Trip to the Faroe Islands: all organizational aspects. Why is it worth going to the Faroe Islands? How to get to the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are steep cliffs, fog, waterfalls, wooden houses with grass on the roof, whales, langoustines, sheep and the harsh Atlantic. Geographical location Faroe Islands The easiest way to describe it is with the English expression “in the middle of nowhere.”
An archipelago of eighteen small and many small islands hidden in the North Atlantic Ocean. The easiest way to get here is from Iceland - ferries run from the land of ice to the Faroe Islands.
In the photo: the Eggjarnar coast in the village of Vágur on the island of Suvúroy
At the beginning of the ninth century, immigrants from Scotland settled here, then the Vikings sailed here, and until the nineteenth century, the territory of the islands was divided between Norway and Denmark. Nowadays the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but since 1948 they have gained autonomy and can resolve most issues independently.
The name of the islands translates as “sheep”, because with a population of 50,000 inhabitants there are 70,000 sheep of a special Faroese breed. Few people make it to the Faroe Islands, but those who can will not be disappointed, because there is harsh northern nature, traditional wooden architecture and a unique cuisine, including raw seafood and fermented lamb.
THORNE HARBOR
On the islands everything is very compact and rustic in the good sense of the word. The capital of the Faroe Islands, Toshavn, is located on the island of Streymoy. It is built up with low houses, there are only 3 traffic lights, and the prime minister’s personal number can be found in the phone book.
Tórshavn is a port city named after the god Thor. The main local attractions are the 15th century Munkastovan Monastery, the Historical Museum, Cultural Center House of the Northern Peoples and Old city with houses from the 14th century.
I would like to say something separately about local architecture. In the old days, houses in the Faroe Islands were built from tarred dark wood, and the roofs were covered with turf and grass. Today the government is ensuring the preservation of a single architectural style and new houses here are built exactly the same. Most of the historic churches on the islands survive from the nineteenth century, all of them made of wood and with original carvings.
Pictured: the dark wood church of Norðragøta with a turf roof
And even in the cities, at every step you will meet the honorary inhabitants of these lands - sheep. It is logical that lamb is the main dish of the local cuisine, and sheep wool products are the main Faroese souvenirs. You can just buy a traditional sweater, hat or mittens, but it’s better to go to the store of the fashion brand Guðrun&Guðrun. It was founded by two Faroese young ladies, and the main character of the famous Danish TV series “The Killing” even wore a sweater from their brand.
OBSERVATION OF NATURE
And yet, for the most part, travelers go to the Faroe Islands to admire harsh beauty local nature. It is wild, northern, harsh, similar views can be observed in Iceland, because, like the Faroe Islands, it is treeless, like a land of ice. But there are rocky cliffs, fjords and waterfalls - the most famous Bosdalafossur is located on the island of Voar, which is shaped like a dog's head.
In the photo: Bosdalafossur waterfall on the island of Voar
It doesn't matter which islands you visit, you'll find impressive Atlantic scenery, cliffs and sheep everywhere. The largest islands of the archipelago are Streymoy, Esturoy, Voar, Suduroy, Sandoy and Bordoy. We recommend hiking as the main entertainment - there are 23 spectacular routes.
In the photo: lighthouse on Cape Akraberg, Suvoroy island
But no matter where you go, after 5 kilometers you will still find yourself at the Atlantic Ocean - this is the maximum distance to it from any point on any island.
In the photo: puffins fly to the Faroe Islands to nest
Add to this private fogs, lighthouses, concentrated sea air and bird trills - the islands are home to about 110 of their own species of birds, plus the territory is a place of bird migration, and the symbol of the Faroe Islands is the sandpiper bird.
SECRETS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
Be sure to go fishing. Fishing is the main industry for the Faroese, and 90% of local exports are seafood. Here they catch langoustines, mussels, sea urchins, cod, herring, halibut, flounder, catfish, squid, monkfish, whales and sharks. By the way, despite the low water temperature, diving in the Faroe Islands is not only possible, but is becoming more and more popular from year to year. And this is not surprising, because in the underwater depths near the islands you can observe starfish and urchins, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs and huge mussels.
