{"id":4313,"date":"2024-05-24T09:01:18","date_gmt":"2024-05-24T09:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selitys.fi\/what-is-the-biggest-island-in-finland\/"},"modified":"2024-05-24T09:01:18","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T09:01:18","slug":"what-is-the-biggest-island-in-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selitys.fi\/en\/what-is-the-biggest-island-in-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the biggest island in Finland?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finland’s largest island is the main island of \u00c5land, also known as Fasta \u00c5land. \u00c5land is an autonomous and demilitarized province located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, between Finland and Sweden. The main island of \u00c5land has an area of \u200b\u200bapproximately 685 square kilometers, which makes it the largest island in Finland.<\/p>\n

The special status of \u00c5land<\/h2>\n

\u00c5land enjoys a special status in the Finnish administration. It is an autonomous region with its own legislative power and administration. \u00c5land’s self-government is based on the 1920 \u00c5land Agreement, which guarantees extensive self-government for the region. \u00c5land has its own parliament, the \u00c5land Provincial Parliament, and it is responsible for many things, such as education, healthcare and transport.<\/p>\n

Nature and tourism<\/h2>\n

The main island of \u00c5land and the surrounding smaller islands offer wonderful nature experiences. The archipelago landscape is unique, and the area has plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking and boating. \u00c5land is also a popular tourist destination with many historical attractions such as Kastelholma Castle and Bomarsund Fortress.<\/p>\n

Transport connections<\/h2>\n

The main island of \u00c5land has good transport connections from both Finland and Sweden. The island is easily accessible by ship, and the port of Mariehamn is an important traffic hub. In addition, \u00c5land has its own airport, which offers connections to, for example, Helsinki and Stockholm.<\/p>\n

The culture of \u00c5land<\/h2>\n

The culture of \u00c5land is a mixture of Finnish and Swedish traditions. The official language of the region is Swedish, and most of the inhabitants speak it as their mother tongue. \u00c5land has a rich cultural life, which includes theater, music and art exhibitions.<\/p>\n

Sources<\/h2>\n