Åland Islands

The Åland Islands, also known as the “ˆland Islands,” are an archipelago located in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland. They are a somewhat obscure corner of the world, often overlooked by visitors, but they are home to a rich history and a wealth of peculiarities.

Geography

The Åland Islands consist of around 6,700 islands, but only around 60 of them are inhabited. That’s right. There are 6,640 ghost islands out there, just waiting for someone to stumble upon them. The largest island is Fasta Åland, which accounts for about 70% of the total land area.

History

The Åland Islands have an interesting history, having changed hands multiple times throughout the centuries. They were originally inhabited by the Finns, but then the Swedes took over. Then the Russians got involved, passing the islands back and forth with Sweden over the next century.

Eventually, the Åland Islands ended up as an autonomous region within Finland, which means they have their own parliament, flag, and national football team (though, to be fair, their team is not the best in the world).

Culture

The culture of the Åland Islands is a mix of Swedish and Finnish influences, which means that everyone there probably eats meatballs and drinks vodka, right? Actually, the Ålanders have their own unique traditions, such as the habit of using the word “plats” (meaning “place” in Swedish) to refer to small towns and villages.

They also have a particularly endearing tradition called “Luck Stone,” which involves rubbing a certain stone for good luck. Apparently, the stone is so popular that people steal it all the time, so now there’s a replica stone that’s kept safe in a glass case.

Tourism

Tourism in the Åland Islands is not exactly booming, but there are a few reasons to visit. For starters, there’s a castle on one of the islands that dates back to the late 1300s. There’s also a maritime museum, a folk museum, and a cheese museum (yes, you read that right).

But perhaps the biggest draw for tourists is the fact that the Åland Islands are a tax haven, which means that people love to come here to shop for bargains. Just don’t expect to find any Levi’s jeans or Apple products, as they’re banned from the tax-free zone.

Conclusion