Faroese islands. Geography of the Faroe Islands. Where are the Faroe Islands on the map

There are many most different islands, some of them were previously the coastline of the mainland, some, due to their compactness, are called an archipelago for convenience. And there is nothing surprising in the fact that the larger islands, like Madagascar or Greenland, or the warm Hawaiian and Antilles. But few people know what is in the world Faroe islands and this is European territory. Let's tell you more about them.

More about the islands

The Faroe Islands are gradually becoming overgrown with tourists, tired of crowded resorts and noisy, polluted cities. These are harsh, secluded and very Beautiful places, attracting even experienced and sophisticated travelers. Behind local beauties The islands have been repeatedly recognized as the most unusual and cleanest on the entire planet. The archipelago is of volcanic origin and includes 18 islands, of which only one is uninhabited, with a total area of 1399 sq km. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Voar, Sandoy, Bordoy.

The Faroe Islands are part of the islands, but have autonomous governance, except in matters of defense and foreign policy. Discussion of these points requires the approval of the country's leadership. The capital of the archipelago is the city of Tórshavn. According to archaeological finds, the Faroe Islands have been inhabited since about the 9th century, and modern inhabitants are real descendants of the ancient Vikings.

The autonomy is very dependent on the import of products and the quality of the transport network, but residents have been actively developing fishing and sheep farming for many centuries - these are two huge sources of income. Despite this bias in budget formation, the standard of living on the islands is very high compared to the whole of Europe.

Where are the Faroe Islands?

The little-known archipelago is located in the North Atlantic in the Norwegian Sea. The Faroe Islands lie roughly between Iceland and the Scottish Islands.

Weather in the Faroe Islands

The climate of the archipelago is directly related to the Gulf Stream, which is known to be warm. The islands are located in the very center, hence the constant off-season, which is about 280 rainy days per year. Time boundaries seem to be erased; there is no clear division into winter or summer. The climate is very mild: average summer temperatures are +11+17 degrees, and winter temperatures are from 0 to +4 degrees. The rainiest season lasts from September to January, after which comes the time of fog, when the archipelago is covered by a thick cap that practically does not let in the sun. Coastal waters are always the same temperature - +10 degrees, this has a positive effect on the development of fisheries.

Population of the Faroe Islands

The latest census showed that the Faroe Islands are home to about 48.5 thousand inhabitants, of which approximately 20 thousand live in the capital of the archipelago or its suburbs. Most residents of the autonomy in all areas communicate in the rare Faroese language - a mixture of Western Scandinavian dialects, but Danish is also considered the official language. The main religion is Lutheranism.

It is believed that about 98% of all residents are descendants of the first settlers.

Nature of the Faroe Islands

The local landscapes are simply fantastic: many waterfalls, lakes, gorges, fjords and silent cliffs. The islands and cliffs have a basalt base, as well as a classic glacial topography. Every photo taken here is a masterpiece. There are almost no trees on the islands; strong winds often rage here; only occasionally you can see maple, mountain ash or conifers. The islands are covered with peat bogs, meadows, and the snowy mountain peaks attract the eye. The most high mountain islands - Slattaratindur peak, located on the island of Esturoy: its height is 882 meters above sea level.

The Faroe Islands are home to real colonies of seabirds, seals, dolphins and even whales. Animals from afar happily pose and show themselves to tourists.

Faroe Islands - attractions and entertainment

The influx of tourists usually occurs in the calendar summer, when, by rights, there is the least rainfall. The most popular excursion program is sightseeing in the capital Tórshavn. The city itself is beautiful, the main part of it juts out over the fjord, where there is an excellent view of the nearby mountains and wild steep cliffs. The capital's two main attractions are the 15th-century Munkastovan monastery and the royal warehouses of Leighubün. Curious tourists are welcome at the Historical Museum, cultural heritage collected at the Art Museum, after which you can stroll through the peaceful Vidarlund Park.

The business card is a beautiful thing hanging over the ocean. If you wish, you can also visit small lonely villages or a bird market, take a walk along the water along the shore or admire the bird island of Fugloy, on the rocks of which a multimillion-dollar colony of sea birds has formed. North of the village of Skarvanes a sea cliff has formed with interesting name Tretlkonufingur, translated as “troll woman’s finger.”

One of the famous entertainments of the Faroe Islands is St. Olaf's Day, which is celebrated at the very end of July. It is dedicated to the Norwegian king who brought Christianity to Scandinavia. This is a major sports festival, which consists of horse racing and rowing competitions, residents organize dances and religious processions, and organize art exhibitions.

