Jomala

Jomala is a municipality in the autonomous Finnish province (Finnish: Lääni ) Åland. It is located in the center of Åland's main island Fasta Åland immediately north of the provincial capital Mariehamn. Jomala has 4354 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) and an area of ​​143.37 km ². Jomala is the most populous rural municipality of Åland. As in Åland is Swedish is the official language.

History

At the highest point of the mountain Dahl Russia built the Kungsö battery, which belonged to a barracks for about 100 soldiers during the First World War. In March 1918, the Russians withdrew from the battery after German troops had landed on the island. The battery was destroyed in 1919 by German soldiers and Finnish workers.

Place name

The origin and meaning of the name Jomala are not fully understood. The suffix - ala is generally a Nordic origin attributed, where it denotes something elongated, and in the case Jomalas probably the ridge is meant the church stands today the municipality on the. The first syllable Yom is possibly related with the place name and Yom Jumkil in Swedish Uppland. According to another theory, it represents a contraction of Nordic jor ( "Horse" ) and hem ( " yard, good" ) also present an composition from jor and mala ( " Beaches" ) is discussed.

Another theory derives the name of a Scandinavian ago by deity " Yom ", the suffix- ala is here to the Gothic word Ahls ( " sanctuary " ) provided. Finally, there is the view of the city derive its name from the homonymous Finnish word Jumala ("God " ) ago. Against this interpretation, however, speaks to one of the fact that in Finland found no settlement names with the component Jumala, but only nature names. In addition, particularly Ålanders insist that there are no place names would find in Åland with the exception of the late incurred island called Koskenpää, which could be attributed to a Finnish origin clearly. The attempt to establish Finnish etymologies and so to suggest a possible prehistoric settlement of the Finnish archipelago, is thus understood as a political maneuver, the affiliation of Åland to Finland to legitimize historically.

Flora

In the area of ​​the municipality Jomala is the nature reserve Ramsholmen. This is home to many rare plants, including Ramsons and orchids. In spring, the area is marked by the flowering of liverwort, anemones and primroses.

Culture

At the annual cultural events in Jomala counts the traditional peasant wedding in early July, which is initiated with a wedding procession in 19th-century style of the Church of Jomala the childhood home of Berghydan. For forty-year anniversary in 2007, the procession ended at the court Ulfsby. In September, the harvest festival is held in the center of Jomalaby with great fair.

Economy

Most of the inhabitants of 32 villages Jomalas are now in the service sector, especially employed in tourism, although agriculture still has great significance. In Jomala is also the only airport of the main island. Even the postal company Åland Post has its headquarters in the village Sviby in Jomala.

In the community there is almost full employment, the unemployment rate was officially recognized in January 2007 with 1.6 percent.

Sons and daughters

• Frej Liewendahl (1902-1966), middle-distance runner
• Janne Holmén ( b. 1977 ), long-distance runner