CIA - The World Factbook

The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948.

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway

eight times the size of Washington, DC

mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands

48,856 (July 2009 est.)

13.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)

8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)

-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)

2.44 children born/woman (2009 est.)

Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data)

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July

5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

18 years of age; universal

unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)

Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]

Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales)

Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.

$1 billion (2001 est.)

$1.7 billion (2005 est.)

24,250 (October 2000)

milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish

fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

295 million kWh (2006 est.)

274.4 million kWh (2006 est.)

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

4,628 bbl/day (2006 est.)

4,636 bbl/day (2005)

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

$634 million f.o.b. (2006)

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)

Denmark 29.6%, UK 24.5%, Norway 13.3%, Nigeria 10.5%, Netherlands 6.8% (2007)

$751 million c.i.f. (2006)

consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)

Denmark 51.9%, Norway 21.6%, Sweden 5%, UK 4.6% (2007)

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)

AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)

no regular military forces

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm