Holidays in the Faroe Islands 2019: how to get there, what to see and what to eat. Visa, accommodation and good hotels in the Faroe Islands.

Faroe islands is a group of islands surrounded by waters Atlantic Ocean and located between Iceland and Scotland. The capital of Faroe is the city of Tórshavn, which is one of the smallest cities with the status of the main city of the state. The national currency is the Faroese krone. The Faroe archipelago includes 18 islands, but people live on only 17 of them. The number of people living in the Faroe Islands almost reaches 50,000 people.

The name of the archipelago comes from the Faroese word “Føroyar”, which translates into Russian as “Sheep Islands”. You shouldn’t be surprised by this name, because there are many more sheep here than people! If you go deep into one of the islands, even there, among the rocks, there is a great opportunity to see a cute sheep.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

There are two options for getting to the Faroe Islands:

  • The first is to fly on one of the planes Faroese national airline Atlantic Airways. This is the only company that makes regular flights to the Faroe Islands. The cheapest and most popular flight: Copenhagen - Vágar. It takes place several times a day, the flight lasts about 2 hours. The Faroe Islands can also be reached from the UK and Norway. There are also flights from these countries to the Faroe Islands.
  • The second option is to get there by water, for example, by ferry from Copenhagen. This trip will cost cheaper than a ticket by plane, but you should be prepared for the fact that the journey can take up to two days.

Visa to the Faroe Islands - how to open

There are many legends surrounding obtaining a visa to travel to the Faroe Archipelago, but in reality everything is much simpler. Yes, to travel to the Faroe Islands you will need separate visa. But it's very easy to do. The set of documents is no different from the one required to obtain a Schengen visa. A visa application must be submitted at the consulate; if desired, you can also obtain a Danish Schengen visa. They will simply note to you that with this visa you can freely visit the Faroe Islands.

Faroe Islands - accommodation and hotels

The most popular Faroe Islands hotels are located on the largest islands of the archipelago, which include Vágar, Streymoy and Esturoy. In the rest of the Faroe Islands the housing situation is much worse, but this problem can be easily solved.

On booking.com or the same roomguru.ru there are good hotels on the largest Faroe Islands that can be booked in advance. What, by the way, will the Danish consulate expect from you before it issues you a visa.

You can rent a hotel room on one of the main islands, and from there go on excursions to other parts of the archipelago. The journey to even the most distant places will take only a few hours.

Which hotel to choose in the Faroe Islands?

You can browse all the offers on the Internet yourself, but to save time, we have found 6 housing options. Location, price, authenticity are our main criteria.

  • Hotel Hafnia 4*. This the best option accommodation in the center of Tórshavn - the capital of the Faroe Islands. Oarvegur street, where it is located Hotel Hafnia- central in the city. To the port - 5 minutes. Modern rooms with comfortable beds, rich Scandinavian breakfasts in the restaurant overlooking the harbor. Eat free parking. Please note that the airport bus stop is located right next to the hotel.

    Hotel Hafnia 4 stars, main street of Tórshavn

  • Hotel Streym 3*. This hotel is wonderfully located if you have a large excursion program in the Faroe Islands. It is located near the Tórshavn ferry terminal - wall to wall 🙂 From here you can sail to anywhere in the archipelago. The hotel itself is a good “three”, with a plus. The rooms have everything, including heated floors and wi-fi.

    Hotel Streym 3 stars near the ferry crossing

  • Hotel Vagar 3*. This hotel is located in the village of Sørvágur, which is included in the list of Faroese attractions. But the main advantage of the Vagar hotel is its location - only 2 minutes walk (!) to the airport. This is why they choose him. It’s hard to find fault with the quality of the rooms and service - everything corresponds to 3 stars. In Scandinavia this means a lot!

    Faroe Islands - airport hotel

  • Hotel Torshavn 3*. This is an ordinary three star hotel, but we couldn't ignore it as it is located right on the Tórshavn waterfront. One of the most scenic spots capital Cities! This is a bed & breakfast, here good restaurant, where even locals go in the evenings.
  • Guesthouse Hugo. Inexpensive guest house in the village of Sørvágur. There is an airport nearby. It is convenient to go on excursions, especially if you rent a car on the islands. According to reviews - good, hospitable hosts. But the main thing is the price!

    An inexpensive guest house is an alternative to a hotel

  • Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv 2*. If you want a Scandinavian atmosphere and the feeling that the Faroe Islands are the harsh north and stunning nature, then the village of Gjogv is best suited! A quality bed & breakfast style hotel with a moss-covered roof and great reviews on booking.com - 8.7 points from 150 reviews, 9.4 points for its super location.

    One of best hotels Faroe Islands in the middle of nature!

Other accommodation options

Firstly, you can find accommodation for the night in the farthest corners of the archipelago using the website of the island you want to go to. There are various accommodation options for tourists on display there. In this case, confirmation of the reservation will be guaranteed only by your verbal agreements with the hosts. This will require fluency in English and experience communicating with local residents.

Secondly, There is another option - to sleep in a tent, but this is only possible in special places intended specifically for camping.

Transport in the Faroe Islands

This is a fairly simple task. All the islands of the archipelago are located next to each other, and the distances between the cities and attractions of Faroe Islands are very short. In addition, the transport infrastructure is very well developed here. Buses run quite frequently and can take you to almost all places. significant places. Tickets for them are inexpensive.

Ferry from Copenhagen to the capital of Faroe Islands

There is a ferry service between the islands. In the Faroe Islands, this type of transport is not considered something special and is equivalent to ordinary buses. Therefore, ferries run regularly and tickets are cheap.

Another type of transport for moving around the archipelago is a helicopter. If you think it's expensive, you're wrong. Flying by helicopter from one island to another costs less than taking a taxi to the airport. So this is a great opportunity to fly this type of transport at least once in your life. Just remember to reserve your seat on the helicopter in advance.

What and where to eat in the Faroe Islands

If your route lies in some sparsely populated part of the Faroe Islands, then it is better to take food with you. Of course, even on the outskirts there are shops, but they are open only a couple of hours a day. In larger towns you can easily buy something tasty in supermarkets or sit in local cafes. Well, in the capital there will be no problems with food at all; there are restaurants and cafes here literally at every step.

The capital of the Faroe Islands is Tórshavn

So, where can you eat beautifully, tasty and inexpensively in the Faroe Islands:

  • If you are in Tórshavn, be sure to visit Koks Restaurant. People in the Faroes love and appreciate nature very much. This connection can be felt even in such establishments. All dishes are prepared only from products that grow on the archipelago or are mined in the ocean.
  • If you want to sit in some cozy place, then you can go to fish restaurant Barbara. It is located in the historical part of Tórshavn. This place is stylized as a traditional Faroese house, the roof of which is made of thatch. The dishes here are always fresh, as they are prepared from fish caught on the same day.

