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 granted the Faroese in 1948, who have autonomy over most internal affairs while Denmark is responsible for justice, defense, and foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union.

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

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

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

49,483 (July 2012 est.)

13.14 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

8.67 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

2.4 children born/woman (2012 est.)

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 (Olavsoka), 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 elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)

The Faroese Court or Raett (Rett (Danish)) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system

Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]; Independence Party (Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN];Progressive Party (Framsokn) [Poul MICHELSEN];; Republican Party (Tjodveldi) [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) [Aksel JOHANNESEN]; Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]

Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), 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); referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors

The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price fluctuations. The sector normally accounts for about 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. In early 2008 the Faroese economy began to slow as a result of smaller catches and historically high oil prices. The slowdown in the Faroese economy followed a strong performance since the mid-1990s with annual growth rates averaging close to 6%, mostly a result of increased fish landings and salmon farming, and high export prices. Unemployment reached its lowest level in June 2008 at 1.1%. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses in that period, which helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. Initial discoveries of oil in the Faroese area give hope for eventual oil production, which may provide a foundation for a more diversified economy and less dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark amounting to about 3% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland. The Faroese Government ran relatively large deficits from 2008 to 2010 and budget deficits are forecast for several years ahead. At year-end 2010 the gross debt had reached approximately US$900 million.

$1.471 billion (2010 est.)

$1.389 billion (2008 est.)

$2.32 billion (2010 est.)

34,710 (November 2010)

-11.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

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

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships

Denmark 27.2%, UK 22.7%, US 12.3%, Nigeria 12.1%, Netherlands 7.8%, Norway 4.5% (2011)

goods for household consumption 24%, machinery and transport equipment 23.5%, fuels 21.4%, raw materials and semi-manufactures, salt

Denmark 49.6%, Norway 29%, Iceland 4.1% (2011)

$888.8 million (2010)

$68.1 million (2006)

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

280.3 million kWh (2010 est.)

268.8 million kWh (2010 est.)

100,100 kW (2009 est.)

64.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

31% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

4.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

4,871 bbl/day (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

4,859 bbl/day (2008 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

744,400 Mt (2010 est.)

1 publicly-owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network; publicly-owned radio station supplemented by 2 privately-owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies (2008)

Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

no regular military forces (2012)

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