Mykines

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Mykines
Basic Facts
Area	10 km²
Population	19
Location	62°06′N, 7°36′W

Mykines is the western-most of the main 18 islands in the Faroe Islands. There is one settlement on the island, Mykines.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Flora and Fauna 3 History 4 Population progression 5 Noted natives and residents 6 See also 7 Further reading 8 External links

[edit] Geography

There are two mountains on the island:

Name	Height
Knúkur	560 m
Árnafjall	350 m

Furthermore, Mykines is so far west, that it's actually west of 7.5 degrees W, effectively putting it in the UTC-1 region. However, Mykines uses Greenwich Mean Time like the rest of the Faroes.

[edit] Flora and Fauna

Large numbers of puffins and gannets inhabit the island. There are also many birds located on Mykineshólmur, a small islet to the immediate west of Mykines. A footbridge over the 35 m gorge Hólmgjógv links the two islands.

Mountain Hares (Lepus timidus) have been introduced to the island, and inhabit the mountain area and surrounding valleys. The Mykines House Mouse (Mus musculus mykinessiensis) is endemic for Mykines, and this might suggest an early introduction, maybe as early as in the 6´th century by the irish monks, who cultivated this island. Its closest relative was the now extinct St Kilda House Mouse (Mus musculus muralis).

[edit] History

It has been suggested that the name Mykines is actually pre-Norse in origin, coming from muc-innis, a Celtic term for pig island. This may be a reference to whales, which are known as muc-mhara (Sea sows) in Gaelic.

[edit] Population progression

Progression of the population of Mykines since 1769:

Year	Population
1769	61
1870	114
1890	154
1925	179
1940	170
2004	11

[edit] Noted natives and residents

Sámal Joensen-Mikines 1906-1979, Painter

[edit] See also

• List of towns in the Faroe Islands
• Mykines, Mykines

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links

• Mykines and Kristianshus (Info, pictures, birdpictures and birdvoices)
• Faroeislands.dk: Mykines (Info and pictures)
• Personal website with 16 aerial photos of Mykines
• TrekEarth.com photo gallery with photos of Mykines Island
• TrekEarth.com photo gallery with photos of Mykinesholmur Island

v • d • e Islands of the Faroe Islands Borðoy · Eysturoy · Fugloy · Hestur · Kalsoy · Koltur · Kunoy · Lítla Dímun · Mykines · Nólsoy · Sandoy · Skúvoy · Stóra Dímun · Streymoy · Suðuroy · Svínoy · Vágar · Viðoy