The Åland Islands or Åland (Swedish pronunciation: Oland, Finnish: Ahvenanmaa) is an autonomous archipelago between Sweden and Finland. A predominantly Swedish-speaking province of Finland, Åland is comprised of a few large islands and nearly 10,000 smaller ones. Åland has a unique history. It was ceded to Russia by Sweden in 1809. In 1854, a combined British/French fleet took the islands, destroying the fortress. After that, the entire archipelago was demilitarized and remains so to this day. About 27,500 people live in Åland today, with about 11,000 in the main town of Mariehamn. The main industry of the islands has always been shipping and trade, so the Maritime Museum, the Museum Ship Pommern, and the Maritime Quarter in Mariehamn are worth seeing to understand the islands' fascinating maritime history. Also worth a visit is the Jan Karlsgården open air museum in Kastelholm where visitors can see what a typical island farm looked like around 1890. However, the big draw to Åland these days is its unspoiled nature and beautiful landscapes. On midsummer's eve, Åland holds a massive and ancient celebration marking the longest day of the year. There are also a wide range of excellent places to eat and many artists' studios to visit. The islands can be reached both from Stockholm and Turku as well as by small plane.
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