Faroe Islands cuisine

A kind of reflection of the harsh climate, but still traditional dishes from a variety of fish and meat are incredibly tasty and interesting. Faroese delicacies include: whale fat, dried lamb or sheep's head - there is something for gourmets to see. A popular dish among tourists is puffins (small birds) stuffed with sweet dough and served with berries and potatoes. You will certainly find something new and unusual for yourself in the Koks restaurant at the Feroyar Hotel. Original Scandinavian dishes with incredible presentation and controversial desserts.

There is also traditional food on the archipelago; you can easily find fried lamb or grilled fish on the menu, as well as the cuisine European countries, Mediterranean, South America and even Asia. We recommend visiting Restaurant Hereford for an excellent selection of simple steaks, meat and fish in Klaksvik.

It is strict here with alcohol: strong drinks, as well as dark beer, can only be sold by state monopoly stores or licensed restaurants.

Where to stay on the islands?

Visitors are especially fond of the various capital hotels, usually three-star ones, which can offer rooms of different classes and comfort. All hotels have good area Wi-Fi coverage, breakfast and optional transfer from the airport and back.

Budget options are considered guest houses and hostels, but in the most popular establishments it is recommended to book rooms at least 2-3 months in advance. In case you do not plan to stay in one place for a long time, there are mini-hotels on the islands in the “bed and breakfast” format, but the prices here directly depend on tourist season and time of year.

For those who like to spend the night in a tent in nature, there are several campsites on the Faroe Islands, but a strict rule applies to all vacationers: keep clean and remove all rubbish before leaving.

Shopping in the Faroe Islands

When thinking, remember that here, due to the harsh weather, woolen clothing is at a premium. Hats, berets, gloves, fashionable sweaters and scarves made from natural wool can be bought cheaper than in similar European stores.

Fans of arts and crafts willingly make and serve trinkets made of wood or ceramics. The main condition: never bargain anywhere, this is bad manners here.

Transport

The capital of the Faroe Islands has a well-established infrastructure. There are four plying here bus routes red, thanks to this you can freely get to almost any part of the city. On average, movement intervals are 30 minutes, which increase in the evening to an hour.

Ferries run between the islands, but there are also blue bus routes, which also form a transport network between the islands. Maps of stops and schedules of all transport in the Faroe Islands can be freely purchased.

How to get to the Faroe Islands?

On the territory of the Danish autonomy there is only one, located on the island of Vagar near the village of Sorvagur. Air travel is the fastest and convenient way get to little known northern islands. Regular flights operate from cities in Norway, Iceland and the UK. Further, to travel around the Faroe Islands themselves, tourists often rent a car.

You can get to this strange land by ferry from Denmark, from the city of Hirtshals, from the Scottish Islands, from Iceland, and in the summer even from Bergen, Norway. Of course, if you are the owner of your own yacht or vessel, you can use the coordinates yourself.

Tips for tourists

If you fly directly to Faroe Airport, you will need to provide a special visa rather than a Schengen one.
Additional tips are not accepted here; all staff remuneration is already included in the bill, usually in the amount of 10%.
To fish, you need to buy a license for a specific body of water or fishing in the sea, and if you take your fishing rod with you, it must be disinfected according to the instructions before visiting the islands.
When leaving, you can return VAT on purchases, but only if the purchase was made in a store that uses the system Tax Free, and the check amount exceeds $48.
Be aware of the local climate: you will need warm clothing and spare shoes for walks in the mountains and the coast.

The Faroe Islands are a small territory within Denmark located in the North Sea. Faroese means sheep and is so called because until the 19th century the main occupation of the islanders was raising sheep. They were sheared en masse and the wool was sent for export to the metropolis. That is, Denmark. During the colonization of Iceland, Greenland and North America Vikings, these islands were a necessary intermediate base where the longships of settlers and traders entered.

Faroe Islands from satellite

The language of the islanders, of whom there are about 50 thousand people, dates back to Old Norse and differs from Danish approximately as Russian differs from Ukrainian. Residents of the Sheep Islands sincerely believe that their basalt volcanic homeland is the remains of the sunken Atlantis. This encourages the population to active diving in the surrounding waters, although the cold, harsh ocean conditions contribute little to this. As soon as someone finds a flat stone at the bottom, joyful excitement grows. Yep, they found Atlantis. However, geologists debunk it over and over again, wearily explaining that these are pieces of basalt and nothing more.

