Leirvík

Leirvík
Village

Leirvík in March 2002
Leirvík

Location in the Faroe Islands

Coordinates: 62°12′40″N 6°42′22″W / 62.21111°N 6.70611°W / 62.21111; -6.70611
State  Kingdom of Denmark
Autonomous country  Faroe Islands
Island Eysturoy
Municipality Eysturkommuna
Population (31 December 2012)
 • Total 867
Time zone GMT
 • Summer (DST) EST (UTC+1)
Postal code FO 520
Climate Cfc

Leirvík (Danish: Lervig) is a town on the Faroe Islands and was an important regional ferry harbour at the east coast of the second largest island Eysturoy. Leirvík has 867 inhabitants (December 31, 2002.)

It was the only town in the municipality of Leirvík (Leirvíkar kommuna), however on 1 January 2009, it merged with Gøtu kommuna to make the new municipality called Eysturkommuna.

Leirvík is important for its fishing industry.

The Norðoyatunnilin, a submarine tunnel to Klaksvík was opened in April 2006.

History

Archaeological excavations have shown that the town was first settled the 9th century by the Vikings. It is said that all inhabitants died in 1349 because of the Black Death.

Faroese stamp FO 551 issued 13 February 2006

See also

Coordinates: 62°12′40″N 6°42′22″W / 62.21111°N 6.70611°W / 62.21111; -6.70611

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