Undeservedly forgotten Russian tourists The area, characterized by a harsh climate, is located at the very edge of the world, but vacationers who have been here admit that for the sake of the amazing landscapes it is worth dropping everything and going on an exciting journey.
A corner lost on the edge of the earth
However, not every person will show where the Faroe Islands are located on the world map. Even though they are part of Europe, most people won't find them on the globe. Such remoteness from civilization benefited the place, lost in the Atlantic Ocean, which has preserved its pristine nature and originality.
Finding the Faroe Islands on a world map is quite difficult, especially for those who have never heard anything about them. Located between Iceland and Great Britain, they are in the North Atlantic. Officially belonging to Denmark, the Faroe Islands are a small state with an area of 1,399 km2. The archipelago consists of 34 municipalities, and the islands are home to more than 100 towns and villages.
Green oasis on our planet
Repeatedly, the Faeroe Islands, which have virtually no trees, have been recognized as the cleanest on the planet. Emerald meadows and a unique landscape attract not only brave tourists, but also photographers who capture the amazing beauty that just begs to be featured on magazine covers.
The archipelago, recognized as the most picturesque in the North Atlantic, is a rocky area. The steep banks are steep and very high, but it is the numerous hills that attract travelers and collectors who photograph unusual landscapes.
Descendants of the Vikings
It is known that the first settlements appeared in the territory where the Faroe Islands are now located in the 8th century. Initially, the Scots lived here, but they soon left the region due to raids by Old Scandinavian warriors. For many centuries, the area served as a transit point for the Vikings, who considered that this region was very suitable for them and took root here. Modern inhabitants of the Sheep Islands (and this is how the name of the archipelago is translated) are the descendants of glorious heroes who inherited the will and strong character from their courageous ancestors. The Faroese cherish ancient traditions and lead a unique way of life. They are even proud of their old-fashioned style: instead of lawnmowers, they have sheep, and the men cover the roofs of their houses with turf with green grass.
The population of the Faroe Islands is almost 49 thousand people. These are people who have maintained a good relationship with nature and care about it.
Whose archipelago?
In the 19th century, the lost corner for which Denmark and Norway fought became Danish. After World War II, the islands wanted to gain independence, but the government of the southernmost Scandinavian country granted them partial sovereignty.
So who owns the Faroe Islands? No researcher will give a definite answer to this question. Formally, the Queen of Denmark is considered the head of the archipelago, but all processes taking place on the islands are led by the High Commissioner. In terms of international law, the Faroe Islands are not an independent entity. The local parliament (Løgting) consists of 33 deputies who are vested with special powers. Representatives of six political parties decided not to join the European Union.
The Kingdom of Denmark, in whose parliament two representatives from the archipelago sit, helps the islands financially, resolves issues of justice and defense, and the Faroese government independently deals with issues of public policy, except for foreign ones. To this day there is talk of gaining independence from Denmark.
Climate and weather
As noted earlier, not every person accustomed to comfortable holiday conditions can withstand the harsh nature of an exotic place. The weather in the Faroe Islands will not be to everyone's liking. The sun rarely shines here, it often rains heavily, but even in clear weather strong winds blow. Maximum precipitation falls between September and January, but snow is very a rare event on the archipelago.
In summer, the temperature does not rise above 17 o C, and lovers of the sun and warmth will be disappointed with their vacation. Therefore, for those who prefer to soak up the snow-white beaches, it is better to go to the Maldives or the Bahamas. The water around the islands does not warm up above 10 o C, and fashionable swimsuits and sunglasses are not useful here.
In winter, the cold reigns, which penetrates to the bones due to high humidity, so at this time tourists do not visit the archipelago, where the weather changes so often.
Administrative center of the islands
Tórshavn, the main port of the archipelago, is the capital of the Faroe Islands, home to about 20 thousand inhabitants. Without visiting her, acquaintance with this amazing region will be incomplete. The most interesting place counts Old city, and tourists admire the cute colored houses that transport you into a real fairy tale.
The administrative center, founded in the 10th century, is located on the island of Streymoy, and here you need to stay at least for a few days. Art galleries, a historical museum, cozy cafes and restaurants, fashionable shops - all this will allow you to experience the amazing flavor of the capital of the Faroe Islands.
The most beautiful miraculous landmark of Tórshavn is the luxurious and high waterfall Fossa.
A unique lake on the edge of an abyss
The main attraction lost corner It is considered a virgin nature, which is perfectly preserved due to the harsh climate and remoteness from the civilization of the Faroe Islands (Denmark). High cliffs, emerald fields, endless ocean, gray mists and lacy clouds almost touching the ground leave no one indifferent. Even the most discerning travelers speak with admiration of the landscapes of this wonderful region.
Vagar Island attracts the attention of tourists with an amazing body of water, the beauty of which defies description. Located on a stone platform, it seems to float in the air without falling off the edge of a high cliff. Hanging Lake Sorvagsvatn (Faroe Islands), located above sea level, is a sight that is difficult to forget. For travelers admiring natural monument Only in photographs, it often seems that this is a professional photo montage, and in fact the body of water lies on different planes with the Atlantic Ocean. And only after visiting the attractive region do many understand the uniqueness of this masterpiece.
The transparent waters of the lake flow into the ocean through a waterfall hidden in the rocks with unpronounceable name Bossdalsfossur.
Local Attractions
The Faroe Islands consist of 18 islands, one of which is completely uninhabited. There are no people living on Tindholmur, although scientists suggest that many centuries ago they did live here.
Streymoy Island, which is the largest, is loved by all fishing enthusiasts.
Nolsoy is famous for its huge number of seals.
Sandoy delights tourists with its luxurious landscape: there are beautiful sand dunes here.
Fugloy, whose name translates as “bird island,” is indeed a favorite of birds. Various representatives of birds settle on high cliffs.
Mycines Island is famous for the fact that only 13 people live on it. This is the most quiet corner, which one can only dream of.
Esture is a picturesque place connected by a bridge to the island of Streymoy. Deep fjords create an unforgettable landscape. Mount Slattaratindur rises here with a height of about 900 meters.
The main natural attractions on Rinkusteinar are two huge stones rocking on the waves. Local residents believe that the boulders are Viking longships, and that once upon a time an evil sorceress turned warships into boulders.
Kalsoy is an island whose coastline consists of rocky cliffs. All settlements here are connected by numerous underground tunnels. To the north is the famous Katlur Lighthouse.
Historical monuments
Munkastovan Monastery is the oldest architectural monument Faroe Islands. The landmark survived a terrible fire that raged in the city in the 17th century. Munskastovan survived only thanks to the stonework.
Historical fortress Skansin local residents called the most peaceful on our planet. The defensive structure protected against pirate attacks, and now delights tourists with an excellent panorama that opens from the observation deck.
