - Statistisk årsbok för Finland - Statistical Yearbook o f Finland 1997