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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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

A more budget-friendly option would be 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.

Nightlife lovers can spend time in the capital's Rex or Eclipse clubs. 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 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 Bygdaleiðir buses are the transport link between the islands. Maps of routes and timetables for passenger transport can be purchased at Steinatún kiosks.

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

The mobile communication standard on the islands is 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 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 connections 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

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 services 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 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 bodies of water 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 have many natural attractions that every traveler should see. Here are the most interesting of them.

The Faroe Islands are not the most popular tourist destination. This land is sometimes also called “the end of the world”, because not every person is able to find the Faroe Islands on the map. But the Faroe Archipelago can rightfully be called one of the most beautiful places on our planet. There are excellent conditions for hiking here. And the landscapes are striking in their diversity: from rocky cliffs to heather-covered heaths; from crystal clear waterfalls to snow-capped mountain peaks.

Faroe Islands - attractions

We have found 6 places and points of attraction, which will definitely be enough for your first visit to see the most interesting places in the Faroe Islands. And get your own impression of the grandeur and beauty of the archipelago, located in the ocean - somewhere halfway from Denmark to. By the way, the Faroe Islands and all their natural attractions are under the jurisdiction of Denmark.

1. Tindholmur Island

It is a small island located between the larger islands of Vagar and Micenes. It is interesting because it has a pointed mountain peak that occupies almost the entire area of ​​Tindholmur. A stunning view of this small piece of land opens from the settlement of Bour, which is located on the neighboring island. But the best way to view Tindholmur is from a helicopter or ferry. You can visit the island itself, but excursions to Tindihölmur are only available in summer.

The pointed peak of the island of Tindhölmur - the symbol of the Faroe Islands

2. Gasadalur village

It is located next to Vagar airport. This is one of the most popular and interesting places in the Faroe Islands. Despite this, you will never meet more than three people here. The small houses of this village are located on the top of a cliff next to a waterfall, the waters of which fall directly into the ocean. This place will seem like a paradise for introverts and people who love silence and solitude.

Coast of the village of Gasadalur on the island of Vágar (Faroe Islands)

3. Lake Sørvågsvatn

It is impossible not to pay attention to another attraction of the Faroe Islands, also located in close proximity to Vagar Airport. Tourists can see this lake even during landing. Local residents also gave Sørvågsvatn another name - “hanging lake”. This is due to the fact that the lake is located almost above the ocean. And if you look at it from a certain angle, it creates the illusion that the lake is hanging above the ocean surface.

Lake Sørvågsvatn is one of the most interesting places in the Faroe Islands

4. Chednuvuk village

A small village located on the territory of the island of Streymoy. The village is located in a beautiful harbor, which is surrounded on all sides by mountain peaks. Here you can see another attraction of the Faroe archipelago - two sea cliffs, the name of which, translated into Russian, sounds like “The Giant and the Witch”. Against the backdrop of the mountains, these stones may seem just tiny, but if you get closer to them, you will find that their height reaches 70 meters! Now think about how high the neighboring rocks then reach.

On the way to this beautiful village you can also see the Fossa waterfall, which is the largest in the Faroe Islands.

What else to see in the Faroe Islands? Island life, in the village of Chednuvuk!

5. Fugloy Island

This is a place where you can experience and understand what Faroese life is like. The streets here are usually deserted. You can meet local residents only at those moments when the ferry approaches the pier, and almost the entire village comes out to meet it. The rest of the time, loneliness and tranquility reign here. It may seem that the surrounding houses are empty, and you are the only person on this earth. But this does not cause a feeling of fear, only peace and melancholy.

6. Mycines Island

Like other attractions of the Faroe Islands, it can be called a real pearl of the archipelago. In summer, photographers and simply nature lovers from all over the world flock here. Firstly, the island is attractive with its beautiful scenery. Numerous paths lead directly to high rocks and mountain cliffs. For many, this is already enough to visit the Faroe Islands. But there is another reason.

There are huge colonies of birds here. The most attractive of them are puffins, which absolutely everyone loves. There are so many of them here that nests can be seen at every step.

