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Tvøroyri lies picturesque on the north side of the Trongisvagsfjørður-inlet on the east coast of Suðuroy. The ferry from Tórshavn calls at Drelnes that is located on the opposite side of the inlet. The trip from Tórshavn to Tvøroyri takes 2 hours. The ferry is large and if the weather is nice the trip is beautiful. It is possible to go by bus from the harbour of Drelnes to Tvøroyri and all other villages on the island. In the centre of Tvøroyri, just above the harbour, is a hotel called Hotel Tvøroyri. Between the harbour and the hotel lies a square covered by flat stones. Fish used to be dried in the sun here. The Royal Trade Monopoly that had a branch here from 1836 to 1856 built the old houses in the area. The village of Tvøroyri was actually founded due to this branch. When the monopoly was abolished in 1856 private companies were founded on Tvøroyri. One of these grew into the largest in the Faroe Islands. It had 20 branches and 30 ships. There also lies a museum in the area above the harbour. Tvøroyri has a large fillet-factory that initiated its production in 1975. The church in Tvøroyri rises high above the village and can be seen from far away. It was constructed in Norway as a building set, moved to Tvøroyri and then built here in 1907. The old church was moved to Sandvík. From Tvøroyri one can take a nice walk across the mountains to a valley called Hvannhagi. There is a nice view over the valley and the sea from above the valley. It is also possible to go down into the valley by following the track after the gate. Tvøroyri and Vágur take turns in hosting an annual civic-festival called Jóansoka. It can be described as a smaller version of the Ólavsøka held in Tórshavn. It runs in late June.
Location and size Situated in the heart of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic at 62°00’N, the Faroe Islands lie northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway. The archipelago is composed of 18 islands covering 1399 km2 (545.3 sq.miles) and is 113 km (70 miles) long and 75 km (47 miles) wide, roughly in the shape of an arrowhead. There are 1100 km (687 miles) of coastline and at no time is one more than 5 km (3 miles) away from the ocean. The highest mountain is 882 m (2883 ft) above sea level and the average height above sea level for the country is 300 m (982 ft). Climate The weather is maritime and quite changeable, from moments of brilliant sunshine to misty hill fog, to showers. The Gulf Stream encircling the islands tempers the climate. The harbours never freeze and the temperature in winter time is very moderate considering the high latitude. Snowfall occurs, but is shortlived. The average temperature ranges from 3°C in winter to 11°C in the summer. In sheltered areas, the temperature can be much higher, but the air is always fresh and clean no matter what the season. Population The population is 48.520 (1st April 2008). About 19,400 people live in the metropolitan area which comprises Tórshavn, Kirkjubøur, Velbastaður, Nólsoy, Hestur, Koltur, Hoyvík, Argir, Kaldbak, Kaldbaksbotnur, Norðradalur, Syðradalur, Hvítanes, Sund, Kollafjørður, Signabøur and Oyrareingir, while about 4,700 people live in Klaksvík, the second largest town in the Faroe Islands. Form of Government Since 1948, the Faroe Islands have been a self governing region of the Kingdom of Denmark. It has its own parliament and its own flag. It is not, however, a member of the European Union and all trade is governed by special treaties. Languages Spoken Faroese is the national language and is rooted in Old Norse. Nordic languages are readily understood by most Faroese, and English is also widely spoken, especially among the younger people. Religion Religion plays an important part in Faroese culture and over 80% of the population belong to the established church, the EvangelicalLutheran. 10% of the population belong to the Christian Brethren (Plymouth Brethren). Industry The fishing industry is the most important source of income for the Faroes. Fish products account for over 97% of the export volume. Tourism is the second largest industry, followed by woollen and other manufactured products.
