Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 7; DENMARK; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4.pdf/13

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4

'''FIGURE 12. This sprawling, multi-story hospital in the suburbs of Copenhagen is one of the outstanding medical facilities in the country. (C)''' (photo)

The larger lakes occupy valleys, but smaller lakes are on the upland surfaces; almost all are shallow. There are also small areas of drainage ditches.

Vegetation on the Faeroe Islands consists of low tufted grasses, sedges, rushes, lichens, mosses, and a few shrubs; it rarely exceeds a height of 1 foot. Bugs, with sedges and moss, are common on the wet valley floors, particularly in the many depressions. On the hills vegetation is mainly grasses and other herbs, mosses, lichens and low, heather shrubs. Some slopes and well-drained valleys are covered mainly by tufted grasses. Small, scattered cultivated areas, with stone fences and ditches, are on several of the islands.

Soils in the Faeroe Islands are principally shallow and stony; there are small areas of peat, silt, and clay. The ground is predominantly moist during November through April and dry from May through October. The ground is snow covered at times during November through April; at high elevations during this period the ground is frozen at times and is also snow covered about half of the time.

The settlement pattern is characterized by villages located along the coast, commonly at the heads of fjords. Typical villages are composed of 25 or fewer houses, which are constructed chiefly of driftwood and have turf roofs. There are also some low stone houses that are half below the ground surface. In exposed locations houses are surrounded by outer stone walls, There are few isolated dwellings. The few towns have closely spaced buildings that are mostly one or two stories high. Houses commonly have foundation walls of stone, which may be stuccoed. The main part of the dwelling is generally frame with plank walls. Newer houses are constructed of concrete.

The transportation network on the Faeroe Islands is very sparse. There are few roads and no railroads.

2. Climate

The climate of Denmark is primarily maritime, although modified at times by continental influences, and has highly changeable weather. These characteristics are governed mainly by the surrounding seas and Atlantic Ocean, by semipermanent pressure systems responsible for contrasting flows of air across Denmark, and by a succession of migratory pressure systems that pass through or near the country. During winter (December through February), the interaction of the intense Icelandic low and the equally intense Siberian high produces a westerly or southwesterly flow of cold, moist Atlantic air across the relatively flat country. Embedded in this flow is a moderate incidence of cyclonic activity. These migratory lows and their associated fronts cause extended periods of inclement weather, characterized by overcast skies (Figure 18), frequent light precipitation, poor visibility, and a generally raw, damp condition. Migratory highs often follow the lows and produce shorter periods of less inclement weather. This succession of events is interrupted on occasion by an outbreak of polar continental air from the Siberian high to the east that may persist for days and bring the coldest temperatures of the winter and much sunshine. During summer (June through August) the Azores high becomes the dominant control and from its northern periphery directs a west-to-northwest flow of mild, less moist Atlantic air across Denmark. Embedded in this flow is a slightly greater incidence of cyclonic activity than in winter. However, the summer lows and fronts are less intense and are characterized by narrow bands of rain showers and thunderstorms; clearing is rapid in the migratory highs that follow. The passing lows and highs travel at a faster rate during this season, resulting in shorter spells of the recurrent sequence of showery and fair weather. Other

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110018-4