This week 3,000 competitors from 25 islands across the world are converging on Åland to take part in the NatWest Island Games.
It's the thirteenth time the Games have been held since their inception on the Isle of Man in 1985 and the second time the small Finnish island has been the host. Åland is the main island in an archipelago of 6,500 islands between Finland and Sweden.
Some of the islands taking part, such as St Helena and Falklands, are so remote that their teams had to set off on their long journey to the Games over a week before the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, June 27.
The Isle of Wight are sending 155 delegates. The Games themselves will consist of 14 different sports in a competition that will last eight days at venues all across the island.
Official Games photographer Rob Watkins has produced a series of six images in celebration of both the competition and Åland itself.
Speaking about the pictures, which combine Åland athletes with some of the island's well-known landmarks, he says: "I wanted to show the grace and beauty of the competitors and also capture the flavour of the island. So I included not only some of the island's stunning nature but also some historic monuments, ruins from the Crimean War and elements from the all-important shipping industry."
NatWest Island Games XIII - Åland 2009, June 27 - July 4, for full information on the event and participating islands
www.natwestislandgames2009.ax