Faeroe Islands

Faeroe Islands or Faröe Islands (both: fâr'ō) [key], Dan. Færøerne, Faeroese Føroyar, group of volcanic islands (2005 est. pop. 47,000), 540 sq mi (1,399 sq km), Denmark, in the N Atlantic, between Iceland and the Shetland Islands. There are 18 main islands and a few small, uninhabited islands. The largest islands are Streymoy, on which the group's capital, Tórshavn, is situated, and Østerø. The Faeroes are high and rugged and have only sparse vegetation. The climate is relatively mild because of the influence of the North Atlantic Drift; there are frequent storms and much fog.

The population is Scandinavian and almost totally Lutheran; they speak Faeroese (a Germanic language derived from Old Norse and related to Danish) and Danish. The inhabitants depend mainly on fishing and to a lesser extent on sheep raising, shipbuilding, and fish farming. Fish, animal feeds, and ships are exported. The chief fishing ports are Vágur, Tórshavn, and Klaksvíg. The potential for petroleum production is being explored. The Faeroes are a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark. The nominal ruler is the Danish monarch, represented by a high commissioner. There is a 32-member unicameral parliament (the Lagting); the government is headed by a prime minister.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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