Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial
secretary), and the governor; the governor must obey the rulings of
the Executive Council on domestic affairs
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio
and 8 are elected by popular vote; members to serve four-year
terms); presided over by the governor
elections: last held on 5 November 2009 (next to be held in November
2013)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court
(senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions);
Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from
external causes)
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once
the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose
crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the
motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
National anthem:
name: "Song of the Falklands""
lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM
note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a
territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official
(see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Economy - overview:
The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming,
but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In
1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign
trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing
zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which
help support the island's health, education, and welfare system.
Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports
domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange
earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the
sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing
except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a
200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early
seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing
500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been
identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks
to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen
foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Political
tensions between the UK and Argentina rose in early 2010 after a UK
company began oil drilling activities in the waters around the
Falkland Islands but abated somewhat when the drilling operation
failed to discover commercially exploitable oil reserves. Tourism,
especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000
visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on
money the government has in the bank. The British military presence
also provides a sizeable economic boost.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
GDP (official exchange rate):
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,400 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 95%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1996)
Labor force:
1,724 (1996) (1996)
country comparison to the world: 224
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)
industry and services: 5% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1998)
country comparison to the world: 105
Agriculture - products:
fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid
Industries:
fish and wool processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
16 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - consumption:
14.88 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - consumption:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Oil - imports:
271 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Exports:
$125 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Exports - commodities:
wool, hides, meat, fish, squid
Imports:
$90 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Imports - commodities:
fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007),
0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 223
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 212
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB
radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all
points on both islands
international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other
countries
Broadcast media:
television service provided by a multi-channel service provider;
radio services provided by the public broadcaster Falkland Islands
Radio Service (FIRS), broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies,
and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007)
Internet country code:
.fk
Internet hosts:
91 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 203
Internet users:
2,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 208
Transportation ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Airports:
7 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 167
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 5
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 440 km
country comparison to the world: 197
paved: 50 km
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Stanley
Military ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international:
Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly
occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek
settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for
sovereignty talks
page last updated on January 10, 2011
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands (Europe)
Introduction ::Faroe Islands
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 granted the Faroese in 1948, who have
autonomy over most internal affairs while Denmark is responsible for
justice, defense, and foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not
part of the European Union.
Geography ::Faroe Islands
Location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 1,393 sq km
country comparison to the world: 182
land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative:
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,117 km
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
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.14%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.86% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention
and Ship Pollution
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
People ::Faroe Islands
Population:
49,057 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108)
15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544)
65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.1 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 37.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.424% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Birth rate:
12.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate:
8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.069 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.18 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 176
male: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.58 years
country comparison to the world: 33
male: 77.13 years
female: 82.21 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 census)
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Government ::Faroe Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:
NA
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
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
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Olaifest (Olavsoka ), 29 July
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark where applicable apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January
1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief
administrative officer (since 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26
September 2008)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy 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
on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008;
governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN
becomes prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members elected
by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven
constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 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 19.3%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party
20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Independence Party 7.2%, other 0.7%; 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
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Jenis av 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]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
conservationists
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
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); referred to as
Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag resembles those
of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors -
but in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky
as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are traditional
Faroese colors
National anthem:
name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land
mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as an autonomous overseas
division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own
national anthem
Economy ::Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy
vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for about 95% of
exports and nearly half of GDP. In early 2008 the Faroese economy
began to slow as a result of smaller catches and historically high
oil prices that continue to trouble the economy. Though oil prices
have come down, reduced catches, especially of cod and haddock, have
continued to strain the Faroese economy. GDP grew 0.5% in 2008-09.
The slowdown in the Faroese economy followed a strong performance
since the mid-1990s with annual growth rates averaging close to 6%,
mostly a result of increased fish landings and salmon farming, and
high export prices. Unemployment reached its lowest level in the
first half of 2008, but increased to 3.9% in 2009 and is rising. The
Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses
that helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark.
However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the
Faroese economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. In
addition, budget surpluses turned to deficits in 2008-09, and the
economy at both the country and local level is running large
deficits. Initial discoveries of oil in the Faroese area give hope
for eventual oil production, which may provide a foundation for a
more diversified economy and less dependence on Danish economic
assistance. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark amounting to
about 6% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living
almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.642 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.45 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$34,000 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16%
industry: 29%
services: 55% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
34,680 (November 2008)
country comparison to the world: 201
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 20.5%
services: 69.2% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
3.9% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 34
1.2% (2008)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 6
6.4% (2008)
Agriculture - products:
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment,
handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - production:
275.8 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - consumption:
264.4 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - imports:
4,922 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Exports:
$848 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157
$634 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships
Exports - partners:
Hungary 36.26%, Denmark 21.36%, UK 12.21%, Nigeria 7.72%, US 6.49%,
Norway 5.46% (2009)
Imports:
$983 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 171
$751 million (2006)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%,
machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt
Imports - partners:
Denmark 54.42%, Norway 20.76%, Sweden 4.79% (2009)
Debt - external:
$68.1 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 185
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.774 (2009), 5.0236 (2008),
5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006)
Communications ::Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
20,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 192
Telephones - mobile cellular:
57,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 194
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic
facilities
domestic: conversion to digital system 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
Broadcast media:
1 publicly-owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company
distributes local and international channels through its digital
terrestrial network; publicly-owned radio station supplemented by 2
privately-owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies
(2008)
Internet country code:
.fo
Internet hosts:
8,936 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 128
Internet users:
37,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 175
Transportation ::Faroe Islands
Airports:
1 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 230
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 463 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 194
Merchant marine:
total: 26
country comparison to the world: 91
by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, container 2, passenger 1,
passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 6, Sweden 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur
Military ::Faroe Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,788 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,792
females age 16-49: 8,354 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 379
female: 368 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues ::Faroe Islands
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
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Fiji (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Fiji
Background: