Faroe Islands

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)

Internet country code

.fo

Internet hosts

8,936 (2010) country comparison to the world: 128

Internet users

37,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175

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

Telephones - main lines in use

20,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192

Telephones - mobile cellular

57,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194

Agriculture - products

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

Debt - external

$68.1 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 185

Economy - overview

The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector 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 that continue to trouble the economy. Though oil prices have come down, reduced catches, especially of cod and haddock, have continued to strain the Faroese economy. GDP grew 0.5% in 2008-09. 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 the first half of 2008, but increased to 3.9% in 2009 and is rising. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses that helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. In addition, budget surpluses turned to deficits in 2008-09, and the economy at both the country and local level is running large deficits. 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 6% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland.

Electricity - consumption

264.4 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008)

Electricity - production

275.8 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.774 (2009), 5.0236 (2008), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006)

Exports

$848 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 $634 million (2006)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships

Exports - partners

Hungary 36.26%, Denmark 21.36%, UK 12.21%, Nigeria 7.72%, US 6.49%, Norway 5.46% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.45 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.642 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 16% industry: 29% services: 55% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$34,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

GDP - real growth rate

0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$983 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 $751 million (2006)

Imports - commodities

consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt

Imports - partners

Denmark 54.42%, Norway 20.76%, Sweden 4.79% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Industries

fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 6 6.4% (2008)

Labor force

34,680 (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 201

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 10.2% industry: 20.5% services: 69.2% (2008)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 185

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 196

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Oil - consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 195

Oil - imports

4,922 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 157

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

3.9% (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 1.2% (2008)

Area

total: 1,393 sq km country comparison to the world: 182 land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Area - comparative

eight times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Coastline

1,117 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

Environment - current issues

NA

Environment - international agreements

party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 7 00 W

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

Irrigated land

0 sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005)

Location

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway

Map references

Europe

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

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Terrain

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

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

Capital

name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 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

Constitution

5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar

Dependency status

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

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 Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes prime minister

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

Government type

NA

Independence

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

International organization participation

Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

none

Legal system

the laws of Denmark where applicable apply

Legislative branch

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) elections: last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.3%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Independence Party 7.2%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1

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

National holiday

Olaifest (Olavsoka ), 29 July

Political parties and leaders

Center Party [Jenis av RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

conservationists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 11,788 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 9,792 females age 16-49: 8,354 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 379 female: 368 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military branches

no regular military forces

Military expenditures

NA

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

12.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Death rate

8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Ethnic groups

Scandinavian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 176 male: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 79.58 years country comparison to the world: 33 male: 77.13 years female: 82.21 years (2010 est.)

Literacy

NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper

Median age

total: 37.1 years male: 36.5 years female: 37.9 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Population

49,057 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Population growth rate

0.424% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.069 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Urbanization

urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

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

Airports

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 230

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 26 country comparison to the world: 91 by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 6, Sweden 5) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

Roadways

total: 463 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 194