Highlights

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.

There are a huge number of sheep in the archipelago. 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 agricultural tools 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

to his national menu The inhabitants of the Faroes owe it 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, for the fans traditional cuisine Local restaurants will happily serve roasted lamb. Tourists also have the opportunity to taste puffins exquisitely stuffed with sweet dough (these are birds), served with sweet berries and potatoes. Rhubarb, which is widely eaten, will also be new to many people.

Alcoholic drinks can officially be consumed on the islands from the age of 18. Light beer is sold everywhere, but strong dark beer is weak alcoholic drinks and wine - 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. Have a snack at local cafe it can be much cheaper.

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 "Feroyar". 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. They run in the capital local buses red with four routes that 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 sufficient numbers of public telephones (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 and not to take large sums money, 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 medical assistance, 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 the joint stock company, suitable for large companies, and the 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. The legal regulation of business activities is similar to Danish and adheres to European Union standards.

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

Local investment websites offer opportunities 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 large 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 on the system Tax Free. 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 only permitted in certain waters on the basis of a license sold at 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).

The Faroe Islands are considered part of Europe, but many do not even know exactly where they are. In Russia, the archipelago attracts attention on the rare occasions when the Russian national football team plays Faroe Islands World or European Championship qualifiers.

On the territory of an archipelago consisting of 18 volcanic islands with a total area of ​​about 1,400 square kilometers, 50 thousand people live today. The indigenous inhabitants of the island, about 98% of the population, speak one of the rarest languages ​​in Europe - Faroese, related to Icelandic and Old Norse. The second official language in the Faroe Islands is Danish.

Until the end of the 19th century, sheep farming, which gave the islands their name, played a major role in the life of the Faroese, and sheep's wool was the main commodity in trade with Denmark. However, for more than a century, the main income for the inhabitants of the archipelago, located in the very center of the fish-rich Atlantic region, has been provided by fishing. Locally caught cod, salmon and halibut account for more than 99% of local exports.

This is not surprising if we remember that, according to the classic of Faroese literature William Heineson, the capital of Faroe, the city of Tórshavn, is, in fact, the famous “navel of the earth.” For the Faroese, Tórshavn is one of the most important places on earth, the very place where everything happens.

45 thousand Faroese believe that the archipelago of 18 islands in North Atlantic is the legendary Atlantis, which plunged into the depths of the ocean many centuries ago. The exclusivity is evident.

Ancient history of the Faroe Islands

Modern Faroese are descendants of the Vikings, who at the end of the 9th century. they did not want to put up with the Zheto rule of King Harald Fairhair and sailed here, where previously brave sailors had visited only on visits. In the 11th century Christianity was brought here from Norway and for a short period the islands were subjugated to the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason. After his death, Norway's power over the islands was purely nominal, and in 1380, when the Danish-Norwegian Union was concluded, the islands became dual subordinates. When Norway dissolved the union in 1814, the islands remained with Denmark, which became the sole owner of the islands. The inhabitants of the islands have Scandinavian roots, and the Faroese language is a descendant of the Old Norse language.

In the period between 700 and 800, people from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Starting from the 9th century, the Faroe Islands became a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located in Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.

Faroe Islands in World War II. British occupation of the Faroe Islands

The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to decide on April 11, 1940 to station the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during the Second World War, following the German invasion of Denmark. British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945. More than 8,000 British soldiers took part in the occupation.

Post-war history of the Faroe Islands

In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. This decision was ratified by parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. The island of Suduroy, the third largest in the entire group, announced that it remains part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight majority in favor of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.

In 1940 the Faroe Islands were occupied by the British fleet, and in 1948 the status quo was restored. An agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty; the Danish government continued to be in charge of the islands' foreign policy. 2 representatives of the islands permanently serve in the Danish Parliament. The Faroese, although they do not particularly feel the Danish “oppression”, do not let the metropolis forget about them. For example, the islands are not formally part of the European Union, having rejected this proposal in a referendum. National clothes and customs largely preserve the era of the sagas, when people believed in the stern Odin, the strong Thor and the gentle Freya. Monuments here often date back to the early Middle Ages. Tórshavn - in the capital of the Faroe Islands, it is worth taking a look at the Skansapakkusio building, the Munkastovan monastery, the Historical Museum and the Listaskalin art gallery.

Kirkcuber - Among the town's attractions are Magnus Cathedral, St Olav's Church, the ruins of St Brendan's Church and Roykstovan Farm. Saksun is a small village in the vicinity of which there are lakes Pollur and Saksunarvatn, Saskun Church and the Duvuvarur farm.

The Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone since 1984, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.

To enter the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens require a visa issued by the consular department of the Danish Embassy.

The Faroes are a beautiful and rich country, with its own wonderful culture, in addition, the people here are closely connected with each other, now family and friendships mean a lot to the Faroese.

The difference between Danish and Faroese society is not obvious at first, but it is there. So, for example, in Denmark people value their employment first of all; there it is customary to call first, notifying you of your arrival, and even agree on the time of the visit. In the Faroe Islands, friends and acquaintances easily, without ceremony, drop in to see each other just to say hello. So I think the main difference is that Faroese people make time for each other to be together.

IN Scandinavian countries there is the “Jante Lowen Code”: no one has the right to put himself above society, the most important rule of the Code is “don’t think that you are anything of yourself. And everyone obeys this unwritten rule, from the monarch to the mere mortal. There is something similar in the Faroe Islands. In this regard, things with public morality here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Scandinavia.

At the end of 2006, Faroese society was gripped by debate over the rights of sexual minorities to protection from persecution. Most local politicians opposed the adoption of the anti-discrimination law, considering it contrary to the Christian tenets on which Faroese society is based. Another significant event last year in the life of the Faroese was that the local ethics council banned the screening of the famous film “The Da Vinci Code,” considering the interpretation of the role of Christ blasphemous and contrary to the canons of Christianity.

The Faroe Islands are a very religious country, a religious society. But it should be borne in mind that in all religions there are radical movements, and there are such Christian extremists in the Faroe Islands. Of course, extremists are extremely negative about the law protecting people of non-traditional sexual orientation, but they do not express the opinion of the majority of the Faroese population. In Denmark, by the way, there are also ultra-Orthodox Christians, united in the Internal Mission organization; they are very similar to the Orthodox from the Faroe Islands, but in both cases we are not talking about the majority of the population. In fact, the Faroe Islands are a very open society; it may seem closed, closed in on itself, but in fact it is not. The people here are very friendly, generous and hospitable. And foreigners arriving in the Faroe Islands as tourists or moving here for permanent residence can confirm that they are received very kindly here. After all, the Faroese are sympathetic to everything new that comes into their lives.

Faroe Islands (Faeroerne, Faroe Islands) - a possession of Denmark, occupying over 20 islands in the northeast Atlantic Ocean in the Norwegian Sea. Total area possessions - 1.4 thousand sq. km. 48.2 thousand people live on the islands, mainly Faroese. They have their own language, which is the official language here along with Danish. The Faroes have their own coat of arms and flag and enjoy internal autonomy, although they are subordinate to Denmark. The administrative center of the Faroe Islands is the city of Tórshavn with a population of 15.6 thousand people. The islands are divided into 8 regions.
The Faroe Islands are of volcanic origin, up to 882 m high. The shores of the islands are heavily indented by fjords. The Faroese landscape is characterized by meadows, peat bogs, and heathlands. The Faroe cliffs are a favorite place for bird colonies.
The economic potential of the Faroe Islands is based on 260 fishing vessels. The fishing industry employs the majority of able-bodied Faroese. The second most important sector of the economy is livestock farming, specializing in raising sheep and producing milk. Local transportation is carried out by road and sea transport. In terms of standard of living, the Faroe Islands are among the most prosperous countries in the world; they are reluctant to welcome visitors here, but tourists are shown hospitality..

The name means "Sheep Islands" in the local dialect. Sheep farming is very important for local residents, and wonderful blankets, sweaters and other products are made here from high-quality wool. Tourist season falls during the warm summer months from June to September. The Faroe Islands calendar has about two dozen official holidays. On June 28 and 29, the country celebrates National Olavsok Day, named after St. Olav, who preached Christianity in ancient Scandinavia. For two holidays in the capital of the Faroe Islands - Tórshavn - exhibitions, sports competitions, horse races, festive masses and noisy folklore performances are held. Around the same time, the Westanstevna festival, which is almost identical in program, takes place in the Western Faroe Islands.

Mainly eco-tourists come here. Skalafjörður, a picturesque fjord considered the best harbor in the Faroe Islands, will be of interest to lovers of hiking. Mykines is a tiny island in the northwest of the archipelago. Knukur Peak, Steyiskogurin Rock Garden and Holmgyogv Canyon are located here.

The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although conifers, maple, and mountain ash are sometimes found. Mosses and lichens are common.

Vegetation mainly consists of meadows, peat bogs and heathland.

