Old whaling villages were small coastal communities that thrived during the whaling industry, primarily from the 17th to the 19th centuries. These villages often featured wooden houses, docks, and processing facilities where whale blubber was rendered into oil. The economy of these settlements relied heavily on the hunting of whales, which were sought for their oil, meat, and baleen. As whaling declined due to overhunting and changing energy sources, many of these villages faced economic challenges. Today, some old whaling villages, like New Bedford in Massachusetts and Husavik in Iceland, have transformed into tourist attractions, showcasing their rich maritime history and the impact of whaling on local culture.