Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands in the Atlantic consist of 18 islands of which only Koltur and Lítla Dímun are unpopulated. The largest islands are Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar, and Suðuroy.

The inhabitants of the Faroe Islands descend from the Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century and the pre-existing Celtic population. Apart from fishing and sheep husbandry the Faroese have traditionally also been netting birds, gathering eggs, and hunting the small pilot whale. These activities remain an important supplement to the economy in the Faroese society today. The Faroese have a rich cultural heritage; language and customs (such as the old traditional Faroese chain dance) are kept very much alive.

The parliament (Fa: Løgtingið, Da: Lagtinget) consists of 27-32 members. The government (Fa: Landsstýrið, Da: Landsstyret) has executive power in all local affairs. The political parties in the Faroe Islands cover the traditional left-right spectrum. But in addition to that (and independent from that) there is another political spectrum regarding the relations to Denmark; from unionists over more-home-rule advocates to republicans. The Faroes elect two members to the Danish parliament.

Facts

Name: Føroyar (Danish: Færøerne)
(Bokmål: Færøyene)
(Nynorsk: Færøyane)
(Swedish: Färöarna)
(Finnish: Färsaaret)

Autonomous region of Denmark
Head of state: Queen Margrethe II represented by a High Commissioner


Flag: a red Nordic cross outlined in blue on a white background, dimensions (6-1-2-1-12 * 6-1-2-1-6)
Languages: Faroese, Danish (both official)
Administrative units: 7 counties (sýslur) each with several municipalities

Area: 1,399 km²
Terrain: 18 islands of volcanic origin, steep cliffs,
Land boundaries: None

Population: 48,065 (1993) - Much lower today, because of economic crisis
Life expectancy: male: 74.5 years, female: 81.5 years

Capital: Tórshavn (pop: 13,636)
Other major towns: Klaksvík (pop: 4,923 in 1987)

Religion: Evangelic-Lutheran (approximately 75%)
Currency: króna (Danish crown, DKK).
The Faroes issue their own bank notes but use Danish coins.

Climate: temperate sea-climate.
Average temp.: 3 C in the coldest month, 11 C in the warmest
Annual precipitation: 1430 mm

Natural resources: fish, sheep, potatoes, whaling
Exports: fish and fish products (88% of total export), ships


This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Lysator article "Faroe Islands".


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