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

Hatchet(lat. Lunda cirrhata), or Long-crested puffins (lat. Fratercula cirrhata) is a bird of the auk family. It has a bright appearance - a powerful red-orange beak, flattened on the sides, white cheeks, and tufts of long yellowish feathers behind the eyes. The color of the plumage is monotonous, black and brown. Paws are red.

They live on the Asian and American coasts of the northern part Pacific Ocean, south to California. They are most often seen flying along the shoreline close to the surface of the water in search of food for their young.

The fauna of the Faroe Islands is quite diverse. Of primary interest are the colonies of Arctic birds and the waters rich in fish (herring, halibut, cod) and sea animals that wash the Faroe Islands. The island is also home to the Faroese breed of sheep.

Colonies of guillemots settle on the Faroese cliffs.

There are harp seal rookeries on the Faroe Islands.

In the Faroes, the Faroese crown (FrK) and the Danish crown (DKK) are in circulation. Faroese banknotes, like Danish ones, are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kroner. The islands do not mint their own coins. There are Danish coins in denominations of 25 and 50 øre (1 øre = 1/100 kroner), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner.

The exchange rate of the Danish krone to the US dollar was - 5.560 (2008), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002).

Up to 15% of Faroese GDP comes from subsidies to the metropolis.

The main sectors of the Faroese economy are fishing, sheep breeding, and light industry. The main products exported are fresh, frozen, filleted and salted fish, gelatin made from fish swim bladders, lamb, sheepskin, astrakhan fur and wool products, eider down and petrel down. About 2% of the land is cultivated.

Until the mid-19th century, sheep farming was the main source of income for the Faroes. Currently, the sheep population numbers about 80 thousand heads.

Here they are interesting facts writes Klara Kulikova about the Faroe Islands:

I've been to the Faroe Islands probably ten times. I have many acquaintances there, whom I am glad to see, regardless of the presence or absence of business. Acquaintances who, over the years of communication, have turned into friends.

I really like this place. First of all, I like my people. Contrary to the hysterics of whale defenders, the people there are very open, pure and virginal in many matters.

1. In the Faroe Islands, houses are not generally locked. IN last time instead of a hotel, we rented the top floor of a house: the owners lived on the ground floor, their daughter on the first floor, we occupied the top floor with three bedrooms, a separate bathroom and toilet. "Will we get the key?" – I asked the hostess. "No!" – she was quite surprised, why do you need him?

“You really don’t lock houses?” – I asked my old friend Birgir. “Why lock them?” - he, in turn, was surprised, - “I have five children, they always lose their keys, so we don’t lock our house!”

2. There is virtually no crime in the Faroe Islands. During times cold war The US stationed on the islands military base. In recent years it has been mothballed: only a few people were constantly there. Now, on the territory of the base there is a prison, where short term place local violators: usually for drunk driving. At the time of our arrival, there were already four people in the “prison”, the names of all four are known to all the islands. If you throw a bicycle on the side of the road, no one will touch it. If you drop your wallet on the road, it will be returned to you with a 99.9% probability, or it will be left in the nearest cafe/shop/shopping center.

3. On the question of whale hunting: the Faroese continue to live the same way they lived five hundred years ago. Civilization has changed them little. In addition to whale hunting, the Faroese slaughter their own sheep (a lot of people keep sheep). It's hard for a European to believe, but Faroese schools teach some pretty shocking science lessons.

A week before our arrival, Birgir’s twelve-year-old daughter brought a live sheep to class, killed it right in the classroom with a special air pistol, and gutted it in the classroom. The rest of the children helped her as best they could: in the Faroes this would not shock anyone.

“But why, Birgir?”– I asked in bewilderment. “Why? Not all children know how to do this now, she just taught them!”

4. Sheep's head is an exquisite delicacy in the Faroes. “What’s in it?” – I asked another friend of mine. “Like what? Eyes, brains, cheeks! That’s it!”
Frozen sheep's heads can be bought in the central supermarket of Torshavn (called SMS) and also in some small shops. For convenience, the head is sawn lengthwise, frozen and packaged in a vacuum bag.

5. To your great surprise, the Faroe Islands have a pretty good selection of products (unlike “hungry” Norway, whose supermarkets make you cry). Most of the products are frozen (and made in Denmark), but they are available. On sale there is delicious venison, a lot of seafood, as well as fresh locally caught fish. Smoked salmon is also locally produced and is also absolutely incomparable: I can say with full responsibility that neither in Ukraine nor in Russia they know how to make such fish.

