Where are the Faroe Islands located in which ocean? History of the Faroe Islands. Faroe Islands: how to get there

The Danish Embassy in Russia issues citizens special request Schengen visa with a special note: “Valid for entry to the Faroe Islands.” "Where is it?" - we are perplexed. The small one, it turns out, also has colonies. True, not tropical, and not far from the metropolis. Well, let's say, not exactly colonies: the islands have their own parliament, which decides virtually all state issues, except foreign policy and defense. Read about where the Faroe Islands are, what this archipelago is, who inhabits it, etc. We will try to tell you about the natural attractions of the region and how you can get there. You will also learn Interesting Facts about the history and nature of the archipelago.

Where are the Faroe Islands

Locals call their archipelago Förjar. Translated, this means “sheep islands.” Breeding these small ruminants, along with fishing, has long been the backbone of the local economy. Now the sheep population numbers about eighty thousand individuals. Eighteen islands form an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean called the Faroe Islands. Where is this in more detail? Between Scotland and Iceland. Reykjavik is approximately 450 kilometers from the Faroe Islands, 650 kilometers from the coast of Norway, and 1,117 kilometers from the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. In this northern region, the population is small and nationally homogeneous. Even the capital, Tórshavn (Streymoy Island), has a population of only nineteen thousand people. The second largest city, Klaksvik, has five thousand inhabitants. And there is also an island where only one person lives permanently. This is Koltur. Others have 6-11 inhabitants. Faroese make up 91.0% of the total population. Another 6 percent consider themselves Danish. For obvious reasons, there are quite a few immigrants in this region.

Climatic characteristics

Where the Faroe Islands are located, the weather does not please residents with cloudless skies and warm sunshine. The climate here, due to the high latitudes, is quite harsh. Strong winds blow all year round, which is why the landscapes on the archipelago are treeless. There are only artificial plantations of coniferous trees, mountain ash and maple. In winter it is downright cold and damp. However, the Gulf Stream prevents the water off the coast from freezing and even maintains its temperature within +10 degrees. In summer the air warms up to only fifteen, and it rains 280 days a year. Most precipitation falls from early autumn to January. Fogs here are not uncommon, but the norm of life.

Nature and relief

All eighteen islands are indented by fjords coastline. Because the archipelago is part of the Atlantic Rift Ridge protruding above the water, their topography is very mountainous. The highest point, Slattaratindur Peak, which is located on the island of Esturoy, has been unsuccessfully attempted to be conquered by climbers for decades, although its height is only 882 meters above sea level. The Faroe rocks were composed of basalt rocks back in the Cenozoic era. The most mountainous island - Kalsoy - consists entirely of sheer cliffs. Therefore, tunnels were dug between the four small settlements for travel. For this, and also for great amount caves and sea grottoes, it was nicknamed “flute” (Flyut). And the least mountainous is Sandoy. Where the Faroe Islands are located, you wouldn't expect to see sand dunes, but they still exist. You can also admire the beautiful lakes and enjoy great fishing.

Story

Humanity learned exactly where the Faroe Islands are located approximately 700 years ago. The first settlers on this archipelago covered with sparse vegetation were immigrants from Scotland. But already at the beginning of the 9th century they were ousted by the warlike Vikings. For a long time, the Faroe Islands were a transit point between Scandinavia and Iceland. Until the end of the 14th century, Norway ruled the archipelago. After this, she shared her dominion over the islands with Denmark. In 1814, the latter became the sole owner of the archipelago. When Nazi troops began occupying Denmark, Great Britain, represented by the Prime Minister, dared to retaliate. In April 1940, an English cruiser embarked on a roadstead in the port of Tórshavn. The islands were never captured by the Germans. In 1945, the British left the archipelago. In 1946, a plebiscite was held on the Faroe Islands' secession from Denmark. Parliamentarians were invited to Copenhagen for negotiations. As a result, an agreement was reached on very broad autonomy within the Kingdom.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

The archipelago has only one international airport. It is located on the island of Voar. Its area is 177 km² and its population is three thousand people. Voar is connected to the capital and largest island of the archipelago, Streyma, by a five-kilometer tunnel dug under the seabed. Transport connection There is excellent communication between settlements. Old roads along mountain serpentines are now increasingly being replaced by underground tunnels. Ferry crossings Even the inhabitants of Mycines and Stour Duimun, whose population is eleven and six people respectively, do not allow themselves to feel completely isolated from the world. But tourists come here precisely to feel like they are on the edge of the earth, where the Faroe Islands seem to disappear into the boundless expanse of the ocean. You can get to the archipelago from (Denmark), as well as Bergen and B summer time The ferry runs. It sails from Bergen and arrives in the capital Tórshavn.

