ALAND ISLANDS: CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS OF UNIQUE STATUS WITHIN A UNITARY STATE

The article considers the constitutional and legal status of the Åland Islands within Finland as a unique example of territorial autonomy in a unitary state. The evolution of the autonomous status of the archipelago is analyzed, starting from the decisions of the League of Nations in 1921 and up to the modern legislative acts regulating the self-government of the region. Special attention is paid to the mechanism of delimitation of powers between the central authorities of Finland and Lagting, as well as legal guarantees for the protection of the Swedish language and culture. Issues of economic autonomy, international interaction of the Åland Islands and their demilitarized status are examined. The author emphasizes the significance of the Åland model for the study of autonomies in Europe. Keywords: autonomy, Åland Islands, self-government, Swedish language, unitary state. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59295/sum3(183)2025_08