6. In the Faroe Islands (unlike Denmark, to which the Faroe Islands de jure belong) there are very strict requirements for the sale of alcohol. There is only one store in Torshavn that sells beer of “regular” strength, as well as wine and vodka. Everything is very expensive. For some inexplicable reason, beer is only sold in multiples of six. That is, six, twelve, eighteen and so on cans or bottles. The limit applies to both packages (which actually contain six cans or bottles) and individual cans/bottles.

The question “if there are only five bottles left, won’t you sell them?” puts store workers into a specific stupor. Nobody seems to think about it there.

All other stores (including the largest supermarket in the Faroe Islands) sell light beer with an alcohol content of no more than 0.2%&

A similar situation with alcohol in the Faroe Islands was initiated back in the thirties of the last century. Alcohol was sold uncontrollably, many fishermen drank themselves to death, but in the thirties, men carelessly gave women the right to vote in elections.
The first (!) thing the women did after receiving their license was to push through a ban on the sale of alcohol on the islands. Complete ban.
The men tried to protest, but it was too late: the fisherwomen grabbed their husbands tightly by the balls.

The return of alcohol to any kind of sale continued for decades. And it continues to this day.

7. At the same time, the Faroe Islands produce a very good and very specific aqua vitamin, which is called HAVIÐ, with a strength of as much as 50.1 degrees. Such a fortress is the result of a marketing strategy, the essence of which is unknown to me.

8. Also, despite the prohibitions and restrictions, the Faroe Islands produce very good beer, and the “Black Sheep” variety is generally beyond praise.

9. One of my friends in the Faroe Islands created an ideal business: he collected waste from fish processing plants (mainly pollock heads), then dried it, pressed it and sold it to poor countries in Africa. Why an ideal business? The raw materials are free, the market is huge, the idea is super, what can I say.

10. The Danish krone is in use in the Faroe Islands, but the piquancy of the situation is that the Faroe Islands have their own Danish krone, with a very special design. From my own experience, I can say that I have never held more beautiful money in my hands.

Tindholmur Island- one of the islands of the Faroe archipelago. Area - 6500 sq.m. The highest point is 262 m. Each of the small peaks has its own name: Ytsti, Arni, Lítli, Breiði, and Bogdi.

The island is uninhabited, but archaeological evidence suggests that people once lived on it.

Every year, the Faroe Islands catch and kill whales and pilot whales (black dolphins) in a traditional hunt known as "Grindadrap". The sea in the Faroe Islands becomes as bloody and creepy as the cruel rite itself.

Faroese men often say that being involved in whaling makes them feel like real Faroese. Despite criticism from animal rights groups and the International Whaling Commission, the Faroe Islands population continues to kill thousands of whales year after year.

A mob of hunters drive whales and dolphins into a bay and then snap their spines, leaving the animals to slowly bleed to death. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), some whales struggle in agony for several hours. “Whales and dolphins are very intelligent creatures and they are capable of feeling pain and fear, just like us. They are forced to watch their relatives die in the blood-red water, awaiting their own death.”

Hundreds of pilot whales or black dolphins, as they are sometimes called, become victims of the Faroese every year. I don’t even know what definition to give to this bloody process... Some say, killing whales for the population of the Faroe Islands - a national pastime, others - a tradition, others - a vital necessity. I’ll probably focus on the tradition - don’t judge, as they say, lest you be judged. This event is on a national scale. On a certain day, I don’t know which one, apparently, when the supply of meat runs out, Faroese men slaughter pilot whales, and women and children gather with pleasure on the shore and look at this picture. In short, the entire population is involved - no one is indifferent.

Whaling has existed on the “remains of Atlantis” since at least the tenth century, and it is not regulated by the International Whale Commission, but by the Faroese authorities, due to - quoting Wikipedia - “the presence of disagreements over the competence of the commission in relation to small cetaceans.” I don’t know how to put it easier, because I didn’t really understand the meaning myself. It turns out that traditional, with a centuries-old history pilot whale massacre in the Faroe Islands smoothly developed into some semblance public holiday. At least, according to eyewitness accounts, this is exactly what it looks like.

I don't know how to judge all this. On the one hand, it’s scary, creepy, disgusting, low and vile, and on the other hand, surely somewhere in Africa there are tribes in which people devour each other, but no one condemns them: well, there is, and there is, what can you do if This is their way of life.

Here's what eyewitnesses write:

Killing whales is a national pastime

In order to feel like men and breadwinners, the Faroese carried out mass slaughter of whales. The entire population took part in this. Men catch, and women and children watch and support.

Unfortunately, this cruel tradition continues to this day. But now whale hunting has become something of a thing on the islands. national holiday. Not for the sake of food, but for the sake of blood, thirst for profit and satisfaction of their barbaric instincts.

