One of nature’s most magical optical illusions

The Faroe Islands is a self-governing archipelago, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, made up of 18 rocky, volcanic islands between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, connected by road tunnels, ferries, causeways and bridges. Lake Sørvágsvatn (also known as Lake Leitisvatn) on the island of Vagar, is more than 6km long and the biggest lake in the Faroe Islands. An optical illusion, it appears as if it is resting hundreds of metres above the sea, but is actually only about 30m above sea level. A steep cliff in front of the lake makes it appear to be much higher than it really is. The islands attract hikers and bird-watchers that come to see the thousands of seabirds.