Sheep wool continues to be mined on the islands. There are 80 thousand sheep for 50 thousand people, but, of course, this is not the main income of this region. The Faroe Islands have an impressive fishing and merchant fleet; accordingly, they actively fish in the surrounding waters, and also trade fishing licenses. Many more foreign companies register offshore companies here. And in general, the islands have a very impressive income. 45 thousand dollars per capita.

Faroe Islands, Faroe Islands- a group of islands in the northern part 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. Second by size locality Faroe Islands - Klaksvik (4773 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). total area of all islands - 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.

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 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 1 woman: 2.15 children.

The active working population is 24,760 people.

Climate

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with warm winter 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 living conditions for 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

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.

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 of the Faroese scientific world 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 spelling 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 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 individual species animals and plants of 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 24th Christmas Eve
December 25th Christmas
December 26th Day of Gift Offering
December 31st New Year's Eve

The Faroe Islands are located between Norway and Iceland, 675 kilometers to Norway, 450 to Iceland, an archipelago in the North Atlantic and a population of just over 50,000 inhabitants, National Geographic confirms that this is the most interesting place on the planet for tourists, simply unearthly landscapes that are covered with grass without a single tree, beautiful rocks on 18 islands, only one of them is uninhabited.

Population of the Faroe Islands

These 50,000 people settled in 120 cities and towns, all of them located in cozy valleys between the mountains and on the seashore. The capital of the archipelago is the city of Tórshavn with a population of 19,300 people, which is located on the island of Streymoy. The languages spoken in the Faroe Islands are either Faroese or Danish, both official, written Faroese is more like Icelandic, spoken Faroese is more like Norwegian.

Weather and climate in the Faroe Islands

The climate is maritime subarctic, on the one hand, the Faroe Islands do not get very cold due to the warm Gulf Stream, but this is not Thailand at all, the number of sunny or windless days a year is limited, the islanders enjoy every such day, so the weather forecast for the Faroe Islands this is the main news, although the weather can change several times a day. Temperatures in summer are about 12 degrees, in winter about 7 degrees Celsius.

Pros and cons of living in the Faroe Islands, standard of living, everything for Russians, reviews from migrants

The Faroe Islands are very reminiscent of Iceland, which means that there is a cold volcanic landscape, sharp rocks. There are as many as 6 political parties in the Faroe Islands, the local parliament is located in a dugout. The Faroe Islands are a cousin of Denmark, but the Faroese themselves are persistently trying to separate themselves from this appendage, which essentially also feeds the Faroe Islands. Income from fishing is not always enough for an independent existence, only for this reason the Faroe Islands are also Denmark, without which the islands would hardly be able to have such a high standard of living. The Faroese hope that they will find oil or gas near the archipelago and begin to live like the Norwegians, but so far it’s not destiny, or rather the deposit has been found, but what to do with it next.

The inhabitants of the Faroe Islands are quite slow by nature; the pace of life here is not fast.

Hotels, apartments, houses, real estate and utilities in the Faroe Islands

On the Faroe Islands you can find two or three-story houses sheathed with a special material that protects the house from lean winds. Every second house in the Faroe Islands is black, the window frames are red, grass grows on the roofs of the houses, many of the houses look like something we could see in a movie about hobbits. In some villages in winter period 5-10 families live, the locals are farmers, life here is quite harsh, all entertainment is getting up at sunrise, milking a cow, and doing all the other agricultural things. Farmers can also make sausages or meat for sale, six, jams, milk, cheese. There are also villages where only 2 families live, but there is always one school, Helipad, shop.

There are practically no properties for sale in the Faroe Islands. This is due to the fact that there are few visitors here, even very few tourists who stay exclusively in hotels or in farmers' houses; they can work out their housing by helping in the farming business. Theoretically, the cost of real estate in the Faroe Islands is not high.

Transport and cars in the Faroe Islands

The international airport is located on the island of Vagar, the population of this island is 2800 people. The main transport in the Faroe Islands is sea, but of course there are also roads, most of them are mountain serpentines. Every resident or family in the Faroe Islands has their own car; in the capital, young people ride exotic cars that look very strange in the surrounding area, and these are various convertibles.

Life in Tórshavn

The capital Tórshavn is a small town; on the islands the city is simply called Havn, which means “harbour”. It seems that living here is boring and uninteresting, but the city has absolutely everything that is in major cities in Europe, but only in a single copy, one theater, one cinema, one stadium, one hospital, one school, one police station, post office and so on. The exceptions are cafes, restaurants and hotels; the latter are most likely hostels; there are no particularly luxurious places to stay.