They hunt here for pilot whales or, as they are also called, black dolphins. Pilot whales swim in a flock that blindly follows the leader. Once you lure him alone, everyone else will follow him to certain death. The whales are driven into shallow waters in special bays. They surround them with boats and drive them to the shore with stones, sticks, and harpoons.

The first time I learned about this “holiday” was soon after arriving in the Faroe Islands. Once I came to pick up my children from kindergarten and saw the excited faces of the teachers. Happiness and satisfaction were written on them. Gesturing excitedly, they said that today they went to watch how dolphins were slaughtered and took all the children there. They liked everything very much, and the children were absolutely delighted.

After that, the children in the kindergarten spent the whole week drawing pictures about how dolphins are slaughtered, how they are pulled out, killed, and pools of blood. The more terrible the picture, the more honorable place it was on the wall. The exhibition of children's works hung for a long time and was frightening in its appearance.
My children suffered deep psychological stress. One day they grew up and realized that death exists and walks nearby in the form of a Faroese man with a harpoon and a spear.

No one asked permission if it was possible to take the children to look at this horror. They were simply taken away because it was cool. Because many Faroese sincerely believe that the slaughter of whales is one of the most beautiful spectacles. And in the future, children were taken to this slaughterhouse more than once, although they were warned that they could not be taken there. But the teachers forgot everything at the moment of excitement from the upcoming action.

Through the eyes of an eyewitness

I do not know of a more barbaric spectacle that occurs with the approval of the government and with the participation of almost all people, young and old. This is real horror.

As soon as a pod of whales approaches the island, the Faroese drop everything and run to fish. People find out on the radio, on mobile phones and simply from each other - today whales are being beaten.
They run as fast as they can, just to be on time, just not to be late. They run with crazy eyes. Everyone is running, even pregnant women and young mothers, who grab their children, put them in strollers and also rush to the shore. Other children are dangling underfoot, they are being knocked down, now there is no time for children - whales are being beaten. Kindergartens and schools are brought there so that everyone can participate in the process and look at the bloody mess. How innocent animals are killed.

Just a couple of hours ago, kind and sweet Faroese people become wild animals. They make sure that the whales cannot escape from the shallow waters. With wild faces they throw stones at them, hit them with spears and knock them into a chaotic mass. Wounded animals become frantic and rush around in search of freedom. People rush towards them from the shore and finish them off right in the water. The whales, which are still alive, are stuck with hooks and sticks and dragged to the shore, where their throats are cut.

Women and children support the men, running through pools of blood. There is blood all around. The Sea of ​​Blood is completely red. The entire coast is covered in the blood of innocent victims of Faroese cruelty. People's faces, hands, clothes - everything is covered in blood. Satisfaction on faces, smiles, joy, pleasure, buzz - this whole range of feelings can be read on all faces.

Thirst for blood plus thirst for freebies. After all the whales are dead, the cutting of the prey begins right on the shore. Children are very often involved in the process. They are allowed to tinker with the intestines and entrails. Shops in the Faroe Islands are filled with various types of meat, but whale meat is not sold there. Because it is given out for free at this slaughterhouse. Lists of those interested are created in advance on a special website. Why go to the store and pay money when you can get meat and satisfy your barbaric instincts.

On at the moment There is no need to slaughter whales. Faroese people do not die of hunger. The supply of food to the islands is well established, but, as the Faroese themselves explain, this is their sport. Yes, that’s exactly what they call this nightmare with pride and approval.

Photographs of the killing of whales are placed in newspapers, in advertising brochures for tourists, devoting entire spreads to this and publishing the most horrifying scenes. They make videos about the killing of whales and then watch them with pleasure on long winter evenings, eating whale meat and lard at the same time. There is no regret, only delight that everything will happen again soon.

I would like to mention that this is not the only murder in which children are involved in the Faroes. Sheep farming is very common on the islands, and the slaughter of sheep is a family event in which all family members also participate. In front of the children, the sheep is cut and butchered, and the children then fiddle with the intestines with a smile on their faces. They take video and photographs of the process. For a long time, a book with a detailed photo report about this was very popular in the Faroe Islands. It happens that they do similar things in kindergartens. Probably so that those children whose parents do not have sheep do not feel deprived. They bring a sheep or some kind of sea animal to the kindergarten and butcher it together with the children. The children are given trophies - guts and so on. Once on the embankment, sailors set up a small open aquarium. Various sea animals swam in containers filled with water - crabs, starfish, fish, octopuses and others. They could be taken out and touched. Some children watched the animals with interest, while others simply picked them up and tore off their limbs, enjoying how they writhed and tried to escape. Parents looked at their children with approval and smiles, without making any comments to them and fully supporting these tortures. My children clung to me in horror and asked: “Mom, is this really possible?” Why don’t parents tell their children not to torture animals?” What could they answer to this?

