In the group of Åland Islands, Finland

 “We shall be permitted to live on this planet only for as long as we treat all nature with compassion and intelligence.”

― Aldous Huxley, Island
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(in Finland) The group of Åland Islands is an archipelago at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea belonging to Finland. It has been an autonomous (and demilitarized) region of Finland since 1920 by a decision of the League of Nations, and its only official language is Swedish. The islands lie at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia, 25 miles (40 km) east of the Swedish coast, at the eastern edge of the Åland Sea. The archipelago consists of about 35 inhabited islands, 6,500 uninhabited islands, and many rocky reefs. Åland, the largest island in the group, accounts for more than 70 percent of the total land area and is known locally as Fasta Åland (“Main Island”). Åland is home to about 90 percent of the archipelago’s population and is the site of Mariehamn, the island's main seaport, and only town. From the 19th century until World War II, Mariehamn served as the center of a sailing fleet engaged in grain trade with Australia. Few of these ships still operate, though the colorful history of the fleet is reflected in an excellent maritime museum. The town of Mariehamn is the capital of Finland’s Swedish-speaking autonomous territory, i.e., the entire archipelago. The people of Mariehamn, and Åland in general, lead a laid-back islander lifestyle and welcome visitors quite warmly. Mariehamn, like many of the coastal towns in Finland, comes to life in the summer. It is easy to get around on foot or by bike, as Mariehamn lies on a peninsula with harbors on either side. (It’s also only a 10-minute walk from the West Harbor to the East Harbor.) If you’re in the mood for shopping, Sjökvarteret (Maritime Quarter) is the place to find local crafts, silversmiths' workshops, and a marina for traditional wooden ships and boats.