Video tour of the Faroe Archipelago

Climate of the Faroe Islands

Despite the fact that the Faroe Islands are located in the north, the local climate is characterized by its mildness thanks to the Gulf Stream. The average temperature in summer is around +13º, and can rise to +20º. In winter it stays above 0º, and there is practically no frost here. In the summer months at these latitudes you can observe “white nights”, and in winter - the northern lights.

The positive features of the local climate end there. Most of the time in the Faroe Islands it rains and the wind is cold. So pack a raincoat and good quality waterproof boots in your suitcase. The weather is very changeable and can change literally every few minutes. Although in winter the temperature does not drop to below zero, it is still very cold here, since the air humidity is quite high. This is the seemingly inhospitable climate on the Faroe Islands.

Where to stay

The Faroe Islands are located in the north Atlantic, in the 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 combined expert assessment of half a thousand specialists in tourism sector). 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 more and more European establishments have been opening in large populated areas. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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 curious main museum on the islands - historical, 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 is the Nordic House, where a conference hall 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. On some you will find antique Lutheran churches, most have numerous flocks of sheep on green meadows, and all have 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 “flat” of all, Sandoy, is famous for something else: here you can admire wide sand dunes near the shore, and on the hill there are two beautiful lakes.

Faroe islands

Leisure

On the island of Vioi there is one of the most high 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 drawn outrage from 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.

The Faroe Islands are an autonomous region and are an island group in the North Atlantic Ocean, located between and Scotland. Legally they belong, but since the second half of the 20th century they have been independent, transferring powers only in terms of defense, foreign policy, police and justice. Area 1,395 sq. km, population about 51 thousand people, capital Tórshavn.

The Faroe Islands are an island group 400 km north of Scotland and 420 km southeast of Iceland. There are a total of 18 islands in the archipelago, 17 of which are inhabited. The largest island is Streymoy (373.5 sq. km).

The economic zone from the coast is 200 nautical miles. The highest point of the island group of volcanic origin is the peak of Slattaratindur (Esturoy Island), whose height is 882 m. The coasts of the islands are rugged and consist of numerous fjords. The islands have constant strong winds, so there are no forests here, although there are plantations of coniferous trees, ash and maple.

The climate on the islands is temperate maritime - winter and summer are cool and humid. In the coldest January the temperature is around zero, in warm July - up to +17 °C. Precipitation, mainly rain, falls up to 2,000 mm per year. Thanks to the warm current, the temperature of coastal waters stays at +10 ° C all year round, providing conditions for the life of numerous species of fish and plankton.

Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands- a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Shetland Islands) and Iceland. They are an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. Since 1948, the Faroe Islands have independently resolved almost all state issues, with the exception of defense and foreign policy.

Geographical data

The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Tórshavn (population approximately 19,200 in 2005), located on the southeast coast of Streymoy. The second largest settlement in the Faroe Islands is Klaksvik (4,773 people).

The Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Vagar, Sandoy, Bordoy. The largest island is Streymoy (373.5 km²). The total area of ​​all islands is 1395.74 km².

The distance to Iceland is 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.

Administratively, the Faroe Islands are divided into 34 municipalities. There are 120 towns and villages in the Faroe Islands.

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 rugged 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.

Population of the Faroe Islands

Population: 47,511 (July 2007)

The main language is Faroese.

Age structure of the population:

0-14 years: 20.6% (males 4882/females 4904);

15-64 years old: 65.3% (men 16,353/women 14,668);

65 years and older: 14.1% (men 3041/women 3663);

Average age: 35 years. for men: 34.8 years. for women: 35.3 years.

Average life expectancy: 79.49 years. for men: 76.06 years. for women: 82.93 years.

Number of children per woman: 2.15 children.

The active working population is 24,760 people.

Climate

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with warm 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 has a temperature of about +10°C all year round, which softens climatic conditions and provides ideal conditions for the life of fish and plankton.

Flora of the Faroe Islands

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.

On the Faroe Islands, the climate is similar to the south of South America and Tierra del Fuego, from there several species of Nothophagus (Antarctic, birch) and Maytenus Magellanicus were introduced.

Fauna of the Faroe Islands

Animal world The Faroe Islands are 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.

The science

The Faroes have their own university in Tórshavn, as well as the Faroese Academy of Sciences.

The University of Faroe was created in 1965 on the basis of the Faroese Scientific Society (1952) and includes three faculties: Faroese Language and Literature, Science and Technology, History and Social Sciences. The university prepares masters and bachelors of science. There are only 142 students studying at the university. The university budget is DKK 19 million per year.

The most famous representatives scientific world Faroese were:

  • Niels Ryberg-Finsen(Niels Ryberg Finsen) - an outstanding physiologist and physician, Nobel Prize laureate;
  • Wenceslaus-Ulrik Hammersheimb(Venceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb) - famous philologist, creator of modern orthography of the Faroese language;
  • Suymun av Skyari(Símun av Skarði) - Faroese teacher, founder of the Faroese Folk School;
  • Jens-Christian Svabo(Jens Christian Svabo) - Faroese linguist and ethnographer.

Currently, active geological exploration studies are being carried out on the shelf North Sea. The subject of research by Faroese and foreign scientists is the Faroese ecosystem, as well as certain species of animals and plants in this region.

National holidays

  • January 1 New Year
  • movable date in March - April Maundy Thursday
  • movable date in March - April Good Friday
  • movable date in March - April Clean Monday
  • April 25 National Flag Day (Flaggdagur, working only in the first half of the day)
  • moving date in April-May - Fourth week of Easter
  • moving date in May - Ascension
  • moving date in May - Trinity
  • moving date in May - Spiritual Day
  • June 5th Danish Constitution Day (working only in the first half of the day)
  • July 28 St. Olav's Eve (working only in the first half of the day)
  • July 29 St. Olav's Day (Ólavsøkudagur) - National Day of the Faroe Islands
  • December 24 Christmas Eve
  • December 25th Christmas
  • December 26th Day of Gift Offering
  • December 31st New Year's Eve

Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands on the map
Denmark

Hymn:

You, my beautiful land

Administrative center

Tórshavn

Date of formation Chapter

Queen Margrethe II
Dan Knudsen
Kai Leo Johannesen

GDP (2006)
GDP per capita

2.2 billion
45250

official languages

Faroese, Danish

Population (2008)

48,400 (205th place)

Density

34.8 people/km²

Square Timezone Telephone code 298 Faroe Islands at Wikimedia Commons Coordinates: 61°53′43″ N. w. 6°54′16″ W d. / 61.89528° n. w. 6.90444° W d. / 61.89528; -6.90444 (G) (O)

Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands(Far. Føroyar, Förjar, “Sheep Islands”, Dan. Færøerne, Norse. Færøyene, other isl./isl.: Færeyjar) - a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Shetland Islands) and Iceland. They are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but since 1948 they have independently decided almost all state issues, with the exception of defense and foreign policy.

