Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Faroe Islands (2008) - Iceland (2002)

Compare Faroe Islands (2008) z Iceland (2002)

 Faroe Islands (2008)Iceland (2002)
 Faroe IslandsIceland
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities 23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla


note: there may be four other counties
Age structure 0-14 years: 20.6% (male 4,882/female 4,904)


15-64 years: 65.3% (male 16,353/female 14,668)


65 years and over: 14.1% (male 3,041/female 3,663) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 23% (male 33,189; female 31,155)


15-64 years: 65.1% (male 91,704; female 90,199)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,828; female 18,309) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish
Airports 1 (2007) 86 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
total: 13


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 73


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 21


under 914 m: 49 (2002)
Area total: 1,399 sq km


land: 1,399 sq km


water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative eight times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Kentucky
Background The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
Birth rate 14.12 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 14.37 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $588 million


expenditures: $623 million (2005)
revenues: $3.5 billion


expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
Capital name: Torshavn


geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Reykjavik
Climate mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Coastline 1,117 km 4,988 km
Constitution 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Faroe Islands


local long form: none


local short form: Foroyar
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydhveldidh Island


local short form: Island
Currency - Icelandic krona (ISK)
Death rate 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $64 million (1999) $2.6 billion (1999)
Dependency status part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340


telephone: [354] 5629100


FAX: [354] 5629139
Diplomatic representation in the US none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON


chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653


FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM
Economic aid - donor - $NA
Economic aid - recipient $105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005) -
Economy - overview The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, providing 70% of export earnings and employing 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Consumption, investment, and exports should recover moderately in 2003.
Electricity - consumption 269.7 million kWh (2005) 7.02 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 290 million kWh (2005) 7.549 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 83%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Environment - current issues NA water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment - international agreements party to: Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Scandinavian homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6%
Exchange rates Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003) Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 102.430 (January 2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004)


cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister


elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)


election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA
chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament


elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $2 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon
Exports - partners Denmark 31%, UK 27.4%, Norway 10.3%, Nigeria 9.5%, Netherlands 5.6% (2006) UK 18.2%, Germany 14.9%, Netherlands 10.9, US 10.3%, Portugal 5.5%, Spain 5.4%, Norway 5.3% (2001)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 27%


industry: 11%


services: 62% (1999)
agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $27,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.4% (2005 est.) -0.7% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 62 00 N, 7 00 W 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Geography - note archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
Highways - total: 12,691 km


paved: 3,262 km


unpaved: 9,429 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 4,580 bbl/day (2004) $2 billion (2002)
Imports - commodities consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners Denmark 52.6%, Norway 20.7%, Iceland 6.1%, Sweden 4.3% (2006) Germany 12.2%, US 11.1%, Denmark 8.6%, Norway 7.8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6.6% (2001)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate 8% (1999 est.) 0.2% (2001 est.)
Industries fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism
Infant mortality rate total: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
3.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.8% (2005) 5% (2001 est.)
International organization participation Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 20 (2001)
Irrigated land 0 sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch none Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)
Labor force 24,250 (October 2000) 159,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 33%


industry: 33%


services: 34% (October 2000)
agriculture 5%, fishing and fish processing 12%, manufacturing 13%, construction 11%, other services 60% (1999)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 2.14%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.86% (2005)
arable land: 0.06%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.94% (23% permanent pastures) (1998 est.)
Languages Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Legal system the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)


election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2


note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 40.7%, Social Democratic Alliance (PA, Social Democratic Party, Women's List) 26.8%, Progressive Party 18.4%, Left-Green Alliance 9.1%, Liberal Party 4.2%; seats by party - Independence Party 26, Social Democratic Alliance 17, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 6, Liberal Party 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.49 years


male: 76.06 years


female: 82.93 years (2007 est.)
total population: 79.66 years


male: 77.42 years


female: 82.07 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%


note: probably 100%, the same as Denmark proper
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Map references Europe Arctic Region
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 92,454 GRT/63,291 DWT


by type: cargo 10, container 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1


foreign-owned: 8 (Iceland 4, Norway 4) (2007)
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,816 GRT/2,500 DWT


ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Denmark defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Military branches no regular military forces no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $0
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA -
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 71,142 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 62,556 (2002 est.)
National holiday Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Nationality noun: Faroese (singular and plural)


adjective: Faroese
noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
Natural hazards NA earthquakes and volcanic activity
Natural resources fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Sverrir HERMANNSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 47,511 (July 2007 est.) 279,384 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.543% (2007 est.) 0.52% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors - Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 260,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Evangelical Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002)
Sex ratio at birth: 1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.996 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.115 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female


total population: 1.045 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities


domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed


international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
general assessment: extensive domestic service


domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Telephones - main lines in use 23,000 (2006) 196,984 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 50,000 (2006) 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001)
Television broadcast stations 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995) 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Total fertility rate 2.15 children born/woman (2007 est.) 1.99 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.1% (2006) 2.8% (2002 est.)
Waterways - none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.