The Kvarken Archipelago - a World Heritage

	© Malinen, Korsholms kommun

In July 2006, the Kvarken Archipelago was included on UNESCO World Heritage List. The area is the first Natural Heritage Site in Finland.

The stony land uplift archipelago of Kvarken is a unique, changing landscape formed during the ice age. Obtaining World Heritage Status is a long process. The work began already in 1997 when the idea of a World Heritage was presented among inhabitants in the area, and when scientific facts were gathered to prove that the Kvarken Archipelago will be a worthy World Heritage. 

The nature of the Kvarken Archipelago is special - and the geomorphology, i.e. the moraine ridges, is extraordinary. The flat archipelago of Kvarken, and the steep High Coast in Sweden together constitute a complete example on how the land uplift forms the landscape and influences biological processes.