Bird colonies on Mycines Island - is it possible to pass by such beauty?

Another attraction of the island is a very old lighthouse (see on the cover of the article), which was built a hundred years ago. Actually, the lighthouse is located on the island of Mychinesholm, but these days a bridge has been built between it and the main island. Before the lighthouse was automated, a keeper lived in it with his family. Now create a picture of their life in your imagination. They were cut off from the rest of the world, and only ships brought them food and news from the mainland.

Stories like this add a little magic to places like this...

Where to stay in the Faroe Islands

So, where is the best place to book a hotel to make it convenient to go on excursions, visit and photograph the sights of Faroe Islands? Oddly enough, the most convenient place is in the capital - from there you can buy tickets for ferries in all directions. Therefore, all the hotels that we have selected for you are located in Tórshavn:

• Hotel Føroyar 4*. A designer hotel designed by the Danish bureau Friis & Moltke in an incredibly picturesque location - on the shores of the Faroe fjord. Beautifully decorated modern rooms, Koks restaurant serving national cuisine, various lounge areas. The center of Tórshavn is 2 km from here. But each room has a view of Nolsoy Bay.

  

  Four-star hotels in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands - Hotel Føroyar

• Hotel Havn. Modern inexpensive hotel in the area of ​​​​the picturesque bay - the main harbor of Tórshavn. It’s a 20-minute walk from here to the center—scenic walks—even early in the morning, even under the moon—are guaranteed to you. But next to Hotel Havn There is also a public transport stop.

  

  Inexpensive but high-quality hotel in the Faroe Islands - Hotel Havn

• Hotel Hafnia 4*. The coolest four star hotel we have found. The price is not bad, and the location on the main street of Tórshavn is hard to imagine better! The rooms are very comfortable with all imaginable amenities and bells and whistles. I was pleased with the restaurant where you will have breakfast - the view of the harbor is simply superb.

  

• The Atlantic Swan. Apartments in Tórshavn for a company of 6 people (3 bedrooms). There is a common room, a kitchen, and parking spaces. This is a great option if you can book it. These apartments are in demand and have a rating of 9.8 out of 10 on booking.com. It's worth hurrying!

  

  Independent apartments in the Faroe Islands

Video: the most interesting places in Faroe

Video journey from Alex Stead to the most famous attractions of the Faroe Islands.

As a summary

The Faroe Islands are a whole world away from civilization. Her crazy pace of life. Here you are surrounded only by high mountains, vast open spaces and the ocean. Nothing is holding you back: neither city high-rises, nor traffic lights, nor traffic. You can go where your heart wants. This is why people in the Faroe Islands have a kind and big heart, because this is what helps them live in these wild places, surrounded only by rocks and a raging ocean.

• and routes

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

Geographical data

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

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

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

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

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.

Population of the Faroe Islands

Population: 47,511 (July 2007)

The main language is Faroese.

Age structure of the population:

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

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

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

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

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

Number of children per woman: 2.15 children.

The active working population is 24,760 people.

Climate

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with warm winters and cool, humid summers. The coldest month is January, temperature from 0°C to +4°C, the warmest month is July, temperature from +11°C to +17°C. The annual precipitation is 1600-2000 mm, precipitation (mainly in the form of rain) occurs approximately 280 days a year, most of it falls from September to January, fog is frequent.

Thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the water around the islands has a temperature of about +10°C all year round, which softens climatic conditions and provides ideal conditions for the life of fish and plankton.

Flora of the Faroe Islands

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

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 orthography of the Faroese language;
• Suymun av Skyari(Símun av Skarði) - Faroese teacher, founder of the Faroese Folk School;
• Jens-Christian Svabo(Jens Christian Svabo) - Faroese linguist and ethnographer.

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

National holidays

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

For a very long time, the Faroe Islands will eventually appear on the screen.

An absolutely magical place.

An utterly magical place.

Mailboxes in homes resemble old-style school bags.

The shape of residential mailboxes resembles that of old Soviet school satchels.

