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Europe :: Faroe Islands (part of the Kingdom of Denmark)

- ## Introduction :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Background:
  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.

- ## Geography :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Location:
  Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway
  Geographic coordinates:
  62 00 N, 7 00 W
  Map references:
  Europe
  Area:
  total: 1,393 sq km
  land: 1,393 sq km
  water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Area - comparative:
  eight times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  1,117 km
  Maritime claims:
  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:
  mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
  Terrain:
  rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
  Natural resources:
  fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 2.1%
  arable land 2.1%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
  forest: 0.1%
  other: 97.8% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  0 sq km (2011)
  Natural hazards:
  NA
  Environment - current issues:
  NA
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
  Geography - note:
  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 and Society :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Nationality:
  noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Faroese
  Ethnic groups:
  Scandinavian
  Languages:
  Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
  Religions:
  Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 census)
  Population:
  50,196 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 20.1% (male 5,224/female 4,866)
  15-24 years: 14.96% (male 3,848/female 3,662)
  25-54 years: 37.04% (male 10,090/female 8,502)
  55-64 years: 11.73% (male 3,033/female 2,854)
  65 years and over: 16.17% (male 3,926/female 4,191) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 37.7 years
  male: 37.1 years
  female: 38.4 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.51% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Birth rate:
  13.77 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Death rate:
  8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 72
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 42% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  TORSHAVN (capital) 21,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.19 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 5.86 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 5.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 80.24 years
  male: 77.73 years
  female: 82.93 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 37
  Total fertility rate:
  2.37 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Hospital bed density:
  4.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Country name:
  conventional long form: none
  conventional short form: Faroe Islands
  local long form: none
  local short form: Foroyar
  etymology: the archipelgo's name may derive from the Old Norse word "faer," meaning sheep
  Dependency status:
  part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
  Government type:
  NA
  Capital:
  name: Torshavn
  geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 6 46 W
  time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
  Administrative divisions:
  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
  Independence:
  none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
  National holiday:
  Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July
  Constitution:
  5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution), 23 March 1948 (Home Rule Act), and 24 June 2005 (Takeover Act) serve as the Faroe Islands constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm (2015)
  Legal system:
  the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
  Citizenship:
  see Denmark
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)
  head of government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 15 September 2015)
  cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
  elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 14 November 2011 (next to be held no later than November 2015)
  election results: Aksel V. JOHANNESEN elected prime minister; Parliament vote - NA
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 1 September 2015 (next to be held no later than September 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Republic 1
  elections: last held on 1 September 2015 (next to be held no later than October 2019)
  election results: percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Party 25.1%, Republic 20.7%, People's Party, 18.9%, Union Party 18.7%, Progressive Party 7.0%, Center Party 5.5%, Self-Government Party 4.1%; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 8, Republic 7, People's Party 6, Union Party 6, Progressive Party 2, Center Party 2, Self-Government Party 2
  Judicial branch:
  the Faroese Court or Raett (Rett - Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system
  Political parties and leaders:
  Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]
  Independence (or Self-Govenment) Party (Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Jogvan SKORHEIM]
  People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN]
  Progressive Party (Framsokn) [Poul MICHELSEN]
  Republic (Tjodveldi) (formerly the Republican Party) [Hogni HOYDAL]
  Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]
  Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) [Aksel JOHANNESEN]
  Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  other: conservationists
  International organization participation:
  Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
  Flag description:
  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
  National symbol(s):
  ram; national colors: red, white, blue
  National anthem:
  name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
  lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
  note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as an autonomous overseas division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem

- ## Economy :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Economy - overview:
  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% but gradually increased to about 5.5% in 2012. 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 gross external debt had reached approximately US$900 million.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $1.471 billion (2010 est.)
  $1.389 billion (2008 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.32 billion (2010 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2.9% (2010 est.)
  0.5% (2008 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $30,500 (2008 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 57
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 16%
  industry: 29%
  services: 55% (2007 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
  Industries:
  fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
  Industrial production growth rate:
  3.4% (2009 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Labor force:
  34,710 (November 2010)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 10.7%
  industry: 18.9%
  services: 70.3% (November 2010)
  Unemployment rate:
  5.5% (2012)
  6.8% (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 58
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.025 billion
  expenditures: $1.301 billion
  note: Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of their public funds (2010)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  44.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 27
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -11.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.3% (2011)
  0.4% (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Exports:
  $824 million (2010)
  $767 million (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Exports - commodities:
  fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (2009 est.)
  Exports - partners:
  UK 21.8%, Denmark 18.8%, Russia 11.9%, Nigeria 10.9%, US 9.5%, China 7.2%, Netherlands 6% (2014)
  Imports:
  $776 million (2010)
  $786 million (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Imports - commodities:
  goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, salt
  Imports - partners:
  Denmark 45.5%, Norway 27.7%, Germany 5%, Iceland 4.4%, Sweden 4.1% (2014)
  Debt - external:
  $888.8 million (2010)
  $68.1 million (2006)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Exchange rates:
  Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
  5.6125 (2011)
  5.3687 (2011)
  5.79 (2012 est.)
  5.3687 (2011 est.)
  5.6241 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Electricity - production:
  281 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Electricity - consumption:
  261.3 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  108,100 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  60.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  36.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  3.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 126
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  4,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  4,879 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 99
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  753,400 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172

- ## Communications :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 17,300
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 61,400
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 199
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
  domestic: conversion to digital system 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 (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
  Television broadcast stations:
  3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
  Internet country code:
  .fo
  Internet users:
  total: 44,000
  percent of population: 88.2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188

- ## Transportation :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 463 km (2006)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Merchant marine:
  total: 37
  by type: cargo 20, chemical tanker 7, container 2, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 2
  foreign-owned: 28 (Iceland 4, Norway 13, Sweden 11) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

- ## Military :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 11,831 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 9,827
  females age 16-49: 8,418 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 372
  female: 373 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Denmark

- ## Transnational Issues :: FAROE ISLANDS

- Disputes - international:
  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

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