Diving and fishing
Divers flock here to explore undersea world. Where the Faroe Islands are located, there are several dozen dive points, as well as the only diving center, and even beginners can test their strength here.
Fishing is a real passion of the indigenous population, and many tourists head to the water in the company of locals who offer valuable advice. This is an unforgettable experience and a unique opportunity to see magnificent landscapes. You can go out to sea on a fishing boat and cast a fishing rod where you can never reach from the shore. This is a real adventure that remains in the memory forever.
What else can tourists do?
You can go on a boat tour of the caves and attend a concert of local musicians in the underground kingdom.
Extreme sports enthusiasts who want to tickle their nerves choose scuba diving or kayaking.
Where the Faroe Islands are located is very popular walking routes. However, be careful, because in dense fogs you can get lost, falling behind the group, or fall off a steep cliff. There is even an old legend that says that lonely travelers are thrown off the cliff by the so-called hidden inhabitants - huldufolk. Mystical creatures in gray clothes that merge with the stones live in the rocks and are unkindly disposed towards the lost.
In summer, a large number of tourists come to the islands to watch the colorful event and take part in it. At the end of July, the cheerful Olafsöka festival takes place, coinciding with the archipelago's national holiday. Residents dressed in beautiful costumes take to the streets of Tórshavn (Faroe Islands), musicians give concerts, and there is a cheerful atmosphere everywhere.
Heaven's Gate of the Archipelago
In the 60s of the last century, the archipelago was occupied by Britain, and the airport built on the Faroe Islands was used for military purposes. For more than 40 years, the spacious building stood abandoned, and only at the beginning of this century it was modernized: the capacity of the heavenly gates is now 400 thousand passengers per year.
Located a few kilometers from the village of Sorvagur, on the island of Vagar (Voar), the airport provides both domestic and charter flights to Europe. In addition, it is connected by helicopter to the entire archipelago.
The building has a waiting room, a medical room, luggage storage, several cafes, and a duty-free shop. You can also rent a car here.
Faroe Islands: how to get there?
Russian tourists dreaming of enjoying the stunning scenery of untouched nature should know that there are no direct flights from Moscow to the archipelago. First you will have to fly with a transfer to Norway or Denmark, and only then get to the only airport on the islands. Despite the remoteness, it is very easy to get to the Faroe Islands from the megacities of Northern Europe: the flight takes only two hours. And there is a ferry between the islands, the services of which you can use, and a helicopter will help you get to the most remote places.
To visit the Faroe Islands, which is an autonomous region, Russians require a special island visa (Schengen is not suitable). Despite the fact that the exotic place officially belongs to Denmark, the islands live by their own laws. To ensure that your trip is not overshadowed by anything, you will have to take care of a visa in advance. Its processing is handled by authorized visa centers in Moscow, Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Samara and others. major cities. The consular fee is approximately 1,500 rubles, but depending on the exchange rate of the Danish krone, its cost may increase. The visa processing time ranges from eight days to two months. If you use the services of a travel agency, its employees will prepare all the documents themselves.
Where to stay?
The Faroe Islands, where time flies unnoticed, provide tourists with comfortable conditions for relaxation. You can stay in three-star hotels offering comfortable rooms, or choose more budget options in hostels and guest houses. Those who like to live in tents will be able to settle in special campsites, but they will have to remove all garbage before leaving. In addition, there are convenient accommodation options for those who come for several days: bed and breakfast hotels.
Those who are planning to travel on their own should book rooms 2-3 months in advance. Prices depend on the tourist season, as well as the time of year. But don’t forget about warm clothes and special shoes for walking in the mountains.
March 31st, 2013
The Faroe Islands are considered part of Europe, but many do not even know exactly where they are. In Russia, the archipelago attracts attention on those rare occasions when the Russian national football team plays the Faroe Islands in World Cup or European Championship qualifiers.
On the territory of an archipelago consisting of 18 volcanic islands with a total area of about 1400 square kilometers, 50 thousand people live today. The indigenous inhabitants of the island, about 98% of the population, speak one of the rarest languages in Europe - Faroese, related to Icelandic and Old Norse. The second official language in the Faroe Islands is Danish.
Until the end of the 19th century, sheep farming, which gave the islands their name, played a major role in the life of the Faroese, and sheep's wool was the main commodity in trade with Denmark. However, for more than a century, the main income for the inhabitants of the archipelago, located in the very center of the fish-rich Atlantic region, has been provided by fishing. Locally caught cod, salmon and halibut account for more than 99% of local exports.
This is not surprising if we remember that, according to the classic of Faroese literature William Heineson, the capital of Faroe, the city of Tórshavn, is, in fact, the famous “navel of the earth.” For the Faroese, Tórshavn is one of the most important places on earth, the very place where everything happens.
45 thousand Faroese believe that the archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic is the legendary Atlantis, which sank into the depths of the ocean many centuries ago. The exclusivity is evident.
Ancient history of the Faroe Islands
Modern Faroese are descendants of the Vikings, who at the end of the 9th century. they did not want to put up with the Zheto rule of King Harald Fairhair and sailed here, where previously brave sailors had visited only on visits. In the 11th century Christianity was brought here from Norway and for a short period the islands were subjugated to the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason. After his death, Norway's power over the islands was purely nominal, and in 1380, when the Danish-Norwegian Union was concluded, the islands became dual subordinates. When Norway dissolved the union in 1814, the islands remained with Denmark, which became the sole owner of the islands. The inhabitants of the islands have Scandinavian roots, and the Faroese language is a descendant of the Old Norse language.
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 the 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.
Faroe Islands in World War II. British occupation of the Faroe 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. More than 8,000 British soldiers took part in the occupation.
Post-war history of the Faroe Islands
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 Suduroy, 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 1940 the Faroe Islands were occupied by the British fleet, and in 1948 the status quo was restored. 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. 2 representatives of the islands permanently serve in the Danish Parliament. The Faroese, although they do not particularly feel the Danish “oppression”, do not let the metropolis forget about them. For example, the islands are not formally part of the European Union, having rejected this proposal in a referendum. National clothing and customs largely preserve the era of the sagas, when people believed in the stern Odin, the strong Thor and the gentle Freya. Monuments here often date back to the early Middle Ages. Tórshavn - in the capital of the Faroe Islands, it is worth taking a look at the Skansapakkusio building, the Munkastovan monastery, Historical Museum and the Listaskalin art gallery.
Kirkuber - Among the town's attractions are Magnus Cathedral, St Olav's Church, the ruins of St Brendan's Church and Roykstovan Farm. Saksun is a small village in the vicinity of which there are lakes Pollur and Saksunarvatn, Saskun Church and the Duvuvarur farm.
The Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone since 1984, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.
To enter the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens require a visa issued by the consular department of the Danish Embassy.
