Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands NASA satellite image.

Map of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands or Føroyar (that meaning "Sheep Islands") are a group of eighteen islands in the north Atlantic Ocean between Scotland, Norway, and Iceland.

They are a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but have had local (autocratic) rule since 1948, and people in the Faroe Islands have had the right to do business with people from all countries since 1856. Most government matters are controlled by the Farose government, except for military defense. The Faroes have similarities to Iceland, Shetland, the Orkney Islands, the Outer Hebrides and Greenland. The island group, or archipelago, left Norway in 1815. The Faroes have their own representatives in the Nordic Council.

Regions and municipalities

Administratively, the islands are divided into 34 municipalities within which there are 120 or so cities and villages. Traditionally, there are also the six sýslur ("regions"; Norðoyar, Eysturoy, Streymoy, Vágar, Sandoy and Suðuroy).

Geography

The uninhabited island Lítla Dímun.

The Faroe Islands are eighteen islands off the coast of Northern Europe, between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean. Its area is 1,399 square kilometres (540 sq. mi), and has no major lakes or rivers. There are 1,117 kilometres (694 mi) of coastline, and no land boundaries with any other country. The only island that does not have anybody living on it is Lítla Dímun.

Distances to nearest countries and islands

• Sula Sgeir (uninhabited, Scotland): 240 km (149 mi)
• Shetland (Scotland): 280 km (174  mi)
• Scotland (British Mainland): 310 km (193 mi)
• Iceland: 450 km (280 miles)
• Norway: 675 km (419 miles)
• Ireland: 678 km (421 miles)

Economy

Fish, raising sheep, and tourism are important parts of the economy of the Faroe Islands. The economy was in trouble around 1990. Now only 3% of adults in the Faroe Islands do not have jobs, which is one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. However, since fishing is so important to the economy, if there are problems with fishing, the economy could be in trouble Since 2000, new business projects have been created in the Faroe Islands to attract new investment. The introduction of Burger King in Tórshavn was widely publicized but no one know how will goes things about this branch. Trades on the Faroer are easy by the bridges or the tunnels that connect 80% of the population in the islands.

Faroese sheep, Hvalba.

The new ferry Smyril enters the Faroe Islands

Population (1327-2004)

Year Inhabitants 1327 ca. 4,000 1350 ca. 2,000 1769 4,773 1801 5,255 1834 6,928 1840 7,314 1845 7,782 1850 8,137 1855 8,651 1880 11,220 1900 15,230 1911 ca. 18,800 1925 22,835 1950 31,781

Year Inhabitants 1970 ca. 38,000 1975 40,441 1985 45,749 1989 47,787 1995 43,358 1996 43,784 1997 44,262 1998 44,817 1999 45,409 2000 46,196 2001 46,996 2002 47,704 2003 48,214 2004 48,353

Culture

Ólavsøka

The annual ólavsøka parade on the 28th of July

The national holiday Ólavsøka, is on the 29 July, commemorating the death of Saint Olaf. The celebrations are held in Tórshavn. They commence on the evening of the 28th, and carry on until the 31 July.

The official part of the celebration starts on the 29th, with the opening of the Faroese Parliament,in the day there is a procession,with many people,from the churches in the islands.

The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands

The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands (in Faroese Norðurlandahúsið) is the most important cultural institution in the Faroes. Its supports Nordic and Faroese culture, locally and in the Nordic region.The House is managed by a director changed every four years.

Music

In the islands there are many artists and musicians, with the most famous listed below:

Musicians:

• Eivør (Eivør Pálsdóttir)
• Lena (Lena Andersen)
• Teitur (Teitur Lassen)
• Høgni Lisberg
• Brandur Enni

Bands:

• Týr
• Gestir
• 200
• Clickhaze.

In the Islands,there are too,music festivals,where international musicians participating,like

• Summartónar,each summers.
• G! Festival in Gøta in July.
• Summarfestivalurin in Klaksvík in August.

Food

Traditional Faroese food is mainly based on meat and potatoes and uses few fresh vegetables. A very important meat in the islands,is the lamb,the first ingredient,of many dishes.Others typically dishes,from islands are fresh fish,blubber,whale,seabirds,and Faroese puffins, and their eggs.

Climate

The climate is defined as Maritime Subarctic,with not hot summers,and with cold winters,usually there is fog or a heavy wind,that causes air traffic problems.

Animals and vegetation in the islands

Many species of birds live sometimes in the islands,like:Eider, Starling, Wren, Guillemot, and Black Guillemot.Only a few species of wild land seals are found in the Faroe Islands today,the Grey Seals.Sometimes tourists can see whales,in the waters near the islands. Grey Seals are very common around the Faroese shores.The natural vegetation of the Faroe Islands is,like in the Scottish islands,or in Ireland; dominated by , wild flowers, grasses, moss and lichen.

Other websites

• Official site
• Official tourist site
• Flick photo set
• National Library of the Faroe Islands
• Introduction to the Faroe Islands
• Photo-gallery of Faroe Islands
• Official site of the Nordic House in the Faroe Islands
• Faroephotos
• Pictures from the Faroe Islands