The Danish Embassy in Russia issues citizens, upon special request, a Schengen visa with a special note: “Valid for entry to the Faroe Islands.” "Where is it?" - we are perplexed. The small one, it turns out, also has colonies. True, not tropical, and not far from the metropolis. Well, let's say, not exactly colonies: the islands have their own parliament, which decides virtually all state issues, except for foreign policy and defense. Read about where the Faroe Islands are, what this archipelago is, who inhabits it, etc. We will try to tell you about the natural attractions of the region and how you can get there. You will also learn Interesting Facts about the history and nature of the archipelago.
Where are the Faroe Islands
Locals call their archipelago Förjar. Translated, this means “sheep islands.” Breeding these small ruminants, along with fishing, has long been the backbone of the local economy. Now the sheep population numbers about eighty thousand individuals. Eighteen islands form an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean called the Faroe Islands. Where is this in more detail? Between Scotland and Iceland. Reykjavik is approximately 450 kilometers from the Faroe Islands, 650 kilometers from the coast of Norway, and 1,117 kilometers from the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. In this northern region, the population is small and nationally homogeneous. Even the capital, Tórshavn (Streymoy Island), has a population of only nineteen thousand people. The second largest city, Klaksvik, has five thousand inhabitants. And there is also an island where only one person lives permanently. This is Koltur. Others have 6-11 inhabitants. Faroese make up 91.0% of the total population. Another 6 percent consider themselves Danish. For obvious reasons, there are quite a few immigrants in this region.
Climatic characteristics
Where the Faroe Islands are located, the weather does not please residents with cloudless skies and warm sunshine. The climate here, due to the high latitudes, is quite harsh. Strong winds blow all year round, making the landscapes on the archipelago treeless. There are only artificial plantations of coniferous trees, mountain ash and maple. In winter it is downright cold and damp. However, the Gulf Stream prevents the water off the coast from freezing and even maintains its temperature within +10 degrees. In summer the air warms up to only fifteen, and it rains 280 days a year. Most precipitation falls from early autumn to January. Fogs here are not uncommon, but the norm of life.
Nature and relief
All eighteen islands are indented by fjords coastline. Because the archipelago is part of the Atlantic Rift Ridge protruding above the water, their topography is very mountainous. The highest point, Slattaratindur Peak, which is located on the island of Esturoy, has been unsuccessfully attempted to be conquered by climbers for decades, although its height is only 882 meters above sea level. The Faroe rocks were composed of basalt rocks back in the Cenozoic era. The most mountainous island - Kalsoy - consists entirely of sheer cliffs. Therefore, tunnels were dug between the four small settlements for travel. For this, as well as for the huge number of caves and sea grottoes, it was nicknamed “flute” (Flyut). And the least mountainous is Sandoy. Where the Faroe Islands are located, you wouldn't expect to see sand dunes, but they still exist. On Sandoy you can also admire beautiful lakes and enjoy excellent fishing.
Story
Humanity learned exactly where the Faroe Islands are located approximately 700 years ago. The first settlers on this archipelago covered with sparse vegetation were immigrants from Scotland. But already at the beginning of the 9th century they were ousted by the warlike Vikings. For a long time The Faroe Islands were a transit point between Scandinavia and Iceland. Until the end of the 14th century, Norway ruled the archipelago. After this, she shared her dominion over the islands with Denmark. In 1814, the latter became the sole owner of the archipelago. When Nazi troops began occupying Denmark, Great Britain, represented by the Prime Minister, dared to retaliate. In April 1940, an English cruiser embarked on a roadstead in the port of Tórshavn. The islands were never captured by the Germans. In 1945, the British left the archipelago. In 1946, a plebiscite was held on the Faroe Islands' secession from Denmark. Parliamentarians were invited to Copenhagen for negotiations. As a result, an agreement was reached on very broad autonomy within the Kingdom.
How to get to the Faroe Islands
The archipelago has only one international airport. It is located on the island of Voar. Its area is 177 km² and its population is three thousand people. Voar is connected to the capital and largest island of the archipelago, Streyma, by a five-kilometer tunnel dug under the seabed. Transport connection There is excellent communication between settlements. Old roads along mountain serpentines are now increasingly being replaced underground tunnels. Ferry crossings do not allow even the residents of Mycines and Stour Duimun, whose population is eleven and six people respectively, to feel completely isolated from the world. But tourists come here precisely to feel like they are on the edge of the earth, where the Faroe Islands seem to disappear into the boundless expanse of the ocean. You can get to the archipelago from (Denmark), as well as Bergen and a ferry runs in the summer. It sails from Bergen and arrives in the capital Tórshavn.
Culture
Existence at the “end of the earth” led to the emergence of very original traditions. Until the 18th century it was unwritten, but an ancient oral epic has survived. You can also admire a large number of medieval churches on the islands. Residents are very careful about their original culture and regularly hold music festivals. Tourists should definitely buy products made from the excellent wool of local sheep, and also try dried cod and whale soup - specialties for which the Faroe Islands are famous. Football occupies a special place in the life of the islanders. The team was formed in 1930 and immediately lost to the Latvians. But the defeat did not disappoint the Faroese people. In 1988, FIFA accepted the team, and in the 1990s it was recognized by UEFA.
Or simply the Faroe Islands - an archipelago located in the north Atlantic Ocean, almost halfway between Iceland and Great Britain. It belonged to Denmark until 1948, when an agreement was concluded giving the Faroe Islands limited sovereignty.
The Faroe Islands have the status of an autonomous region of the Danish Kingdom with independent governance in all matters except foreign policy and defense. The distance from the metropolis in a straight line is about 1,000 kilometers.
The closest ones are weak populated areas northern Scotland (Shetland Islands - 260 km) and Iceland (450 km).
Attractions
Of the 18 islands that make up the archipelago, only one is uninhabited - Litla Dimun (with an area of about 0.8 km2). And this is worthy of surprise - given, in general, not the most hospitable weather conditions.
The population of the other 17 islands (Bordoi, Esturoy, Fugloy, Hestur, Kalsoy, Koltur, Kunoy, Mykines, Nolsoy, Sandoy, Skuvoy, Stora Dimun, Streymoy, Suduroy, Svinoy, Vagar, Vidoy) ranges from 2 (Koltur) to 21 thousand inhabitants (Streymoy).
It is simply necessary to look at all the diversity - it is a unique attraction in its own way. Perhaps the most sparsely populated and unlittered corner of Europe in Europe! The roads in the Faroe Archipelago are of excellent quality and the scenery is stunning! A romantic will even find something unearthly.
There will be no need to be distracted by castles and other palaces - they have never been here. All attention to the green hills, rocks growing from the icy sea, sunrises and sunsets, fogs and other natural delights.
There is enough air and prospects here - believe me, a trip to the Faroe Islands is no worse than a trip to Norwegian fjords(that’s still an expensive pleasure) or distant discoveries!
Description
Tórshavn was founded in the 10th century in the southeast of Streymoy and named after the god of thunder and lightning, Thor. The name literally means “Thor’s harbor.”
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy. The head of the country is the Queen of Denmark.
As an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, according to the law on local self-government, the archipelago has its own supreme legislative authority - the parliament (Løgting) and the government (Landsstuyri). There is always a royal auditor (ombudsman) present in parliament.
However, he is entrusted with only an observational function. Also two representatives of the islands are permanent members of the Danish parliament, the Folketing.
The local economy is based on fishing and fish processing, small boat conversion and folk crafts. The GDP of this sparsely populated country is over $2 billion, which makes the Faroese very wealthy people (annual per capita income exceeds $45 thousand. Unemployment is about 5.5%, which is explained not so much by the rosy state of the economy as by the migration of young people to Denmark.
Large islands
Streymoy (374 km2) is the largest and most populated (about 21.5 thousand inhabitants). Almost half of the country’s population lives on the “island of currents”. The capital of Faroe Islands, the city of Torskvan, is also located here. The terrain is hilly, with the highest point being Kopsenny Peak (789 m).
Esturoy (286 km2) is the second largest and most populous (about 10.5 thousand inhabitants), literally translated as “ east island" A road bridge was built between Streymoy and Esturoy. The highest point in the country is located here - Slattaratindur Peak (882 m).
Vágar (177 km2) is the third largest island by area with a population of approximately 2,785 inhabitants. Here is the only one in the archipelago international Airport"Vagar."
Suduroy (163 km2), literally translated as “ south island", inhabited by about 5 thousand inhabitants.
Geography and weather
The Faroe Islands have rugged, rocky terrain with several low mountain peaks and a steep, rugged coastline replete with long fjords.
There is not much on the archipelago high mountains, missing large rivers and lakes. Although if you look at the photo, it seems that the entire archipelago is a series of mountains and valleys. The highest point of the Faroe Islands is on the island of Esturoy - this is the peak of Slattaratindur (882 m above sea level).
A distinct maritime subarctic climate prevails. The general character is determined by the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, and in particular, the North Atlantic Current. And although the warm Gulf Stream thoroughly softens local climate, summer here is usually cold: average temperature air in July: +11-+17 °C.
Winter is very mild for these latitudes. In January, the thermometers show from 0 to + 4 °C.
Cloudy weather prevails all year round: with rain, strong winds and fog. And the sun is perceived as a gift.
When to go
The best time to visit the Faroe Islands is from May to October. July and August are the peak tourist season, and since you won’t be able to swim anyway, get here in late May or early June. Prices are lower, and there are many fewer curious people!
You may ask: why not go in winter, if the Gulf Stream warms the islands, and the weather is generally very mild (ideal calm Christmas and New Year)? And we will answer: a very short day and a high probability of inclement weather. In summer, on the contrary, the duration of daylight hours reaches 19 hours and... go for a walk - I don’t want to!
Where to stay
Tórshavn and its surrounding areas offer the widest choice of hotels and individual apartments. Even for New Year you can find options from 80-100 € per night. But generally the price ranges from 100-120 € per room for two.
How to get there
The easiest way to fly to the Faroe Islands is from Copenhagen - after all, Denmark remains a metropolis and is obliged to provide good transport accessibility for (partially) its own citizens.
Vagar Airport is the only one in the archipelago, located on the island of the same name. The latter is connected to Streymoy and Tórshavn by a highway, laid, among other things, through an underwater tunnel. Distance - 45 km.
During the day, bus No. 300 runs regularly (schedule: www.ssl.fo/en/timetable/bus/300-torshavn-airport-soervagur/). You can also get there by taxi. But the smartest thing to do is to fully enjoy the local landscapes. The choice is small - there are very few cars on the archipelago - and therefore we book 1.5-2 months before the visit.
A Schengen visa is not applicable in the Faroe Islands - you need a national Danish visa with a special stamp giving the right to visit the islands. This is if you run into passport control, which was rarely done on domestic flights before.
However, there are a lot of stories about trips through Schengen on the Internet. Let us remind you that most likely you will fly here from Copenhagen. And you will be allowed into Denmark with a multiple visa from any country included in the agreement.
There are only two ways to arrive and both are quite obvious.
- By plane from Denmark, Great Britain, Norway, or Iceland. Local Faroese airline Atlantic Airways flies to airports in Copenhagen and Aalborg, Oslo and Bergen, even London. Flights depart from Kastrup, for example, up to 5 times a week. This is in the summer - less often in winter
- Ferries also go to the Faroe Islands from Denmark. They depart from the port of Hirthals in the north of the Jutland Peninsula twice a week in summer and once in winter. The operating company is Smyril Line, there is only one ferry, Norröna. Unfortunately, the pleasure is not cheap: traveling back and forth with a car will cost from 236 euros out of season!
Visa
Please note that theoretically a regular Schengen visa may not be enough to visit Faroe Islands. Because Denmark requires not only a national visa, but also a separate stamp to visit the archipelago.
Passport control used to be a rare occurrence and therefore the usual one was enough. But now, due to the influx of refugees, it is better not to risk it and get the coveted mark in advance.
The Faroe Islands are located in the North Atlantic, in open ocean, significantly north of Scotland. Officially they belong to Denmark, but in fact life on the Faroe Islands is subject not so much to the Danish crown as to its own laws and rules. Tourists are not welcomed here by azure waters, luxury hotels and well-trained bartenders serving colorful cocktails to vacationers on the beach. The nearest inhabited coast is Icelandic, and it is located 450 km away. But if you're looking for a place to get away from it all, the Faroe Islands are perfect.
In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the most the best islands in the world. It seems that even their residents more than agree with this characterization.
How to get to the Faroe Islands
By plane to Tórshavn with a transfer through Denmark (Copenhagen) or Norway (Bergen or Stavanger). The most popular local transport in the Faroe Islands is, naturally, water, and you need to travel between the islands by ferry. In summer, you can also take a ferry from Bergen to Tórshavn.
Visa
The Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen area. To visit these territories, it is necessary to obtain a national Danish visa, valid for entry into the Faroe Islands, in addition to the regular Danish Schengen visa. If the tourist already has a valid Schengen visa from another country, it is enough to apply for a national Danish visa with a note on entry to the Faroe Islands. List necessary documents and the process of obtaining a visa to the Faroe Islands is identical to the process of obtaining a Schengen visa to Denmark.
Search for flights to Copenhagen (the closest airport to the Faroe Islands)
A little history
In total, the Faroe Islands include 18 islands, and all but the last one, Little Dimun, are inhabited by people. The first inhabitants appeared on the islands around the 8th-9th centuries; Then the Vikings saw the islands and for some time served as a transit point on their sea expeditions. The Faroe Islands were once divided between Norway and Denmark, but at the beginning of the 19th century they were completely taken over by the Danes. During World War II, the islands were occupied by Great Britain in response to the German capture of Denmark (this did not affect the course of the war in any way). The next year after the end of the war, the Faroe Islands were about to secede from the Danish kingdom, but that was not the case: the most that the islanders achieved was partial sovereignty.
In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world (this is a consolidated expert assessment of half a thousand specialists in the tourism industry). It seems that even their residents more than agree with this characterization. Despite the fact that the economy of the islands rests, figuratively speaking, on sheep and herring, the weather is gloomy, and fuel and other essential items have to be purchased on the mainland five hundred kilometers away, the standard of living in the Faroe Islands is one of the highest in the world. And almost all the islanders are ardent patriots who optimistically paint their houses in different colors in spite of the gloomy weather and gray skies.
Due to unacceptable local residents Fishing taxes The Faroe Islands have not yet entered the European Union.
Faroese cuisine
Traditional Faroese dishes, dense and simple, are all quite interesting, but by modern standards they cannot be called healthy. Although local dishes, for obvious reasons, are often prepared from fish, the Faroese themselves prefer fatty and unsalted meat, in particular lamb, and potatoes from vegetables. However, recently in large populated areas More and more European establishments are opening. So you need to look specifically for traditional restaurants to try smørrebrød (a sandwich with butter and meat, eaten with cutlery) for breakfast, dried cod soup and lamb kidneys for lunch, and puffin rhubarb pie for dinner and potatoes.
Weather in the Faroe Islands
The climate here cannot be called mild: in summer it usually does not get warmer than +15 °C, it rains about 280 days a year, and the winds blow almost constantly. Therefore, there are few trees on the islands - solid rocks and moss, but there are a lot of carved picturesque fjords, bays, bays and mountains.
In winter, the islands are very wet and particularly cold. But the Gulf Stream washing them prevents the coastal waters from freezing and even maintains their temperature at about +10 °C. This season, when there are no people around and the water is especially clear, is considered ideal for diving enthusiasts.
3 things to do in the Faroe Islands:
- Buy and bring home to your grandmother several skeins of local first-class sheep wool for knitting. This can be done at almost any grocery store.
- Get to the town of Skopun on Sandoy Island, where the largest mailbox in the world is located. This is a huge blue structure several human heights, against which you should definitely take a photo (alas, the box is non-functional).
- Try local dried meat and fish snacks: whale meat and lamb in the Faroe Islands are dried in a dozen different ways, sometimes for a year.
Entertainment and attractions of the Faroe Islands
The main city of Faroe is Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy, and it is quite picturesque and specific. But, of course, those who travel to the Faroe Islands do not come to see the city's attractions. The main thing people come to the Faroe Islands for is amazing nature, solitude and the feeling that you are on the edge of the earth.
Tórshavn
The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, has a mixed atmosphere: partly port, partly metropolitan, partly even somewhat rural. Here it is worth visiting, first of all, the ancient monastery of Munkastovan, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. In the 17th century, a major fire raged in the city, but the monastery escaped destruction. Also interesting is the main museum on the islands - the historical one, where various examples of applied art and worship, traditional household utensils and household items of villagers, fishermen and sailors are collected. The main cultural center of Tórshavn - The House Nordic countries where the conference room is open, concert hall, library and art gallery. On summer nights, special educational events are held here for tourists.
Faroe Islands: Fugloy, Kalsoy, Sandoy
Attractions Faroe is each island separately, each with its own special nature, cute rural houses under multi-colored roofs (and often covered with turf and grass), coastal cliffs in a foggy haze. In some you will find ancient Lutheran churches, in most - numerous flocks of sheep in green meadows, and in all - the cleanest air and cold blue sky, not polluted by industrial enterprises, which are not here.
Many of the islands have earned special fame due to the characteristics of the landscape, climate, flora or fauna. For example, on Fugloy Island (“Bird Island”) sea birds nest in large numbers. Here, high, more than half a kilometer cliffs cut into the water, favored by millions of birds. The even more mountainous Kalsoy (“Pipe Island”) is surprising, however, not because of the mountains, but quite the opposite - underground passages and caves. And the most “flat” of all, Sandoy, is famous for something else: here, near the shore, you can admire the wide sand dunes, and on the hill there are two beautiful lakes.
Faroe islands
Leisure
The island of Vioj is home to one of the highest cliffs in Europe, Enniberg, which climbers have tried unsuccessfully to conquer for many decades. And north of Skarvanes on the island of Kalsoy, the cape ends with a sharp prong sticking up - Tretlkonufingur, “Trollwoman’s Finger”. Amateur fishermen should go to the island of Streymoy, where Lake Pollur, the most fertile lake in terms of fishing, is located: there you can catch not only ordinary salmon, but also large halibut and eels. Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it gushes over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and falls straight into the ocean, and together with the rocky ridge in the background and the village in the middle, all this is a spectacle that is definitely worth see. And on the island of Nolsoy there are large seal rookeries - also an incredible picture.
Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it overflows over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and falls straight into the ocean.
Culture and customs of the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands' own culture developed far from European civilization and therefore has largely retained its exclusivity to this day. This is a bizarre combination of Danish and native cultural heritage, which is well reflected by local folk festivals. For example, Faroese round dances are a very special phenomenon, without which not a single entertainment event is complete. You can see them, for example, at the festival of St. Olaf (Oulavsøk), who once baptized Norway, at the end of July, as well as at traditional rowing competitions between villages, horse competitions, and painting exhibitions. Oulavsöka embraces all the islands without exception, but in certain parts of the archipelago other festivals are held throughout the year - July Vestanstevna in the west, Noriyastevna in the north, Jouansöka in the south.
One of the specific traditions of the islanders, which causes at least ambivalence among guests of the Faroes, is the summer slaughter of whales.
Whaling
For more than a millennium, the inhabitants of Faroe have been largely fed by whaling. Having discovered a school of whales (or rather, dolphins) entering the bay, they are surrounded by boats, driven to the shore and there, literally, they are killed with knives, causing all the water near the shore to change color. The tradition has caused outrage among animal rights activists, but it is as characteristic of the local culture as round dances, and at the same time much more vital for a region whose only sources of income are, in fact, fishing, sheep farming and Agriculture. Whale meat, a traditional and much-loved dish on the islands, is neither exported nor sold: it is eaten by the miners themselves, as in prehistoric times.
Faroe Islands- a group of 18 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Great Britain), from which they are located almost 400 km north, and Iceland, which is 420 km northwest of the Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands are an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. Since 1948, the islands have independently managed almost all matters except defense and foreign policy.
The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Tórshavn, located on the south-eastern coast of the island of Streymoy.
The Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Vagar, Sandoy, Bordoy. Largest island- Streymoy (373.5 km²). total area of all islands - 1395.74 km².
Distance to Iceland - 450 km, to Norway - 675 km, to Copenhagen - 1117 km. The economic maritime zone off the coast of the Faroe Islands is 200 nautical miles.
Most high point islands is the peak of Slattaratindur on the island of Esturoy - 882 m above sea level. The Faroe Islands are dotted with numerous fjords and have an indented coastline. The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although there are plantations of strong conifers, maple and mountain ash.
Climate
The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with cool winters and cool, humid summers. The coldest month is January, temperature from 0°C to +4°C, the warmest month is July, temperature from +11°C to +17°C. The annual precipitation is 1600-2000 mm, precipitation (mainly in the form of rain) occurs approximately 280 days a year, most of it falls from September to January, fog is frequent.
Thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the water around the islands all year round has a temperature of about +10°C, which softens climatic conditions and provides ideal living conditions for fish and plankton.
Last changes: 10/23/2009Population of the Faroe Islands
The population is 48,856 people (2009), of which: 91.7% are Faroese; 5.8% - Danes; 0.4% - Icelanders; 0.2% - Norwegians; 0.2% are Poles.
Age structure of the population: 0-14 years: 21.6%; 15-64 years: 64%; 65 years and older: 14.4%.
The Faroese population professes mainly Lutheranism (80%). Lutheranism is a Protestant movement in Christianity.
The official language of the islands is Faroese (a modified version of Old Norse), almost all residents understand Danish, and English is widely spoken.
Currency
Official currency Faroe Islands - Faroese krone. 1 Faroese crown is equal to 100 øre. The Faroese krone is equivalent to the Danish krone, meaning the exchange rate is the same. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 crowns, coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 crown, 50 and 25 öre.
The islands' currency is issued by the National Bank of Denmark and is considered a variant of the Danish krone. Therefore, it does not have an official ISO code and is not convertible. In most cases, to avoid confusion, it is called the Danish krone (DKK), since the local currency is strictly tied to this unit. Formally, the Danish kroner itself is not accepted in the Faroe Islands; only the local currency is used.
The best place to exchange currency is at banks and exchange offices; exchange fees are small. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:00, on Thursday - until 18:00, and banks are closed on weekends.
You can exchange money in banks or exchange office Vaugar Airport (open from 10.00 to 2.00). Typically, banks charge fairly small commissions for exchanges, but for the most part they only work with euros and Danish krone.
Credit cards from the world's leading systems (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted.
Travel checks can be cashed at many banks and hotels or used to pay at most restaurants and stores.
Last changes: 10/23/2009Communications
International code: +298.
Internet domain: .fo.
In case of emergency, call 112. reference Information - 118.
How to call
In order to call the Faroe Islands, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 298 - number of the called subscriber (no need to dial the area code).
mobile connection
Officially, there are two standards in force in the Faroe Islands mobile communications- NMT (analog) and GSM (digital). However, for last years GSM has practically replaced the analog standard, and now the coverage area covers almost the entire territory of the islands.
SIM cards from Faroese operators can be purchased at Teleshops kiosks, petrol stations, post offices, hotels and tourist offices.
Landline communications
The Faroe Islands telephone system is of a high standard and provides all modern complex services. Foroya Tele's (Faroese Telecom) public payphones, located in many public places, operate using both coin and credit cards.
Internet
Despite the fact that the Faroe Islands are a major intermediate point for many telecommunications systems linking Europe and North America, the level of network services here is relatively low. Only large business centers, hotels and post offices are provided with stable high-speed communications.
The public Internet cafe Telecentre (Teledepilin) can only be found in the capital (Niels Finsensgota, 10). However, it is also possible to take advantage of the numerous access points located at the tourist information offices.
Shopping
Most shops open at 09:00 or 10:00 and are open until 17:30. On Fridays, some close only at 19:00. On Saturdays, shops open at 09:00 and are open until 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00. On Sundays all shops are closed. Kiosks and shops at gas stations close at 23:00.
Travelers can receive a partial VAT refund (25%) when leaving the country. If in any store that has the announcement “Tax-free for Tourists” on the window, the purchase amount exceeds US$48, you must take a receipt, which will reimburse approximately 15% of the cost of the goods at customs at the airport.
The price level on the islands is slightly higher than on the mainland and is comparable to Norway, so traveling to the Faroe Islands cannot be called a cheap event.
Almost all industrial goods are imported and therefore are not cheap, but food (especially fish), wool and leather goods, and some alcoholic drinks are quite inexpensive.
Fresh vegetables are available all year round, as many islanders get them from their gardens, and most of them also go to store shelves. The assortment of fruits is somewhat lower, but also meets all international standards.
There are enough shops in Tórshavn, whose assortment differs little from the goods sold in some small town in Europe.
Last changes: 10/23/2009Where to stay
In the Faroe Islands there is no “star” classification of hotels; the following classification is used: “Deluxe”, “Superior”, “Standard”, which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3 star hotels. A special classification was introduced due to the specificity of local hotels located on small islands with limited infrastructure, where accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing, you should carefully read the specific list of services provided by a particular hotel.
Most local hotels are small private guesthouses; there are no super-expensive rooms at all, and you can always find accommodation at very reasonable prices ($10-15 per night). Mid-level hotels ask for their services $20-70 per day, higher-class hotels - from $70 and above.
Sea and beaches
The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months, when precipitation is unlikely and the weather is warm and comfortable.
On the coast at the foot of Mount Tindur there are beaches consisting of black basalt sands.
Excellent beaches of dark volcanic sand are also found near the town of Scalavig.
Last changes: 09/01/2010History of the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands were known to Irish monks from about 500. In the period between 700 and 800, people from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Starting from the 9th century, the Faroe Islands became a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located in Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.
From the 11th century until 1380 the Faroe Islands were part of Norway, during which time the conversion took place local population into Christianity. When Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark, two powers began to govern the islands, and in 1814, after Norway left the union, Denmark became the sole owner of the islands.
The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to decide on April 11, 1940 to station the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during the Second World War, following the German invasion of Denmark. British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945.
In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. This decision was ratified by parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. The island of Sudurø, the third largest in the entire group, announced that it remains part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight majority in favor of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.
In 1948, an agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty; the Danish government continued to be in charge of the islands' foreign policy. Two representatives of the islands serve permanently in the Danish Parliament.
Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear weapons-free zone by the Løgting, but the islands are located naval base Denmark and the NATO radar complex.
Last changes: 04/28/2013It is completely unacceptable to bargain, and in any establishment, regardless of size and form of ownership.
Alcoholic drinks are sold only to persons over 18 years of age. Light beer can be bought in shops, restaurants and cafes. Strong beer, wine and other types of alcohol can only be purchased in specialized stores in large villages (indicated by the Government Monopoly sign) and in licensed restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, etc.
Fishing is only permitted in some waters and only on the basis of a fishing license, which can be purchased at all tourist offices. All gear and equipment, including fishing rods, floats, lines and baits, must be disinfected before arriving in the Faroe Islands (previously this parameter was carefully monitored at customs; currently the Faroese leave this rule to the conscience of the tourist). Instructions and rules for fishing in local lakes (the islanders call them in the Scottish manner - “loch”) are printed in all tourist booklets and prospectuses and must be strictly followed. The fishing season in streams and streams lasts from May 1 to August 31. Sea fishing is permitted all year round.
In the Faroe Islands, fortune-telling based on the footsteps of the Norns is common. Norn marks are spots that appear on the nails. They are interpreted according to their shape, color and the place where they appeared.
These islands are also famous for their hand-knitted shawls made from the wool of local sheep. They have an unusual butterfly shape and, unlike other types of shawls and scarves, due to their design they lie firmly on the shoulders, even if they are not tied.
Since the weather on the islands is very unpredictable, special requirements are placed on clothing. A waterproof and windproof jacket is a must here at any time of the year. It is also recommended to have a warm sweater and vest, a strong pair of boots with thick soles and good ankle support, light scarves, hats and gloves, especially when traveling to the sea (which is everywhere here). Light boots or sports shoes for moving around populated areas will also be useful.
Also, the mandatory kit should include sunglasses with glass filters, since the level of ultraviolet radiation here is quite high.
When moving around the islands, you should have with you a small backpack with a set of clothes and linen, a small supply drinking water or a hot drink (coffee, tea, cocoa), as well as high-calorie foods (chocolate, dried fruits, etc.).
Be sure to take a detailed map of the area with you and inform the local tourist office about the route and time it will take place. In case of frequent fogs here, you should not look for the road on your own - it is recommended to stop in the place where you find it and wait for help. Particular care must be taken when moving along the coastline and coastal cliffs.
Any journey longer than 3 km should only be undertaken with a local guide and with means of communication (cell phone or walkie-talkie). GPS receivers will also be quite useful - despite the small size of the islands, the terrain here is so complex that it is simply impossible to navigate yourself without knowing the local signs.
A detailed booklet describing the most interesting routes can be purchased at any of the local tourist offices for 10 CZK.
Last changes: 01/20/2013How to get to the Faroe Islands
The easiest way to get from Moscow to the Faroe Islands is by SAS airline with a transfer in Copenhagen (Denmark). Aeroflot and SAS have daily flights from Moscow to Copenhagen (2 hours). SAS also flies six times a week from St. Petersburg (2 hours).
Island-based airline Atlantic Airways (part of the SAS airline system) flies from Iceland, Norway, Denmark and the UK to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands. Several other small companies serve these same areas.
Daily flights to the Faroe Islands are operated only from Copenhagen, Denmark - usually 2-3 times a day; from other countries, flights are performed once every few days, and may be stopped altogether in the winter.
In addition to the plane, you can also get to the islands by Smyril Line ferry. It runs once a week from Tórshavn to Huntsholm in Denmark, the British Shetland Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. In summer it also visits Bergen, Norway.
Last changes: 04/28/2013
