Suðuroy

Suðuroy (, South Island ', [ su ː vʊrɔɪ / su ː rɪ ], Danish: Sudero ) is the southernmost and fourth largest island of the Faroe Islands.

Suðuroy forms a separate region of the Faroe Islands, which also includes the offshore uninhabited island Lítla Dímun heard. Between the two islands of the Straits Suðuroyarfjørður, the Südinselfjord, but is actually a Sund runs, and Suðuroy separates from the rest of the archipelago to the north.

Geography

Most places on Suðuroy located on the east coast, while the west coast rises steeply from the sea and there has comparatively easily accessible bird cliffs.

The most important location next to Tvøroyri with his grown together settlement area on Trongisvágsfjørður, Vágur is further south ( not to be confused with the island of Vágar ).

In the north are the idyllic fishing villages and Sandvík Hvalba. From here you can enjoy a look at the smallest, uninhabited island of the archipelago: Lítla Dímun that belongs to the well-known for their ability of farmers Hvalba.

With the Sumba south offshore archipelago group Sumbiarsteinur the Faroe border into the south. The lighthouse Akraberg forms the southernmost point of the South Island itself and the southern most point that can be reached by visitors. Here once lived an enclave of friezes, which are said that there were pirates or leftover Gentiles. Next country on the longitude would be again until the Scottish Hebrides, by the Faroese Suðuroyggjar ( southern islands ) are called. Even in the Faroese there was Einar of the southern islands, although it lived on Suðuroy, but obviously from the Hebrides or the Isle of Man came.

Almost nowhere in the Faroe Islands you can experience the dramatic scenery so close as here in the south to the Beinisvørð on the steep western coast around. If you come in June or July, can delight especially at the Faroese bird life here.

Geological feature on the otherwise poor in natural resources archipelago are the coal reserves on Suðuroy ( at Hvalba in the north). Even today, the Faroe Islands are mined there around 1000 tons of coal per year in the only remaining coal mine. The peak of coal production of the Faroe Islands in a year was reached in 1958 with an output of 18000 t. Below the coal layer are the oldest basalt layers of the Faroe Islands, which form the south of the island. It is now known that stored here under the shelf oil and gas. The planned development of these natural resources would possibly bring the Faroese full sovereignty. It therefore seems likely that oil rigs are located in front of Suðuroy medium term.

Population, language, culture

The Faroese of Suðuroy call themselves Suðuroyingar (singular: Suðuroyingur ).

Due to the somewhat remote location here has its own dialect of Faroese could emerge. The Faroese tightening for example, has a different vowel, and so is called a Jógvan here [ jɔgvan ] and not [ jɛgvan ].

The city name in the very south of the island are evidence of the Celtic " indigenous people ", and it is considered certain that here with the Irish monks first people settled.

Even otherwise, it is said that it is a special breed of people to the people of Suðuroy. From time immemorial there are sailors and fishermen who own a different mentality ascribe themselves as compatriots in the North ( especially the " rivals " on the North Islands), which are characterized more rural.

The Socialist Javnaðarflokkurin has to Suðuroy their traditional stronghold. For this purpose, names like Petur Mohr Dam and his son Atli P. Dam.

In the southern area around Sumba the Faroese chain dance is maintained in a uniquely expressive form. From here comes the poet Poul F. Joensen (1898 - 1970), who stands in the ancient poetic traditions of this place, and his satires throughout the nation are still popular today.

The artist Ruth Smith (1913-1958) from Vágur is known about their homeland beyond. Your self-portraits are counted among the most important works of 20th century Scandinavian art. In her hometown, the Ruth Smith Museum.

The boat-building around the Färöboot is maintained as the largest national artisanal heritage. The largest current Färöboot is the Naddoddur from Tvøroyri, a proud 12er. Tvøroyri is also considered the birthplace of football on the Faroe Islands. Already in 1889 here the first ball has been kicked and founded with the TB Tvøroyri 1892, the first football club in the country.

Every year there are alternating in Tvøroyri (odd years) or Vágur (even years) to 24 June around the Jóansøka ( St. John's Eve ) as a key sporting, cultural and music festival. This festival is the highlight of the year is on Suðuroy is visited accordingly by people from other parts of the Faroe Islands.

Transport and Tourism

Suðuroy is hit by a car ferry smyril from Tórshavn. Since October 2005, on this track, a new ferry in service, the smyril V. With it, the drive from Tórshavn after Tvøroyri shortened by half an hour. At the same time it is hoped that the much larger and more modern ferry more economic progress. Because of its size and distinctive landscape Suðuroy is also a popular holiday destination in the Faroese themselves One of the features are the five small forests or parks, of which the Viðarlundin inni í Trongisvági at Trongisvágur and Viðarlundin á Vági in Vágur are greatest.

The road network of Suðuroy is very well developed and dominated in the south by serpentine, while were drilled into the massive cliffs of the north tunnel.

See also: List of tunnels in the Faroe Islands