The Åland Islands ~ Region of Mariehamn ~

... Beautiful aerial scenery with endless areas of untouched nature... these (almost flat) islands also feature medieval castles and churches... museums, parks and old fishing villages... one of the most popular summer vacation destinations for Swedes and Finns...  with a selection of fabulousッ stamps and special postmark about the Postcrossing Meet-up on the Islands... Thanks a million Nina!! 乂❤‿❤乂

The Åland Islands are an archipelago and consists of 6,757 islands situated midway between Sweden and Finland. Although the people of Åland speak Swedish, this autonomous territory is part of Finland.

Aland is the largest island, most of them are just small uninhabited rocks. They have their own unique culture, Swedish dialects, flag, and stamps.

This island is the smallest of the three Nordic autonomous territories with a population of 28,000. One third of the population lives in the capital, Mariehamn.

Stamps:
The 100th Anniversary of the Sailing Ship "Pommern"
(Issued 06-06-2003)

Birds
(Issued 03-01-2000)

Sailing Ships
(Issued 02-02-2016)

Mushrooms 2. January
(Issued 02-01-2003)

Apples
(Issued 07-06-2011)

ÅLAND ~ Map ~

...My 3 card coming from Åland...a great map with nice stamp and special cancellation! Thanks a lot Sini!

Åland consists of 6,757 islands situated midway between Sweden and Finland. Although the people of Åland speak Swedish, this autonomous territory is part of Finland.

Åland has its own flag, has issued its own postage stamps since 1984, runs its own police force, and is a member of the Nordic Council.

Stamp:
Alie Lindberg’s grand piano on Europa stamp
(Issued 8-05-2014)

ÅLAND

         My postcard for the Weekend theme...Reflections on water...see more at Connections to the World...

...My second written and stamped card from Aland... beautiful scenery... Åland's archipelago is one of the largest in the world...must be paradise for nature lovers!! Thanks a lot Leila!! ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

The Åland islands are located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Finland. Åland is an autonomous region of Finland and it consists of more than 6.700 islands. The archipelago is largely made up of coastal rock slopes and heather moorland, and has large areas of pine forests, about nine per cent of Åland is arable land.

Åland Islands is one of three autonomous Nordic territories (the Faroe Islands, Greenland). One third of the population lives in the capital, Mariehamn.

It has its own flag, has issued its own postage stamps since 1984, runs its own police force, and is a member of the Nordic Council. The current population of 28,000 live on only 65 islands. Over 40 per cent live in the only town and capital Mariehamn. The official language is Swedish.


Stamp:

Scenery - Jomala (Seas, lakes & rivers)
(Issued 28-09-2011)

Aland ~The Castle of Kastelholm~

...GREAT!! First card from Aland...a picturesque ancient castle set by a beautiful lake...Thanks a lot Sini!!



Nice Ford TT stamp from 1924 and lovely special Kastelholm cancellation (mailed at the castle)
(Issued 19-09-2012)

Kastelholm Castle medieval castle located off Road in Sund, Åland, overlooking a fjord to the south of the village of Kastelholm. Kastelholm is one of only five surviving Finnish medieval fortresses, built in the 14thC. During the 15th and the 16th centuries Kastelholm was involved in political conflicts, both uprising and Danish piracy. It has been well preserved, especially considering it is over 500 years old.

 The Åland Islands or Åland is an autonomous Swedish-speaking region of Finland that consists of an archipelago lying at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea.Åland's autonomous status means that those provincial powers normally exercised by representatives of the central Finnish government are largely exercised by its own government.