The Faroes are a beautiful and rich country, with its own wonderful culture, in addition, the people here are closely connected with each other, now family and friendships mean a lot to the Faroese.
The difference between Danish and Faroese society is not obvious at first, but it is there. So, for example, in Denmark people value their employment first of all; there it is customary to call first, notifying you of your arrival, and even agree on the time of the visit. In the Faroes, friends and acquaintances easily, without ceremony, drop in to see each other just to say hello. So I think the main difference is that Faroese people make time for each other to be together.
In the Scandinavian countries there is the “Jante Lofven Code”: no one has the right to put themselves above society, the most important rule of the Code is “don’t think that you are anything of yourself. And everyone obeys this unwritten rule, from the monarch to the mere mortal. There is something similar in the Faroe Islands. In this regard, things with public morality here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Scandinavia.
At the end of 2006, Faroese society was gripped by debate over the rights of sexual minorities to protection from persecution. Most local politicians opposed the adoption of the anti-discrimination law, considering it contrary to the Christian tenets on which Faroese society is based. Another significant event last year in the life of the Faroese was that the local ethics council banned the screening of the famous film “The Da Vinci Code”, considering the interpretation of the role of Christ blasphemous and contrary to the canons of Christianity.
The Faroe Islands are a very religious country, a religious society. But it should be borne in mind that in all religions there are radical movements, and there are such Christian extremists in the Faroe Islands. Of course, extremists are extremely negative about the law protecting people of non-traditional sexual orientation, but they do not express the opinion of the majority of the Faroese population. In Denmark, by the way, there are also ultra-Orthodox Christians, united in the Internal Mission organization; they are very similar to the Orthodox from the Faroe Islands, but in both cases we are not talking about the majority of the population. In fact, the Faroe Islands are a very open society; it may seem closed, closed in on itself, but in fact it is not. The people here are very friendly, generous and hospitable. And foreigners arriving in the Faroe Islands as tourists or moving here for permanent residence can confirm that they are received very kindly here. After all, the Faroese are sympathetic to everything new that comes into their lives.
Faroe Islands (Faeroerne, Faroe Islands) - a possession of Denmark, occupying over 20 islands in the northeast Atlantic Ocean in the Norwegian Sea. The total area of ownership is 1.4 thousand sq. km. 48.2 thousand people live on the islands, mainly Faroese. They have their own language, which is the official language here along with Danish. The Faroes have their own coat of arms and flag and enjoy internal autonomy, although they are subordinate to Denmark. The administrative center of the Faroe Islands is the city of Tórshavn with a population of 15.6 thousand people. The islands are divided into 8 regions.
The Faroe Islands are of volcanic origin, up to 882 m high. The shores of the islands are heavily indented by fjords. The Faroese landscape is characterized by meadows, peat bogs, and heathlands. The Faroe cliffs are a favorite place for bird colonies.
The economic potential of the Faroe Islands is based on 260 fishing vessels. Employed in the fishing industry most of able-bodied Faroese. The second most important sector of the economy is livestock farming, specializing in raising sheep and producing milk. Local transportation is carried out by road and sea transport. In terms of living standards, the Faroe Islands are among the most prosperous countries in the world; they are reluctant to welcome visitors here, but tourists are shown hospitality..
The name means "Sheep Islands" in the local dialect. Sheep farming is very important for local residents, and wonderful blankets, sweaters and other products are made here from high-quality wool. The tourist season is during the warm summer months from June to September. The Faroe Islands calendar has about two dozen official holidays. On June 28 and 29, the country celebrates National Olavsok Day, named after St. Olav, who preached Christianity in ancient Scandinavia. For two holidays in the capital of the Faroe Islands - Tórshavn - exhibitions, sports competitions, horse races, festive masses and noisy folklore performances are held. Around the same time, the Westanstevna festival, which is almost identical in program, takes place in the Western Faroe Islands.
Mainly eco-tourists come here. Skalafjordur - a picturesque fjord, considered the best harbor of the Faroe Islands, will be of interest to lovers hiking. Mykines is a tiny island in the northwest of the archipelago. Knukur Peak, Steyiskogurin Rock Garden and Holmgyogv Canyon are located here.
The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although conifers, maple, and mountain ash are sometimes found. Mosses and lichens are widespread.
Vegetation mainly consists of meadows, peat bogs and heathland.
The Faroe Islands have a climate similar to the south South America and Tierra del Fuego, from there several species of Nothofagus (Antarctic, birch) and Maytenus Magellanicus were introduced.
Hatchet(lat. Lunda cirrhata), or Long-crested puffins (lat. Fratercula cirrhata) is a bird of the auk family. It has a bright appearance - a powerful red-orange beak, flattened on the sides, white cheeks, and tufts of long yellowish feathers behind the eyes. The color of the plumage is monotonous, black and brown. Paws are red.
They live on the Asian and American coasts of the northern part Pacific Ocean, south to California. They are most often seen flying along the shoreline close to the surface of the water in search of food for their young.
The fauna of the Faroe Islands is quite diverse. Of primary interest are the colonies of Arctic birds and the waters rich in fish (herring, halibut, cod) and sea animals that wash the Faroe Islands. The island is also home to the Faroese breed of sheep.
Colonies of guillemots settle on the Faroese cliffs.
There are harp seal rookeries on the Faroe Islands.
In the Faroes, the Faroese crown (FrK) and the Danish crown (DKK) are in circulation. Faroese banknotes, like Danish ones, are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kroner. The islands do not mint their own coins. There are Danish coins in denominations of 25 and 50 øre (1 øre = 1/100 kroner), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner.
The exchange rate of the Danish krone to the US dollar was - 5.560 (2008), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002).
Up to 15% of Faroese GDP comes from subsidies to the metropolis.
The main sectors of the Faroese economy are fishing, sheep breeding, and light industry. The main products exported are fresh, frozen, filleted and salted fish, gelatin made from fish swim bladders, lamb, sheepskin, astrakhan fur and wool products, eider down and petrel down. About 2% of the land is cultivated.
Until the mid-19th century, sheep farming was the main source of income for the Faroes. Currently, the sheep population numbers about 80 thousand heads.
Like these ones Interesting Facts writes Klara Kulikova about the Faroe Islands:
I've been to the Faroe Islands probably ten times. I have many acquaintances there, whom I am glad to see, regardless of the presence or absence of business. Acquaintances who, over the years of communication, have turned into friends.
I really like this place. First of all, I like my people. Contrary to the hysterics of whale defenders, the people there are very open, pure and virginal in many matters.
1. In the Faroe Islands, houses are not generally locked. The last time, instead of a hotel, we rented the top floor of a house: the owners lived on the ground floor, their daughter on the first floor, we took the top floor with three bedrooms, a separate bathroom and toilet. "Will we get the key?" – I asked the hostess. "No!" – she was quite surprised, why do you need him?
