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  Faroe Islands  
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  Introduction
  Geography
  People
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  Economy
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In general, information available as of 1 January, 2004
was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2004.


This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004


Map of Faroe Islands

Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Faroe Islands
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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.
   Geography    Faroe Islands
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Europe
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 1,399 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
land: 1,399 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
1,117 km
Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 3 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 2.14%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.86% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
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
   People    Faroe Islands
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
46,662 (July 2004 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,056; female 5,041)
15-64 years: 64.6% (male 15,975; female 14,187)
65 years and over: 13.7% (male 2,877; female 3,526) (2004 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 35.1 years
male: 34.6 years
female: 35.8 years (2004 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
0.66% (2004 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
13.89 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8.68 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
1.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 79.05 years
male: 75.6 years
female: 82.51 years (2004 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.22 children born/woman (2004 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Scandinavian
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Evangelical Lutheran
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: NA
total population: NA%
male: NA%
female: NA%
note: probably the same as Denmark proper
   Government    Faroe Islands
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local short form: Foroyar
local long form: none
Dependency status:
Definition Field Listing
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
Torshavn
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
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 49 municipalities
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Olaifest, 29 July
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
Danish
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)
election results: Anfinn KALLSBERG elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 52.8%
note: coalition of Social Democrats, Union Party, and People's Party
elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 30 April 2002 (next to be held no later than April 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%, Social Democrats 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party 20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%; seats by party - Union Party 7, Social Democrats 7, Republican Party 8, People's Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1
note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 20 November 2001 (next to be held no later than November 2005); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
none
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Center Party [Tordur NICLASEN]; Independence Party [Helena Dam a NEYSTABO]; People's Party [Oli BRECKMANN]; Republican Party [Finnabogi ISAKSON]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Edmund JOENSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
NA
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
IMO (associate), NC, NIB
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
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)
   Economy    Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
The Faroese economy has had a strong performance since 1994, mostly as a result of increasing fish landings and high and stable export prices. Unemployment is falling and there are signs of labor shortages in several sectors. The positive economic development has helped the Faroese Home Rule Government produce increasing budget surpluses, which in turn help to reduce the large public debt, most of it owed to Denmark. However, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the present fishing efforts appear in excess of what is a sustainable level of fishing in the long term. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and thus lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $1 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
purchasing power parity - $22,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 27%
industry: 11%
services: 62% (1999)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.1% (1999)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1% (October 2000)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $488 million
expenditures: $484 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1999)
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
fishing, fish processing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8% (1999 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
160.4 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source:
Definition Field Listing
fossil fuel: 62.4%
hydro: 37.6%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
149.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$408 million f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Denmark 37.7%, UK 33.8%, Norway 6.6%, Netherlands 6.4% (2002)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$466 million c.i.f. (2002)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999)
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Denmark 57.7%, Norway 21%, Iceland 5.6% (2002)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$64 million (1999)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$135 million (annual subsidy from Denmark) (1998)
Currency:
Definition Field Listing
Danish krone (DKK)
Currency code:
Definition Field Listing
DKK
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
Danish kroner per US dollar - 6.59 (2003), 7.89 (2002), 8.32 (2001), 8.08 (2000), 6.98 (1999)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
23,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
30,700 (2002)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
3 (plus 43 low-power repeaters) (September 1995)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.fo
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
25,000 (2002)
   Transportation    Faroe Islands
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 km
Highways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 463 km
paved: 454 km
unpaved: 9 km (1999)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing
none
Ports and harbors:
Definition Field Listing
Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing
total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 24,051 GRT/11,998 DWT
foreign-owned: Denmark 2, Norway 1, United Kingdom 1
registered in other countries: 1 (2003 est.)
by type: cargo 3, container 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea/passenger 1
Airports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2003 est.)
   Military    Faroe Islands
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
no regular military forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
   Transnational Issues    Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
Faroese are considering proposals for full independence; Denmark dispute with Iceland over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary of 200 NM; Denmark disputes with Iceland, the UK, and Ireland the Faroe Islands claim extending its continental shelf boundary beyond 200 NM

This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004


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