Eysturoy

Eysturoy [ ɛstɹɔi ] (Danish: Østerø, German Meaning: East Island ) is the second largest island of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic. It is separated by a Sund, east of the main island Streymoy.

The highest mountain of the island and also of the Faroe Islands is the Slættaratindur with a height of 882 m. The island has a total of 66 summit.

With these data Eysturoy is not only the second largest Faroese island, but is also on the population of rank 2 Principal centers are Fuglafjørður in the north and the metropolitan area of the municipalities Runavík and NES / Toftir in the south.

Eysturoy is connected by a road bridge with Streymoy. The islanders call them ( jokingly ) as the only road bridge across the Atlantic. The settlement area of Runavík was reached from the capital Tórshavn earlier faster the car ferry. Today, one is forced to travel the 63 km by Toftir on the highway. Important local ferry port is also Leirvík on the east coast. From here you get to the northern islands with the second largest city Faroese Klaksvík. In August 2006, this ferry was discontinued because the 6.2 km long North Island Tunnel was opened, the schedule was pierced in June 2005.

The best-known sights on Eysturoy are Eiði with a picturesque location in a dramatic landscape; Gjógv, one of the most photographed by its small natural harbor in a crevice; Gøta with the Museum Blásastova and the thermal spring of Fuglafjørður ( varmakelda ), which testifies to the volcanic origin of the archipelago. Between Eiði and Gjógv / Funningur a steep mountain pass on the 392 m high Eiðiskarð, which lies directly below the Slættaratindurs, the highest 882 m mountain in the Faroe Islands.

There are also the legendary basalt columns Risin and Kellingin On the northern tip Eysturoys. Also worth mentioning are the small forests of the island Eysturoy, of which the Viðarlundin í á Søldarfirði with an area of 1.72 ha and 1.55 ha of Viðarlundin Selatrað which are the two largest.