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 attained in 1948.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 764 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 4 nm
Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation;

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

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

Natural resources: fish

Land use: 2% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 98% other

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Population: 47,715 (July 1990), growth rate 0.9% (1990)

Nationality: noun--Faroese (sing., pl.; adjective--Faroese

Ethnic groups: homogeneous Scandinavian population

Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran

Birth rate: 17 births/1000 population (1990)

Death rate: 8 deaths/1000 population (1990)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1000 population (1990)

Environment
Current issues: precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands; archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few uninhabited islets

Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1000 live births (1990)

Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1990)

Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)

Literacy: 99%

Country name: conventional long form: none

Government type: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark

Capital: Torshavn

Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Independence: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark

National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)

Constitution: Danish

Legal system: Danish

Suffrage: universal at age 20

Executive branch: Chief of State--Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Bent KLINTE (since NA; Head of Government--Prime Minister Jogvan SUNDSTEIN (since 17 January 1989)

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Logting)

Judicial branch: none

International organization participation: Nordic Council

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Flag description: 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 overview: The Faroese enjoy the high standard of living characteristic of the Danish and other Scandinavian economies. Fishing is the dominant economic activity. It employs over 25% of the labor force, accounts for about 25% of GDP, and contributes over 80% to export revenues. A handicraft industry employs about 20% of the labor force. Because of cool summers agricultural activities are limited to raising sheep and to potato and vegetable cultivation. There is a labor shortage, and immigrant workers accounted for 5% of the work force in 1989. Denmark annually subsidizes the economy, perhaps on the order of 15% of GDP.

Agriculture products: accounts for 27% of GDP and employs 27% of labor force; principal crops--potatoes and vegetables; livestock--sheep; annual fish catch about 360,000 metric tons

Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 17,585; largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce

Unemployment rate: labor shortage

Budget: revenues $176 million; expenditures $176 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY86)

Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

Exports: $267 million (f.o.b., 1986)
Commodities: fish and fish products 86%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment
Partners: Denmark 18%, US 14%, FRG, France, UK, Canada

Imports: $363 million (c.i.f., 1986)
Commodities: machinery and transport equipment 38%, food and livestock 11%, fuels 10%, manufactures 10%, chemicals 5%;

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1--6.560 (January 1990), 7.310 (1989), 6.732 (1988), 6.840 (1987), 8.091 (1986), 10.596 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 80,000 kW capacity; 280 million kWh produced, 5,910 kWh per capita (1989)

Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m

Merchant marine: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,249 GRT/11,887 DWT; includes 1 short-sea passenger, 2 cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 refrigerated cargo; note--a subset of the Danish register