Restaurants and cafes in the Faroe Islands

Restaurants and cafes in the Faroe Islands may not be open all day; they often close at 7 pm, so sitting down to relax in the evening is a real problem. Local cuisine and seafood are offered. Local kitchen- this is something between Norwegian and Icelandic cuisine, some dishes may seem too exotic for us.

Shops, shopping, standard of living in the Faroe Islands

Shops on the islands are open until 6 pm, this applies to any retail establishments; Sunday is a day off. The Faroe Islands have particularly tasty dairy products, but many of the products are environmentally friendly. There may be a shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables; please note that they are all imported, which is also reflected in the prices. Despite the very high prices You can live in stores because the population has their own everything, so to speak from the garden, and this includes whale meat, things that cannot be obtained locally are very expensive, for example bread, which will cost at least 5 euros, alcohol and fruit are very expensive , vegetables. To live in the Faroe Islands you need to learn to get by only with your own food, otherwise it will be very expensive.

Work, salaries, vacancies and economy in the Faroe Islands

Until the mid-19th century, the main income of local residents was sheep farming; today only rare herds of sheep and crafts in the form of knitting traditional sweaters from sheep’s wool remind us of the old days. In addition, the main economic sectors of the Faroe Islands will be light industry and fishing. Wool products, fluff, and, of course, fresh fish are exported. Nevertheless, the majority of the island's residents are employed in the service sector, such as tourism, banking, and insurance.

Unemployment on the islands is 3.2%, the entire economy depends on fishing. The fact that the Faroe Islands are very successful is evidenced by the fact that in 2008 the government allocated 52 million to save the economy of neighboring Iceland. Salaries in the Faroe Islands are about the same as in Denmark in general, in other words, few people earn less than 2,000 euros per month.

Leisure and recreation in the Faroe Islands

The warm Gulf Stream constantly maintains the water temperature at about 11 degrees, which creates excellent conditions for fish to be found here, which local fishermen take advantage of. The main holiday in the Faroe Islands is Grindadrap - whale hunting, when sailors drive whales into the bay, where these whales will die. According to the law, whale meat cannot be sold; it is distributed free of charge to local residents. There are no animals in the Faroe Islands, not even snakes or lizards, only birds. The most popular view The sport in the Faroe Islands is football, the local football field fits on a tiny corner of land between a rock and the sea, it looks very exotic, there was not enough room for stands.

The Faroe Islands have excellent opportunities for hiking, trips to picturesque bays, to caves, grottoes, boat trips. The attractions for permanent residents of the islands have already become boring and residents do not perceive the environment so rosy, but for foreign tourists it's a complete delight. Faroe Islands is 17 large islands and many small, green meadows, lakes, rocks, canyons, herds of sheep, and small horses, everything is very, very beautiful.

Basic moments

The Faroe Region is an internal autonomy of the Kingdom of Denmark, independently managing almost all issues, excluding the topic of defense and foreign policy. The archipelago includes 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Of the 48 thousand local residents, about 20 thousand live in the capital or in the suburbs.

There are two official languages on the islands - Faroese and Danish. Moreover, the vast majority of residents are native speakers of the Faroese language, which is a mixture of Western Scandinavian dialects and is widely used in almost all spheres of life.

Climate and weather

The Faroe Islands are located at the very center of the warm Gulf Stream, which causes a constant off-season: there are 280 rainy days per year. Despite the fact that the islands seem to have no boundaries to the seasons, the climate is quite mild. In winter, the average monthly temperature ranges from 0 °C to + 4 °C, and in summer - from +11 °C to +17 °C. The rainy season falls in September - January, and then the archipelago is covered with fog, preventing the sun's rays from reaching the surface.

Thanks to the warm sea current, the water on the islands has almost the same temperature - +10 ° C - all year round, which creates all the conditions for the development of fishing.

Nature

Holidays in the Faroe Islands are a holiday in the lap of nature in its original form. Due to frequent strong winds, the islands are mostly treeless; sometimes you can find mountain ash, maple, and conifers. A significant part of the islands' territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows, and mountain ranges.

IN free time fauna lovers can diversify their vacation on the islands by observing colonies of seabirds, seals, whales, and dolphins.

On the archipelago great amount sheep The latter were once brought to the local hills by the Celts. The local endless pastures have attracted the attention of sheep, and today there are two sheep for every local resident.

