Characteristics of marine areas

The characteristics of marine areas consist of various factors that are constantly changing and interacting. In other words, each marine area is unique, creating different natural parameters and opportunities for human activity.

Reports on the characteristics of planning areas are part of the description of their current state, which serves as the starting point for maritime spatial planning, in addition to the following reports: Situational picture of the blue economy 2018, Maritime cultural heritage and Status of the Finnish marine environment 2018. The reports on the characteristics of each planning area include a summary of the latter two.

The reports present the key characteristics of the planning areas in terms of their natural geography and cultural history, as well as the current planning situation and the use of the sea. The characteristics of marine areas are presented concisely in the Story Maps and have been taken into account in the preparation of the Situational Pictures of the planning areas.

Maritime spatial planning covers the territorial waters and the economic water zone, starting from the coastline. Land–sea interaction is taken into account in maritime spatial planning, which is why the reports on the characteristics of planning areas also discuss the characteristics of the archipelago and the coast in terms of their natural geography and cultural history.

You can read more about the characteristics of the planning areas through the links below.