Fasta Åland Explained

Fasta Åland
Map:Finland
Native Name:Fasta Åland
Native Name Link:Swedish language
Location:Baltic Sea
Coordinates:60.1481°N 19.7883°W
Archipelago:Åland
Area Km2:685
Country:Finland
Country Admin Divisions Title:Province
Country Admin Divisions:Åland
Country Largest City:Mariehamn
Country Largest City Population:11,048
Ethnic Groups:Swedes

Fasta Åland (Finnish: Manner-Ahvenanmaa or Finnish: Ahvenanmanner, meaning mainland Åland) is the largest and most populous island of Åland, an autonomous province of Finland. The island is home to the provincial capital Mariehamn. About ninety percent of the archipelago's population lives on Fasta Åland.[1] Its area is difficult to estimate due to its irregular shape and coastline, but estimates range from [2] to [3] to over, depending on what is included or excluded. Even at the minimum estimate, Fasta Åland is Finland's largest and most populous island, with about 27,000 people. Its highest point is 129 metres (423 feet).

On the east side of Fasta Åland is a large bay, Lumparn, which is now believed to be the impact crater from a meteorite impact about one billion years ago.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Statistical Yearbook of Finland 2016, p.505. Accessed 2017-02-07. http://www.stat.fi/tup/julkaisut/tiedostot/julkaisuluettelo/yyti_stv_201600_2016_16179_net.pdf
  2. Book: Natural Wonders of the World. Reader's Digest Association, Inc. 1980. 0-89577-087-3. Scheffel. Richard L.. United States of America. 3. Wernet. Susan J..
  3. Book: Europe, Council of. Biodiversity and Climate Change: Reports and Guidance Developed Under the Bern Convention. 2012-01-01. Council of Europe. 9789287170590. 251. en.
  4. Svensson, N.-B. . Lumparn Bay: A Meteorite Impact Crater in the Aland Archipelago, Southwest Finland . Meteoritics . 1993 . 28 . 3 . 445 . 1993Metic..28S.445S .