About Finland

The Republic of Finland comprises one Autonomous Province, the Åland Islands (Ahvenanmaa), a group of over 6.500 islands, of which some 60 are inhabited.

For geographical, cultural, and economic reasons, the Åland Islands were traditionally associated closely with Sweden. In 1809, when Sweden was forced to cede Finland to Russia, the islands were incorporated into the Finnish Grand Duchy. However, following Finland's declaration of independence from the Russian Empire, in 1917, the Ålanders demanded the right to self-determination. In 1920, Finland granted the islands autonomy. In 1921, the Åland question was referred to the League of Nations. The League, while granting Finland sovereignty over the islands, directed that certain conditions pertaining to national identity be included in the autonomy legislation offered by Finland, and that the islands should be a neutral and non-fortified region.

The revised Autonomy Act of 1951 provides for independent rights of legislation in internal affairs and for autonomous control over the islands' economy. This Act cannot be amended or repealed by the Finnish Parliament, the Eduskunta, without the consent of the Ålands Landsting.

A revised Autonomy Act, providing Åland with still more autonomous control, including citizenship, was adopted in 1991.

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