Governorates of the Grand Principality of Finland

The Vyborg Governorate was not initially part of the Grand Principality, but in 1812 it was transferred from Russia proper to Finland.

The Vyborg Governorate was established in territories ceded by the Swedish Empire in the Great Northern War.

In 1808, and supported by France, Russia successfully challenged the Swedish control over Finland in the Finnish War.

In the Treaty of Fredrikshamn on September 17, 1809 Sweden was obliged to cede all its territory in Finland, east of the Torne River, to Russia.

After being a part of Sweden for seven centuries, the first half century of Finland as a Russian Grand Principality meant a period of consolidation into the Russian Empire, where the authorities managed to convince the imperial court of the loyalty of the Finnish population and the officials to Russia.