Country Information
| Sovereign State | No (Autonomous territory of Denmark) |
| Country Codes | FO, FRO, 234 |
| Official Name | Faroe Islands |
| Continent | Europe |
| Capital | Tórshavn |
| Government Type | Devolved government within a constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | Danish Krone (DKK), Faroese króna (local variant) |
| Calling Code | +298 |
| Member Of | Not a member of the United Nations (part of Denmark) |
| Population | Approx. 53,000 (as of 2023) |
| Total Area | 1,400 square kilometers |
| Highest Point | Slættaratindur (880 meters or 2,887 feet) |
| Lowest Point | Atlantic Ocean (0 meters or 0 feet) |
| GDP Per Capita | Not well-documented, but closely tied to Denmark |
| Life Expectancy | Comparable to Denmark |
| Internet TLD | .fo |
Faroe Islands National Anthem
Tú alfagra land mítt (Thou, my most beauteous land)
Thou, my most beauteous land on earth,
Your mountains so lofty, so huge and so steep,
You are my heart’s fondly cherished land,
The Faroes, my native isle, my heritage.
Flags of Neighboring Countries
History of the Faroe Islands Flag
The national flag of the Faroe Islands, known as Merkið (the mark or banner), was first created in 1919 and officially adopted on April 25, 1940, during the British occupation in World War II.
The flag design comprises a Nordic cross, reflecting the islands’ historical and cultural ties to other Nordic countries. The cross is blue with a white outline, set against a red background. The red and blue colors are traditional Faroese colors, with red symbolizing the Faroese people’s Viking heritage and blue representing the sea that surrounds the islands.
Merkið was designed by three Faroese students studying in Copenhagen. It was first acknowledged as a national symbol when it was hoisted on March 22, 1937, in the Faroese capital, Tórshavn. Before 1940, the flag was not officially recognized and was often met with controversy, but the British authorities’ official recognition of the flag during the occupation gave it a significant boost in status.
Since its official adoption, Merkið has become a powerful symbol of Faroese identity and unity. It is a source of pride for the Faroese people, representing their distinctiveness within the Kingdom of Denmark and their strong connection to the Nordic cultural sphere. The flag is flown on public buildings, at national events, and in international forums, symbolizing the Faroese people’s spirit, history, and aspirations.