Aland Islands Peace Agreement

The Åland Islands Peace Agreement, signed in 1921, resolved a dispute between Finland and Sweden over the Åland Islands, a group of islands in the Baltic Sea. The islands, with a predominantly Swedish-speaking population, wanted to join Sweden, but Finland claimed sovereignty. The agreement gave Finland sovereignty but granted Åland substantial autonomy, including self-governance and protections for its Swedish language and culture. It also established local laws and assured the islands' residents of their cultural rights, maintaining peace and stability while respecting their unique identity within Finland.