Dolphins have long been considered the patrons of shipping and sailors. All sailors know the sign - before a storm, dolphins try to go to the depths and not appear on the surface, which sailors regard as a warning of an impending storm.

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Where does such unimaginable inquisitorial cruelty towards these creatures come from among the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands?

In fairness, it must be said that in the modern world not everyone shares the romantic point of view of dolphins, considering them dangerous wild animals.

However, the final point in dolphin research has not yet been reached, and no matter what conclusion scientists come to, people have no right to the bloody barbarity occurring in the Faroe Islands.

Many centuries ago, during the time of the Vikings, the ancestors of the islanders lived in completely different conditions and different customs - these were cruel times of wars, deprivation, lack of food, and the terrible custom that arose in those days may have been a forced way for their survival.

But now, in modern conditions, with supermarkets littered with food, this barbaric “diet” of the Faroese is blasphemous.

“True Faroese” should remember that “cruelty cannot be the companion of valor” (Cervantes).

As the descendants of the brave Normans, it does not suit the Faroese to assert themselves through the bloody massacre of defenseless animals; a much more courageous act would be to decide to stop this bloody massacre as historically outdated and immoral. What do you think?

The Faroe Islands are ideal for sophisticated travelers who want to take a break from vibrant cities and noisy resorts. The archipelago, located in the Norwegian Sea - the North Atlantic Ocean, between the Scottish Islands and Iceland - attracts even experienced travelers with its beauty.

The local nature is extraordinary: gorges, lakes, numerous waterfalls, fjords, graceful rocks - all this captivates at first sight. There are practically no trees, but you can endlessly admire the snow-capped mountain peaks towering over the lands of the archipelago. Most high point these places is Slattarathindur peak located on the island Esturoy and is 882 meters above sea level.

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.

Capital	Tórshavn
Population	48,500 people
Population density	35 people/km 2
	Faroese, Danish
Religion	Lutheranism
Form of government	constitutional monarchy
	Faroese krone, Danish krone
Time zone
International dialing code
Internet domain zone
Electricity

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 the summer - from +11 °С to +17 °С. The rainy season falls from September to 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 °С- 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 their free time, fauna lovers can diversify their vacation on the islands by observing colonies of seabirds, seals, whales, and dolphins.

There are a huge number of sheep in the archipelago. 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 stunning views of 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 Munkastowan 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 was the Leighubün ​​royal warehouse.

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

Taking a walk in the park Vidarlund, you can go to the Museum of Art and enjoy magnificent examples of sculpture and painting.

Available in the Faroe Islands and "Bird Island"- Fugloy, which got its name from its majestic cliffs inhabited by millions of seabird colonies.

North of the settlement of Skarvanes there is a beautiful sea cliff Tretlkonufingur ("troll woman's finger").

At the end of July (28-29), 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.

Nutrition

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 fat and skerpiquet(dried lamb) - a must-try for gourmets. Well, lovers of traditional cuisine will be happy to serve fried lamb in local restaurants. Tourists have the opportunity to taste exquisitely stuffed with sweet dough dead ends(these are birds) served with sweet berries and potatoes. Rhubarb, which is widely eaten, will also be new to many people.

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 in large 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.

Accommodation

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

A more budget-friendly option would be guest houses and hostels. The most popular of them are Skansin and Bladýpi, but you need to book rooms several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels operating on the principle "bed and breakfast". 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: You can find sunken ships in the local coastal waters. Near Nolsoy Island it is interesting to watch the underwater life of seals.

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

Purchases

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 route network, and 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 buses Bygdaleiðir are the connecting transport of the islands. Maps of routes and schedules of passenger transport can be purchased at kiosks Steinatún.

The best way to get to the islands themselves is by plane. The only international airport, Vagar, is located on the 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

Mobile communication standard on the islands - GSM. There is also an analogue version, but it has almost been replaced by the digital format.

Local mobile operators - 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 a sufficient number of payphones (they work with 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 not to abuse night walks. If necessary, the police are always ready to help.

If during your trip you need medical assistance, 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 climate

Registering a business in the Faroe Islands takes only a few days. The most common forms are the joint stock company, suitable for large companies, and the 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. The legal regulation of business activities is similar to Danish and adheres to European Union standards.

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

Local investment websites offer opportunities 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 can be an excellent 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 large 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 only permitted in certain waters on the basis of a license sold at 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 is 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).