“You really don’t lock houses?” – I asked my old friend Birgir. “Why lock them?” - he, in turn, was surprised, - “I have five children, they always lose their keys, so we don’t lock our house!”
2. There is virtually no crime in the Faroe Islands. During times cold war The United States has established a military base on the islands. In recent years it has been mothballed: only a few people were constantly there. Now, on the territory of the base there is a prison where local violators are placed for a short period of time, usually for drunk driving. At the time of our arrival, there were already four people in the “prison”, the names of all four are known to all the islands. If you throw a bicycle on the side of the road, no one will touch it. If you drop your wallet on the road, it will be returned to you with a 99.9% probability, or it will be left in the nearest cafe/shop/shopping center.
3. On the question of whale hunting: the Faroese continue to live the same way they lived five hundred years ago. Civilization has changed them little. In addition to whale hunting, the Faroese slaughter their own sheep (a lot of people keep sheep). It's hard for a European to believe, but Faroese schools teach some pretty shocking science lessons.
A week before our arrival, Birgir’s twelve-year-old daughter brought a live sheep to class, killed it right in the classroom with a special air pistol, and gutted it in the classroom. The rest of the children helped her as best they could: in the Faroes this would not shock anyone.
“But why, Birgir?”– I asked in bewilderment. "What do you mean why? Not all children know how to do this now, she just taught them!”
4. Sheep's head is an exquisite delicacy in the Faroes. “What’s in it?” – I asked another friend of mine. "Like what? Eyes, brains, cheeks! Yes all!"
Frozen sheep's heads can be bought in the central supermarket of Torshavn (called SMS) and also in some small shops. For convenience, the head is sawn lengthwise, frozen and packed in a vacuum bag.
5. To your great surprise, the Faroe Islands have a pretty good selection of products (unlike “hungry” Norway, whose supermarkets make you cry). Most of the products are frozen (and made in Denmark), but they are available. On sale there is delicious venison, a lot of seafood, as well as fresh locally caught fish. Smoked salmon is also locally produced and is also absolutely incomparable: I can say with full responsibility that neither in Ukraine nor in Russia they know how to make such fish.
6. In the Faroe Islands (unlike Denmark, to which the Faroe Islands de jure belong) there are very strict requirements for the sale of alcohol. There is only one store in Torshavn that sells beer of “regular” strength, as well as wine and vodka. Everything is very expensive. For some inexplicable reason, beer is only sold in multiples of six. That is, six, twelve, eighteen and so on cans or bottles. The limit applies to both packages (which actually contain six cans or bottles) and individual cans/bottles.
The question “if there are only five bottles left, won’t you sell them?” puts store workers into a specific stupor. Nobody seems to think about it there.
All other stores (including the largest supermarket in the Faroe Islands) sell light beer with an alcohol content of no more than 0.2%&
A similar situation with alcohol in the Faroe Islands was initiated back in the thirties of the last century. Alcohol was sold uncontrollably, many fishermen drank themselves to death, but in the thirties, men carelessly gave women the right to vote in elections.
The first (!) thing the women did after receiving their license was to push through a ban on the sale of alcohol on the islands. Complete ban.
The men tried to protest, but it was too late: the fisherwomen grabbed their husbands tightly by the balls.
The return of alcohol to any kind of sale continued for decades. And it continues to this day.
7. At the same time, the Faroe Islands produce a very good and very specific aqua vitamin, which is called HAVIÐ, with a strength of as much as 50.1 degrees. Such a fortress is the result of a marketing strategy, the essence of which is unknown to me.
8. Also, despite the prohibitions and restrictions, the Faroe Islands produce very good beer, and the “Black Sheep” variety is generally beyond praise.
9. One of my acquaintances in the Faroe Islands created an ideal business: he collected waste from fish processing plants (mainly pollock heads), then dried it, pressed it and sold it to poor countries in Africa. Why an ideal business? The raw materials are free, the market is huge, the idea is super, what can I say.
10. The Danish krone is in use in the Faroe Islands, but the piquancy of the situation is that the Faroe Islands have their own Danish krone, with a very special design. From my own experience, I can say that I have never held more beautiful money in my hands.
Tindholmur Island- one of the islands of the Faroe archipelago. Area - 6500 sq.m. The highest point is 262 m. Each of the small peaks has its own name: Ytsti, Arni, Lítli, Breiði, and Bogdi.
The island is uninhabited, but archaeological evidence suggests that people once lived on it.
Every year, the Faroe Islands catch and kill whales and pilot whales (black dolphins) in a traditional hunt known as "Grindadrap". The sea in the Faroe Islands becomes as bloody and creepy as the cruel ritual itself.
Faroese men often say that being involved in whaling makes them feel like real Faroese. Despite criticism from animal rights groups and the International Whaling Commission, the Faroe Islands population continues to kill thousands of whales year after year.
A mob of hunters drive whales and dolphins into a bay and then snap their spines, leaving the animals to slowly bleed to death. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), some whales struggle in agony for several hours. “Whales and dolphins are very intelligent creatures and they are capable of feeling pain and fear, just like us. They are forced to watch their relatives die in the blood-red water, awaiting their own death.”
Hundreds of pilot whales or black dolphins, as they are sometimes called, become victims of the Faroese every year. I don’t even know what definition to give to this bloody process... Some say, killing whales for the population of the Faroe Islands - a national pastime, others - a tradition, others - a vital necessity. I’ll probably focus on the tradition - don’t judge, as they say, lest you be judged. This event is on a national scale. On a certain day, I don’t know which one, apparently, when the meat supplies run out, Faroese men slaughter pilot whales, and women and children happily gather on the shore and look at this picture. In short, the entire population is involved - no one is indifferent.
Whaling has existed on the “remains of Atlantis” since at least the tenth century, and it is not regulated by the International Whale Commission, but by the Faroese authorities, due to - quoting Wikipedia - “the presence of disagreements over the competence of the commission in relation to small cetaceans.” I don’t know how to put it easier, because I didn’t really understand the meaning myself. It turns out that traditional, with a centuries-old history pilot whale massacre in the Faroe Islands gradually grew into some kind of public holiday. At least, according to eyewitness accounts, this is exactly what it looks like.
I don't know how to judge all this. On the one hand, it’s scary, creepy, disgusting, low and vile, and on the other hand, surely somewhere in Africa there are tribes in which people devour each other, but no one condemns them: well, there is, and there is, what can you do if This is their way of life.
Here's what eyewitnesses write:
Killing whales is a national pastime
In order to feel like men and breadwinners, the Faroese carried out mass slaughter of whales. The entire population took part in this. Men catch, and women and children watch and support.