  • 1 Geographic data
    • 1.1 Population of the Faroe Islands
    • 1.2 Geological structure
    • 1.3 Islands included in the Faroe Archipelago
    • 1.4 Climate
  • 2 History of the Faroe Islands
    • 2.1 Ancient history Faroe Islands
    • 2.2 Faroe Islands - between Denmark and Norway
    • 2.3 Faroe Islands in World War II. British occupation of the Faroe Islands
    • 2.4 Post-war history of the Faroe Islands
  • 3 Attractions of the Faroe Islands
  • 4 Gallery of Faroese species
  • 5 Vegetable world Faroe
  • 6 Fauna of the Faroe Islands
  • 7 Economy of Faroe
    • 7.1 Fisheries
    • 7.2 Services and other industries
    • 7.3 Oil and gas exploration
    • 7.4 Communications
    • 7.5 Transport
  • 8 Population
    • 8.1 National composition
    • 8.2 Religion in the Faroe Islands
  • 9 Culture
    • 9.1 Music
    • 9.2 Dancing
    • 9.3 Literature
    • 9.4 Cinema
    • 9.5 Painting and sculpture
    • 9.6 Stamps and postcards
      • 9.6.1 Faroe Islands stamp gallery
    • 9.7 Traditional arts and crafts, traditions
    • 9.8 Festivals
    • 9.9 Traditional whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands
  • 10 Administrative divisions
  • 11 Politics
    • 11.1 Faroese Parliament and government
    • 11.2 Political parties
      • 11.2.1 Right
      • 11.2.2 Centrists
      • 11.2.3 Left
  • 12 Competence of the Faroese government
  • 13 Science
  • 14 media
  • 15 Sports
  • 16 National holidays
  • 17 Famous Faroese
  • 18 Notes
  • 19 Literature
  • 20 See also
  • 21 Links

Geographical data

Faroe Islands Main article: Geography of the Faroe Islands

The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Tórshavn (population approximately 19,200 in 2005), located on the southeast coast of Streymoy. The second largest settlement in the Faroe Islands is Klaksvik (4,773 people).

The Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Voar, Sandoy, Bordoy. The largest island is Streymoy (373.5 km²). The total area of ​​all islands is 1395.74 km².

The distance to Iceland is 450 km, to Norway - 675 km, to Copenhagen - 1117 km. The economic maritime zone is 200 nautical miles from the Faroe Islands coastline.

The highest point of the 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.

The capital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn. The uninhabited island of Luitla Duimun (Little Dimun)

Population of the Faroe Islands

The population is approximately 48,500 (2011 census). The main language is Faroese.

Age structure of the population:

0-14 years: 20.6% (males 4882/females 4904);

15-64 years old: 65.3% (men 16,353/women 14,668);

65 years and older: 14.1% (men 3041/women 3663);

Average age: 35 years. for men: 34.8 years. for women: 35.3 years.

Average life expectancy: 79.49 years. for men: 76.06 years. for women: 82.93 years.

Number of children per woman: 2.15 children.

The active working population is 24,760 people.

year number of inhabitants year number of inhabitants year number of inhabitants
1327 about 4000 1880 11 220 1995 43 358
1350 about 2000 1900 15 230 1996 43 784
1769 4773 1911 about 18,800 1997 44 262
1801 5255 1925 22 835 1998 44 817
1834 6928 1950 31 781 1999 45 409
1840 7314 1970 about 38,000 2000 46 196
1845 7782 1975 40 441 2001 46 996
1850 8137 1985 45 749 2002 47 704
1855 8651 1989 47 787 2003 48 214

Geological structure

The Faroe Islands were formed by basaltic eruptions (lavas and tuffs) on the seafloor during the Cenozoic era. The group consists of rocky islands, the tops of the underwater rift ridge of the central Atlantic. The height of the islands is up to 882 m.

The Faroese rocks are composed of basalt structures.

The topography of the islands is characterized by high slopes and plateaus separated by deep gorges.

The shores are steep, steep, with numerous fjords. In the Faroe Islands, geological forms of glacial relief are observed (moraines, troughs, tarns).

Islands included in the Faroe archipelago

Main article: List of islands of the Faroe Archipelago Map of the islands of the Faroe archipelago

The Faroe archipelago includes 18 large islands and many small islets and rocks:

Borðoy- the largest of the so-called group. northern islands. Area - 95 km². The island is quite densely populated. Here is the town of Klaksvík (the second largest in the Faroe Islands) with a population of about 5,000 people. In addition to Klaksvik, there are seven other settlements on the island: Norøyri, Anir, Otnafjordur, Strond, Northoftir, Depil and Nordepil.

Viðoy- one of the largest islands of the northern group. The island has an area of ​​41 km² and a population of 617 people.

Vágar- area 176 km², population - 2890 people (2005). Located on the island international Airport, connecting the Faroe Islands with the outside world. The island is connected to the island of Streymoy, on which the capital of Faroe is located, by a 5-km tunnel laid under the bottom of the strait.

Kalsoy- the island belongs to the group of northern islands, has an area of ​​30.9 km² and is inhabited by 147 inhabitants.

Koltur- area 2.3 km², only 1 inhabitant.

Kunoy- one of the islands of the northern group, has an area of ​​about 35.5 km², inhabited by 134 inhabitants.

Lítla Dímun- the only uninhabited of the 18 main islands of the Faroe archipelago. The island has an area of ​​about 1 km².

Mykines- the island has an area of ​​10.3 km² and is inhabited by 11 inhabitants.

Nólsoy- an island with an area of ​​10.3 km², inhabited by 268 inhabitants.

Sandoy- a large island of the Faroe archipelago. It has an area of ​​112.1 km² and a population of 1,393 inhabitants.

Svínoy- one of the islands of the Northern group. Area approximately 27.1 km², 73 inhabitants.

Skúvoy- area 10 km², population 57 people.

Stóra Dímun- area 2.5 km², population 6 people.

Streymoy (farm. Streymoy) is the most populated island of the Faroe archipelago, with an area of ​​373.5 km² and 21,500 inhabitants (almost half the population of the Faroe Islands). The island is home to large settlements - the capital city of Tórshavn and the village of Vestmanna.

Suvuroy (Far. Suðuroy)- area 163.7 km². There are 5,041 permanent residents on the island.

