Lemland

Lemland is a municipality of Åland, an autonomous territory of Finland. Covering a land area of 113.21 km² (43.71 sq mi), it had a population of 2,133 in 2025. The majority of Lemland's population speaks Swedish. The Lemström Canal, carved in 1882, separates Åland’s main island from the Lemland peninsula. Historically, the municipality has been an important maritime hub, given its strategic location in the Baltic Sea.

Lemland
Municipality
Lemlands kommun
The medieval parish church in Lemland.
Coat of arms
Location of Lemland in Finland
Lemland Location in Åland
Coordinates: 60°04.2′N 020°05.2′E
Country	Finland
Region	Åland
Sub-region	Countryside
Government
• Municipal manager	Mikael Smeds
Area  (2018-01-01)[1]
• Total	965.30 km2 (372.70 sq mi)
• Land	113.21 km2 (43.71 sq mi)
• Water	852.23 km2 (329.05 sq mi)
• Rank	293rd largest in Finland
Population  (2025-06-30)[2]
• Total	2,143
• Rank	250th largest in Finland
• Density	18.93/km2 (49.0/sq mi)
Population by native language [2]
• Swedish	91% (official)
• Finnish	3.4%
• Others	5.6%
Population by age [3]
• 0 to 14	20.6%
• 15 to 64	61.2%
• 65 or older	18.2%
Time zone	UTC+02:00 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+03:00 (EEST)
Website	lemland.ax

History

Evidence of early human activity in Åland dates back to around 4000 BC, with the region serving as a meeting point for various cultures.^[4] During the Viking era (8th to 11th century CE), it was a central hub for trade and navigation.^[5] The Lemland Church, a significant historical landmark, was built in stages, with its oldest parts dating from the 13th century.^[6] The original church built in the 13th century had paintings in the ceilings and wooden sculptures dated to the 14th century. It is dedicated to Bridget of Sweden.^[7] During the Finnish War in 1808, the Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf had his headquarters in the Lemland parsonage.^[8] As per Håkan Skogsjö, the ancestry of the permanently residing population of Lemland and owners of farmsteads could be traced back to the 18th century.^[9][10]

Geography

Lemland is a municipality located in the autonomous region of Åland, southeast of Mariehamn, the capital of Åland.^[11] The municipality spans an area of approximately 965.3 km² (372.7 sq mi) of which 852.23 km² (329.05 sq mi) is covered by water.^[1][12] It consists of several smaller skerries and islets. The Lemström Canal, carved in 1882, separates Jomala in the Åland’s main island from the Lemland peninsula.^[13][14] It is connected to Lumparland and Mariehamn by bridges.^[15]

Climate

Climate data for Lemland Nyhamn (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1959- present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	8.5 (47.3)	7.8 (46.0)	11.1 (52.0)	16.4 (61.5)	23.5 (74.3)	26.5 (79.7)	28.7 (83.7)	26.9 (80.4)	21.4 (70.5)	16.4 (61.5)	12.7 (54.9)	9.3 (48.7)	28.7 (83.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	0.2 (32.4)	−1.1 (30.0)	0.4 (32.7)	3.2 (37.8)	7.7 (45.9)	12.4 (54.3)	16.7 (62.1)	16.9 (62.4)	13.1 (55.6)	8.3 (46.9)	4.6 (40.3)	2.1 (35.8)	7.0 (44.6)
Record low °C (°F)	−29.2 (−20.6)	−24.9 (−12.8)	−17.3 (0.9)	−12.8 (9.0)	−1.2 (29.8)	2.2 (36.0)	6.4 (43.5)	4.0 (39.2)	2.0 (35.6)	−3.0 (26.6)	−8.5 (16.7)	−23.0 (−9.4)	−29.2 (−20.6)
Source 1: FMI climatological normals for Finland 1991-2020[16]
Source 2: Record highs and lows 1959- present[17]

Demographics

The municipality has a population of 2,143 (30 June 2025)^[2][18] Males and females constituted almost equal proportion of the population, with 523 individuals under the age of 17.^[19] The entire population is classified as rural. Swedish language is spoken by majority (91%) of the population.^[19] About 81% of the population were Finnish citizens.^[19]

Gallery

• 
  St. Olof's Chapel
• 
  Lemström Canal
• 
  Rödhamn Harbour.
• 
  Lågskär Lighthouse
• 
  Tower of Herrö