Streymoy (, ) is the largest and most populated island of the Faroe Islands. The capital, Tórshavn, is located on its southeast coast. The name means "island of currents". It also refers to the largest region of the country that also includes the islands of Hestur, Koltur and Nólsoy.

Geography

thumb|left|200px|Map of Streymoy

The island is oblong in shape and stretches roughly in northwest–southeast direction with a length of and a width of around . There are two deeply-indented fjords in the southeast: Kollafjørður and Kaldbaksfjørður. The island is mountainous (average height is 337 meter ), especially in the northwest, with the highest peak being Kopsenni (). That area is dominated by over cliffs. The area is known as Vestmannabjørgini, which means Cliffs of Vestmanna. The beaches of Tórshavn, Vestmanna, Leynar, Kollafjørður, Hvalvík (meaning Whale Bay) and Tjørnuvík are officially approved grind beaches for whaling.

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 fences around them in order to keep sheep out.

Streymoy is separated from the nearby Eysturoy, the second-largest island of the Faroe Islands, by the sounds of Sundini and Tangafjørður. To the west lies the island of Vágar, and to the south the island of Sandoy, separated by the Vestmannasund and Skopunarfjørður respectively. Three additional smaller islands are situated around the southern tip of Streymoy and belong to the Streymoy sýsla: Koltur, Hestur and Nólsoy; all of which are incorporated into Tórshavn Municipality.

Important bird area

The north-east coastline of the island has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because of its significance as a breeding site for seabirds, especially northern fulmars (75,000 pairs), European storm petrels (2500 pairs), European shags (150 pairs), great skuas (120 pairs), black-legged kittiwakes (9000 pairs), Atlantic puffins (20,000 pairs) and black guillemots (300 pairs).

Population

There are about 24,682 inhabitants Since December 2020, the Eysturoyartunnilin has connected southern Streymoy to Eysturoy. Sandoyartunnilin connecting Streymoy to Sandoy opened to the public in December 2023.

Streymoy is connected by regular ferry service to the island of Sandoy from the ferry port of Gamlarætt near Kirkjubøur, and to the islands of Suðuroy and Nólsoy from the ferry port in Tórshavn. A scheduled ferry connects Tórshavn with Hirtshals in Denmark and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. The closest airport is Vágar Airport on Vágar island (35 minutes by car); it is the only airport in the Faroe Islands.

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Sundini at Norðskáli, Faroe Islands.JPG|The Streymin Bridge over Sundini Sound connects Eysturoy to Streymoy.

Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Tórshavn (1).jpg|The capital Tórshavn is on Streymoy.

Skælingur and the West Coast of Streymoy Faroe Islands.JPG|West coast of Streymoy.

Saksun, Faroe Islands (5).JPG|Mountain scenery near Saksun.

Faroe Islands, Streymoy, Oyggjarvegur (road No.10) north of Tórshavn.jpg|The central highlands of Streymoy in winter.

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References

  • Tórshavn and Streymoy Tourist Information