Blue mailbox for sending letters (as in Denmark).

Each car has a dial with an arrow on the window (to indicate parking time, as in Italy).

Every car has a clock dial with one hand on its windshield (to mark the time the car was parked, same as in Italy).

Car number.

A license plate.

There are two types of trash cans here. One type has a mesh cage around the bag - like the city trash can in Bologna.

There are two types of garbage cans here. The first, a mesh cage with a bag inside, is similar to the municipal trash cans in Bologna.

Another type, more common, is a wooden box with a metal lid.

The second and more common type is a wooden box with a metal lid.

All sockets in the country are equipped with switches. It may appear that these are overhead light switches. But no, these are socket switches.

All the power outlets in the country are equipped with on/off switches. One might think at first that these are light switches. But no, they’re actually power outlet switches.

You can pay for absolutely everything with a credit card. The seller does not pick up the card; the buyer must swipe it himself, then enter the PIN code.

You can pay for anything and everything with a card. The cashier never touches the card—the customer must swipe it himself and then enter his PIN.

A Faroese grave should be decorated with a plaster dove, symbolizing grief.

In the Faroes, a proper tombstone must be decorated with a plaster dove, which symbolizes mourning.

Tórshavn

Torshavn

A trash can on the highway.

A trash can on the highway.

Regular urn.

A regular trash can.

A trash can with a dispenser with bags for cleaning up dog shit hanging above it.

A trash can with a dog poop bag dispenser on top.

Crosswalk.

A pedestrian crossing.

Street signs are mounted on complex pipes.

Street name signs are mounted on complex pipes.

In case of ice, chests with sand are placed near the roads (the model is exactly like in Vilnius).

Bins with sand are placed along the roads in case of ice (the type of bin is identical to the one in Vilnius).

At the pedestrian crossing sign, the pole is decorated with an additional reflective stick with white and blue.

The posts supporting pedestrian crossing signs are additionally marked with blue and white reflective sticks.

And the “Children” sign has a white and red stick. Reminiscent of the pillars at the signs in Faro.

The “Children” sign, meanwhile, has a red and white post. It resembles the traffic sign posts in Faro.

Half of the country's traffic lights can be captured in one photograph.

Half the traffic lights which exist in the country fit into this one photo.

Bus schedule.

Bus stop.

Buses in the capital are electric and have a hump (somewhat reminiscent of Cuba).

The buses in the capital are all electric and have a hump (they bring Cuban buses to mind).

Capital homeless.

A homeless man in the city.

A manhole cover.

Dormitory area.

Skopun

Skopun

Most of the Faroe Islands are connected by bridges or underground tunnels. You need to travel here by ferry.

Most of the Faroe Islands are connected to one another with bridges or underground tunnels. To get here, however, one must take a ferry.

The largest mailbox in the world is located here. I signed a bunch of postcards on the ferry especially for him. Imagine my disappointment when it turned out that there was no slot for letters in this box. At all. I walked around it from all sides - it’s just a non-functional monument to a Faroese mailbox. Moreover, it was still old, before the mail rebranding.

This is where the largest post box in the world is located. I wrote a bunch of postcards on the ferry specifically for the occasion. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that this post box has no slot for mail. At all. I went all the way around to check—it’s just a dummy monument commemorating the Faroes post box. And the old one at that—the postal service has since undergone a rebranding.

The world remembers the Faroe Islands once a year - when local residents notice a pod of whales, drive it into the bay and kill it. The greenies are screaming like crazy, activists are energized for long periods of time, bloggers are sharing links to photos of whales for a whole week. Then everyone is forgotten, and the Faroe Islands continue to live their lives.

The world is reminded of the Faroes’ existence once a year—when local residents spot a pod of whales, chase them into the bay and slaughter them. Environmentalists scream bloody murder, activists receive a fresh, long-lasting boost of energy, bloggers share links to photos of the whales for an entire week. Then everyone forgets, and the Faroes go on with their life.

They will outlive us all.

They will yet outlast us all.

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

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

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

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