The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 mountainous islands located half way between Scotland and Iceland in the Northeast Atlantic.
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing nation under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. The country is not a member of the European Union but has fisheries and trading agreements with the EU.
The language of the Faroe Islands is Faroese which is a Nordic language deriving from the Norsemen who settled the islands 1200 years ago.
Out of a total population of app. 53.000 around 22,000 live in the capital, Tórshavn.
The Faroe Islands are a modern society with a high standard of living and the Faroese have a strong sense of local identity and social cohesion.
The population is well-educated. Primary and secondary schools and higher education is free for everyone.
Many Faroese study and work abroad in a wide range of fields. The mobility and flexibility of the Faroese people maintains a broad international perspective.
Fishing and fish farming are the most important industries in the Faroe Islands. In recent years tourism has also become increasingly important.
Infrastructure in the Faroe Islands is well developed. A comprehensive road network and tunnel and ferry connections along with telecommunications and high speed internet provide an excellent base for maintaining economic, social and cultural viability.
