Aland Islands, a group of about 200 rocky islets, of which 80 are inhabited, situated at the entrance of the Bothnian gulf, between lat. 59° 55o and (60° 32" N., and lon. 19° and 21° E. They belong to Russia, having been ceded by Sweden in 1809, and form a part of the government of Abo-Bjorneborg in Finland. The inhabitants, about 10,000, are Swedes, and are excellent sailors and fishermen. They keep great numbers of cattle, and export cheese, butter, and hides; they also manufacture cloth for home use and for sails. The group takes its name from the largest island; area, 28 sq. m.; pop. 10,000. It has a good harbor on the W. side. Foremost among the former fortifications was the fort of Bomarsund, near the S. E. extremity of the main island, which was captured in 1854 by the allied fleets of England and France during their war against Russia, and blown up on their departure. By the treaty of Paris of 1856 Russia is prohibited from fortifying the islands or having there any military or naval station.