FAEROE ISLANDS (also written FAROE or THE FAEROES, Danish Fuel-dente or Faroerne, "the sheep islands"), a group of islands in the north Atlantic ocean belonging to Denmark. They are situated between Iceland and the Shetland islands, about 200 m. N.W. of the latter, about 7° W. and 62° N. The total land area of the group is 515 sq.m. and there are 21 islands (ex eluding small rocks and reefs), of which 17 are inhabited Pop. (193o) 24,200. The principal islands are Stromo, Ostero, Sudero, Vaago, Sando and Bordo. The islands were formed by submarine outpourings of basalt in Tertiary times, with thin intercalated tuff. The individual layers of basalt are sometimes as much as 7o to Ioo feet thick. The columnar structure of the basalt can be well seen in the islands of Sudero. Upon the basalt rests the so-called coal formation 35 to Soft. thick; the lower part of this is mainly fireclays and sandstone, and the upper is weathered clay with thin layers of shale and brown coal. The latter occurs, especially in Sudero, in sufficient quantities to be worth exploita tion. Above this, over the greater part of the surface, lie beds of dolerite 15 to 20f t. thick. All these beds lie practically hori zontal. During the Glacial period the whole surface up to 1,5ooft. was covered by ice sheets, and the present relief is due mainly to the action of ice upon the horizontal beds. The islands art high and rugged, with perpendicular cliffs and flat summits separated by deep narrow ravines. The coasts are deeply indented and a series of fjords run from north-west to south-east. The narrow passages between the islands tend to follow the same direction and are made dangerous by very strong tidal currents. The coastal scenery is very fine, especially in the more westerly islands. The greatest height in the islands is Slattaretindur in Ostero, feet. There are several lakes in which trout is abundant, and char is also found; the largest is Sorvaag lake in Vaago which dis charges into the sea by a sheer fall of about 16o feet.
The climate is oceanic, with mild but stormy winters and cool summers. Rainfall is heavy and well distributed, the maximum occurring in autumn and winter. The sky is generally overcast, and fogs are frequent. There are seldom long periods of frost and the harbours are very rarely ice-bound. At midsummer the sun is above the horizon for about 194 hours.
Owing to the strong westerly winds and frequent gales the islands are naturally treeless but there has been successful plant ing of hardy conifers, also maple and mountain ash. Much of the natural vegetation has been dwarfed by continuous grazing. Berry fruits flourish, and potatoes are one of the most successful crops, but the methods of agriculture are extremely primitive and less than 3% of the total area is under cultivation. As the plough is ill-suited to the rugged surface of the land, the ground is usually turned up with the spade. The pasture is on the whole good, but horses and cows are few, and the cows give little milk, in consequence of the coarse hay upon which they are fed. The number of sheep, however, justifies the name of the islands, the total number in the islands now exceeding 6o,000. The catching of the numerous sea-birds which build their nests upon the face of the cliffs forms an important source of subsistence to the inhabitants. The puffin is taken for its feathers and for food, and the feathers of the eider duck are collected. Fowling has somewhat decreased in modern times, as the fisheries have risen in importance. The cod fishery is especially important, dried fish being exported in large quantity, and the swim-bladders made into gelatine. The whaling industry came into importance towards the close of the 19th century, and stations for the extraction of the oil and whalebone have been established at several points. The finner whale is the species most commonly taken.
More than one-third of the population is engaged in fishing. There is a small home industry in spinning and knitting. The produce of the whaling and fishing industries, woollen goods, lamb skins and feathers, are the chief exports, while in Thorshavn the preserving of fish and the manufacture of carpets are carried on to some extent. Thorshavn, the seat of government, is situated on the south-east side of Stromo, upon a narrow tongue of land, having creeks on each side, where ships may be safely moored. The houses are generally built of wood and roofed with birch bark covered with turf. The character of the people is marked by simplicity of manners, kindness and hospitality. They are healthy, and the population increases steadily. The Faeroes form an amt (county) of Denmark. They have also a local (lagthing), consisting of the amtmann and 19 other members. Among other duties, this body elects a representative to the upper house of parliament (landsthing) in Denmark; the people choose by vote a representative in the lower house (f olkething) . The islands are included in the Danish bishopric of Zealand.
It seems probable that the islands were peopled in the 9th century by Norse settlers. In the i ith century Sigmund Brester son took possession of the islands for Olaf Trygvason, king of Norway, and introduced Christianity into the islands. The Nor wegian supremacy continued till 1386, when the islands were transferred to Denmark. English adventurers gave great trouble in the i6th century, and the name of Magnus Heineson, a native of Stromo, who was sent by Frederick II. to clear the seas, is still celebrated in many songs and stories. There was formerly a bish opric at Kirkebo, south of Thorshavn, but it was abolished at the introduction of Protestantism by Christian III. Denmark re tained possession of the Faeroes at the peace of Kiel in 1815. The native literature of the islands consists of the Faereyinga Saga, dealing with the period of Sigmund Bresterson, and popular songs and legends of early origin.
Since 1912 the use of the local as well as the Danish language in education and in conduct of religious services has, to some ex tent, been authorized. The claims of extreme nationalists, how ever, are not yet satisfied. The complaints of Danish misrule made by Home Rulers seem based more on the events of the past than the present. The Danish Government has voted considerable sums towards the construction of roads and harbour works, as well as to the support of education. The large increase in the population, which has nearly doubled since the beginning of the century, indicates a considerable measure of prosperity.