Unfortunately, this cruel tradition continues to this day. But now whale hunting has become something of a national holiday on the islands. Not for the sake of food, but for the sake of blood, thirst for profit and satisfaction of their barbaric instincts.
They hunt here for pilot whales or, as they are also called, black dolphins. Pilot whales swim in a flock that blindly follows the leader. Once you lure him alone, everyone else will follow him to certain death. The whales are driven into shallow waters in special bays. They surround them with boats and drive them to the shore with stones, sticks, and harpoons.
The first time I learned about this “holiday” was soon after arriving in the Faroe Islands. Once I came to pick up my children from kindergarten and saw the excited faces of the teachers. Happiness and satisfaction were written on them. Gesturing excitedly, they said that today they went to watch how dolphins were slaughtered and took all the children there. They liked everything very much, and the children were absolutely delighted.
After that, the children in the kindergarten spent the whole week drawing pictures about how dolphins are slaughtered, how they are pulled out, killed, and pools of blood. The more terrible the picture, the more honorable place it was on the wall. The exhibition of children's works hung for a long time and was frightening in its appearance.
My children suffered deep psychological stress. One day they grew up and realized that death exists and walks nearby in the form of a Faroese man with a harpoon and a spear.
No one asked permission if it was possible to take the children to look at this horror. They were simply taken away because it was cool. Because many Faroese sincerely believe that the slaughter of whales is one of the most beautiful spectacles. And in the future, children were taken to this slaughterhouse more than once, although they were warned that they could not be taken there. But the teachers forgot everything at the moment of excitement from the upcoming action.
Through the eyes of an eyewitness
I do not know of a more barbaric spectacle that occurs with the approval of the government and with the participation of almost all people, young and old. This is real horror.
As soon as a pod of whales approaches the island, the Faroese drop everything and run to fish. People learn from the radio, from mobile phones and just from each other - today they are beating whales.
They run as fast as they can, just to be on time, just not to be late. They run with crazy eyes. Everyone is running, even pregnant women and young mothers, who grab their children, put them in strollers and also rush to the shore. Other children are dangling underfoot, they are being knocked down, now there is no time for children - whales are being beaten. Kindergartens and schools are brought there so that everyone can participate in the process and look at the bloody mess. How innocent animals are killed.
Just a couple of hours ago, kind and sweet Faroese people become wild animals. They make sure that the whales cannot escape from the shallow waters. With wild faces they throw stones at them, hit them with spears and knock them into a chaotic mass. Wounded animals become frantic and rush around in search of freedom. People rush towards them from the shore and finish them off right in the water. The whales, which are still alive, are stuck with hooks and sticks and dragged to the shore, where their throats are cut.
Women and children support the men, running through pools of blood. There is blood all around. The Sea of Blood is completely red. The entire coast is covered in the blood of innocent victims of Faroese cruelty. People's faces, hands, clothes - everything is covered in blood. Satisfaction on faces, smiles, joy, pleasure, buzz - this whole range of feelings can be read on all faces.
Thirst for blood plus thirst for freebies. After all the whales are dead, the cutting of prey begins right on the shore. Children are very often involved in the process. They are allowed to tinker with the intestines and entrails. Shops in the Faroes are filled with various types of meat, but whale meat is not sold there. Because it is given out for free at this slaughterhouse. Lists of those interested are created in advance on a special website. Why go to the store and pay money when you can get meat and satisfy your barbaric instincts.
On this moment There is no need to slaughter whales. Faroese people do not die of hunger. The supply of food to the islands is well established, but, as the Faroese themselves explain, this is their sport. Yes, that’s exactly what they call this nightmare with pride and approval.
Photographs of the killing of whales are placed in newspapers, in advertising brochures for tourists, devoting entire spreads to this and publishing the most horrific scenes. They make videos about the killing of whales and then watch them with pleasure on long winter evenings, eating whale meat and lard at the same time. There is no regret, only delight that everything will happen again soon.
I would like to mention that this is not the only murder in which children are involved in the Faroes. Sheep farming is very common on the islands, and the slaughter of sheep is a family event in which all family members also participate. In front of the children, the sheep is cut and butchered, and the children then fiddle with the guts with a smile on their faces. They take video and photographs of the process. For a long time, a book with a detailed photo report about this was very popular in the Faroe Islands. It happens that they do similar things in kindergartens. Probably so that those children whose parents do not have sheep do not feel deprived. They bring a sheep or some kind of sea animal to the kindergarten and butcher it together with the children. The children are given trophies - guts and so on. Once on the embankment, sailors set up a small open aquarium. Various sea animals swam in containers filled with water - crabs, sea stars, fish, octopuses and others. They could be taken out and touched. Some children watched the animals with interest, while others simply picked them up and tore off their limbs, enjoying how they writhed and tried to escape. Parents looked at their children with approval and smiles, without making any comments to them and fully supporting these tortures. My children clung to me in horror and asked: “Mom, is this really possible?” Why don’t parents tell their children not to torture animals?” What could they answer to this?
Dolphins have long been considered the patrons of shipping and sailors. All sailors know the sign - before a storm, dolphins try to go to the depths and not appear on the surface, which sailors regard as a warning of an impending storm.
-
Where does such unimaginable inquisitorial cruelty towards these creatures come from among the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands?
In fairness, it must be said that in modern world not everyone shares the romantic view of dolphins, considering them dangerous wild animals.
However, the final point in dolphin research has not yet been reached, and no matter what conclusion scientists come to, people have no right to the bloody barbarity occurring in the Faroe Islands.
Many centuries ago, during the times of the Vikings, the ancestors of the islanders lived in completely different conditions and different customs - these were cruel times of wars, deprivation, lack of food, and the terrible custom that arose in those days may have been a forced way for their survival.
But now, in modern conditions, with supermarkets littered with food, this barbaric “diet” of the Faroese is blasphemous.
“True Faroese” should remember that “cruelty cannot be the companion of valor” (Cervantes).
As the descendants of the brave Normans, it does not suit the Faroese to assert themselves through the bloody massacre of defenseless animals; a much more courageous act would be to decide to stop this bloody massacre as historically outdated and immoral. What do you think?
InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -
For a very long time, the Faroe Islands will eventually appear on the screen.
An absolutely magical place.
An utterly magical place.
Mailboxes in homes resemble old-style school bags.
The shape of residential mailboxes resembles that of old Soviet school satchels.
Blue mailbox for sending letters (as in Denmark).
Each car has a dial with an arrow on the window (to indicate parking time, as in Italy).
Every car has a clock dial with one hand on its windshield (to mark the time the car was parked, same as in Italy).
Car number.
A license plate.
There are two types of trash cans here. One type has a mesh cage around the bag - like the city trash can in Bologna.
There are two types of garbage cans here. The first, a mesh cage with a bag inside, is similar to the municipal trash cans in Bologna.
Another type, more common, is a wooden box with a metal lid.
The second and more common type is a wooden box with a metal lid.
All sockets in the country are equipped with switches. It may appear that these are overhead light switches. But no, these are socket switches.
All the power outlets in the country are equipped with on/off switches. One might think at first that these are light switches. But no, they’re actually power outlet switches.
You can pay for absolutely everything with a credit card. The seller does not pick up the card; the buyer must swipe it himself, then enter the PIN code.
You can pay for anything and everything with a card. The cashier never touches the card—the customer must swipe it himself and then enter his PIN.
A Faroese grave should be decorated with a plaster dove, symbolizing grief.
In the Faroes, a proper tombstone must be decorated with a plaster dove, which symbolizes mourning.
Tórshavn
Torshavn
On the world map Map
A trash can on the highway.
A trash can on the highway.
Regular urn.
A regular trash can.
A trash can with a dispenser with bags for cleaning up dog shit hanging above it.
A trash can with a dog poop bag dispenser on top.
Crosswalk.
A pedestrian crossing.
Street signs are mounted on complex pipes.
Street name signs are mounted on complex pipes.
In case of ice, chests with sand are placed near the roads (the model is exactly like in Vilnius).
Bins with sand are placed along the roads in case of ice (the type of bin is identical to the one in Vilnius).
At the pedestrian crossing sign, the pole is decorated with an additional reflective stick with white and blue.
The posts supporting pedestrian crossing signs are additionally marked with blue and white reflective sticks.
And the “Children” sign has a white and red stick. Reminiscent of the pillars at the signs in Faro.
The “Children” sign, meanwhile, has a red and white post. It resembles the traffic sign posts in Faro.
Half of the country's traffic lights can be captured in one photo.
Half the traffic lights which exist in the country fit into this one photo.
Bus schedule.
Bus stop.
Buses in the capital are electric and have a hump (somewhat reminiscent of Cuba).
The buses in the capital are all electric and have a hump (they bring Cuban buses to mind).
Capital homeless.
A homeless man in the city.
A manhole cover.
Dormitory area.
Skopun
Skopun
On the world map MapMost of the Faroe Islands are connected by bridges or underground tunnels. You need to travel here by ferry.
Most of the Faroe Islands are connected to one another with bridges or underground tunnels. To get here, however, one must take a ferry.
The largest mailbox in the world is located here. I signed a bunch of postcards on the ferry especially for him. Imagine my disappointment when it turned out that there was no slot for letters in this box. At all. I walked around it from all sides - it’s just a non-functional monument to a Faroese mailbox. Moreover, it was still old, before the mail rebranding.
This is where the largest post box in the world is located. I wrote a bunch of postcards on the ferry specifically for the occasion. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that this post box has no slot for mail. At all. I went all the way around to check—it’s just a dummy monument commemorating the Faroes post box. And the old one at that—the postal service has since undergone a rebranding.
The world remembers the Faroe Islands once a year - when local residents notice a pod of whales, drive it into the bay and kill it. The Greens are screaming like crazy, the activists are charging with energy long terms, bloggers have been sharing links to whale photos for a whole week. Then everyone is forgotten, and the Faroe Islands continue to live their lives.
The world is reminded of the Faroes’ existence once a year—when local residents spot a pod of whales, chase them into the bay and slaughter them. Environmentalists scream bloody murder, activists receive a fresh, long-lasting boost of energy, bloggers share links to photos of the whales for an entire week. Then everyone forgets, and the Faroes go on with their life.
They will outlive us all.
They will yet outlast us all.
Not everyone will be able to quickly show where the Faroe Islands are, since many simply do not know in which part of the map to look for them. Meanwhile, more and more tourists are visiting these islands. Of course, tourists do not have to count on beach holiday. Most people come here who want to completely get away from cities, noise, dust and be alone with amazing nature.
The islands have been repeatedly recognized as the most amazing and cleanest on the planet. So where are the Faroe Islands on the world map? The nearest Icelandic coast is almost 500 km! Almost all goods are imported from Iceland, and the country's economy rests solely on sheep and herring. That is, the Faroe Islands sell fish products and sheep wool to Europe. Despite this, the standard of living on the islands is one of the highest in the world. Until the mid-nineteenth century, the country's economy was entirely dependent on the sale of sheep wool. Even now this livestock industry is so developed that the number of sheep almost doubles the number of inhabitants of the islands. There are practically no trees on the Faroe Islands, but the green meadows and unusual landscape attract hundreds of photographers from all over the world.
How to get there?
There are no direct flights from Russia to the islands, but you can fly to Norway or Denmark with a transfer at one of their airports. You can book a flight to the islands themselves via the Internet.
There are regular ferries or other forms of transport between the islands that you can take advantage of. For a fee, you can hire a boat to travel around all the islands.
You will not be able to enter the islands with a Schengen visa. Even though they officially belong to Denmark, there are laws here. The islands deliberately refused to participate in the European Union, as they consider European taxes on fishing unacceptable.
Therefore, to travel you need to apply for a visa to Visa Application Center Denmark with a special note in one of the cities of Russia.
There are such centers in many large cities. Most travelers to these lands use the services of a travel agency. All documents required for a visa are transferred to the agency, and its employees, after processing, pass them on to their clients.
What to do on the islands?
Tourists note several main points that should be done in the Faroe Islands.
- Try whale and lamb dishes. Sometimes food products are marinated for a year.
- You can buy first-class wool for knitting in any store.
- Take a photo in front of a giant mailbox located on Sandoy Island.
Climate
Not every tourist will like the climate of the islands. Z and a year on the islands there can be no more than 80 sunny days without rain. But even in sunny weather, the winds blow with terrible force. But people come here precisely when they want to retire, to be alone with a picturesque rock and to feel like they are on the edge of the earth.
In summer, the air temperature rarely rises above 15-17 degrees, and in winter it is very cold here due to high humidity. True, the water in coastal areas does not freeze in winter due to the Gulf Stream washing the islands. The water temperature in winter near the islands is about 10 degrees. Only a small number of tourists visit this area in winter, so winter is a favorite season for divers. In addition to the high temperature, the water has ideal transparency.
The fauna of the Faroe Islands cannot boast of much diversity. In addition to marine animals, there were initially no animals on the territory. Most species were brought here by humans.
History of the islands
There are 18 main islands and only one of them is uninhabited. The first people settled the islands back in the eighth century. For decades, the islands served as a kind of transit point for the Vikings. For a long time, the Faroe Islands belonged to Norway and Denmark, but in the 19th century the territory became exclusively Danish. During World War II, the territory of the islands was occupied by British troops. This was a response to the actions of Germany, which captured Denmark. After the war, the islands were going to secede from Denmark, but received only partial sovereignty.