More information about the package of documents can be found at the consular section on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00.

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 by the 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 actively dive in the surrounding waters, although the cold, harsh ocean conditions are little conducive 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 18 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Great Britain), from which they are located almost 400 km north, and Iceland, which is 420 km northwest of the Faroe Islands.

Faroe Islands - autonomous region Kingdoms of Denmark. Since 1948, the islands have independently managed almost all matters except defense and foreign policy.

The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Tórshavn, located on the south-eastern coast of the island of Streymoy.

The Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Vagar, Sandoy, Bordoy. Largest island- 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. Economic maritime zone from the coast of the Faroe Islands is 200 nautical miles.

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.

Climate

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with cool 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 living conditions for fish and plankton.

Last changes: 10/23/2009

Population of the Faroe Islands

The population is 48,856 people (2009), of which: 91.7% are Faroese; 5.8% - Danes; 0.4% - Icelanders; 0.2% - Norwegians; 0.2% are Poles.

Age structure of the population: 0-14 years: 21.6%; 15-64 years: 64%; 65 years and older: 14.4%.

The Faroese population professes mainly Lutheranism (80%). Lutheranism is a Protestant movement in Christianity.

The official language of the islands is Faroese (a modified version of Old Norse), almost all residents understand Danish, and English is widely spoken.

Currency

Official currency Faroe Islands - Faroese krone. 1 Faroese crown is equal to 100 øre. The Faroese krone is equivalent to the Danish krone, meaning the exchange rate is the same. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 crowns, coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 crown, 50 and 25 öre.

The islands' currency is issued by the National Bank of Denmark and is considered a variant of the Danish krone. Therefore, it does not have an official ISO code and is not convertible. In most cases, to avoid confusion, it is called the Danish krone (DKK), since the local currency is strictly tied to this unit. Formally, the Danish kroner itself is not accepted in the Faroe Islands; only the local currency is used.

The best place to exchange currency is at banks and exchange offices; exchange fees are small. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:00, on Thursday - until 18:00, and banks are closed on weekends.

You can exchange money in banks or exchange office Vaugar Airport (open from 10.00 to 2.00). Typically, banks charge fairly small commissions for exchanges, but for the most part they only work with euros and Danish krone.

Credit cards from the world's leading systems (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted.

Travel checks can be cashed at many banks and hotels or used to pay at most restaurants and stores.

Last changes: 10/23/2009

Communications

International code: +298.

Internet domain: .fo.

In case of emergency, call 112. Background information - 118.

How to call

In order to call the Faroe Islands, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 298 - number of the called subscriber (no need to dial the area code).

Mobile communications

Officially, there are two mobile communication standards in use in the Faroe Islands - NMT (analog) and GSM (digital). However, in recent years, GSM has practically replaced the analog standard, and now the coverage area covers almost the entire territory of the islands.

SIM cards from Faroese operators can be purchased at Teleshops kiosks, petrol stations, post offices, hotels and tourist offices.

Landline communications

The Faroe Islands telephone system is of a high standard and provides all modern complex services. Foroya Tele's (Faroese Telecom) public payphones, located in many public places, operate using both coin and credit cards.

Internet

Despite the fact that the Faroe Islands are a major intermediate point for many telecommunications systems linking Europe and North America, the level of network services here is relatively low. Only large business centers, hotels and post offices are provided with stable high-speed communications.

The public Internet cafe Telecentre (Teledepilin) ​​can only be found in the capital (Niels Finsensgota, 10). However, it is also possible to take advantage of the numerous access points located at the tourist information offices.

Last changes: 05/18/2010

Shopping

Most shops open at 09:00 or 10:00 and are open until 17:30. On Fridays, some close only at 19:00. On Saturdays, shops open at 09:00 and are open until 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00. On Sundays all shops are closed. Kiosks and shops at gas stations close at 23:00.

Travelers can receive a partial VAT refund (25%) when leaving the country. If in any store that has the announcement “Tax-free for Tourists” on the window, the purchase amount exceeds US$48, you must take a receipt, which will reimburse approximately 15% of the cost of the goods at customs at the airport.

The price level on the islands is slightly higher than on the mainland and is comparable to Norway, so traveling to the Faroe Islands cannot be called a cheap event.

Almost all industrial goods are imported and therefore are not cheap, but food (especially fish), wool and leather goods, and some alcoholic drinks are quite inexpensive.

Fresh vegetables are available all year round, as many islanders get them from their gardens, and most of them also go to store shelves. The assortment of fruits is somewhat lower, but also meets all international standards.

