Mariehamn

Mariehamn (/məˈriːəhɑːmən/ mə-REE-ə-hah-mən,[6] Finland Swedish: [mɑriːeˈhɑmn] ⓘ; Finnish: Maarianhamina [ˈmɑːriɑnˌhɑminɑ]; Latin: Portus Mariae) 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. It is mostly surrounded by Jomala, the second largest municipality in Åland in terms of population; to the east it is bordered by Lemland. Like all of Åland, Mariehamn is unilingually Swedish-speaking and around 82% of the inhabitants speak it as their native language.[4]

Mariehamn
Capital city
Mariehamns stad
Town of Mariehamn
Västerhamn ferry terminal, Ålands Lagting, Havsgatan street, Consulate General of Sweden, Saint George church, Ålands Lyceum, the Sails Pavilion
Official seal of Mariehamn
Seal
Coat of arms of Mariehamn
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
De tusen lindarnas stad (The town of a thousand linden trees)[1]
Location of Mariehamn in Finland
Location of Mariehamn in Finland
Mariehamn is located in Åland
Mariehamn
Mariehamn
Location within the Åland Islands
Coordinates: 60°06′N 019°56′E
Country Finland
RegionÅland
Sub-regionMariehamn sub-region
Charter1861
Named forMaria Alexandrovna
Government
 • MayorArne Selander
Area
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total20.75 km2 (8.01 sq mi)
 • Land11.79 km2 (4.55 sq mi)
 • Water8.96 km2 (3.46 sq mi)
 • Rank311th largest in Finland
Population
 (2023-10-26)[3]
 • Total11,831
 • Rank86th largest in Finland
 • Density1,003.48/km2 (2,599.0/sq mi)
Population by native language
[4]
 • Swedish82.1% (official)
 • Finnish4.8%
 • Others13.1%
Population by age
[5]
 • 0 to 1414.2%
 • 15 to 6460.9%
 • 65 or older24.9%
Time zoneUTC+02:00 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Websitewww.mariehamn.ax

The theme of the coat of arms of Mariehamn refers to the city's main livelihood, a maritime transport, and the city's parks, which are typically lined with linden trees.[7][8][9][10] The coat of arms was designed by Nils Byman and confirmed in 1951.[11]

Due to its central location in the Baltic Sea, Mariehamn has become a major summer resort town for global tourism; as many as 1.5 million tourists visit there annually.[12][13][14]

History
Map of Mariehamn with the pre-1961 territory of the town marked with hatched outline

The town was named after the Russian empress Maria Alexandrovna (1824–1880), literally meaning "Marie's Port". Mariehamn was founded in 1861, around the village of Övernäs, in what was at the time part of the municipality of Jomala. The city has since expanded and incorporated more of Jomala territory. Mariehamn was built according to a very regular scheme which is well-preserved. One of the oldest streets is Södragatan where many wooden houses dating from the 19th century can be seen.

Following the First World War, Mariehamn was home to the Mariehamn Grain Fleet.[15]

On November 8, 1963, a devastating plane crash occurred in Mariehamn, in which 22 out of 25 people lost their lives, which made it the second-deadliest aviation accident in the history of Finland.[16]

Transportation

Harbours

The city is located on a peninsula. It has two important harbours, one located on the western shore and one on the eastern shore, which are ice-free for nearly the whole year, and have no tides.[17] The Western Harbour is an important international harbour with daily traffic to Sweden, Estonia and mainland Finland. A powerful incentive for Baltic ferries to stop at Mariehamn is that, with respect to indirect taxation, Åland is not part of the EU customs zone and so duty-free goods can be sold aboard. Åland and Mariehamn have a reputable heritage in shipping. The Flying P-Liner Pommern museum ship (part of the Åland Maritime Museum) is anchored in the Western Harbour. The Eastern Harbour features one of the largest marinas in Scandinavia. The famous Dutch steamer Jan Nieveen (now called F.P. von Knorring, after Åland teacher and vicar Frans Peter von Knorring) can also be found here.

Airport

Mariehamn Airport serves the city; it has scheduled flights on two airlines including Finnair.

Roads

At three of Åland's four highways, Mariehamn serves as a starting point for Main Road 1 to Eckerö, Main Road 2 to Sund and Main Road 3 to Lumparland.

Culture

The city is an important centre for Åland media; both of the local newspapers (Ålandstidningen and Nya Åland), several radio stations and the local TV channels (TV Åland and Åland24) operate out of the city. The islanders are traditionally fond of reading, and had public libraries before 1920. A printing works was established in the town in 1891.[17] The municipal library, which was built in 1989, is one of the most interesting modern buildings.