Fugloy- one of the northern islands of the archipelago. The area of ​​the island is only 11.2 km. It is inhabited by 40 people.

Hestur- area 6.1 km², number of inhabitants - 43.

Eysturoy (Far. Eysturoy)- the second largest island of the archipelago. The island, which has an area of ​​286.3 km², is inhabited by 10,586 inhabitants. The most important settlements are the city of Fuglafjörður in the north and the municipalities of Runavik and Næs in the south of the island. Connected by road bridge with the island of Streymoy.

Climate

Main article: Climate of the Faroe Islands

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with warm 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 has a temperature of about +10°C all year round, which softens climatic conditions and provides ideal conditions for the life of fish and plankton.

History of the Faroe Islands

Main article: History of the Faroe Islands

Ancient history of the Faroe Islands

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 - between Denmark and Norway

The Faroe Islands were part of Norway until the end of the 14th century, after which Norway owned the islands together with Denmark, which in 1814 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.

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 plebiscite among the population and voting, 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 Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Re-elections to parliament revealed a slight preponderance of parties in favor of not secession from Denmark, and the parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations. On April 1, 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.

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 Schengen visa with a special mark “valid for Faroe Islands”, issued by the consular department of the Danish Embassy.

Photo from space

Sights of the Faroe Islands

Fugloy Island(Bird Island) has earned its name for the multi-million-dollar colonies of seabirds on its majestic cliffs (450-meter cliffs at Eistfelli and 620-meter cliffs at Clubbin). The cliffs at Clubbin descend from a similar plateau of a picturesque mountain range, which is completely covered with arctic vegetation.

Kalsoy Island- the most mountainous among the Faroe Islands. West Coast consists almost entirely of steep cliffs. Four small settlements on the eastern shore - Siradalur, Husar, Mikladalur and Tretlanes - are connected by a whole system of tunnels. For its characteristic many underground galleries and caves, the island received its nickname - Flut (“flute”). Katlur Lighthouse on the northern tip of the island has a natural sea arch and dramatic cliffs.

Trötlkonufingur("Troll Woman's Finger") is a beautiful sea cliff north of the settlement of Scarvanes.

Sandoy Island- the least mountainous of the islands of the Faroe archipelago. There are sand dunes on the island. On the terraces above Skopun there are two beautiful lakes, Noroara-Halsavatn and Heimara-Halsavatn. On the island there is a church in the village of Sandur, which has a very long and interesting story- it has been used as the center of the district since the 11th century. Archaeological research has shown that there were at least six churches built in succession at this site.

Munkastovan- an old monastery located in Tórshavn, surrounded by a stone wall. The monastery was built in the 15th century. Muncastowan is one of the few buildings that escaped the fire of 1673.

Historical Museum- Central Museum of the Faroe Islands. The museum's exhibitions include collections of religious and maritime objects, models of ships, household items of the inhabitants of the archipelago, fishing gear, navigational and agricultural tools from the time of the Vikings to the present day.

Norurlandahysi- Nordic House, a building with a turf roof, which is now used as a theatre, conference hall, concert and showroom, and also places various exhibitions, exposition. This building houses a library. At night in the summer, “Faroe Nights for Tourists” are held here.

Gallery of Faroese species

    Farm on the island Stoura Duimun

    Ancient houses in Tórshavn

    Church in the village of Khov, Suuri Island

    Mount Slattaratindur

    British WWII gun in the Faroe Islands

    Mountains in the Faroe Islands

    Sea cliff near Suuri Island

    Valleys on Kunoy Island

Flora of the Faroe Islands

Main article: Flora of the Faroe Islands

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 southern South America (Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego), from there several species of Nothofagus (Antarctic, birch) and Maytenus Magellanicus were introduced.

Fauna of the Faroe Islands

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.

Economy of Faroe

Main article: Economy of 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.

Sheep farming is developed in the Faroe Islands

There is an exchange in the Faroe Islands - the Faroese Securities Market.

In 2001, Faroese GDP (at purchasing power parity) was approximately US$1 billion. Expected GDP parameters in 2009 were 2.3 billion US dollars.

GDP per inhabitant of the Faroes in 2009 was expected to be $47,279.

The share of individual types of economic activity in Faroese GDP was: agriculture - 27% industry - 11% services (including tourism) - 62%

Employment of the population in sectors of economic activity in 2007 was: in agriculture - 11.2% of the population in industry - 21.9% of the population in the service sector - 62% of the population.

Inflation is approximately 1.3% per year.

Faroese budget is US$588 million.

Main agricultural products: milk, potatoes, crop products, fish, sheep products. Main industrial products: frozen fish, canned fish, handicraft souvenirs.

Electricity production - 269 million kWh (2008) The Faroe Islands do not produce fuel. About 4.5 thousand barrels of oil are purchased per day.

Exports amount to 774 million US dollars. 94% of exports are fish and seafood. Imports amount to $639 million. Imported - finished products - 36%, materials and semi-finished products - 32%, mechanical engineering - 29%.

Fishing

The total number of large and medium-sized vessels in the Faroes in 2005 was 249 units, of which 91 vessels belonged to the merchant fleet, and 158 to the fishing fleet, including 78 large trawlers. According to data for 2003, 897 licenses were issued for sea fishing.

Aquafarm in the Faroe Islands

In 2005, the fishing industry of the islands caught a total of 136.2 thousand tons of fish and seafood, and its value exceeded 1 billion 174 million crowns. The catch by foreign vessels in Faroese waters under licenses from the authorities reached 390 thousand tons, including 21.2 thousand tons of catch from EU countries, and 368.2 thousand tons from other countries. There were 2.5 thousand people directly employed in the industry, and another 2.2 thousand people. - in fish processing. Thus, the industry employed 19% of the working population, and taking into account related industries - more than 30%. The possibility of active production of fish and seafood is due to the fact that the Faroese waters are not subject to European Union restrictions on fishing (mainly herring and cod).

At the beginning of the 21st century, a unique farm for artificially breeding halibut was built in the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands still have a long-standing tradition of slaughtering pilot whales (Black Dolphins) by driving them to the shore and killing them with harpoons and whaling knives. About 950 pilot whales are killed annually. Animal slaughter is a traditional trade and provides up to 30% of the meat produced on the islands. Animal rights activists oppose this tradition.

Services and other industries

According to data for 2005, in terms of the number of workers, the fishing industry is surpassed only by the service sector, which includes public administration, banking and insurance, transport, tourism, etc. For the service sector sectors taken together (16.1 thousand people in total). ) accounted for 65.6% of the total employed population. including 8.5 thousand people were involved in the public and administrative sector. (share - 34.6%).

