Kökar

Kökar

Understand Kökar is the southernmost municipality of Åland and one of the smallest of Finland, with about 220 permanent residents. Most people live on the main island, particularly around the village of Karlby, which serves as the municipal centre. The Otterböte archaeological site shows that the islands were already used by seal hunters around 3,000 years ago. Kökar Harbour Franciscan monks established a monastery on the island of Hamnö in the 15th century, making Kökar an important religious and cultural centre. Although the monastery was dissolved in 1539, Kökar Church has remained on Hamnö ever since. The municipality also includes Bogskär, Finland's southernmost outlying islets, about 50 km south of the main island. Despite its small population, Kökar remains a functioning community with a school, library, health-care station and other basic services. Tourism, shipping and farming are important local industries.

Source: Wikivoyage · CC BY-SA 4.0.