Excursions and attractions of the islands
Despite the above main points that a tourist should do, the Faroe Islands have plenty to offer everyone. Main islands:
- The cleanliness of the air is amazing
- beauty of high mountains,
- green slopes with flocks of sheep.
Each city is unique in its own way. The compact size of the small towns is striking, especially when viewed from above, and the bright roofs painted in different colors. One of the peaks is a sheer rock, which the best climbers on the planet have been trying to conquer for many years without success. This is one of the highest cliffs in the world.
Streymoy Island - favorite place fishing lovers. Here you can catch large salmon, eels, and halibut. When visiting Nolsoy, you can admire the seal rookeries, where hundreds of animals are located. Fugloy Island (which means “Bird Island”) is loved by millions of birds. The height of the cliffs exceeds 500-600 meters and many bird species happily settle on such cliffs.
But in addition to the natural attractions in the Faroe Islands, you should definitely visit the ancient Munkastovan monastery, which is more than five hundred years old. In the seventeenth century, a terrible fire raged in the city. The only building left in the city after the fire was Munkastowan. Must visit and House Nordic countries, where there is a concert hall and an art gallery. At night, introductory events are held for guests of the islands.
Culture and customs
The area where the Faroe Islands are located and the national culture developed for almost a thousand years away from the peoples of Scandinavia. But their influence is clearly visible in national rituals and celebrations. For example, one of the Oulavsøk holidays is reminiscent of a festival held in Norway. This day is celebrated on all the islands of the archipelago. At this time, water competitions between residents of different villages and cities and equestrian competitions are held on the islands.
Despite the remoteness of the mainland, the islands even have their own football team, which has been a member of FIFA for more than 25 years. The stadium for training and international matches, which is located on the ocean, looks especially unusual.
Kitchen
When talking about the culture of the Faroe Islands, it is impossible not to talk about the cuisine. The main two ingredients that the islanders use are whale meat and lamb. Local residents prefer to eat all dishes separately, without mixing them. But national dishes are most often prepared at home by local residents. Most restaurants offer international dishes with hints of local and Danish cuisine.
Most residents eat a sandwich-like dish in the morning, consisting of pieces of meat, bread and butter, fish, and cheese. But unlike sandwiches, you must use a fork and knife to eat such food. Whale meat and lamb are dried in a special way in the cold sea wind. Particularly worth trying is a dish called "Ruyskjöt" - this dish is dried meat that is prepared for several months. And “skerpikyot” is meat that has been dried for more than a year and is ready to eat without any additional processing. Fish is often dried in this way.
There are almost no fish shops in the Faroe Islands, and local residents, if they need to put fish on the table, catch it themselves. Potatoes, rice or other products serve as a side dish. Drinks in the Faroe Islands are dominated by coffee and tea. Traditional black tea is often supplemented with herbs that grow on the mountain slopes of the archipelago. Meals are often accompanied by drinking beer and other strong alcoholic drinks.
Policy
The local parliament consists of 33 deputies who are elected for four years. Although the Queen of Denmark is formally considered the head of state, on the islands all processes are managed by the High Commissioner.
The islands' parliament has sufficient powers to refuse accession to the European Union. The main reason is disagreement with Europe regarding approaches to the problem of territorial waters. The government of the islands mainly decides on issues of external and internal regulation, and Denmark supplies the archipelago with everything else (defense, justice, financing issues). The Parliament building itself looks like a building with lawn grass growing on the roof. There are many such buildings on the islands that periodically require mowing the lawn on the roof.
More than five hundred experts have recognized the islands as the best in the world in the field of tourism. Beautifully preserved nature cleanest air and the good nature of the local population are the reason that the islands are visited by many tourists from all over the world throughout the year.
Faroe Islands translated from Faroese means “Sheep Islands”. In English they are called Faroe Islands. They represent a separate island group and are not known to many tourists. Not everyone will immediately answer the question of where the Faroe Islands are on the world map. But nevertheless, they are of interest to travelers, as they represent a corner of untouched nature and peace.
In contact with
Classmates
Faroese Parliament and Government
About the Faroe Islands, Wikipedia reports that they are located in the northern part of the Atlantic between Iceland and Shetland Islands related to Scotland. It is impossible to give a clear answer to the question of which country the Faroe Islands belong to. On the one hand, they are part of, on the other hand, since 1948, they have independently resolved almost all issues of state policy, except for foreign and defense.
The Faroes have their own legislative body - parliament (Løgting), in which 6 political parties are represented. It has 33 members. And also the executive body is the Landsstüyri and the only court. There are two representatives from the Faroes in the Danish Parliament.
The Faroe Islands, although related to Europe, are not part of the European Union. They are not an independent entity in terms of international law and sign treaties jointly with Denmark. Representatives of individual parties advocate complete independence of the Faroe Islands from Denmark.
Capital, population
The main port of the Faroe Islands, the city of Tórshavn is the capital of the country. It is located on the island of Stromoy (area 373.5 sq. kilometers), in its southeastern part. About 20 thousand people live in the capital.
The entire population of the country has about 50 thousand people. The main language is Faroese, the vast majority of residents are Faroese (about 90%). Behind them come the Danes, Icelanders and the British. Surprisingly, Russians also live here. In 2011 there were 55 people.
Culture, traditions of the Faroe Islands
The main religion is Lutheranism, but there are also Christians. There are many architecturally interesting churches from the Middle Ages.
The distinctive culture of the islands - literature, music, dance - is based on closely intertwined local and Danish traditions. Folklore and jazz festivals are often held in the Faroe Islands.
Oulavsjoka
The main holiday is Oulavsöka, which takes place July 28-29. It is named after Olaf, the saint who introduced Christianity to Norway.
The festival program includes:
Slaughter grind
An integral part of Faroese social culture is the slaughter of black pilot whales. This event mainly takes place in the summer, is not of a commercial nature and organized by communities. Anyone can take part in it, but mostly men do it, and women only watch.
This fishery has historical roots. It is due to the fact that due to climatic conditions Vegetables and grains grow poorly on the islands, so for centuries the population had to meat and fat are needed, including pilot whales. About 950 heads are harvested annually, which provides 500 tons of meat and fat and accounts for 30% of the total amount of meat products produced on the islands. These products are not exported, are not sold in stores, they are consumed by families.
The fishery has faced criticism and radical action from animal rights and marine conservation groups. They consider it cruel and not caused by a vital necessity. At the same time, local whalers talk about its economic importance.
Butterfly shawls
Sheep farming is developed in the Faroe Islands. They are also famous for the fact that hand-knitting shawls from the wool of local sheep is common here. These products differ from other types of shawls and scarves in a very unusual shape, similar to the shape of a butterfly. This design has practical significance. Thanks to it, the shawl remains on the shoulders while moving, even if it is not tied.
