Danish colonization of the Americas island had become an American protectorate. Following the war, the former corporate policy was discontinued: the North and South Greenland colonies were united and the RGTD's monopoly officially ended. In 1953, Greenland's colonial status was ended and it was made an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark with representation in the Folketing. In 1979, the Folketing granted the island home rule and, in 2009, all matters other than defense and foreign policy were transferred to the regional parliament. Explorers (mainly Norwegians), scientists, merchants (mainly Danish) and settlers from Denmark–Norway took possession of the Danish West Indies (present-day U.S. Virgin
Faroe Islands is believed to be one of the oldest parliaments in the world. The parliament currently has 33 members. In contemporary times, elections are held at municipal, national ("Løgting") and Danish ("Folketing") levels. Until 2007, there were seven electoral districts, each comprising a "sýsla", while Streymoy was divided into a northern and southern part (Tórshavn region). However, on 25 October 2007, changes were made such that the entire country is one electoral district, giving each vote equal weight. Administratively, the islands are divided into 30 municipalities ("kommunur") within which there are 120 or so settlements. Traditionally, there are also the six