FACTS

Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway

Area (only Total) total: 1,399 sq km

Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

Population: 48,668 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Faroese

Government type: NA

Capital (Name): Torshavn

Capital (Time Difference): UTC 0

Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

National holiday: Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

March 21 Good Friday

March 23 Easter

March 24 Easter Monday

April 25 Flag Day

May 1 Ascension

June 12 Whit Monday

June 5 Constitution Day (from midday only)

July 28 Õlavsøka Eve

July 29 Õlavsøka (St Olav's Day, National Day)

December 24 Christmas Eve

December 25 Christmas Day

December 26 Boxing Day

December 31 New Year's Eve (from noon)

Town Fetes

May 4th weekend Town fete in Klaksvík

June 2nd weekend Town fete in Runavík

June 4th weekend Town fetes in Vágur and Tvøroyri

July 1st weekend Town fete in Fuglafjørður

July 4th weekend Town fete in Miðvágur and Sandavágur

Each fete runs from Friday to Sunday. Tórshavn does not have a date but the fete is on Ólavsøka

*4th Friday after Easter