Attractions

The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months, when there is little rainfall and the weather is warm.

The excursion program in the Faroe Islands is varied: visits to the capital Tórshavn, small villages, bird colonies, a boat trip in coastal waters.

The capital of the islands, the city of Tórshavn, lies in a picturesque area. The main part of the city juts out over the fjord, offering amazing views of the wild mountains and steep cliffs. It is very quiet here, only the central square and the piers are noisy, where continuous work is in full swing. Streets far from the center are usually small and cramped.

The main attraction of Tórshavn is the Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. Muncastowan is one of the few buildings that escaped the great fire of 1673. Another building that also survived the fire is the Leighubün royal warehouse.

Curious travelers will be interested in a trip to Historical Museum, which has in its collection ship models, household items of local residents, fishing gear and guns Agriculture from Viking times to the present day, as well as items of religious value.

After a stroll through Vidarlund Park, you can stop by the Art Museum and admire magnificent examples of sculpture and painting.

There is also an “island of birds” in the Faroe Islands - Fugloy, which received its name for its majestic cliffs inhabited by multi-million colonies of seabirds.

To the north of the settlement of Skarvanes is the beautiful sea cliff Tretlkonufingur (“troll woman’s finger”).

At the end of July (28–29th), the Faroese celebrate their main holiday - St. Olaf's Day. These days, usually reserved locals go on a wild rampage of emotions. The festival is named after Olaf II, who, as King of Norway, introduced Christianity to Scandinavia and began the fight against paganism.

Traditional celebrations include rowing competitions, horse racing, dance and religious processions, and art exhibitions.

Kitchen

The Faroes owe their national menu to the harsh climate of the islands. Traditionally local dishes consist of meat and fish. Faroese delicacies - sheep's head, whale blubber and skärpikjet (dried lamb) - are a must-try for gourmets. Well, lovers of traditional cuisine will be happy to serve fried lamb in local restaurants. Tourists also have the opportunity to taste puffins (these are birds) exquisitely stuffed with sweet dough and served with sweet berries and potatoes. Rhubarb, which is widely eaten, will also be a novelty for many.

Alcoholic drinks can officially be consumed on the islands from the age of 18. Light beer is sold everywhere, but strong dark beer, low-alcohol drinks and wine are sold only in state monopoly stores major cities and licensed restaurants.

Lunch at a local restaurant will cost a tourist an average of $30, in higher-level establishments - $45–50, excluding alcohol. You can have a snack at a local cafe for much less.

Hotels

Upon arrival on the islands, you can stay in the capital's three-star hotels "Tórshavn" or "Streim" or in the more comfortable "Hafnia" and "Ferojar". In all hotels, tourists will be offered rooms with private amenities, transfer to/from the airport, free Wi-Fi throughout territories. The cost of living is quite high - from $120, but there are seasonal discounts.

More budget option will become guest houses and hostels. The most popular of them are Skansin and Bládýpi, but they need to be booked several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels operating on a bed and breakfast basis. Prices here start at $80 and depend on the time of year.

For travelers who prefer outdoor recreation, there are campsites located in specially designated areas. The Faroe Islands have a very strict attitude towards order, so campers in tents are required to remain clean and thoroughly clean upon departure.

Entertainment and relaxation

There are many varieties of fish in local waters, so fishing is very popular among locals and vacationers. By the way, local law allows you to export any fish longer than 30 cm from the country, which has long been prohibited in most European countries.

The Faroe Islands are interesting for wreck divers: in the local coastal waters you can find sunken ships. Near Nolsoy Island it is interesting to watch the underwater life of seals.

Lovers nightlife can spend time in the capital's clubs Rex or Eclipse. The latter allows visitors no younger than 18, but no older than 25.

Shopping

Of the Faroese souvenirs, the most interesting are the numerous woolen products, ceramic and wooden crafts.

Due to the rather harsh climate, woolen clothing is held in high esteem among the islanders. Here you can always buy a fashionable sweater, gloves or hat at attractive prices.

Most shops are open from 9:00–10:00 to 17:30–18:00. On Friday, many remain open until 19:00. On Saturdays, all retail outlets operate on a reduced schedule - from 9:00 to 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00; on Sundays they are usually closed.

Transport

The Faroe Islands have a developed bus system. route network, ferries run between the islands. The capital has red local buses with four routes, which can reach almost all areas of the city. The waiting interval is half an hour in the morning and daytime; in the evening it increases to one hour. Blue Bygdaleiðir buses are the transport link between the islands. Maps of routes and traffic schedules passenger transport can be purchased at Steinatún kiosks.

