Faroe Islands
part of the Danish realmIndependence none (part of the Danish realm
Faroe Islands as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 84 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea | and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland | to Norway
15 fieldsLand useshare of 1,400 sq km
Location
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Terrain
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
- lowest point:
- Atlantic Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Slaettaratindur 882 m
Geographic note
- archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets;
- strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic;
- precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 24% (male 5,461; female 5,280)
- 15-64 years:
- 62% (male 14,488; female 12,617)
- 65 years and over:
- 14% (male 2,661; female 3,350) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.15 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.79 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Government
Part of the Danish realm; Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January 1972), who is a constitutional monarch, is represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA); Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15 September 1994) was elected by the Logting
20 fieldsLegislature, 32 seatsone dot, one seat
Legislature, 2 seatsone dot, one seat
Name of country
- conventional long form:
- none
- conventional short form:
- Faroe Islands
- local long form:
- none
- local short form:
- Foroyar
Type of government
part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark
Independence
none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- Queen MARGRETHE II (of Denmark since 14 January 1972), who is a constitutional monarch, is represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15 September 1994) was elected by the Logting
- cabinet:
- Landsstyri was elected by the Logting
Faroese Parliament (Logting)
- elections last held 8 July 1994 (next to be held by July 1998);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (32 total) Liberal Party 8, People's Party 6, Social Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian Democrats 2, Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2
Danish Parliament
- elections last held on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by September 1998);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (2 total) Liberals 2
Political parties and leaders
- Social Democratic Party, Marita PETERSEN;
- Workers Front, Oli JACOBSEN;
- Home Rule Party, Helena Dam A NEYSTABO;
- The "Coalition Party," Edmund JOENSEN;
- Republican Party, Finnbogi ISAKSON;
- Centrist Party, Tordur NICLASEN;
- Christian People's Party, Niels Pauli DANIELSEN;
- People's Party, Arnfinn KALLSBERG;
- Liberal Party, Jorgen ESTRUP;
- Christian Democratic Party
Flag
- white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag;
- the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 90,000 kW
Economic overview
The Faroese economy is experiencing a moderate upturn after several years of decline brought on by over-fishing and declining fish prices, large budget deficits by the Faroese Home Rule Government (FHRG), plummeting property values, and a bail-out merger of the two largest Faroese banks.
Near-term forecasts suggest continued economic recovery, and oil finds close to the Faroese area may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have enjoyed a standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Exports
$345.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
- commodities:
- fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (ships) (1989)
- partners:
- Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain 7.9%, US 4.5%
Imports
$234.4 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
- commodities:
- machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures 24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
- partners:
- Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US 1.3%
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January 1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991)
Transportation
5 fieldsNetworkskm
Merchant marine
- total:
- 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,879 GRT/18,444 DWT
- ships by type:
- cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1995 est.)
Communications
No organized native military forces; only a small Police | Force and Coast Guard are maintained
9 fieldsTelephone system
good international communications; fair domestic facilities
- domestic:
- NA
- international:
- 3 coaxial submarine cables
Branches
no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Faroe Islands.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/faroe-islands/1996.