Little islands large deal. The importance of the Åland Islands to the safety of Finland

The Åland Islands are a unique and fascinating example of a territory of peculiar strategical importance, both in historical and contemporary contexts. Located in the Baltic Sea, between Finland and Sweden, these tiny islands have autonomous position and enjoy wide self-government, which is the consequence of a long and complicated political history. The Åland Islands, an integral part of Finland, have their unique place in the European geopolitical mosaic, and their importance goes far beyond the borders of the archipelago itself.