The best way to get to the islands themselves is by plane. The only one international Airport Vágar is located on island of the same name near the village of Sorvagur. Tourists can rent a car to travel around the islands. In order to rent, you must have an international driver's license, a credit card and be over 20 years old. Rental prices start from $60 per day.

Connection

Standard mobile communications on the islands - GSM. There is also an analogue version, but it has almost been replaced by the digital format.

Local mobile operators are Foroya Tele and Kall P/F. Roaming in their networks is available to subscribers of the main mobile operators in Russia.

Tourists can purchase a SIM card for local mobile communications at Teleshops, hotels, post offices and gas stations.

In the Faroe Islands there are also sufficient numbers of pay phones (they work on credit cards and coins). When calling abroad, you need to dial 00, the national code and the number of the called subscriber.

You can use the Internet in an Internet cafe. Most hotels provide wireless connection on their premises.

Safety

When traveling around the islands, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your property - the crime rate here is extremely low. In order not to spoil your holiday, it is enough not to leave personal belongings unattended, not to take large sums of money with you, to be polite to local residents and do not abuse night walks. If necessary, the police are always ready to help.

If during your trip you need health care, you can rest assured that it will be provided at the highest level. The central hospital is located in the capital and has an excellent medical base.

Business

Registering a business in the Faroe Islands takes only a few days. The most common forms are a joint stock company, suitable for large companies, and a limited liability company. In order to start your own business here, you need to have a legal address on the islands. Another condition is a resident of the Kingdom of Denmark as one of the participants in the case.

The minimum authorized capital for a joint stock company is approximately $85,000, for a limited liability company - about $20,000. For registration you will also need a draft memorandum of association, articles of association and an application.

Foreign companies can enter the Faroese market by opening branches. A resident of the islands or Denmark must also be appointed as the head of the branch.

From the point of view of taxation, business legislation, and accounting standards, the Faroe Islands provide optimal conditions for the development of companies. Legal regulation business activity is similar to Danish and adheres to EU standards.

The main business in the archipelago is concentrated in the service sector and the fishing industry.

Local investment websites offer offers for entrepreneurs willing to invest in new ways to develop the fishing industry. At the same time, the Faroese are very interested in high-tech businesses that can offer environmentally friendly solutions for production.

Real estate

Purchasing real estate abroad is rightfully considered one of the most promising and long-term investments. The Faroe Islands may become great place for both temporary and permanent residence. They become especially attractive to people who love comfort and privacy, and who strive for order. Offers on the real estate market are varied - from a small studio apartment to a solid big house. The prices are quite attractive. A house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large surrounding area will cost approximately $130,000.

However, those who decide to make such a deal should keep in mind that local banks do not provide mortgages for housing in the absence of a residence permit. In addition, local legislation requires appropriate permission from the Ministry of Justice for the acquisition of property by a foreigner.

Traveling to the islands is not a cheap pleasure. The price level here is quite high and is equal to the average European one. However, when leaving the country, tourists can make a VAT refund if they have a receipt from a store operating under the Tax Free system. The corresponding inscriptions are present at the entrance to the retail facility. To qualify for a tax refund, your one-time purchase must exceed $48.

Tipping is not accepted on the islands; the service staff's remuneration is usually already included in the bill.

Fishing is permitted only in certain bodies of water on the basis of a license sold in tourist offices. If a tourist intends to take fishing gear with him from home, then it must be sanitized before arriving on the islands. Instructions for fishermen can be found in tourist brochures. In streams and streams the fishing season is open from May 1 to August 31, in the sea - all year round.

When traveling, you should not forget about the local changing climate. On vacation, it won’t hurt to have warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes for moving through mountainous terrain and trips to the sea.

Vaccination before travel is not required. Emergency phone number - 112.

Visa information

To obtain a visa, you must contact the consular department of the Danish Embassy in Moscow at the address: Prechistensky Lane, 9.

Anyone wishing to obtain a visa must provide a visa application form, 2 photographs, a foreign passport (valid for at least three months after the expiration of the requested visa) with a copy, a national passport with a copy, confirmation of a hotel reservation, a certificate from the place of work (study), an insurance policy covering everything risks (the amount of insurance coverage should not be less than 30,000 €), a bank account statement or travel checks (at the rate of 50 € for each day of stay).

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