Streymoy

Streymoy (Danish: Strømø) is the largest and most populated island of the Faroe Islands. The capital, Tórshavn, is located on its east coast. The name means "island of currents".

Geography

The island is oblong in shape and stretches roughly in northwest-southeast direction with a length of 47 kilometres (29 mi) and a width of around 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). There are two deeply indented fjords in the southeast: Kollafjørður and Kaldbaksfjørður. The island is mountainous, especially in the northwest, with the highest peak Kopsenni (789 metres (2,589 ft)). That area is dominated by over 500-metre high cliffs. The area is known as Vestmannabjørgini, which means Cliffs of Vestmanna.

Like the rest of the Faroe Islands there are numerous short streams and minor lakes. The main vegetation is grass, with no trees. Some of the villages have planted trees inside or just outside the village. These parks need to have fence around them in order to keep sheep out.

Streymoy is separated from the nearby Eysturoy, second largest island of the Faroe Islands by the narrow sound of Sundini in the east. To the west lies the island of Vágar, and to the south the island of Sandoy. Three additional smaller islands are situated around the southern tip of Streymoy: Koltur, Hestur and Nólsoy.