The Country No One Knows About: Aland

🌊 Are you ready to embark on an extraordinary journey to a place that's a true hidden gem in Europe? 🌊

🏞️ Welcome to Aland Islands, a mesmerizing archipelago situated in the heart of the Baltic Sea. With its untouched natural beauty, unique culture, and intriguing history, Aland is a destination that has remained unknown to many travelers. But not for long!

📽️ Join us in this captivating YouTube adventure as we dive deep into the enchanting secrets of Aland Islands. From the picturesque landscapes that seem straight out of a fairytale to the warm and welcoming locals, every moment on this beautiful island will leave you in awe.

🗺️ Discover a land where time seems to stand still, as we unravel Aland's fascinating history and its path to autonomy, nestled between Sweden and Finland. Learn about the islands' strategic location, which has shaped its cultural identity over the centuries.

🏰 Delve into the hidden treasures of Aland's historical sites, including ancient fortresses, charming lighthouses, and quaint villages that will make you feel like you've stepped into a living museum.

🛶 Experience the magic of Aland's vast maritime heritage as we take you on a boat tour through its breathtaking archipelago, dotted with thousands of islands of all shapes and sizes.

🍽️ Indulge your taste buds in Aland's delectable local cuisine, where fresh seafood and traditional delicacies are a delightful treat for all food enthusiasts.

🎭 Immerse yourself in Aland's vibrant culture, from its traditional festivals and events to the unique language and customs that set this place apart from any other in Europe.

🚴‍♀️ For adventure seekers, we'll explore the islands' nature trails, biking routes, and exhilarating water sports, offering you an unforgettable escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

🌌 Get ready to be captivated by the breathtaking sunsets over the Baltic Sea, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere that will remain etched in your heart forever.

🔍 Whether you're an intrepid traveler seeking new horizons or simply a curious soul yearning for extraordinary experiences, this Aland Islands adventure is not to be missed!

📢 Hit that 'Subscribe' button and join us as we unveil the hidden paradise of Aland Islands. Don't forget to click the 'Like' button if you're excited about this incredible journey!

🎬 Get ready to be amazed, and let's discover the European country no one knows about - Aland Islands!

#AlandIslands #EuropeUnveiled #HiddenGemDiscovery #BalticSeaBliss #TravelWithUs 🌏

[pampelius]

I have family in Åland and lived there myself for several years. No one who is actually from Åland ever refers to it as a country. Yes it has a flag and an anthem and a parliament, but so do the states of the US, doesn't mean they are countries.

[dernochjungenoergler]

it's not a country, it's an autonomous region of the Republic of Finland; I wrote a reviewed paper about this topic at a law school, I know it...

[Hoksaaja]

Åland (Ahvenanmaa) is not a country, is an autonomous and demilitarised region of Finland. Not state or country, it is one of the provinces of Finland.

[djw]

As has been pointed out by others in the comments, Åland is *not* a country, but an autonomous part of Finland. And it's *not* pronounced "Ahland, " but "Ohland."

[srelma]

It's not an independent country. It's an autonomous region. The independence movement is nowhere near as strong as in Catalonia or Scotland.

Even though it's demilitarised, Finland is responsible for its defense. If it ever became independent, it would have to organise its own defense, which is hard as it has only 30 000 people.

Instead of calling it a country, I'd say that it's more like the Channel islands are to the UK. An autonomous region that is taking advantage of the tax status. Åland is technically not in EU, which is why the ships going there and back can sell tax free alcohol.

[Petethehun]

My father was born on the Aland Islands in 1908. He left to see and go around the world in 1926 with the intent of getting back to Aland but the depression starting in 1929 changed those plans. He stayed and settled in Canada.

[goldreserve]

'Technically part of Finland' i.e. not a country.

[rursus]

If Finland is the happiest nation, and Åland is the happiest part of Finland, then the question immediately arises: what is the happiest place on Åland?

[lesliefranklin]

In addition to Finnish, Swedish is an official language all throughout Finland.

[ericellquist]

Looks like a nice place, with nice people, if only I was younger and could travel... Seems so peaceful.

[somerandomvertebrate]

First off, Åland is not a country. It's a part of Finland that has had a Swedish population since pre-historic times. Åland is not the only region in Finland that has or once had a majority Swedish population, going back to the Middle Ages or earlier (not surprising since Finland used to be part of the Kingdom of Sweden).
Secondly, Åland wasn't converted to Christianity in the 12th century (the 1100's). This process took place a century before, in the 11th century (the 1000's), same as in the rest of Sweden.
Thirdly, while Åland was temporarily occupied by Russia during the Great Nordic War (1700-1721), Finland, including Åland, remained part of the Kingdom of Sweden until 1809, when it was lost to Russia due to the War of 1808-1809.

[jamesbulldogmiller]

Finnish is the Swedish word for Suomi .
Finland is the Swedish word for Suomi.
Suomi is the native language of Suomi ( Finland)
Suomi language is related to the Language of Estonia .

[stephenwilliams]

Apart from the various inaccuracies of research that the comments below indicate it would have helped if the narrator had pronounced the name correctly. The Swedish letter åÅ is pronounced like the 'aw' sound in the English word 'awful' and not like the 'a' in 'father'. You could say that his pronunciation was not awful enough!

[pampelius]

What you say about there being a large community of independence supporters is pretty much a lie. Have you even been to the islands or where do you get your information from? Ålands Framtid has been around for a very long time and only has one seat in the regional parliament. In the last election (2019) they got one seat out of 30 with 666 votes out pf a total of 14 594 votes cast. Throughout the party's existence they have never held more than 3 seats. I wouldn't call that a öarge movement. Most people prefer the arrangement with Finland because they can pretty much make their own laws about things that affect them, and many worry that reuniting witj Sweden (the ultimate goal of Ålands Framtid) would make them just a random Swedish island among many, and they would lose their autonomy.

[MegaJohn]

I lived in Sweden and I knew about Åland, but not much. It is a very beautiful place that I would like to visit sometime.

[annepoitrineau]

Thank you. I am happy to have learnt about Aland, but being American I think you do not quite understand Aaland's situation. Like Greenland, it is part of but autonomous. Not the same as a separate country. The Basque country ( split in two: French and Spanish regions), the Corsicans and the Bretons have their own flags and national anthems, but they are not separate countries. Each Canton in Switzerland has a distinct flag. Same difference. Note I used the old spelling as I cannot reproduce the little o over the a. Aa and a with an o over it are pronounced "o". Jag talar Svenska. Jag ved.

[usa_kenyan]

Very interesting! Thanks to YouTube, I'd never know of the existence of Aland. Learned something new today.

[christopherx]

If you want to teach people about Åland, you could start be learning how it is pronounced!
As I am sure many have pointed out already, it is not a country but a part of Finland, though with some special rules pertaining to it.
Sweden accepted the verdict of the League of Nations under protest but accepted it nonetheless. Today, Swedes, Finns and the people of Åland live in peace and prosperity. Others could learn a lot from this... (looking at the middle east)
The camping in nature rule applies to Sweden and the rest of Finland too. It is part of a very old tradition, the freedom to roam, from the days when these today separate countries were one.

[ysteinfjr]

Noone knows about the country because it's not an independent country.

[MultiOranuch]

Amazing! I have heard a lot about ÅLAND but never been there. Even I live for years in Sweden. If I have time after my retirement next year, summer 2024, so I will really visit ÅLAND for a weekend. Thank you for sharing of this video clip.
😇
Best Wishes from STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN 🎁