Culture

Existence at the “end of the earth” led to the emergence of very original traditions. Until the 18th century it was unwritten, but an ancient oral epic has survived. You can also admire the islands big amount medieval churches. Residents are very careful about their original culture and regularly hold music festivals. Tourists should definitely buy products made from the excellent wool of local sheep, and also try dried cod and whale soup - specialties for which the Faroe Islands are famous. Football occupies a special place in the life of the islanders. The team was formed in 1930 and immediately lost to the Latvians. But the defeat did not disappoint the Faroese people. In 1988, FIFA accepted the team, and in the 1990s it was recognized by UEFA.

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 people here garbage bins two types. 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.

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

On the world map Map

Most 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 them into the bay and kill them. 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.

The Faroe Islands have an amazing landscape, and the location and climate, which contribute to the excellent play of light, attract photographers from all over the world. According to the famous magazine National Geographic Traveler, the Faroe Islands are the most unique islands in the world.

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago consisting of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. If the name of the islands is literally translated from Faroese, it sounds like “Sheep Islands”. The islands are located between Scotland and the island of Iceland in the North Atlantic. The Faroe Islands, although they belong to the Kingdom of Denmark, are an autonomous region and make independent decisions in almost all matters.

Date of formation: April 1, 1948;
Area: 1395 km²;
Time zone: UTC0;
Population: 48,300.

Getting to the islands

And getting to the islands is not difficult, but you cannot do without a transfer. From Moscow or St. Petersburg, you first need to fly to Copenhagen, about a 2-hour flight. Next to Vagar Airport - this is the only airport in the Faroe Islands, and also an international one. The best way to get to the Faroe Islands is with SAS, which flies to the islands from Copenhagen 2-3 times a day. In addition, you can fly to Vagar Airport from Norway, Iceland, and the UK. You can also take a ferry to Tórshavn from Huntsholm Denmark, from the Shetland Islands, Seydisfjörður Iceland, and in the summer from Bergen Norway.

Selection favorable air tickets through Aviadiscounter (searches like Aviasales + a selection of airline promotions and sales).

From where to where	departure date	Find a ticket
Copenhagen → Sorvagur
Reykjavik → Sorvagur
Helsinki → Sorvagur
Vilnius → Sorvagur
Amsterdam → Sorvagur
Kyiv → Sorvagur
Riga → Sorvagur
Prague → Sorvagur
Oslo → Sorvagur
Bergen → Sorvagur
Saint Petersburg → Sorvagur
Boston → Sorvagur

And to select intercity transport (planes, trains, buses) in Europe, try, the service offers the best ways to travel along popular routes.

Or make your own route.

A little bit of history

The first settlers of the Faroe Islands came from Scotland; they lived here from the 8th – 9th centuries and left them due to Viking raids. The Vikings made the Faroe Islands a transport link that connected Iceland, Scandinavia and, for a short time, also North America. Until the 14th century, the Faroe Islands were part of Norway, and since 1814 they began to belong to Denmark. Because of this, the descendants of local residents are Scandinavians, and Faroese language appeared thanks to the Old Norse language. In 1946, the Faroe Islands announced it would secede from Denmark, but a divided vote and opinion poll halted the decision. In 1948, a new agreement was adopted in which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty. Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear weapons free zone.

Visa

If you want to visit the Faroe Islands, you need a visa, which is issued by the consular section of the Danish Embassy. Despite their northern location, the islands have unique climate – warm winter, the coldest month is January with temperatures from 0 to +4 degrees, and cold wet summer, the warmest month is July with temperatures from +11 to +17 degrees. There is quite a lot of precipitation, here it occurs about 280 days a year and almost all of it is in the form of rain, most of it occurs from September to January, and fogs are also frequent. And thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the temperature in the ocean is always about +10 degrees, which provides ideal conditions for the life of a variety of fish.

The Faroe Islands consist of 18 large islands, as well as numerous small islets and rocks. Most large island Faroe is Streymoy. The capital of the Faroe Islands, the city of Tórshavn, and the village of Vestmanna are located on this island. The second largest island of the archipelago is Esturoy. Here are located big cities Fuglafjordur, Runavik and Nes. The island is connected to the islands of Streymoy by a road bridge. Another large island is Voar, it is located international Airport Vagar. The most densely populated island is Borøy; there are eight settlements here, one of which is considered the second largest in the Faroe Islands - Klaksvik. Luitla-Duimun – desert island of eighteen islands.

There are quite a lot of attractions in the Faroe Islands. Of course, the main attraction of the Faroe Islands can be confidently called the landscape. Cliffs, rocks, green fields, ocean, sun, fog and clouds touching the ground create amazing landscapes that will not leave even the most fastidious travelers indifferent. What else to see in the Faroe Islands besides nature?

