Aaland Islands Question

The Åland Islands Question refers to a territorial dispute between Finland and Sweden over the Åland Islands, a group of mainly Swedish-speaking islands in the Baltic Sea. In the early 20th century, after Finland gained independence from Russia, Åland's Swedish-speaking residents sought to unify with Sweden. Finland wanted to maintain sovereignty but also protect the islands’ culture. The dispute was settled in 1921 by the League of Nations, which granted Finland sovereignty while ensuring Åland's autonomy and preserving its Swedish language and culture. The arrangement remains a unique example of international diplomacy balancing national sovereignty with regional self-governance.