Faroe Islands
Quick reference
General issues: Self governing country within the kingdom of Denmark 1975-Present
Country name on general issues: Føroyar
Special issues: Provisional issues 1919, Provisional issues British occupation 1940-1941
Currency: 1 Krone = 100 Øre
Population: 41 000 in 1975, 50 500 in 2016
Political history Faroe Islands
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The Faroe Islands are located in the northern Atlantic Ocean. The islands were settled by Norsemen in the 9th century and became a part of the kingdom of Norway in 1035. In 1814, through the Treaty of Kiel, the Faroe Islands became a Danish possession. As such, they were given the status of a Danish county[1]Counties were the administrative division of Denmark just below the national level until 2007. in 1816. When Denmark was occupied by Germany during WWII, the British occupied the Faroe Islands, between 1940 and 1945, because of the strategic location in the northern Atlantic Ocean and to forestall German occupation of the islands. In 1948, the Faroe Islands were granted self government in domestic affairs and gained the status of a constituent country of the kingdom of Denmark, which they are until today.[2]The kingdom of Denmark consists of three constituent countries: Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The Faroe Islands stayed out of the European Union, when Denmark joined in 1973, because of the restrictions the European Union imposes on fishing, which constitutes the key economic activity on the islands. The Faroe Islands have a high standard of living that is comparable to that of Denmark. The population is 90% Faroese, 7% Danish and 3% of different, mostly Nordic, origins. Faroese is, together with Danish, one of the two official languages on the islands.
Postal history Faroe Islands
1981 – Rune stone
Dated 800-1000 AD
The first stamps to be used on the Faroe Islands were the stamps of Denmark from 1870. On two occasions provisional stamps were issued on the Faroe Islands. First, in 1919, when shortages of the 2 øre stamps led to 5 øre stamps being overprinted with the 2 øre denomination. At the same time, 4 øre stamps were halved – these are collected on cover. All these provisionals rank in the high catalog value range. Provisionals were again issued, in 1940 and 1941, during the British occupation. Several stamps were overprinted with new denominations. These provisionals were used until after WWII. In 1945, the stamps of Denmark were once again available. Since 1975, the Faroe Islands have had their own stamp issuing policy. The Faroe Islands issue stamps with themes of national interest and themes aimed at the thematic collectors market.
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