Advanced | Help | Encyclopedia

Faroe Islands

(In Detail) (Coat of Arms)
Motto: None
Official language Faroese
Capital Tórshavn
Monarch Margrethe II
Prime Minister Jóannes Eidesgaard
 - Total
 - % water
World ranking: 189th
1,399 km²
 - Total (2004)
 - Density
World ranking: 211th
Independence None (Danish dependency. Self governing since 1948.)
Currency Faroese króna, same value as Danish krone
Time zone WET (UTC; UTC+1 in summer)
National anthem Tú alfagra land mítt
(My land, oh most beauteous)
Internet TLD .fo
Calling Code 298
Electricity 230V, 50 Hz

The Faroe Islands or simply Faroes (Faroese: Føroyar, meaning "Sheep Islands") are a group of islands in the north Atlantic Ocean between Scotland, Norway and Iceland. They have been an autonomous region of the kingdom of Denmark since 1948 and have over the years taken control over and responsibility of most matters except defence and foreign affairs.

The Faroes give their name to one of the British Sea Areas. There are traditional close ties to Iceland and the neighbours of Shetland, the Orkneys and Western Isles. Another special relation exists to Greenland, while the Faroes are part of the framework within the Nordic Council.

Table of contents


Main article: History of the Faroe Islands

The early history of the Faroe Islands is very clear. According to Færeyinga Saga emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands about the beginning of the 9th century. Early in the 11th century Sigmund or Sigmundur Brestirsson, whose family had flourished in the southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the northern, was sent from Norway, whence he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway. He introduced Christianity and, though he was subsequently murdered, Norwegian supremacy was upheld and continued until 1386, when the islands became part of the Kalmar Union and later the double monarchy Denmark–Norway. The reformation reached the Faroes in 1568. Denmark retained possession of the Faroe Islands at the Treaty of Kiel in 1814.

The monopoly trade over the Faroe Islands was abolished 1856. Since then, the country developed towards a modern fishery nation with an own fleet. The national awakening since 1888 was first struggling for the Faroese language, thus more cultural orientated, but after 1906 more and more politically after the foundation of the political Parties of the Faroe Islands.



Tinganes in Tórshavn, seat of the government

Main article: Politics of the Faroe Islands

The islands are administratively parted in 34 municipalities with about 120 cities and villages.

Traditionally, there are also the 6 sýslur (Norðoyar, Eysturoy, Streymoy, Vágar, Sandoy and Suðuroy). Sýsla means district and is only a police district today, but commonly also understood as a geographical region. In earlier times, each sýsla had an own ting, the socalled várting (spring ting).

Today, elections are held in the municipalities, on national level for the Løgting, and inside the Kingdom of Denmark for the Folketing. For the Løgting elections are there 7 election districts, which are the sýslur, while Streymoy is divided in a northern and southern part (Tórshavn region).

The Faroes and Denmark

A high degree of self-government was attained in 1948 and the Faroese are supported by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark. The islanders are about evenly split between those favoring complete independence and those who prefer continued presence in the Danish state. Within both camps there is, however, a wide range of opinion. Of those who favor independence some are in favor of an immediate unilateral declaration. Others see it as something to be attained gradually and in full consent with the Danish government and the Danish nation. In the unionist camp there are also many who foresee and welcome a gradual increase in autonomy even as strong ties to Denmark are maintained.

The Faroes and the EU



Main article: Geography of the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands
The uninhabited island Lítla Dímun

The Faroe Islands are an island group consisting of 18 islands, off the coast of Northern Europe, between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway. Its coordinates are 62°00′ N 06°47′ W, and has 1,399 km² in area, and includes no major lakes or rivers. There are 1,117 km of coastline, and no land boundaries with any other country. The only island that is uninhabited is Lítla Dímun.


See also:


Main article: Economy of the Faroe Islands

After the severe economic troubles of the early 1990s, brought on by a drop in the vital fish catch, the Faroe Islands have come back in the last few years, with unemployment down to 5% in mid-1998. Nevertheless, the almost total dependence on fishing means the economy remains extremely vulnerable. The Faroese hope to broaden their economic base by building new fish-processing plants. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate area, which may lay the basis to sustained economic prosperity.



Location map


Main article: Demographics of the Faroe Islands

See also: Faroese religion


Main article: Culture of the Faroe Islands

The phrase "Faroe Islands" is tautological, since øerne or oyar means "islands" in Danish and Faroese respectively. The Faroes have a culture very much their own, but it holds elements in common with Norway, Iceland, and Denmark.

The people speak a Nordic dialect that is limited to a few thousand people. Linguistically, it is most similar to Icelandic and Old Norse.

See also:


Main article: Transportation in the Faroe Islands

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has more media related to:
Faroe Islands

Nordic Council
Denmark | Finland | Iceland | Norway | Sweden
Associate members
Åland | Faroe Islands | Greenland

Countries in Europe


Add URL | About Slider | FREE Slider Toolbar - Simply Amazing
Copyright © 2000-2008 All rights reserved.
Content is distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License.