The Faroe Islands

In the middle of the North Atlantic
Faroe Islanders know very well that even the slightest shift in ocean dynamics can have huge impacts on everyday life. Over the centuries they have learnt to understand and respect the forces and fluctuations of the stormy seas around them and to make the most of their valuable resources. With a firm grip on the realities of island life in the middle of the ocean, they see the North Atlantic as a breadbasket and bridge, not a barrier.



Photo: The Foreign Ministry of the Faroe Islands

Resilient and creative
The Faroe Islanders are a dynamic and independent people, living and thriving in a modern Nordic society, proud of their Norse heritage and their language, Faroese. The key to their success is an ability to maintain the integrity of their unique way of life while adapting effectively to ever-changing global realities. Geographical isolation has taught the islanders to be resilient and self-sufficient and to nurture close community bonds – qualities that keep them well-grounded in their cooperation with others.

With the characteristic mobility and flexibility of islanders, the Faroese people have always cultivated a broad international perspective. They may be few in number, but you will find them in every corner of the world and in all walks of life. From marine research to music, from fishing to fashion design, from shipping to sustainable aquaculture, these are just a few of the areas where Faroese expertise and creativity are leading others to seek them out on the world map.


Seas – the future
Their unique location and size as an island nation dependent on the sea and fisheries make the Faroe Islands a natural centre for innovative research and technological development. Monitoring and modelling changes in ocean currents and resources in the North Atlantic and ensuring sustainable fisheries in a clean and productive marine environment are already at the core of Faroese efforts to make a difference, both at home and internationally.

The Faroese contribution to the global challenge of climate change will be to develop the huge potential in the Faroe Islands for new technologies in clean and self-sufficient energy production, inspired by small-scale, island- and fisheries-dependent realities. The Faroe Islanders are already at the forefront when it comes to increasing fuel efficiency at sea and minimising the impacts of fisheries on the marine ecosystem.

The challenge for the Faroe Islanders is to find new ways to tap into the powerhouse of the North Atlantic Ocean on their very doorstep, and to apply their intimate knowledge of the sea and its valuable resources in ways that can also benefit other nations and communities around the world.

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Faces of the Faroe Islands
Every Faroe Islander, in his or her own unique way, is an ambassador of the North Atlantic. Creative and innovative thinking are an evident part of the mindset of a people whose feet are firmly planted on Faroese soil. Their respective walks of life give a taste of the astounding range of diversity of talent inspired bya common point of departure – the heart of the North Atlantic.

20/20 Vision – the new Faroese climate policy
The newly adopted Faroese climate policy, with its target to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20% by 2020, is a realistic and ambitious path to a more sustainable national economy.

Seas – the future
Few other countries today are so heavily dependent on the sea as the Faroe Islands, a small nation with a big stake in ensuring the sustainable use of marine resources. For the Faroe Islands, this is not only a major responsibility – but an absolute necessity.

Bird’s eye view
Most people only ever see the Faroe Islands on the in-flight map 30,000 feet above the North Atlantic between Europe and North America. But zooming down below the clouds for a real
bird’s eye view provides a unique opportunity to see the bigger international business picture up close and personal.

Authentic, unspoiled, and likely to remain so
In a survey of 522 travel experts, carried out by National Geographic Traveler, the Faroe Islands was voted the No. 1 island destination with the verdict “authentic, unspoiled, and likely to remain so”.