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Trongisvágur is the village in the bottom of Trongisvágsfjørður-inlet on the east coast of Suðuroy.
Trongisvágur and the neighbouring-village Tvøroyri have grown into one entity. In Trongisvágur there is a sports-centre, a school and a kindergarten. A river called Stórá that runs through the valley passes through a plantation that is worth visiting on a good day and then flows into the inlet at a cosy beach. In the mountains above Trongisvágur is a valley called Rangabotnur.
An asphalted road goes up there. From 1901 brown coal was hewed out of the mountain through long mines. The coal was transported via an aerial ropeway down to sea level at the harbour Drelnes. The mines are still there as is some of the old equipment from the mines. Also the towers that were supporting the ropeway are still standing as a remembrance of the old days. Rangabotnur has a splendid view over Trongisvágur and Tvøroyri. If one continues into the valley behind Trongisvágur one will end up on the other side of the island. From here there is a nice view down into a valley called Botnur. It is possible to go down the valley if one has strong thighs and lungs. Deep in the valley behind Trongisvágur a tunnel goes north through the mountain to a village called Hvalba. The tunnel was blown through the mountain in 1963 and it was the first tunnel in The Faroe Islands. The length of the tunnel is 1400 meters, it is dark and it has only one single line. Oncoming vehicles can pass at passing places that are blown into the tunnel walls at certain intervals. On the mountain high above the tunnel are the modest traces of a British aircraft that crashed during the war. The first slipway in the Faroe Islands was built in Trongisvágur in 1894.
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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.
