脜land Islands
The 脜land Islands are an archipelago located in the Baltic Sea, at the southern end of the Gulf of Bothnia in southwestern Finland. Since 1921, the 脜land Islands are a self-governing and demilitarized region under the Republic of Finland. The 脜land islands are bordered by the Sea of 脜land and the Archipelago Sea and are geographically positioned between southwestern Finland and eastern Sweden.
Geography
The 脜land archipelago covers a total area of 1,551 km2 and comprises approximately 300 islands and over 6,200 small rocky islands. Out of these 300 islands, only 80 islands are inhabited. The archipelago occupies just 0.51% of Finland鈥檚 total land area and is therefore considered its smallest region. Fasta 脜land is the biggest and most populated island in the archipelago. The archipelago鈥檚 administrative capital, its principal town and major seaport, Mariehamn, is located on Fasta 脜land.
The 脜land Islands have a rocky terrain that is mainly composed of granite rocks and covered by a thin layer of agricultural soil. Located on Fasta 脜land is Orrdals Hill, which rises to an elevation of 129 m and is the archipelago鈥檚 highest point.
According to the K枚ppen climate classification system, the 脜land Islands experience a humid continental climate with short summers and relatively mild and cool winters. The climate of the 脜land Islands is also influenced by its maritime position between the large water bodies of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia. The continental climate of the island is mainly because of its position on the Leeward side of the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Wildlife
The vegetation of the 脜land Islands is a combination of conifers (pine, fir, and spruce) and deciduous forests (birch, aspen, maple) as well as many meadows and cultivated farmlands. Barley, cucumbers, oats, onions, potatoes, rye, sugar beets, and wheat are produced in the farms of the island. The 脜land Island archipelago has the highest crop yield per unit area in the entire Finland, which is greatly favored by its fertile soils and mild climate. The meadows on the island host several species of insects including the notable Glanville fritillary butterfly. Ayrshire cattle and sheep are also found on the farms of the 脜land Islands.
Brief History
The 脜land Islands were initially settled by some hunters and fishermen from the East, who came to the island around 5000 BCE and belonged to the Neolithic Comb Ceramic culture. In 3300 BCE, immigrants belonging to the Pitted Ware culture migrated to the islands from the West. With the rapid increase in population, the settlements quickly spread over the main island (Fasta 脜land) around 500 to 800 CE. During the 12th century, the islands were converted to Christianity by missionaries from Sweden. The islands were conquered by the Russian Tsar Peter I the Great in 1714 During the Great Wrath, and once again in 1741 during the Lesser Wrath.
Under the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in 1809, the 脜land Islands and the Grand Duchy of Finland were formally ceded to Russia by Sweden. In 1830, the Russians began to fortify the island and constructed the Bomarsund Fortress. However, the fortress was destroyed by the Anglo-French troops during the Crimean War in 1854. In 1917, when Finland became independent, the 脜landers voted to become a part of Sweden, due to their long history of association with Swedish culture. Finland refused to cede the islands to Sweden and therefore their fate was to be decided by the newly-formed League of Nations. In 1921, as per the 脜land Convention, the League of Nations allowed the 脜land Islands to become an autonomous and demilitarized region under the sovereignty of the Republic of Finland.
The economy of the 脜land Islands is mainly dominated by commercial trade, banking services, shipping, and tourism. In addition to these fishing and agriculture are also important for the island鈥檚 economy. There are several harbors on the 脜land Islands including Berghamn, L氓ngn盲s, and the Western Harbor. Located in the center of Mariehamn is Arkipelag Hotel, the most important tourist resort of the archipelago. The 脜land Islands serve as one of the most popular vacation destinations for both the residents of Sweden and Finland, and the islands are well connected with the mainland by ferry services.
