Aland, the archipelago where birds are protected.

For most tourists, Aland is an unknown place, an archipelago of islands and islets stretching halfway between Turku and Stockholm, a natural paradise for biodiversity and its components such as birds of all kinds, fish and mammals like moose and deer.

Its flat surface means that there is a large number of forests and farmland.

Originally a Swedish dominion, they became Russian territory before finally becoming part of Finnish sovereignty, although they have autonomous status.

There are over 6500 islands in the Gulf of Bothnia, 25 kms from the Swedish coast and 40 kms from the Finnish coast. The proximity of the two coasts has in the past been a bone of contention between the two nations in an attempt to gain control of the archipelago.

There is a sense of protection for the birds that populate these islands in large numbers, and there is a sense of protection of biodiversity in the minds of the inhabitants.

And one of the ways of expressing this is through philatelic issues, i.e. postage stamps.

They are an important resource in the economy of the country as they are bought by collectors from all over the world.

Despite the 6,500 islands that make up the archipelago, only a little more than 60 are inhabited, i.e. 1%!

For this reason the biodiversity protects itself, and the influence of human beings does not show too much of its negative effects.

Popular awareness for the protection of birds and the environment is also important.

Despite being a cold area like the whole of the Scandinavian hinterland, the climate is milder on these islands and the bird population is exceptionally varied. It also has a very peculiar flora.

The Aland Islands are a very unique territory, so unique that they are part of Finland but speak Swedish.

And the birds are cared for and protected.

Source of the images of the Aland postage stamps.

Source of the Aland Map.

Other countries in which birds are protected through the issuance of postage stamps (from my private collection):

Merry Christmas to all!!