The islands form the smallest Finnish region but also the only monolingually Swedish-speaking region of all Finland. It was named after Maria Alexandrovna of Russia whose memorial statue is situated in the city centre. All the ferries get to Mariehamn town which is located in Southern Fasta Aland. Fasta Aland is the most populous and largest Aland island and also the 3rd biggest Finnish island. Aland islands are strategically a good place so many nations fought for them over the centuries. Aland were always part of Sweden and then belonged to Russia since the war.