Faroe Islands: Flag and Facts
The Faroe Islands flag shows a red cross with a blue border on a white field, reaching the edges and set toward the left in the Danish style.
- Capital
- Tórshavn
- Region
- Northern Europe
- Population
- 52,933 (2024)
- Languages
- Danish, Faroese
- Currency
- Danish krone, Faroese króna
- Area
- 1,393 km² (538 sq mi)
- People
- Faroese
- Calling code
- +298
- Highest point
- Slaettaratindur 882 m
- Independence
- none (self-governing overseas administrative…)
- National symbols
- ram
- Borders
- No land borders
- Status
- Territory (not a sovereign country)
About Faroe Islands
Its local name is Merkid, which translates as the mark or the banner. Students designed it in 1919, though it only became official in 1940. White is for waves breaking on the shore, while red and blue are old Faroese colors.
People already lived here by about A.D. 500, but nobody knows if they were Celtic, early Norse or someone else. Vikings came in the 9th century and used the islands as a stopping point while exploring the North Atlantic. Ties to Denmark go back to the 14th century, and a Home Rule Act in 1948 gave the Faroese control over most internal matters and outside trade. Denmark still handles justice and defense. The islands are not in the EU. Expect cliffs along most of the coast, plus fog and wind.
Did you know?
- The national holiday, Olaifest, falls on 29 July.
- Slaettaratindur, the highest peak, reaches 882 meters.
- Tórshavn, the capital, has about 21,000 residents.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Faroe Islands
What currency do the Faroe Islands use?
Both the Danish krone and the Faroese króna.
What languages are spoken in the Faroe Islands?
Faroese and Danish.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.