Åland (Ahvenanmaa in Finnish) is a small group of islands between Finland and Sweden. Formally, Åland belongs to Finland, but the entire population speaks Swedish and the islands enjoy a high degree of self rule and independence. The League of Nations passed a resolution which left Åland as a part of Finland. Åland has its own national flag (pictured in Nordic countries) and is mentioned as a member of the Nordic countries, though not formally a country in its own right. The capital of Åland is Mariehamn. Since 1984 Åland has issued own stamps. In the late 1991 a private company in Åland tried to unsuccesfully launch its own currency called Daler. The Åland is demilitarised and the male population is excempted from conscription.