Top Document: Nordic FAQ - 3 of 7 - DENMARK Previous Document: 3.5 Danish literature Next Document: 3.7 Books for learning Danish See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge <From: Jens C. Madsen & Jacob Sparre Andersen> 3.6.1 Fact Sheet Name: F�royar (Danish: F�r�erne) (Bokm�l: F�r�yene) (Nynorsk: F�r�yane) (Swedish: F�r�arna) (Finnish: F�rsaaret) Autonomous region of Denmark Head of state: Queen Margrethe II represented by a High Commissioner Flag: a red Nordic cross outlined in blue on a white background, dimensions (6-1-2-1-12 * 6-1-2-1-6) Languages: Faroese, Danish (both official) Administrative units: 7 counties (s�slur) each with several municipalities Area: 1,399 km� Terrain: 18 islands of volcanic origin, steep cliffs, Land boundaries: None Population: 48,065 (1993) - Much lower today, because of economic crisis Life expectancy: male: 74.5 years, female: 81.5 years Capital: T�rshavn (pop: 13,636) Other major towns: Klaksv�k (pop: 4,923 in 1987) Religion: Evangelic-Lutheran (approximately 75%) Currency: kr�na (Danish crown, DKK). The Faroes issue their own bank notes but use Danish coins. Climate: temperate sea-climate. Average temp.: 3 C in the coldest month, 11 C in the warmest Annual precipitation: 1430 mm Natural resources: fish, sheep, potatoes, whaling Exports: fish and fish products (88% of total export), ships 3.6.2 General information The Faroe Islands consist of 18 islands of which only Koltur and L�tla D�mun are unpopulated. The largest islands are Streymoy, Eysturoy, V�gar, and Su�uroy. The inhabitants of the Faroe Islands descend from the Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century and the pre-existing Celtic population. Apart from fishing and sheep husbandry the Faroese have traditionally also been netting birds, gathering eggs, and hunting the small pilot whale. These activities remain an important supplement to the economy in the Faroese society today. The Faroese have a rich cultural heritage; language and customs (such as the old traditional Faroese chain dance) are kept very much alive. The parliament (Fa: L�gtingi�, Da: Lagtinget) consists of 27-32 members. The government (Fa: Landsst�ri�, Da: Landsstyret) has executive power in all local affairs. The political parties in the Faroe Islands cover the traditional left-right spectrum. But in addition to that (and independent from that) there is another political spectrum regarding the relations to Denmark; from unionists over more-home-rule advocates to republicans. The Faroes elect two members to the Danish parliament. These days the Faroese must cope with the decline of the all-important fishing industry and one of the world's heaviest per capita external debts of nearly 30,000 USD. The fishing industry has been plagued with bankruptcies. Denmark has threatened to withhold its annual subsidy of 130 million USD - roughly one-third of the islands' budget revenues - unless the Faroese make significant efforts to balance their budget. In addition to its annual subsidy, the Danish government has (through the Faroese government) bailed out the second largest bank, the F�roya Banki, to the tune of 140 million USD since October 1992. [ the sections above are available at the www-page http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq361.html ] 3.6.3 History ca.600 ? Celtic settlers (Irish monks) make it to the Faroes. ca.900 The Faroe Islands are colonized by Norwegian settlers. 1035 The Faroe Islands become a Norwegian dependency. 1380 Along with Norway, the Faroes become united with Denmark. 1709 The Faroes become (technically) a part of Zealand, Denmark. 1814 When Denmark cedes Norway in the peace treaty of Kiel, the Faroes remain with Denmark. 1880 The independence movement starts. 1940-45 The Faroes are occupied by British forces during WWII. Trade with the UK leads to economic growth. The Faroese flag is commonly used since the UK does not tolerate the flag of German-occupied Denmark. 1948 The Faroe Islands are granted autonomy within the Danish Kingdom. 1973 When Denmark joins the European Community (EC) the Faroe Islands choose to stay outside the EC. 1980s Good prospects in the fishing industry lead the Faroes to invest large sums in infrastructure to prevent depopulation of small villages. 1990s A recession in the fishing industry leaves the Faroes with a large debt and in an economic crisis. Emigration to Denmark increases. [ the sections above are available at the www-page http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq363.html ] 3.6.4 Main tourist attractions You can get to the Faroes by air from Copenhagen daily (Maersk Air and Atlantic Airways). There are several weekly connections from Iceland with Icelandair. The airport is located on the island of V�gar with a bus-ferry-bus shuttle to T�rshavn. Also Smyril Line operates the ferry Norr�na during the summer months in cooperation with Scandinavian Seaways. The ferry sails to T�rshavn from Esbjerg (Denmark) on Saturdays; from Bergen (Norway) on Tuesdays; and from Sey�isfj�r�ur (Iceland) on Thursdays (1994 schedule). Strandfaraskip Landsins is operating Smyril on the route to Scotland once a week. There is an official camping site in T�rshavn and Selatra�. There are a few youth hostels on the islands and a few hotels also. Camping can be a somewhat wet experience since the weather is highly variable - even for Nordic standards, but on a clear day the views are absolutely breathtaking. Popular places are the westernmost island of Mykines with its large colonies of gannets (S�la; sea birds); - on Streymoy the ruins of the never-finished Magnus Cathedral at Kirkjub�ur, the tiny community of Saksun with its magnificent fjord and the bird-cliffs between Saksun and Vestmanna. Also, the capital T�rshavn is a very charming city with small narrow streets and beautiful old houses in the center. On Eysturoy some attractions are the rock formations "Risin og kellingin" north of Ei�i; the village of Gj�gv with its very characteristic natural harbour - and nice youth hostel. Also Sl�ttaratindur, the islands' highest point of 882 m is a popular destination for a hike. < From: Durant Imboden > - The Faroe Islands, a Danish dependency in the North Atlantic reached via car ferry from Esbjerg on the Smyril Line. (It's a two-night trip.) You can continue on to a fishing town in Eastern Iceland, if you like, in which case you'll see some lovely and dramatic scenery as you pass between the islands on the m/v Norr�na. [ the sections above are available at the www-page http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq364.html ] 3.6.5 Faroese literature and language The Faroese language resembles both Icelandic and Western Norwegian dialects. It is almost mutually intelligible with other North Germanic languages - at least in its written form. The written form of Faroese was established in the 19th century by Venzel Hammershaimb and modeled after Icelandic with almost the same alphabet. Written Faroese apperared rather late and at a time when the language was under strong pressure from Danish, which had become the established language for the church and civil servants of the Faroes. But when written Faroese was established, it meant a great boost for Faroese culture and language. Today the Faroes have one of the highest number of books published per capita. The best known authors are William Heinesen (1900-1991) and He�in Br� (alias Hans Jacob Jacobsen, 1901-1987). [ the sections above are available at the www-page http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq365.html ] User Contributions:Top Document: Nordic FAQ - 3 of 7 - DENMARK Previous Document: 3.5 Danish literature Next Document: 3.7 Books for learning Danish Single Page [ Usenet FAQs | Web FAQs | Documents | RFC Index ] Send corrections/additions to the FAQ Maintainer: jmo@lysator.liu.se (SCN Faq-maintainer)
Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:11 PM
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