Among the industries with a relatively significant number of employees are the construction sector (1,676 people, share - 6.8%), shipbuilding and ship repair shipyards (570 people, share - 2.3%). A significant industry is the maritime transport sector.

Exploration of oil and gas reserves

Oil and gas production is underway on the Faroe Islands shelf

Oil and gas exploration began to be actively carried out in the 1990s. Legally, the rights to use the subsoil, including the sea shelf within a 200-mile zone in the North Sea, were assigned to the Faroe Islands under a 1992 agreement with the Government of Denmark. This has made it possible, since the 1990s, to conduct active exploration of oil reserves in the North Sea sector, assigned to the Faroe Islands by a number of international agreements. The Faroese government issued licenses, including to foreign companies, for oil exploration work, which were ultimately successful.

In the Faroese sector of the North Sea, near the border with the British sector, the American company Amerada Hess (a participant in the consortium for exploration on the shelf of the islands together with the Faroese company Atlantic Petroleum, the Danish DONG and the English BP) found an oil and gas field. The discovered oil reserves in the sea shelf of the Faroe Islands do not yet allow us to answer the question of the possibility of large-scale production, since the discovered reserves are limited in size, and, taking into account the required quality of oil, the question of cost recovery arises.

However, at the end of 2006, Atlantic Petroleum began oil production at the Chestnut field (proven reserves amount to 1 million tons of oil). The start of production at the Etterick field (4.1 million tons of oil) is planned for 2008, and at the Perth field (1 million tons of oil) - in 2009. The total oil reserves in these fields are estimated at 6.1 million tons of oil.

Faroese investors own 66% of the share capital of Atlantic Petroleum, Danish - 19%, and 15% - foreign shareholders.

Communications

The islands have a large number of landlines and mobile phones - 23,000 landlines and about 50,000 mobiles (GSM and NMT standard). (According to 2006 data) mobile connection provided by the national operator Føroya Tele.

There are a number of fiber optic cable connections (Canada-Europe). There are 1 AM and 3 FM radio stations. There are 3 television stations and 43 repeaters. (as of 1995) National television Sjónvarp Føroya has been operating since 1984. Several years ago it was merged with National Radio Útvarp Føroya, which has been producing programs since 1957, into a jointly managed National Radio and television Faroese Kringvarp Føroya (“Kringvashp Føroya”). In addition to National Radio, the commercial channel Rás 2 and the Christian channel Lindin are also on air. All radio programs are broadcast exclusively in Faroese.

Several newspapers are published in the Faroe Islands. The five-fold newspaper “Dimmalætting” (“Dimmalætting”, “Dawn”) is published in Tórshavn and has a circulation of about 8 thousand copies. Weekly “Norðlýsið” (“Norluysi”, “ Northern lights") is published in Klaksvuik with a circulation of 2 thousand copies. The five-fold newspaper “Sosialurin” (“Sosialurin”, “Socialist”) is published in Tórshavn with a circulation of 9 thousand copies.

The Faroe Islands have their own telegraph agency, founded in 1980. It is controlled by the Danish agency Rietsausbüro.

6915 sites and more than 34,000 users are registered. (as of 2006)

Transport

Faroese ships at Sandur pier

Transport in Faroe is developed. There are air, sea and road transport communications. There is one airport on the islands Vagar runway: 1250 by 30 meters.

There is a national air carrier - Atlantic Airways, which operates regular flights to the cities of Stavanger and Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen, Aalborg, Billund (Denmark), Reykjavik (Iceland), Aberdeen, London and the Shetland Islands (UK). Until December 2006, another airline operated in the Faroe Islands - FaroeJet, which operated flights to Copenhagen. There are more than 12 helipads. Regular helicopter services are available between Tórshavn and the remote, sparsely populated islands.

Due to the location of the islands, the main transport is by sea. National sea carrier - Smyril Line. At the end of 2001, the Faroe Islands fishing fleet consisted of 186 vessels with a total tonnage of 70 thousand tons and an average age of 22 years, including 18 vessels with a displacement of over 1000 tons (10 bulk carriers, 2 container ships, 2 oil tankers). There is a marine terminal in Tórshavn.

Noroya Tunnel- the longest road tunnel in Faroe Islands

Of 458 kilometers highways In the archipelago, a significant part is located on mountain serpentines, which is explained by the mountainous terrain. Since 1960, the construction of large road tunnels has been underway connecting individual settlements.

Population

National composition

Religion in the Faroe Islands

Church in the village of Saksun.

The population of Faroe is mainly Lutheran.

Christianity in the Faroe Islands appeared at the end of the first millennium. Its appearance is associated with the semi-legendary historical figure of St. Olaf.

A large number of architecturally interesting medieval churches have been preserved in the Faroe Islands.

Culture

The Faroes have their own distinctive culture, which is based on the interweaving of Faroese and Danish traditions. This trend is observed in music and literature. Traditional festivals are held in the Faroe Islands.

Music

Contemporary Faroese music has a variety of styles, from folklore to Progressive Viking Metal.

The Progressive Viking Metal style is represented by the work of the group Týr ( Dnk). (The band consists of Heri Joensen - vocals and guitar; Terji Skibenæs - guitar; Gunnar H. Thomsen - bass; Amon Djurhuus - drums). Faroese group Internal Healing(formed in 1997) works in the styles of Industrial Death and Thrash Metal.

Group Synarchy, created in 2002 in the capital of Faroe, Tórshavn, performs music in the style of Melodic Thrash Metal. (composition: Leon Hansson - vocals; Hsak Petersen - bass; Bjartur Clemensen - keyboards; John Áki Egholm Lbadal - guitar; John Ivar Venned) Venned) - guitar). 2006 a group appeared in the Faroese music world Vhernen, performing Black/Doom Metal music.

Among the young Faroese musicians who have recently gained popularity are such names as Taitur Lassen, Ivör Pålsdóttir, Högni Lisberg.

Dancing

The Faroese folk dances are the most famous. One of the main dominants of the cultural dance tradition is the national Faroese round dance. Initially, at the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, round dance was one of the traditional decorations national holidays. Currently, round dances have become one of the traditional components of Faroese festivals.

Faroese round dance

Literature

Faroese literature is the infant literature of the Scandinavian people. The Faroese language was unwritten until the end of the 18th century: due to historical conditions, the prerequisites for the development of a literary language did not exist for a long time.

Faroese literature originates in the tradition of the Scandinavian sagas. The first known work in which the Faroes are mentioned is “The Saga of the Faroese” (Færeyinga saga, first half of the 13th century).

The prehistory of Faroese literature included recordings and publications of folklore texts, and the translation of the Gospel into the Faroese language. In 1876, the first collection of original poems in the Faroese language was published - patriotic lyrics written by Faroese students in Copenhagen.

