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Faroe Islands
Islands in the ocean and romance are inseparable concepts. The Faroe Islands, an archipelago of 18 closely spaced islands, are a place where travelers experience dreamy contemplation to the extreme. The remoteness of the nearest land, the abundance of fish and whales around, the ideal size of the islands (size matters, as a large island is essentially a continent, while a too small one quickly becomes boring and unsurvivable due to a lack of resources) – all this creates a romantic atmosphere. Add to this the fact that the islands are inhabited not by savage natives, but by educated descendants of Vikings with rich democratic traditions, and it becomes clear why the Faroe Islands were recognized as "the best islands in the world" in a 2007 study by National Geographic Traveler. When giving the final score, 522 tourism experts took into account the islands' well-preserved natural environment, the friendliness of the locals, delicious cuisine , rich cultural heritage, and the fact that the islands' ecology is not under any threat in the near future.
A separate website could be dedicated to this archipelago, located in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Scotland. The territory's level of independence is significant. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, it will become an independent state. But for now, it is an autonomous region of Denmark, despite its own flag and parliament. However, Denmark retains only foreign policy. Everything else, even mineral resources (oil was recently discovered nearby), is the preserve of the Faroese. The Faroes are not part of the EEC, nor are they formally even part of Schengen. Although, it's unlikely anyone will check your documents if you arrive here from the EU.
Streymoy, Eysturoy, Suduroy, Vágar, Sandoy, Tórshavn, Klaksvík—the music of local place names is endless. The average life expectancy here is around 80 years, despite the fact that fishing is far from safe. With more than two children for every woman, the population is steadily growing. Currently, the archipelago is home to around 50 people. Some islands are inhabited by just a few people, while others are home to dozens. One of the islands (Litla-Dimun) is uninhabited. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate here is relatively mild for such northern latitudes. The ocean temperature is always around 10 degrees Celsius. These are ideal conditions for fish, whales, and the creatures they feed on. However, the winds here are very strong. So strong that at times, one must be careful at high altitudes to avoid being blown out to sea. Therefore, there are no forests here, except for those specially planted by people. The shores are often steep, precipitous, with numerous fjords. The origin of the name, as usual, is debated. But most associate it with the Old Norse word fær, meaning sheep. Sheep appeared on the archipelago back when the first native islanders, Celtic monks, lived here. Due to Viking raids, the monks were forced to abandon the islands, but their sheep remained. For several decades, the sheep lived without people, multiplied, and became completely feral. When the Vikings decided to settle here, they discovered them. Hence the name "Sheep Islands." This is the most common (though not the only) version of the origin of the archipelago's name.
Our fellow citizens are little acquainted with this land. It is believed that the first description of the islands in Russian appeared only in the second half of the 19th century. Currently, the island is home to several Russian families who came here to work under contract, and, of course, our compatriots who came here through marriage with foreigners from Denmark, Norway, or the Faroe Islands themselves. Football fans in Russia have heard of the Faroe Islands team and the local popularity of the game. Recently, one can often read or hear in Russia about the traditional mass slaughter of small whales (pilot whales) in the Faroe Islands. Previously, pilot whales were always referred to in the press as whales, but recently they have increasingly been referred to as dolphins, perhaps to emphasize the inhumanity of the islanders' regular mass slaughter. The spectacle is truly horrific: fishermen do not release a pod of pilot whales that has entered the bay, but instead drive them into shallow water, where they are then slaughtered with harpoons and whaling knives. The entire island population, including teenagers, participates in the ritual. Pilot whales are large animals, and the water in the bay turns a crimson, blood-red color. Many criticize the Faroese, but the islanders justify their actions by citing the traditional nature of this trade and the necessity of whale meat and blubber for the healthy diet of local residents. Whaling products are no longer exported from the islands.
The capital is Tórshavn. Its population is about 20; it's said to be the smallest capital in the world. The islands have their own language, Faroese. It's more similar to Old Norse and Icelandic than to Danish. But Danish is also widely known here; it's studied in school.
One of the islands' mysteries is the dark-haired locals. According to historical records, the Faroese are descendants of Vikings, blond Norwegians who fled here from repression in their homeland. But where did their dark hair come from? Scientists don't yet know the answer; perhaps descendants of Celtic monks remained on the islands.
Nowadays, the Faroese population primarily relies on fishing. A unique halibut farm was recently built there. The islands are home to numerous bird colonies, with even more bird species than Iceland. One of the Faroese people's traditional crafts is collecting bird eggs. Only a skilled climber, armed with a special net, can accomplish this. Traditional sheep farming is also, of course, still alive.
The archipelago has its own airport, and regular ferry services operate to Denmark and Iceland. It's surprisingly easy to breathe here; the air is so refreshing, you feel absolutely safe, and no one locks their homes or cars. If you're young, a true romantic at heart, and not a fan of big city life, learn Faroese. Although, almost everyone here speaks English, too. Our planet's "northern paradise" is renowned for its hospitality; "a guest's eye is wise" is a favorite Faroese proverb.
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