The '''Kvarken Archipelago''' (''Merenkurkun saaristo'') [http://www.kvarken.fi/] is an archipelago in the narrowest part of the Gulf of Bothnia, between Finland and Sweden. Along with the neighboring High Coast of Sweden, it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand

Once weighed down by immensely heavy glaciers that melted after the end of the Ice Age, the Kvarken area is undergoing extremely fast uplift (by geological standards), with land rising about 8 mm per year — enough to create 1 square kilometer of new land every year.

History

Landscape

The archipelago consists of some 6,550 islands. The largest of them, '''Raippaluoto''' (''Replot''), is Finland's 8th largest and houses the vast majority of the islands' population of some 2,500 people, but it's (just) outside the official World Heritage Site area.

Flora and fauna

Climate

Get in

The best place to start your visit is the '''Terranova - Kvarken Visitor Centre''' [http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=6851], located not in the archipelago, but in the nearby town of Vaasa. A few of the islands near the coast are accessible by car, but for most, you'll need your own boat.

Fees/Permits

Get around

There are four designated nature trails for hiking among the islands of the archipelago. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at some of the nature stations, and are an excellent way of getting around.

See

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

There are five "Nature Stations" [http://www.luontoon.fi/page.asp?Section=7875] throughout the archipelago that offer basic accommodations. They're intended primarily for groups, and reservations are essential.

Camping

Camping is allowed throughout the archipelago, but open fires are only allowed at designated spots.

Backcountry

Stay safe

Get out