Museums

Architecture

Architects

Mariehamn features several buildings drawn by Finnish architect Lars Sonck, who moved to Åland as a child. Buildings drawn by him include the church of Mariehamn (1927), the main building of the Åland Maritime College (1927) and the town hall (1939). Hilda Hongell also designed several buildings, although only a few are still standing.

The Church of St George

The main parish church of Mariehamn was opened in 1927 and has been expanded in 1959 and renovated in 1972. when the pews were painted blue. The visible decorations include painted wooden ceiling panels, one for each of the followers of Christ. The unnamed panel is that representing Judas Iscariot. The church paintings and decorations are the work of Finnish artist Bruno Tuukkanen. These include the golden mosaics behind the altar which show the life of Christ. Gifts to the church include the font and the ship that hangs from the ceiling. This is the Tjerimaj. The church houses a 37 stop organ built in stages (1969, 1982).[18]

Demographics
Historical census populations – Mariehamn
YearPop.±%
1987 9,966—    
1990 10,263+3.0%
1997 10,408+1.4%
2000 10,488+0.8%
2002 10,632+1.4%
2004 10,712+0.8%
YearPop.±%
2006 10,824+1.0%
2008 11,005+1.7%
2009 11,123+1.1%
2010 11,190+0.6%
2011 11,262+0.6%
2012 11,346+0.7%
YearPop.±%
2013 11,393+0.4%
2014 11,480+0.8%
2015 11,461−0.2%
2016 11,565+0.9%
2017 11,677+1.0%
2018 11,743+0.6%
Source: ÅSUB's statistical databases[19]
People with a foreign background[20][21]
Country of originPopulation (2018)
 Sweden1,093 (9.55%)
 Romania173 (1.51%)
 Latvia163 (1.42%)
 Iran101 (0.85%)
 Estonia92 (0.80%)
 Russia86 (0.75%)
 Yugoslavia86 (0.75%)
 Thailand73 (0.64%)
 Philippines55 (0.48%)
 United Kingdom45 (0.39%)

Geography

Climate

Mariehamn has a transitional climate between humid continental climate (Dfb) with certain maritime (Cfb) influence as a result of the strong maritime moderation from being an island in the Baltic Sea. This causes summers to be cooler than both the Swedish and Finnish mainlands, with winters being similar in cold to the adjacent coastal part of Sweden but milder than Finland's mainland. The lowest temperature at Mariehamn airport was −32.9 °C (−27.2 °F) in February 1979, and the highest temperature on record was 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in July 2022 and July 1941.[22]

Climate data for Mariehamn Airport normals 1991-2020, extremes 1914 – present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.9
(51.6)		 10.5
(50.9)		 17.0
(62.6)		 21.1
(70.0)		 27.1
(80.8)		 29.4
(84.9)		 31.3
(88.3)		 30.7
(87.3)		 24.8
(76.6)		 19.0
(66.2)		 16.6
(61.9)		 11.1
(52.0)		 31.3
(88.3)
Average high °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8)		 0.4
(32.7)		 3.1
(37.6)		 8.0
(46.4)		 13.4
(56.1)		 17.5
(63.5)		 20.8
(69.4)		 20.0
(68.0)		 15.5
(59.9)		 9.6
(49.3)		 5.2
(41.4)		 2.5
(36.5)		 9.8
(49.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −1.3
(29.7)		 −2.3
(27.9)		 −0.2
(31.6)		 3.8
(38.8)		 8.9
(48.0)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.8
(62.2)		 16.1
(61.0)		 11.8
(53.2)		 6.8
(44.2)		 3.2
(37.8)		 0.4
(32.7)		 6.4
(43.5)
Average low °C (°F) −4.3
(24.3)		 −5.5
(22.1)		 −3.7
(25.3)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 4.0
(39.2)		 8.6
(47.5)		 12.2
(54.0)		 11.6
(52.9)		 7.8
(46.0)		 3.5
(38.3)		 0.6
(33.1)		 −2.5
(27.5)		 2.7
(36.9)
Record low °C (°F) −32.3
(−26.1)		 −32.9
(−27.2)		 −25.0
(−13.0)		 −18.9
(−2.0)		 −6.5
(20.3)		 −3.2
(26.2)		 0.1
(32.2)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 −6.7
(19.9)		 −11.8
(10.8)		 −20.0
(−4.0)		 −28.9
(−20.0)		 −32.9
(−27.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 53
(2.1)		 35
(1.4)		 38
(1.5)		 31
(1.2)		 35
(1.4)		 53
(2.1)		 52
(2.0)		 76
(3.0)		 61
(2.4)		 70
(2.8)		 71
(2.8)		 59
(2.3)		 634
(25)
Average precipitation days 17 13 12 9 10 10 9 13 12 16 17 17 155
Mean monthly sunshine hours 39 74 130 207 297 296 312 235 163 91 41 26 1,911
Source 1: FMI climatological normals for Finland 1991–2020[23]
Source 2: record highs and lows 1961 – present[24]