There are enough shops in Tórshavn, whose assortment differs little from the goods sold in some small town in Europe.

Last changes: 10/23/2009

Where to stay

There is no “star” classification of hotels in the Faroe Islands; the following classification is used: “Deluxe”, “Superior”, “Standard”, which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3 star hotels. A special classification was introduced due to the specificity of local hotels located on small islands with limited infrastructure, where accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing, you should carefully read the specific list of services provided by a particular hotel.

Most local hotels are small private guesthouses; there are no super-expensive rooms at all, and you can always find accommodation at very reasonable prices ($10-15 per night). Mid-level hotels charge $20-70 per day for their services, hotels more high class- from $70 and above.

Sea and beaches

The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months, when precipitation is unlikely and the weather is warm and comfortable.

On the coast at the foot of Mount Tindur there are beaches consisting of black basalt sands.

Superb beaches from the dark volcanic sand are also located near the town of Skalavig.

Last changes: 09/01/2010

History of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands were known to Irish monks from about 500. 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 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.

From the 11th century until 1380, the Faroe Islands were part of Norway; during this reign, the local population converted to Christianity. When Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark, two powers began to rule the islands, and in 1814, after Norway left the union, Denmark became the sole owner of the 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.

In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. This decision was ratified by parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. The island of Sudurø, the third largest in the entire group, announced that it remains part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight majority in favor of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.

In 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.

Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear weapons-free zone by Løgting, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.

Last changes: 04/28/2013

It is completely unacceptable to bargain, and in any establishment, regardless of size and form of ownership.

Alcoholic drinks are sold only to persons over 18 years of age. Light beer can be bought in shops, restaurants and cafes. Strong beer, wine and other types of alcohol can only be purchased in specialized stores in large villages (indicated by the Government Monopoly sign) and in licensed restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, etc.

Fishing is only permitted in some waters and only on the basis of a fishing license, which can be purchased at all tourist offices. All gear and equipment, including fishing rods, floats, lines and baits, must be disinfected before arriving in the Faroe Islands (previously this parameter was carefully monitored at customs; currently the Faroese leave this rule to the conscience of the tourist). Instructions and rules for fishing in local lakes (the islanders call them “loch” in the Scottish manner) are printed in all tourist brochures and brochures and must be strictly followed. The fishing season in streams and streams lasts from May 1 to August 31. Sea fishing is permitted all year round.

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.

Since the weather on the islands is very unpredictable, special requirements are placed on clothing. A waterproof and windproof jacket is a must here at any time of the year. It is also recommended to have a warm sweater and vest, a strong pair of boots with thick soles and good ankle support, light scarves, hats and gloves, especially when traveling to the sea (which is everywhere here). Light boots or sports shoes for moving around populated areas will also be useful.

Also, the mandatory kit should include sunglasses with glass filters, since the level of ultraviolet radiation here is quite high.

When moving around the islands, you should have a small backpack with a set of clothes and linen, a small supply drinking water or a hot drink (coffee, tea, cocoa), as well as high-calorie foods (chocolate, dried fruits, etc.).

Be sure to take a detailed map of the area with you and inform the local tourist office about the route and time it will take place. In case of frequent fogs here, you should not look for the road on your own - it is recommended to stop in the place where you find it and wait for help. Particular care must be taken when moving along the coastline and coastal cliffs.

Any journey longer than 3 km should only be undertaken with a local guide and with means of communication (cell phone or walkie-talkie). GPS receivers will also be quite useful - despite the small size of the islands, the terrain here is so complex that it is simply impossible to navigate yourself without knowing the local signs.

A detailed booklet describing the most interesting routes can be purchased at any of the local tourist offices for 10 CZK.

Last changes: 01/20/2013

How to get to the Faroe Islands

The easiest way to get from Moscow to the Faroe Islands is by SAS airline with a transfer in Copenhagen (Denmark). Aeroflot and SAS have daily flights from Moscow to Copenhagen (2 hours). SAS also flies six times a week from St. Petersburg (2 hours).

Island-based airline Atlantic Airways (part of the SAS airline system) flies from Iceland, Norway, Denmark and the UK to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands. Several other small companies serve these same areas.

Daily flights to the Faroe Islands are operated only from Danish Copenhagen - usually 2-3 times a day; from other countries, flights are performed once every few days, and may be stopped altogether in the winter.

In addition to the plane, you can also get to the islands by Smyril Line ferry. It runs once a week from Tórshavn to Huntsholm in Denmark, the British Shetland Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. In summer it also visits Bergen, Norway.

Last changes: 04/28/2013