Modern Faroese literature is represented by the works of Janus Dyurhus (1881-1948), William Heinesen (1900-1991), Jørgen-Franz Jacobsen (1900-1938), Rasmus Rasmussen (Reina uy Luy) (1871-1962) and Christian Matras (1900-1988) ).

Every year there is one newly published book for every 315 Faroese speakers. From 1822 to 2002, 4,306 books were published in Faroese, and in 2000 a record was set with 170 newly published books, of which 66 were translations of foreign literature. In terms of the number of books published per capita, the Faroe Islands share first place in the world with Iceland.

In 2003, the novels Pílagrímar (Pilgrims) by Faroese writer Hanus Kamban were nominated for the Nordic Council of Ministers Literary Prize (Nordiska ministerrådets litteraturpris).

Movie

There are no permanent film studios in the Faroe Islands. The cinema of the Faroe Islands is represented by amateur Faroese films and films made by film groups from Denmark and other countries. One of the most famous film directors of the Faroe Islands is Katrin Ottarsdottir, who graduated from the Danish Film School in 1982. She directed the films “Bye Bye Bluebird” (1999), “The Man Who Was Allowed to Leave” (1995), “Ævintýri á Norðurslóðum” (1992), “Hannis” (1991), “Atlantic Rhapsody - 52 myndir úr Tórshavn "(1982). The films were presented at the Amanda Awards festival (Norway), Nordic Film Day in Lübeck, Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Nordic Film Festival Rouen.

A sketch film by Russian photographer and cinematographer Ivan Savchenko “Not the Russian North (Faroe Islands)” was filmed in the Faroe Islands.

Painting and sculpture

Painting is developed in the Faroe Islands. Paintings by several famous Faroese painters (T. Patursson, V. Dalsgaard, S. Joensen-Micines, I. Jacobsen) were exhibited in museums in Northern Europe as part of exhibitions of Scandinavian artists.

The sculpture of the Faroe Islands is represented mainly by the works of E. Kamban and H. P. Olsen.

Stamps and postcards

Main article: History of mail and postage stamps of the Faroe Islands

The art of miniatures on stamps and postcards has greatly developed. Faroese stamps are dedicated to the ancient and modern history islands, its geography, settlements, flora and fauna, figures of science, culture and art. Since 1975, more than 500 types of postage stamps have been issued.

Faroe Islands stamp gallery

    Brand "Water Energy"

    Stamp "Northern Life"

    Stamp series “Sea voyages”

    Stamp series “Faroese Myths”

    Stamp series “Whales”

    Stamp series “Churches of Gotha”

    Stamp of the series “10 years of the northern house”

    St. Olaf stamp

Traditional arts and crafts, traditions

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.

Festivals

Large festivals are held in the Faroe Islands. The main Faroese holiday is Olavsøka, held July 28-29. The festival is named after St. Olaf, who introduced Christianity to Norway. During the festival there are rowing competitions in which villages compete with each other; horse racing; art exhibitions; dance and religious processions. mid-July, an annual two-day festival takes place in the western part of the Faroe archipelago Vestanstevna, in Klaksvuik in the Northern Isles - Norðoyastevna (Noriastevna), and on the South Island of Suuri - Jóansøka

A jazz festival is held regularly Summartónar Festival.

Traditional whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands

Main article: Whaling in the Faroe Islands According to tradition, men gather on the shore to slaughter whales driven to the shore of the city of Vágur (June 28, 2004).

Whaling in the Faroe Islands has existed since at least the tenth century. It is regulated by the Faroese authorities rather than the International Whale Commission due to disagreement over the commission's competence in relation to small cetaceans. Around 950 pilot whales (Black dolphins, Globicephala melaena) are slaughtered annually, mostly in the summer. Pilot whale fishing (French grindadráp) is a non-profit event organized by communities, anyone can participate. Whalers surround pilot whales with boats, placing them in a wide semicircle. The boats then slowly drive the pilot whales into the bay or to the bottom of the fjord.

Most Faroese consider the pilot whale fishery to be an important part of their culture and history. Animal rights groups criticize the fishery as cruel and unnecessary, while whalers say most journalists show a lack of knowledge about fishing methods and the economic importance of the fishery.

Administrative division

Main article: Regions of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are divided into six regions (Far. sýsla, sýslur, sisla) and 34 communes; until 2008 there was also a division into seven electoral districts. Sisla is divided into 120 cities and communes.

The Sislas do not have local self-government; the central government in the Sislas is represented by the Siselmans (sýslumaður).

Representative bodies of cities - city councils (býráð), elected by the population, representative bodies of communes - communal boards (Kommunustýrið), elected by the population, executive bodies of cities and communes - civil elders (borgarstjórar).

Policy

Relations between the Faroes and Denmark are determined by Law No. 137 of March 23, 1948 (“Faroe Local Government Law”, “Føroya Heimastýrislóg”). In accordance with this law, the Faroe Islands have their own legislative body - the Faroese Løgting (Far. Føroya løgting, Dan. Lagtinget), which elects from 27 to 32 members (Løgtingslimir) who elect from among its members the chairman of the Legting (Løgtingsformenn), and its own executive body - Faroese Landsstýri (Far. Føroya Landsstýri, Dan. Landsstyret), consisting of a law-speaker (Far. Løgmaður, Dan. Lagmand) and members of the Landstyuri (Far. Landsstýrismaður). The highest representative of royal power, the Ombudsman (Far. Embætismaður, Royal Auditor), performs a purely supervisory function in the Faroese parliament. The only judicial authority is the court of the Faroe Islands (domstol). Two representatives of the Faroes are, according to the Danish constitution, members of the Danish Parliament (Folketing). currently Edmund Joensen of the unionist Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) and Szurur Skole of the pro-independence Faroese Republic Party (Tjóðveldi).

In accordance with the law on local self-government, the Faroe Islands have an independent administrative and customs territory, a tax and excise territory, its own customs legislation and customs tariff (based on the Danish customs tariff corresponding to the EU common customs tariff, the main difference is a smaller number of commodity items) . Issues of external relations, including foreign trade, are controlled by local authorities jointly and in agreement with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Faroe Islands are not an independent subject of international law - international treaties of the Faroese are signed jointly by the Danish leadership (represented by the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark or the Queen of Denmark), and the local Faroese Government.

Legally, the Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union. Since Denmark joined the EU (1973), participation in this organization has not extended to the Faroe Islands, whose population voted against joining the EU in a 1972 referendum. The treaty on Denmark's accession to the European Union contained a special clause regarding the Faroe Islands' non-participation in the EU. Thus, for example, the Faroe Islands are not subject to the EU quota system and fish regardless of restrictions within the European Union. In addition, they have an agreement with the EU on fishing quotas for European vessels in their economic zone.

The Faroe Islands have WTO-style “free trade” agreements with the EU and with a number of countries. The provisions of the GATT were extended to the Faroe Islands after ratification by the Lögting in 1954, and the EFTA since 1967. The Faroe Islands are not an independent member of the WTO. Denmark's document ratifying the WTO Agreement (Uruguay Round), signed on December 21, 1994 by the Queen of Denmark, does not contain any mention of any special reservations regarding the Faroe Islands or other parts of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Denmark's membership in the WTO means that the Faroe Islands, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoy the rights and obligations that apply to Denmark. The provisions of the WTO Agreement are incorporated by Lögting into Faroese domestic law.

Faroese Parliament and Government

In the Faroes there are six political parties represented in the Legting. The right-wing People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) and the Republican Party (Cjoveldy) are in favor of declaring full independence of the Faroe Islands and secession from Denmark, the Social Democratic Party (Javnaarflokkurin) and the bourgeois Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) are in favor of maintaining the current status of the islands. In addition, the Center Party (Miflokkurin), which advocates the preservation of traditional Christian values ​​in society along with the declaration of independence, the moderate separatist Self-Government Party (Schölvstuyrisflokkurin), as well as the liberal-bourgeois Progress Party (Framsökn), created in early 2011, participate in the political life of the Faroe Islands. ), advocating political independence for the Faroes.

On January 19, 2008, regular elections were held in the Faroe Islands, which today consists of 33 members. Led by former TV journalist Högni Hoydal, the Republican Party retained 8 parliamentary seats and the status of the largest in parliament. However, after seven months in power, the party had to go into opposition.

After two and a half years in power, the People's Party went into opposition in the spring of 2011.

The current cabinet of the Faroese government (minority government formed on 6 April 2011) consists of the following:

  • Kaj Leo Johannesen, 1964, junior. - Prime Minister;
  • Johan Dahl, 1959, youth. - Minister of Fisheries, Trade and Industry;
  • Helena Dam á Neystabø, female, 1955, social. - Minister of Culture and Education;
  • Rósa Samuelsen (f), 1959, youth. - Minister of Social Affairs;
  • Aksel Johannesen, 1972, socialist. - Minister of Economy and Finance.
  • John Johannessen, 1977, social. - Minister of Internal Affairs and Health.

On October 29, 2011, the next parliamentary elections were held in the Faroe Islands. According to their results, the composition of the Legting is as follows:

Løgting
The consignment Voting percentage in 2011 elections Places Δ
Union Party
Sambandsflokkurin		 24,7 8 ▲ 1
People's Party
Fólkaflokkurin		 22,5 8 ▲ 1
Republican Party
Tjoðveldi		 18,3 6 ▼ 2
Social Democratic
the consignment
Javnaðarflokkurin		 17,7 6 -
Progress Party
Framsókn		 6,3 2 participated for the first time
Center Party
Miðflokkurin		 6,2 2 ▼ 1
Home Rule Party
Sjálvstýrisflokkurin		 4,2 1 ▼ 1

Political parties

Rights

  • Progress Party (Framsókn) - nationalist
  • Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) - conservative
  • Center Party (Miðflokkurin) - conservative
  • People's Party (Hin føroyski fólkaflokkurin) - conservative

Centrists

  • Home Rule Party (Sjálvstýrisflokkurin) - liberal

Left

  • Social Democratic Party (Javnaðarflokkurin) - socialist
  • Republican Party (Tjóðveldi) - environmental-communist

Competence of the Faroese government

Denmark annually allocates block assistance to the Faroe Islands for the implementation of those activities that are delegated to the local Faroese Government by the Danish Government. The amount of block assistance from Denmark, allocated in accordance with specially adopted laws, was set at 615.5 million crowns. Before this, block aid from Denmark amounted to a large amount. In 2001, it was equal to 1.0 billion crowns and until 2001 amounted annually to about 10.0% of Faroese GDP. Its size was reduced by the Danish Government due to the successful economic development of the Faroe Islands, the growth of GDP and internal income of the Faroese, as well as due to the increased desire of the Faroese authorities and political circles to gain full sovereignty and separate the Faroes from Denmark. According to the work plan of the newly created Faroese government coalition, block aid will be reduced to 495 million kroner by 2010.

Taking into account additional grants from the structural funds of Denmark, as well as grants from international regional development funds, the total amount of assistance to the Faroe Islands was: in 2003 - 799.0 million crowns, in 2004-2006. - 812 million crowns per year.

Within the Danish Parliament there is a special working group of parliamentarians on issues of interaction with the Løgting.

The competence of the Faroese Government includes issues related to:

  • development of mineral resources of the earth and sea;
  • development of living marine resources;
  • a complex of environmental issues;
  • development of industries and entrepreneurship;
  • shipping and telecommunications;
  • labor market;
  • taxation, excise duties.

Decision-making on issues of international relations, export-import control and foreign economic issues, including import duties, is subject to agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Faroese ownership of oil reserves in the subsoil was secured in 1992 by an agreement between the Faroese Government and the Government of Denmark. This agreement does not have retroactive effect and the current Danish Government cannot revise it. Currently, the Faroese local government is working to continue the search for oil fields in the offshore shelf.

Areas of joint regulation between the Danish and Faroese authorities include the administrative functions of the Faroese Local Government Government, as well as health, social and educational issues.

Under current Danish and Faroese law, legal, monetary, defense and external relations matters are matters on which decisions cannot be taken by the Faroese Government alone.

However, since Danish legislation only comes into force in the Faroes after ratification by Lagting, the legislation in force in the Faroes is not always identical to Danish legislation on the same issues. In addition to Faroese legislation itself, Danish legislation is in force in the Faroese territory, in most cases corresponding to Faroese, or prevailing on a number of issues: international relationships, penal system, civil legislation.

The main source of income for the Faroese Local Government is income tax and VAT, while for municipalities it is only income tax. In addition, licenses issued to foreign companies to fish in the economic zone of the Faroe Islands bring significant revenue to the treasury.

There is no property tax. From a tax point of view, the Faroe Islands are not subject to the Danish Treasury.

The Danish government is responsible for funding purely government and administrative matters, such as the police and the judiciary. Funding for shared responsibility is shared between the Danish and Faroese authorities. Most Danish aid or subsidies to the Faroe Islands are packaged as block aid.

The science

N. R. Finzen

The Faroes have their own university in Tórshavn, as well as the Faroese Academy of Sciences.