FMI(record highs and lows 1914-1961)[22]

Twin towns and sister cities
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Finland

Mariehamn is twinned with:[25]

Notable people

Sport
  • Aerial view of Mariehamn.
    Aerial view of Mariehamn.
  • Wooden houses of Mariehamn.
    Wooden houses of Mariehamn.
  • Södragatan, one of the oldest streets of Mariehamn.
    Södragatan, one of the oldest streets of Mariehamn.
  • St. George's Church [sv].
    St. George's Church.
  • Ålandsvägen, a typical street in Mariehamn, with linden trees.
    Ålandsvägen, a typical street in Mariehamn, with linden trees.
  • An esplanade along Storagatan.
    An esplanade along Storagatan.
  • The museum ship Pommern is anchored in the western of Mariehamn's two harbours, Västerhamn.
    The museum ship Pommern is anchored in the western of Mariehamn's two harbours, Västerhamn.
  • Nordea bank office in Mariehamn.
    Nordea bank office in Mariehamn.
  • Åland Museumn in Mariehamn.
    Åland Museumn in Mariehamn.
  • Municipal library of Mariehamn.
    Municipal library of Mariehamn.

See also
  • Godby – the second largest urban area in Åland
  • Jomala – the municipality surrounding Mariehamn

References
  1. "Turism - Mariehamns stad". Mariehamns stad. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  2. "Area of Finnish Municipalities 1.1.2018" (PDF). National Land Survey of Finland. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  3. "Preliminary population statistics 2023, September". StatFin. Statistics Finland. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  4. "Demographic Structure by area as of 31 December 2022". Statistics Finland's PX-Web databases. Statistics Finland. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  5. "Population according to age (1-year) and sex by area and the regional division of each statistical reference year, 2003–2020". StatFin. Statistics Finland. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  6. "Mariehamn". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  7. Suomen kunnallisvaakunat (in Finnish). Suomen Kunnallisliitto. 1982. p. 171. ISBN 951-773-085-3.
  8. "Ahvenanmaan kuntien vaakunat 1947-1987 (I:15) Maarianhamina" (in Swedish). Kansallisarkiston digitaaliarkisto. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  9. "Ennen 8.4.1949 annettua kunnanvaakunalakia vahvistetut vaakunat (I:7) Maarianhamina". Kansallisarkiston digitaaliarkisto (in Swedish). Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  10. "Mariehamns vapen" (in Swedish). City of Mariehamn. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  11. Mitä-Missä-Milloin, Kansalaisen vuosikirja 1980 (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. 1979. p. 165.
  12. Mariehamn – Visit Åland
  13. Tourism Mariehamn & Mariehamn Travel Guide – Discovering Finland
  14. Åland: many travellers, far fewer overnighters – Nordic Labour Journal
  15. Derby., W L A (1937). "Mariehamn's Grain Fleet - Shipping Wonders of the World". Shipping Wonders of the World (21 July 1937): 746–749.
  16. Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas C-47A-35-DL (DC-3) OH-LCA Mariehamn Airport (MHQ)". aviation-safety.net. Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  17. Prothero, G.W. (1920). The Åland Islands. Great Britain. Foreign Office. Historical Section. p. 5.
  18. The Church of St Goran (St George), (anonymous) parish leaflet (2011) Mariehamns Tryckeri Ab
  19. "PX-Web - Select variable and values".
  20. http://pxnet2.stat.fi/PXWeb/pxweb/fi/StatFin/StatFin__vrm__vaerak/statfin_vaerak_pxt_032.px/table/tableViewLayout2/?rxid=726cd24d-d0f1-416a-8eec-7ce9b82fd5a4
  21. "PX-Web - Valitse muuttuja ja arvot". Archived from the original on 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  22. "Suomen maakuntien ilmasto" (PDF). helda.helsinki.fi.
  23. "FMI normals 1991-2020" (PDF). fmi.fi. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  24. "FMI open data". FMI. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  25. Mariehamns stads vänorter. Archived 2015-09-21 at archive.today Accessed July 14, 2015
  26. "Dags att avbryta ryskt vänortssamarbete helt?". Nya Åland (in Swedish). Retrieved 2023-03-31.

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