Finström
Encyclopedia
Finström is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland
.
The municipality has a population of of which speak Swedish
and Finnish
as their first language. The municipality covers an area of km2 of which km2 is water. The population density
is PD/km2. The municipality is unilingually Swedish
.
Godby is the second biggest built-up area in Åland after Mariehamn
, inhabited by 900 people, or one-thirds of the municipality's population. A pharmacy, banks, a post office, a swimming hall and a health center are among the amenities that can be found in Godby.
era. The church of St. Michael is one of the oldest in Åland with the oldest parts dating from the 12th century. Grelsby kungsgård was the place where king Gustavus Vasa
stayed with his entourage of 312 people for a few days in the spring of 1556. King Gustaf IV Adolf also stayed there for six weeks in the summer of 1808 prior to the loss of Finland to Russia
.
and is bordered by a total of five municipalities: Sund
to the east, Saltvik
to the northeast, Geta
to the north, Hammarland
to the west and Jomala
to the south.
Långsjön, the largest lake in Åland, is located in the municipality, as is the Almskogen nature reserve. Notable bays include Kasviken and Ödkarbyviken.
Agricultural products grown especially in the northern parts of Finström include apples and various vegetables, and fishing is also a source of income for some.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
The municipality has a population of of which speak Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
and Finnish
Finnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
as their first language. The municipality covers an area of km2 of which km2 is water. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is PD/km2. The municipality is unilingually Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
.
Godby is the second biggest built-up area in Åland after Mariehamn
Mariehamn
Mariehamn is the capital of Åland, an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. Mariehamn is the seat of the Government and Parliament of Åland, and 40% of the population of Åland live in the city...
, inhabited by 900 people, or one-thirds of the municipality's population. A pharmacy, banks, a post office, a swimming hall and a health center are among the amenities that can be found in Godby.
History
Finström was widely inhabited in the VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
era. The church of St. Michael is one of the oldest in Åland with the oldest parts dating from the 12th century. Grelsby kungsgård was the place where king Gustavus Vasa
Gustavus Vasa
Gustavus Vasa may refer to:* King Gustav I of Sweden* The play Gustavus Vasa by Henry Brooke, first English play to be banned under the Licensing Act 1737* Alternate name of Olaudah Equiano, African ex-slave living in 18th century Britain...
stayed with his entourage of 312 people for a few days in the spring of 1556. King Gustaf IV Adolf also stayed there for six weeks in the summer of 1808 prior to the loss of Finland to Russia
Finnish War
The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and the Russian Empire from February 1808 to September 1809. As a result of the war, the eastern third of Sweden was established as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire...
.
Geography
Finström is right in the middle of mainland ÅlandFasta Åland
Fasta Åland is the largest and most populous island of Åland, an autonomous province of Finland. The provincial capital Mariehamn is located on the island. With the area of 685 km² it is the 3rd largest island in Finland....
and is bordered by a total of five municipalities: Sund
Sund, Åland
Sund is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland and is very rich in history and culture and is one of the official 27 national landscapes of Finland.The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
to the east, Saltvik
Saltvik
Saltvik is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland. The total area is 1 161,8 km², of which 150,7 km² is land, 4,7 km² lakes and 1006,4 km² sea....
to the northeast, Geta
Geta, Åland
Geta is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland.The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water. The population density is .The municipality is unilingually Swedish.-External links:...
to the north, Hammarland
Hammarland
Hammarland is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland.The municipality has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The population density is.The municipality is unilingually Swedish...
to the west and Jomala
Jomala
Jomala is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland.The municipality has a population of and covers an area of of which is water...
to the south.
Långsjön, the largest lake in Åland, is located in the municipality, as is the Almskogen nature reserve. Notable bays include Kasviken and Ödkarbyviken.
Economy
Godby is by far the center of Finström's economy. The biggest employer in the municipality is Optinova with 130 employees. Tourism is also an important line of business.Agricultural products grown especially in the northern parts of Finström include apples and various vegetables, and fishing is also a source of income for some.
External links
- Municipality of Finström – Official website