Faroe Islands Climate
Wikipedia says that the climate in the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime. Winters are warm and summers are cool and humid. The warmest month is July with a temperature of 0–4 °C, and the coldest month is January with a temperature of 11–17 °C. Up to 2 thousand mm of precipitation falls per year. It mainly rains, which occurs for about 9 months a year from September to January, and there is frequent fog on the islands.
The archipelago is washed by the Gulf Stream, a warm sea current, due to which the coastal waters have a temperature of +10°C throughout the year. This factor significantly softens the climate and helps create optimal living conditions for marine life, including fish and plankton.
Geography of the Faroe Islands
The area of all Faroe Islands is 1395.74 square meters. kilometers.
They are located at a distance:
- to Copenhagen – 1117 km;
- up to – 675 km;
- to Iceland – 450 km.
In total, the Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 large islands, a large number of small and isolated rocks. The largest from the group northern islands is Bora, which is quite densely populated (about 5 thousand people), and has an area of 95 square meters. kilometers. It is home to the second largest city in the Faroe Islands, Klaksvik.
On the island of Esturoy there is the most high point Faroe - Slattaratindur peak, whose height is 882 meters above sea level. There are fjords along all the islands, so their coastline heavily cut. The land surface is mostly rocky, consisting of basalt. Here high slopes alternate with plateaus. They are separated by deep gorges.
Fauna and flora of the Faroe Islands
Due to strong winds that blow constantly, there are few forests here. But strong conifers, maple and ash still grow, and lichens and moss, and heather are also very common.
The fauna of the Faroe Islands is represented by large colonies of Arctic birds – guillemots, harp seal rookeries, and it is also rich in fish - cod, herring, halibut.
A breed of sheep called Faroese lives here, hence the name of the island. Sheep of this breed appeared in the 9th century and became an integral part of the local tradition. Their image is on the Faroese coat of arms. The breed is mainly raised for meat, but, as mentioned above, wool is also used for the production of shawls.
Facts from the history of the Faroe Islands
- Until the 14th century, the Faroe Islands belonged to Norway, then Norway and Denmark owned them jointly. And since 1814 the islands became Danish. Their inhabitants are descended from Scandinavian peoples, and their language is from ancient Norwegian dialects.
- During World War II, the Faroe Islands were taken under British military control. This happened in 1940 after Nazi troops invaded Denmark. After this, the island's elected body Logting achieved the power to pass laws, and the flag of the Faroe Islands received official recognition. In September 1945, the occupation regime was lifted.
- In 1946, a vote was held among the island population, as a result of which parliament announced secession from the Kingdom of Denmark. However, the Danish government did not recognize this decision and temporarily suspended the work of the Faroese parliament. As a result of the parliamentary struggle, an agreement was signed in April 1948, according to which the islands were given sovereignty, with restrictions on the conduct of foreign policy. Two delegates to the Danish Parliament were elected from the local parliament.
- In 1984, the Faroe Islands were declared nuclear weapon free zone. Today it houses a NATO radar complex and a Danish naval base.
Transport in the Faroe Islands
There is sea, road transport and aviation with one airport - Vagar.
Aviation
The national air carrier, Atlantic Airways, provides regular service to:
- Norway – Stavanger and Oslo;
- Denmark - Billun, Aalborg, Copenhagen;
- Iceland - ;
- Great Britain - London, Aberdeen, Shetland.
There is regular helicopter service between Tórshavn and outlying islands with small populations.
Sea communication
Due to its island location, the main mode of transport is sea. Ferries run between the islands. The national sea carrier is Smyril Line. The marine terminal is located in Tórshavn.
Motor transport
In total, the islands have about 500 kilometers of roads. Most of them are mountain serpentine. Since the second half of the twentieth century, large tunnels have been built here, which connect individual settlements. The longest road tunnel is the Noroya tunnel.
How to get to the Faroe Islands
The best way to get to the Faroe Islands is by plane to the capital Tórshavn with a transfer:
- via Denmark from Copenhagen or
- via Norway from Bergen or Stavanger.
In summer, you can travel from Bergen, Norway, to Tórshavn by ferry.
Note! In order to get to the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens will need a visa, which is issued by the Danish Embassy in the consular section. It must be marked “valid for Faroe Islands”.
Sights of the capital Faroe Islands
The city of Tórshavn was founded in the 10th century and named after the god of thunder and lightning - Thor. Tórshavn is a picturesque, thriving city. It is unlike other capitals. His dignity is not majestic buildings, and the untouched surrounding nature of amazing beauty and a sense of solitude and peace.
Here it is Main Cathedral , which, like most churches on the islands, belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was built in 1788 and then rebuilt. It became a cathedral and the bishop's residence in 1990. It preserves such unique items as a baptismal font dating back to the end of the 16th century, and a crucifix from the beginning of the 18th century.
And also in the capital there is a Lutheran Western Church. It is 40.5 meters high and is the tallest building in the entire archipelago. The year of its construction is 1975. The base of the church building is made of basalt stone, on which there is a dome in the form of a pyramid made of glass and copper. In front of the entrance to the church there is a monument to Sigmundur Brestisson, who began the Christianization of the population of the islands, for which he was killed in 1005.
It is also worth paying attention to the ancient monastery Munkastovan, built in the 15th century and surrounded by stone walls. It was completely preserved despite the fire in the 17th century.
Another attraction of the capital is the main island Historical Museum. It presents examples of applied art, objects of worship, rural life, and household utensils that have been preserved since the times of the Vikings. And also marine accessories: fishing gear, navigation tools and ship models.
Main cultural center Tórshavn is Nordic House. Its roof is covered with peat. It houses a concert hall, a conference hall, an art gallery, and a library. Here, on summer nights, so-called Faroese evenings are held for tourists.
Faroe Islands attractions
The most mountainous of all the islands Faroe is Kalsa. Its western coast is continuous with steep cliffs. There are four small settlements on the island, which communicate with each other through a system of tunnels. There are many caves and underground galleries here, for which Kalsa is also called Flut, that is, “flute”. In the north of the island there is the Katlur lighthouse, near which you can see picturesque cliffs and a naturally formed sea arch.
To the north of the village of Skarvanes there is a sea rock of original shape Trötlkonufingur, which means "Troll Woman's Finger". It really resembles a graceful long finger.
The least mountainous of the Faroe Islands is Sandoy, on which sand dunes are located. There are two lakes with clear water here. A colony of guillemots has settled in the west. There is a church on the island. A view of Sandøy is featured on the Faroe Islands 1000 kroner note.
On the island Fugloy, or Bird Island, there are cliffs with a height of 450 to 620 meters. They descend from plateaus located on picturesque mountain ranges, and are completely covered with a carpet of Arctic grasses and mosses. These cliffs are home to numerous colonies of seabirds, numbering many millions.
