The Kvarken Archipelago

The Kvarken Archipelago

Located in Vaasa Archipelago, in Ostrobothnia region. Together with Sweden’s High Coast, the area is the best place in the world to experience and understand the land uplift phenomenon caused by the last Ice Age.

• The site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. In July 2006, the Kvarken Archipelago was included on UNESCO World Heritage List. The area is the first Natural Heritage Site in Finland. The Kvarken Archipelago is an extension of Sweden’s “High Coast”, another world natural heritage site. Together, these two areas form a complementary geological complex featuring land uplift unlike anything found elsewhere in the world.
• The unique area is Finland’s only Natural World Heritage Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In this area, you can see in a unique way the effects of the land uplift caused by the Ice Age. The heavy, up to 3 kilometers thick ice sheet pressed the Earth’s crust down so that the land still rises today, reaching for its former position.
• In the Kvarken archipelago, you can experience the fresh nature, the idyllic villages and the breathtaking land uplift scenery.

How to get there?

• Located next to the longest bridge in Finland, the World Heritage Gateway Visitor Center is the starting point of your visit! At the gate you’ll get information about our world heritage site and acquire hints of sights and things to do in the area.
• Get direction button on this page will guide you to your destination using google Maps.

World Heritage in Finland

• Unesco approved the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1972. The World Heritage Convention is a global decision to promote the treasuring and preservation of unique cultural and natural heritage for future generations. In Finland there is seven World Heritage sites.