Demographics Archipelago Sea

the minor inhabited island groups sustain 1 or few families , fish main income. kråkskär inhabited until 1956.

the number of permanent residents on islands 60,000, 27,000 of them living in Åland. outside Åland of area has been more or less monolingually swedish-speaking, officially bilingual swedish-speaking majority. northern part of area monolingually finnish-speaking.

throughout history population of archipelago sea has varied significantly. population increased until first half of 16th century. after population went decline carrying capacity of environment reached , wars , pestilence took toll on people. in 19th century population increased sharply new, more efficient fishing methods introduced. in 20th century population went decline again, on smaller islands, due rapid urbanization. many smaller islands became uninhabited. during recent decades increasing number of summer residences in archipelago have revitalized areas.

many finns have summer residences on islands in area, known natural beauty. due population of many islands can double or more during summer. although having summer cottage in archipelago more common among swedish-speaking, swedish-speaking small minority on mainland, , summer residents finnish-speaking, in contrast permanent residents. kultaranta, official summer residence of president of finland on island of luonnonmaa in naantali.

an anomalous feature in demographics in archipelago number of twins. tendency non-identical twin births partly hereditary, , necessary genes prevalent in archipelago. in 18th , 19th centuries proportion of twin births greater anywhere in europe, , enormously higher in continental finland. reason fishing. fish excellent source of protein , unsaturated fat. available when crops failed. hence having twins maximizes lifetime reproductive success.