Faroe Islands Facts

Faroe Islands, archipelago in the North Atlantic, between Scotland and Iceland; 1,400 km², 49,755 residents (2016).The archipelago forms part of Denmark but has internal autonomy. The Faroe Islands, which extend about 113 km in the north-south direction and 75 km in the west-east direction, consist of 17 inhabited islands and a number of more or less inaccessible small islands. The largest islands are Streymoy (Danish Strømø) 373 km ², Eysturoy (Danish Østerø) 286 km ², Vágar (Danish Vågø) 178 km ², Suðuroy (Danish Suderø) 166 km ² and Sandoy (Danish Sandø) 112 km ². The capital is Tórshavn (Danish Thorshavn), located on Streymoy, 12,200 residents (2013). Administratively, the Faroe Islands are divided into six counties (counties).

Faroe Islands Flag

Country facts

• Føroyar
• Country abbreviation: FO
• Area: 1 400 km²
• Population (2016): 49,755 residents
• Capital: Torshavn
• Main languages: Faroese, Danish
• State condition: autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark
• Head of State: Margrethe II (Queen)
• Head of Government: Aksel V. Johannesen
• Per capita GDP (2014): US $ 36,600
• Currency unit: 1 Danish krona = 100 öre
• Currency code: DKK
• Internet domain name: fo
• Time difference compared to Sweden: −1
• National Day: July 29 (Olaifesten)

Nature

• Highest Rock: Mowing Peak (882 m asl)

Population

• Population density (2016): 36 residents per km²
• Natural population growth (2016): 0.5%; birth rate 14 ‰, death rate 9 ‰
• Age structure (2016): 0-14 years (20%), 15-64 (64%), 65- (16%)
• Average life expectancy (2016): 80 years; men 78 years, women 83 years
• Infant mortality (2016): 6 per 1,000 live births
• Urbanization rate (2016): 42%
• Most populous city (2013): Tórshavn (12,200 residents)

Business

• Industry’s contribution to GDP (2012): agriculture (16%), industry (29%), service (55%)
• Main export product: fish
• Main export partners: Denmark, UK, USA
• Main import products: machinery, transport, food
• Main import partners: Denmark, Norway, Iceland

Communications

• Railway network: nothing in operation
• Road network (2015): 960 km
• Internet users per 100 residents (2015): 94

Faroe Islands Map