Postcrossing Meeting in Mariehamn - Mariehamn, Aland Islands

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. The theme of the coat of arms of Mariehamn refers to the city's main livelihood, maritime transport, and the city's parks, which are typically lined with linden trees.

 

#42 GF - Godby, Aland Islands

In the Åland Islands, there is a total ban on military maneuvers and a ban on airplanes by military aviation - the area of the Åland Islands is a demilitarized zone.

More than 90% of the inhabitants of the Åland Islands have their mother tongue as Swedish and 5% as Finnish. The government-funded schools are Swedish-speaking.

 

#1 FOTW - Mariehamn, Åland Islands

The population is mainly engaged in fishing, cattle breeding, and farming. Mariehamn is the only city and also the capital. The Åland Islands area is a demilitarized zone. 

What's interesting...

In the medieval castle of Kastelholm, on the ceiling of one of the halls, there are coats of arms of all fortress owners.

Among them is the White Eagle on a red background, which proves that the owner of the castle was Katarzyna Jagiellonka, the youngest daughter of King Sigismund I the Old of Poland, wife of King Jan III Vasa of Sweden and mother of Sigismund III Vasa.

EUROPA stamp 2019 "National birds"