Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands or simply Faroes (Faroese: Føroyar, meaning "Sheep Islands", Danish: Færøerne) are a group of islands in the north Atlantic Ocean between Scotland, Norway and Iceland. They have been an autonomous region of the kingdom of Denmark since 1948 and have, over the years, taken control of most matters, except defense and foreign affairs.

History

Main article: History of the Faroe Islands

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The early history of the Faroe Islands is very clear. According to Færeyinga Saga emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands about the beginning of the 9th century. Early in the 11th century Sigmund or Sigmundur Brestirson, whose family had flourished in the southern islands but had been almost exterminated by invaders from the northern, was sent from Norway, whence he had escaped, to take possession of the islands for Olaf Tryggvason, king of Norway. He introduced Christianity and, though he was subsequently murdered, Norwegian supremacy was upheld and continued until 1386, when the islands became part of the Kalmar Union and later the double monarchy Denmark–Norway. The reformation reached the Faroes in 1568. Denmark retained possession of the Faroe Islands at the Treaty of Kiel in 1814.

Related Topics:
Færeyinga Saga - Norway - Harald I of Norway - 9th century - 11th century - Sigmundur Brestirson - Olaf Tryggvason - Christianity - 1386 - Kalmar Union - Denmark–Norway - Reformation - 1568 - Treaty of Kiel - 1814

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The monopoly trade over the Faroe Islands was abolished 1856. Since then, the country developed towards a modern fishery nation with its own fleet. The national awakening since 1888 was first struggling for the Faroese language, thus more cultural oriented, but after 1906 more and more politically after the foundation of the political parties of the Faroe Islands.

Related Topics:
Monopoly trade over the Faroe Islands - 1856 - 1888 - Faroese language - 1906 - Political parties of the Faroe Islands

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On April 12, 1940, the Faroes were occupied by British troops following the invasion of Denmark by Nazi Germany. This action was taken to avert a possible German occupation of the islands, which would have had very grave consequences for the course of the Battle of the Atlantic. In 1942–43 the British Royal Engineers built the only airport in the Faroes, the Vagar Airport. Control of the islands reverted to Denmark following the war, but in 1948 a home rule regime was implemented granting a high degree of local autonomy. The Faroes declined to join Denmark in entering the European Community (now European Union) in 1973. The islands experienced considerable economic difficulties following the collapse of the fishing industry in the early 1990s, but have since made efforts to diversify the economy. Support for independence has grown and is the objective of the government.

Related Topics:
April 12 - 1940 - British - Nazi Germany - Battle of the Atlantic - 1942 - 43 - Royal Engineers - Vagar Airport - 1948 - European Union - 1973

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