Finland sent troops to Åland to guard against a possible Soviet invasion, which didn't materialize. The Finnish army also laid siege on Hanko, which was evacuated by the Soviet Union later that year. Finnish troops remained in Åland until the end of the war in 1944. In 1995 Finland became a member of the European Union. The referendum on the membership was held separately in Åland, leading to the possibility of different outcomes. A rejection of the EU membership by the Ålanders would have created a situation similar to that of Greenland, which is an autonomous region of Denmark but is not part of the EU. However, the membership was accepted in both referendums. Image gallery See also Geography of Finland Islands of Turku References External links Archipelago National Park Turku Archipelago Steamship s/s Ukkopekka cruise Naantali-Turku Interactive map of the ferries in Finland All guest harbors in the Archipelago of Turku and Aland Archipelago Research at University of Turku (In English) The official webpage of Åland (in English) Baltic Sea Bodies of water of Finland Archipelagoes of the Baltic Sea Archipelagoes of Finland