Kalsoy Island

It is worth visiting the island of Kalsoy - this is the most rocky island in the Faroe Islands. All West Coast consists of rocky cliffs, and the settlements are interconnected by numerous tunnels. The island has many underground galleries and caves, which is why this island is often called “Flute”. In the north of the island, near the Katlur lighthouse, there is a natural sea arch and picturesque cliffs. If you want to observe numerous bird colonies, then you should go to Fugloy Island, which is called the “island of birds”. At Eistfelli the cliffs reach a height of 450 metres, and at Clubbin they reach a height of 620 metres.

Sandoy Island

Sandoy Island is waiting for you sand dunes- This is the least rocky island of all the islands. It is worth going to the village of Skupon, where above it on the terraces lie two beautiful lakes - Noroara-Halsavatn and Heimara-Halsavatn. In the village of Sandur there is a church that has a long and interesting story, starting from the 11th century. To the north of the village of Skarvanes is Tretlkonufingur - "Troll Woman's Finger" - a beautiful sea cliff.

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. Highest point island group of volcanic origin - 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.

Not everyone will be able to quickly show where exactly the Faroe Islands are on the map. At the same time, more and more tourists are going there. They are mainly attracted by the opportunity to take a break from noisy resorts, vibrant cities and city dust.

Located in the Norwegian Sea between Iceland and the Scottish Islands, the archipelago consists of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The population is 48 thousand. It is noteworthy that almost half of these people live in the capital or its suburbs. The Faroe region is considered bilingual. The official languages are Danish and Faroese, which combines different West Scandinavian dialects.

To date, there are no direct air flights from Russia to the islands. Therefore, tourists have to change planes in Denmark or Norway. You can pre-book your flight ticket using the Internet. You can get from one island to another by several means of transport, including by ferry. For some tourists, it is most convenient to travel around the islands on a boat hired for an additional fee.

Although the Faroe Islands belong to Denmark, you cannot enter their territory with a Schengen visa. The refusal to join the European Union was deliberate and was associated with taxes on fishing. Therefore, to get to the archipelago, you need to apply for a visa, which will have a special note. There are special visa centers where you can do this in many big cities. However, most travelers prefer the services of travel agencies. All Required documents are transferred to the agency, and subsequently the employees transfer the finished visas to clients.

Climatic and weather conditions

The islands are located in the central part of a warm sea current known as the Gulf Stream. Therefore, this place has a constant off-season. Throughout the year, the number of sunny days does not exceed 80, and the rest of the time it rains. In addition, even in sunny weather strong winds blow. The most comfortable time to visit the archipelago will be the summer months, when precipitation is rare.

The Faroe Islands have a fairly mild climate. Average temperatures for winter range from approximately 0˚C to +4˚C. Summer temperature is 11-17˚C. The rainy season lasts from September to January on the islands. Further, the archipelago is plunged into fog, which does not allow the rays of the sun to pass through.

Another feature: the water near the islands is perfectly clear, and its temperature does not drop below +10˚C even in winter. This creates ideal conditions for fishing and diving in winter.

Nature

For those who prefer a holiday in the lap of pristine nature, the Faroe Islands are an ideal option. Most of the territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows and mountain ranges. Numerous lakes and fjords, gorges, cliffs and waterfalls will not leave anyone indifferent.

There are few trees on the islands; only occasionally you can see conifers, maples or mountain ash trees. Fauna connoisseurs free time on the archipelago can be devoted to watching dolphins, seabirds, whales and seals. There are also incredibly large numbers of sheep grazing on the hills of these islands.

Sights of the archipelago

Of course, many tourists consider the main attractions in the Faroe Islands beautiful mountains and slopes with flocks of sheep, as well as compact towns and colorful roofs on houses.

Lovers of natural attractions will also appreciate the features different islands. For example, Streymoy is a paradise for fishing lovers. Here you can catch halibut, eels and even representatives of the salmon family. Nolsoy attracts tourists with its seal rookeries, and Fugloy with the fact that it is loved by millions of birds. And the northern settlement of Skarvanes is famous for a beautiful sea cliff called Tretlkonufingur, which translated means “troll woman’s finger.”

The archipelago also has a large selection of excursion programs. For example, this could be a visit to the capital and small villages or boat trips.

The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, is located in an incredibly picturesque area. Most of settlement juts out over the fjord, offering stunning views of mountains and steep cliffs. Tórshavn is a very quiet city. It is noisy only in the central square and on the piers.

The main attraction of the capital is the Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century. It is noteworthy that the monastery, surrounded by a stone wall, is one of the few buildings that survived the great fire that raged in the 17th century.

Many will be interested in visiting Historical Museum. Among its exhibits are ship models, fishing gear and agricultural implements, ranging from Viking times to the present day. Also here you can see items that local residents used in everyday life. There are also exhibits that are valuable from a religious point of view.

The House of Server Countries is also definitely worth a visit. There is an art gallery there and concert hall, and on summer evenings introductory events are held for guests of the archipelago.

After a walk through Vidarlund Park, it is worth going to the Art Museum to see delightful examples of painting and sculpture.

If your trip to the archipelago is in July, you should plan your vacation so that you are sure to be on the islands on the 28th-29th. During this period, local people nationally celebrate St. Olaf's Day. According to tradition, celebrations include ceremonial religious and dance processions, art exhibitions, and rowing and equestrian competitions.

Gastronomic nuances

National cuisine has a close relationship with the climate of the archipelago. Two main ingredients used in preparation various dishes- This is lamb and fish. Gourmets visiting the Faroe Islands should definitely try local delicacies such as sheep's head and whale meat. No less interesting is ruyskjet (meat that has been dried for several months) and skärpiket – meat that has been dried for more than a year and is consumed without any processing. Often the same cooking method is used for drying fish.

Those tourists who prefer traditional cuisine should order fried lamb at the restaurant. You can also try puffins (this is the name of small birds), stuffed with sweet dough, served with potatoes and sweet berries.

It may surprise many that rhubarb is added to food everywhere here. Another one interesting feature– There are practically no fish shops on the islands. If the islanders want to cook fish, they catch it themselves, and after cooking they serve it with a side dish of rice or potatoes.

It is worth noting that the most popular drinks on the islands are coffee and tea. Locals often add herbs to tea that grow on mountain slopes. Alcoholic drinks are officially permitted from the age of 18. However, if light beer can be purchased everywhere, then low-alcohol drinks, strong dark beer and wine can only be purchased in government stores and in restaurants that have a special license.

Lunch at a regular restaurant will cost approximately $30. In establishments more high level– it will already be 45-50 $. Most a budget option snacks can be found in local cafes.

Where to stay?

After arriving in the capital, you can check into a three-star hotel. For example, it could be "Streim" or "Tórshavn". For those who like more comfortable conditions, “Hafniya” and “Feroyar” are suitable. It is worth noting that all hotels offer tourists rooms with private amenities. Transfer from and to the airport is also provided. Free access to Wi-Fi. Hotel rates start from $120. Although you can get a seasonal discount.

A more economical accommodation option is a hostel or guest house. The most popular are “Bládýpi” and “Skansin”, but you should book rooms in them several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels on the islands where you can spend the night and have breakfast. Accommodation prices depend on the time of year and start from $80.

For tourists who prefer relaxing close to nature, campsites are available. Locals They value order very much, so campers in tents are required to maintain cleanliness and thoroughly clean before leaving.

Main types of entertainment

 There are many varieties of fish in coastal waters. Therefore, not only local residents, but also tourists are fond of fishing. By the way, according to the laws, any fish can be exported from this country if its length exceeds 30 cm.

 The Faroe Islands are extremely interesting for wreck divers. After all, you can find sunken ships here. And near Nolsoy Island, divers like to watch how seals live underwater.

 Those who cannot imagine a proper holiday without nightclubs should visit the capital’s “Rex” and “Eclipse”. However, it is worth considering that only young people aged 18-25 are allowed into the second club.

What to buy?

The most popular souvenirs are items made of wool, wood and ceramics. Due to the climate, the islanders cannot imagine their life without woolen clothes and accessories. Therefore, here you can always buy a stylish sweater, hat or gloves at an attractive price.

It is worth considering that from Monday to Thursday, most stores are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Friday, the working day is often extended by another hour. But on Saturday everything closes earlier, and Sunday is a day off.

1. The most optimal transport for getting to the archipelago is an airplane. But there is only one international airport - Vagar, located near the village of Sorvagur.

2. To travel around the islands, you can rent a car. It will cost at least $60 per day. To register for a rental, you must be over 20 years old and have credit card and an international driver's license.

3. Tourists who prefer public transport can purchase maps with routes and schedules at Steinatún kiosks.

4. Traveling to the Faroe Islands is quite expensive. But when leaving the country, if you have a receipt from stores operating according to the system Tax Free, you can return VAT. But only if the purchase amount in the receipt exceeds $48.

5. It is not customary to leave a tip on this archipelago. Staff remuneration is most often immediately included in the bill.

6. You can fish if you have a license, which is sold in tourist offices. If a tourist wants to take his fishing gear, he must sanitize it in advance.

7. The climate in the Faroe Islands is very changeable, so you must take warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes with you on the road.

Visa information

To obtain a visa in Moscow, you can contact the Danish Embassy. You must have with you:

 2 photographs;
 completed application form;
 foreign passport (its expiration date must expire at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa) and its copy;
 national passport and its copy;
 insurance policy (coverage amount cannot be less than 30 thousand €);
 bank account statement;
 confirmation that the hotel has been booked;
 certificate from place of work or study.

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