The Faroe Islands or simply Faroes (in Faroese: Føroyar, meaning "Sheep Islands", in Danish: Færøerne) are a group of islands in Northern Europe with a population of around 49,000. Most locals speak Faroese. The Faroes are located between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, which is about halfway from Iceland to Norway. You can take a look at the islands here: Scandinavia Maps. The capital of the Faroe Islands is Tórshavn and they have close traditional ties to Iceland and Greenland.
The Faroe Islands are known for fresh air and maritime climate. Weather here can change quickly, from moments of warm sunshine to misty fog and showers. It's very windy at times. The Gulf Stream encircling the islands tempers the climate. The harbours never freeze and the temperature in winter time is very moderate, considering the high latitude. Temperatures range from an average of 38 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to around 72 degrees in summer. For more weather tips, see Weather in Scandinavia.
- The Faroe Islands offer beautiful Scandinavian nature and rugged scenery, great for hiking and exploring - try the fjord of Skálafjørður and the isle of Borðoy.
- Birdwatching is popular here, as there are many puffins, oystercatchers and many rare birds to see.
- Visit the capital Tórshavn. There are several interesting museums.
- Visit the cliffs and take a look at the old shipwrecks, or view dolphins and whales living in the area.
The islands were formed by volcanic activity 30 million years ago. The Faroese descend from Viking farmers who arrived to the islands in the 9th century. The archipelago was annexed to Norway in the 11th century and became part of Denmark in the 14th century. After being in British control briefly during WW2, the Faroes agreed to be a ’self-governing community within the Kingdom of Denmark’ in 1948. Two decades later they decided not to join the EU. Official languages are Danish and Faroese.
- The Faroe Islands are roughly in the shape of an arrowhead.
- On the islands, you are never more than 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the ocean.
