TORSHAVN

also spelled Thorshavn port and capital of the Faeroe Islands. It is situated at the southern tip of Streymoy, the largest island of the Faeroe Islands. Trshavn was founded in the 13th century, but it remained only a small village for several centuries thereafter. The ancient Lagting, or Faeroese parliament, used to meet on Tinganaes, a promontory that cuts Trshavn harbour into two parts. The Lagting now meets in the centre of town. Trshavn itself now houses about one-third of the total population of the Faeroe Islands. It is well connected by road to other settlements on Streymoy, and boats link it to settlements on other islands in the archipelago. Its main industries are fishing and the making of knitwear, the latter using wool from the large numbers of sheep on the islands. Trshavn has secondary schools, the Faeroese Academy, and a local museum. Pop. (1989 est.) 14,547.