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Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands is an archipelago in Northern Europe between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Iceland, Scotland, and Norway surround the islands. The archipelago is formed of 18 islands, of which the only uninhabited island is Lítla Dímun. The archipelago is a self-governing overseas territory of Denmark. Foreign, defense affairs and the legal systems are looked after by Danish crown. The islands have no regular military force.

HISTORY:- Irish monks inhabited in the Faroe Inlands in the 6th century. They introduced Irish language to the islands. The Irish people were replaced by the Viking group later in 650 A.D. With the advent of the Vikings, Old Norse language took place of Irish language. According to the Færeyinga myth, in the 9th century, a group from Norway settled in the region to escape the anarchy of Harald I of Norway. Sigmund took possession of the Faroe Islands on behalf of the king of Norway- Olaf Tryggvason. He introduced Christianity to the islands in the 11th century. After his death, Norway held its reign over the islands until 1380. In the same year Norway joined into Kalmar Union with Denmark. Danish control was bounding the islands gradually. After the fall of Denmark-Norway union in 1814, with the treaty of Kiel, Norwegians repossesses the islands again. In 1940, British troop occupied Faroe Islands. And Denmark is invaded by the Nazis. After the Second Battle of the Atlantic, the control was resumed by the Danish government. In 1948, a home-rule regime was granted to the islands, considering a complete local autonomy.

GEOGRAPHY:- Faroe Islands consist of 18 islands. The archipelago’ coordinates are 62 00 N, 7 00 W. The islands are located in the Northern Europe, comprising 1,399 sq km area with no such major water source. The coastline is 1,117 km long along with the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is situated at the Atlantic Ocean (0 m) while the highest point is Slaettaratindur (882 m). The archipelago is mostly rugged and rocky with some low elevated peaks. The coasts are surrounded by cliffs.

CLIMATE:- The climate of the islands is mostly overcast, foggy and windy with mild winters, and cool summers.

GOVERNMENT:- Faroe Islands are the self-governing overseas territory of Denmark. The islands are governed by the Danish kingdom. The Danish constitution enacts as the formal constitution of the islands. The legal procedures are carried out in accordance with the Danish law system. The Faroes can represent in the Nordic Council as a part of the Danish delegation. The two main branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the Queen (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and Landsstyri. The Queen is represented by the High commissioner, who is appointed by the Monarch. Generally the leader of the majority party is elected the Prime minister by the Faroese Parliament. Landsstyri is appointed by the prime minister.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Faroese Parliament (33 seats).

Center Party, Independence Party, People's Party, Republican Party, Social Democratic Party, Union Party are the major political parties of Faroe Islands. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.

Monarch   Margrethe II

Prime Minister  Jóannes Eidesgaard

High Commissioner   Birgit Kleis

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Faroe Islands are divided into 34 administrative municipalities.

CULTURE:- The national holiday of Ólavsøka on 29th July is celebrated from 28th evening to 31st July. The Nordic House in the islands is the most prominent cultural institution to promote Faroese culture all over the nation. Sunleif Rasmussen and Kristian Blak are the most famous music composers of the islands. Other recent musicians are Eivør, Lena Andersen, Teitur Lassen, Høgni Reistrup, Høgni Lisberg and Brandur Enni. Summartónar, a festival of contemporary music is organized annually in every summer. Meat, potatoes and fresh vegetables are the basic ingredients of Faroese cuisine. In 1989, Faroe Islands hosted the Island Games.

ECONOMY:- Fishing is the backbone of Faroese economy.

GDP/PPP (2001 est.): $1 billion; $31,000 per capita.

Real growth rate: 2.4% (2005 est.).

Inflation: 1.8% (2005).

Unemployment: 2.1% (Oct. 2000) .

Arable land: 2%.

Agriculture: Milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish.

Labor force: 24,250 (2006): fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing 33%, construction and private services 33%, public services 34%.

Industries: Fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts.

Exports: $634 million f.o.b. (2006 est.): fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999).

Exports - partners: Denmark 31%, UK 27.4%, Norway 10.3%, Nigeria 9.5%, Netherlands 5.6% (2006)

Imports: $751 million c.i.f. (2006): Machinery and transport equipment 29%, consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, fuels, fish and salt (1999).

Imports - partners: Denmark 52.6%, Norway 20.7%, Iceland 6.1%, Sweden 4.3% (2006)

Budget:

Revenues: $588 million

Expenditures: $623 million (2005)

Debt - external: $64 million (1999)

Major trading partners: Denmark, UK, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Nigeria, Netherlands (2006).

Monetary unit: Faroese krone

LANGUAGE:- Faroese, Danish are the official language.

CITIES:- The capital Tórshavn is the largest city. The archipelago comprises almost 120 cities.

POPULATION:- The estimated population is 47,511 with a growth rate of 0.5%.

Density per sq mi: 88

Literacy rate: probably 100%; actual data not available

RACE:- Only Scandinavian group resides in the islands.

RELIGION:- Evangelical Lutheran is the only religion of the archipelago.

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 13.25 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.29 years

Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (2008 est.)

UNICEF:- UNICEF is not active in the Faroe Islands.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Airports: 1 (2007)

Roadways: total: 463 km (2006)

Ports and terminals: Torshavn, Vagur