Faroe Islands

 

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of eighteen islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, located between Iceland and the Shetland Islands (Scotland). The Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but have autonomy, that is, unilaterally decide matters other than justice, police, foreign policy and defense.

 

 

Language.

Faroe and Danish.

 

Time.

The time difference between Moscow and the city of Torshavn (Faroe Islands) is three hours.

 

Population.

48,500 people (2011).

National composition: Faroese, Danes, Icelanders, English, Filipinos, Norwegians, Thais, Romanians, etc.

 

 

Religion.

The majority of the population of the islands (84%) consider themselves to be part of the Faroe People’s Church (a form of Lutheranism). The remainder is to the Open Society of the Church of the Brothers in Christ and professes other Christian denominations.

 

 

Climate.

The climate is temperate, marine. In the summer months it is rainy and fresh, the average air temperature from + 10 C to + 17 C, winters are warm, the air temperature from 0 to + 4 C. Strong winds blow all year round on the islands. The weather is changeable.

Precipitation falls from September to January-February 1600 - 2000 mm (drizzle and rain), often fog. In the mountains in the cold season ice is formed.

Sea water near the islands due to the warm current of the Gulf Stream has a constant temperature of + 10 C.

 

Currency.

Faroese crown.

 

Visa regime.

Russians to travel to the Faroe Islands should apply for a special visa in the consular department of the Embassy of Denmark.

 

 

Customs regulations.

Import and export of currency is unlimited, the amount of more than 15 thousand euros must be declared.

Pets cannot be imported. It is forbidden to smuggle drugs, ammunition, psychotropic substances, pornographic materials, plants and flowers. Fresh products can be carried in vacuum packaging.

The export of items of cultural and historical value from the islands is prohibited.

 

Resorts.

National Geografic calls the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world. People come to these lands to enjoy amazingly beautiful nature, to be alone with themselves and their thoughts. Extreme divers go to the islands in winter because the water in the ocean becomes especially clear.

The largest island of the archipelago is Borey. On the island of Streymoy is the capital of the state - the city of Torshavn (you can visit the National Gallery, the Historical Museum, Torshav Cathedral, the Western Church and see the lighthouse in Fort Skansin). Servogsvatn is the largest lake Farer, which is called the "lake above the ocean" on the island of Voar, there you can fish. Vidarlund Park on the island of Kunoi is the only forest in the Faroe Islands (beech, spruce and birch grow there).

There are helicopter connections and ferry crossings between the islands. You can stay in hotels (the cost is quite high) or in campsites (the prices are democratic).

 

Kitchen.

The cuisine of the Faroe Islands is based on centuries-old peculiar traditions of cooking local meat and sea fish. For example, lamb is dried in the sea wind - "ruiskyot", whale meat is dried - "yeg-speak", meat that has been soaked for more than one year is called "skerpicyot". At the houses of the inhabitants of the island there are special structures for drying meat - "hyallur".

Fish is prepared in the same way: "turranfisk" - dried fish, "restour-festur" - dried. Popular "morrebred" - special snacks that resemble our sandwiches.

Garnish most often - vegetables, rice, potatoes in different types.

Common drinks are considered tea (green and herbal) and coffee. As strong drinks islanders prefer beer and other spirits imported from the mainland.

 

 

Traditions.

Due to its isolation from the rest of the world, the Faroe Islands have retained their uniqueness. One of the special centuries-old traditions is active whaling.

At local folklore festivals, Faroese dances are an indispensable attribute. Summer Faroese festivals: Noriyastevna, Jowansek, Vestanstevna. Libraries are open on the islands, theater productions and musical concerts are held, there are decent football teams and rowing teams.

On the Faroe Islands there are two sheep per person, the islands are even called “sheep”. The Faroe Islands have been added to Google Street View using sheep to attach 360-degree cameras to the animals and send them to roam the grounds.

In the Faroe Islands, divination is common on the tracks of Norn, that is, on the spots that appear on the nails.

The islands have houses, churches and booths with grass on the roof, because there are no trees on the Faroe Islands and there is nothing to cover the roof. And grass with earth is a heater and a good drainage system at the same time.

On the islands are very strong environmental regulations: you can not paint on stones, make fires in private possessions, grind, feed wild animals and birds and disturb bird nests.

Photo: en-travel.livejournal.com