The University of Faroe was created in 1965 on the basis of the Faroese Scientific Society (1952) and includes three faculties: Faroese Language and Literature, Science and Technology, History and Social Sciences. The university prepares masters and bachelors of science. There are only 142 students studying at the university. The university budget is DKK 19 million per year.

The most famous representatives of the Faroese scientific world were:

  • Niels Ryberg-Finsen(Niels Ryberg Finsen) - an outstanding physiologist and physician, Nobel Prize laureate;
  • Wenceslaus-Ulrik Hammershaimb(Venceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb) - famous philologist, creator of modern orthography of the Faroese language;
  • Suymun av Skari(Símun av Skarði) - Faroese teacher, founder of the Faroese Folk School;
  • Jens-Christian Svabo(Jens Christian Svabo) - Faroese linguist and ethnographer.

Currently, active geological exploration is being carried out on the North Sea shelf. The subject of research by Faroese and foreign scientists is the Faroese ecosystem, as well as certain species of animals and plants in this region.

mass media

In the Faroe Islands there is a state broadcaster - Faroese Broadcasting (Kringvarp Føroya).

Sport

Faroese Postage Stamp. Swimming (jumping into the water from a stand)

The Faroe Islands are represented at international competitions by football, handball and volleyball teams. Since 1988, the Faroe Islands have been a member of FIFA, since 1990 - UEFA. Since 1942, the Faroese football championship has been played. Since 1955, the Faroese Football Cup has been played. The Faroe Islands are also sending their team to the Chess Olympiads.

Faroese athletes have taken part in major international swimming and rowing competitions. Athletics, swimming and other sports are being developed at the amateur level.

The Faroe Islands have their own National Paralympic Committee.

See also: List of football stadiums in the Faroe Islands

National holidays

  • January 1 New Year
  • movable date in March - April Maundy Thursday
  • movable date in March - April Good Friday
  • movable date in March - April Clean Monday
  • April 25 National Flag Day (Flaggdagur, working only in the first half of the day)
  • moving date in April-May - Fourth week of Easter
  • moving date in May - Ascension
  • moving date in May - Trinity
  • moving date in May - Spiritual Day
  • June 5th Danish Constitution Day (working only in the first half of the day)
  • July 28 St. Olav's Eve (working only in the first half of the day)
  • July 29 St. Olav's Day (Ólavsøkudagur) - National Day of the Faroe Islands
  • December 24 Christmas Eve
  • December 25th Christmas
  • December 26th Day of Giving
  • December 31st New Year's Eve

Famous Faroese

  • Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904) - Faroese-Danish scientist and physiotherapist. Developer of the scientific foundations of light therapy. 1903 became the first Danish Nobel Prize laureate (in physiology or medicine)
  • Valdemar Dalsgaard (1929-2004) - linguist, translator, teacher, artist;
  • Suimun av Skäri (1872-1942) - famous Faroese educator, fighter for the rights of the national language, founder of the Faroese Folk School, poet and author of the words of the Faroese National Anthem;
  • Jörgen-Franz Jacobsen (1900-1938) - writer;
  • Olaf Finsen (1859-1937) - Faroese pharmacist, mayor of Tórshavn 1904-1909.
  • William Heinesen (1900-1991) - writer;
  • Rasmus Rasmussen (Rein uy Lui) (1871-1962) - writer;
  • Janus Kamban (b. 1913) - sculptor;
  • Samal-Elias Joensen-Mikines - painter;
  • Ingolwur av Reini - painter;
  • Ingolf Jacobsen - painter;
  • Janus Djurhus (1881-1948) - writer;
  • Christian Matras (1900-1988) - writer.

Notes

  1. R. Ramsay “Discoveries that never happened”
  2. Højgaard, A., J. Jóhansen, and S. Ødum (eds) 1989. A century of tree planting in the Faroe Islands. Føroya Frodskaparfelag, Torshavn.
  3. Maytenus magellanica in Washington Park Arboretum. Seattle Government. Retrieved June 27, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012.
  4. Virðisbrævamarknaður Føroya
  5. FAE - Vága Floghavn
  6. Atlantic Airways
  7. An Introduction to the History of Whaling. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS). Retrieved December 5, 2008. (English)
  8. Small Cetaceans. International Whaling Commission. Retrieved March 19, 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. (English)
  9. Catch limits. International Whaling Commission. Retrieved December 5, 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. (English)
  10. Why do whales and dolphins strand?. WDCS. Retrieved December 5, 2008. (English)
  11. Dolphins are hunted for sport and fertilizer. ABC News (2006-07-28). Retrieved December 5, 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. (English)
  12. faroeislands.dk
  13. Niels Ryberg Finsen - Biography

Literature

  • Anokhin G.I. On the islands of rain // Thought, 1966. - 55 °C.
  • Anokhin G. I. Faroese (historical and ethnographic essay)
  • Korolev Yu. Sons of the restless sea // Around the world. - 1982. - No. 8
  • Markelova O. Formation of literature of the Faroe Islands and the formation of Faroese national identity / O. Markelova. - Pushkino, 2006. - 312 °C.;
  • Rösdal E. Viking World

see also

  • Group "Red Pervomay"
  • Whaling in the Faroe Islands

Links

  • Official website of the Prime Minister
  • Faroeislands.dk All locations of the Faroe Islands
  • Information materials about Faroese banknotes
  • Information about the Faroe Islands on the US CIA website
  • Official website of the University of the Faroe Islands
  • Faroese Mission to the European Union
  • Faroese Statistical Office
  • Home stories from the Sheep Islands. Magazine "Around the World" No. 5 (2596), May 1990
Countries of Europe

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Partially recognized countries: Kosovo Unrecognized countries: Transnistria DPR LPR

Dependent territories: Åland Islands Guernsey Gibraltar Jersey Isle of Man Faroe Islands Spitsbergen Jan Mayen

Asian countries with territories in Europe: Kazakhstan¹ Turkey¹

Asian countries whose presence in Europe is debatable: Azerbaijan² Georgia²

¹mainly in Asia. ² mainly or entirely in Asia, depending on the drawing of the border between Europe and Asia.
Denmark's overseas expansion
Colonies
Danish Guinea Christiansborg Fredensborg Carlsborg Kong Frederisborg Augustaborg Princestensen Kongensten
Danish India Tranquebar Balasore Frederiksnagore (Serampore) Dannmarksnagore (Gondalpara) Kozhikode Oddeway Torre Nicobar Islands
Danish West Indies
Island of St. Cross Island St. John Island St. Thomas
North Atlantic Greenland Iceland
Colonial
companies		 Danish East India Company Danish West India Company Asiatic Company
See also: Danish colonization of America Danish slave trade Scandinavian colonialism Kingdom of Denmark

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