Faroe, Or Faro Isles (Dan. Faroerne), a group belonging to Denmark, in the Atlantic ocean, N. of Scotland, between lat, 61 ° 20' and 62° 25' N., and Ion. 6° 10' and 7° 35' W.; area, 510 sq. m.; pop. in 1870, 9,992. They are 22 in number, 17 of the larger ones being inhabited. The largest of them are Stromo, the central island, 27 m. long and 7 m. broad, with about 2,000 inhabitants, and Ostero, 20 m. long and 10 m. broad, with a population of about 2,100. Next in size are Sydero, Sando, and Vaago. The interior of the islands is generally hilly, the mountains varying in height from 1,000 to 2,800 ft. The valleys are narrow, and the rivulets flowing through them are so swollen during the rainy season as to render travelling impossible. The prevailing rocks are greenstone and clay-stone of various kinds. Some of the islands contain coal mines, and fine opal and traces of iron, copper, and other metals are found. The soil seldom exceeds a foot in depth, though in some places it is 4 ft. deep. Turnips, potatoes, and a few other vegetables flourish, but barley is the only cereal that matures, and even that often fails in consequence of the sudden changes of temperature. There is no timber; coal and turf are used for fuel.

The pasture lands are luxuriant, and the wealth of the islanders consists chiefly in sheep, which yield a very fine wool. The horses are small, but hardy, active, and sure-footed. The cows are also small. Sea fowl valuable for their flesh and feathers abound on the coasts. Ship building is carried on with success. There are cloth and stocking manufactories and a few tanneries. Fisheries of the whale, seal, cod, and herring, and the collecting of cider down, constitute a large part of the resources of the country. Bread and salt are luxuries. The population, descendants of the old Northmen, are vigorous and laborious, and of loyal and religious character. The common language is a dialect of the Norse, but the official language is Danish. The longest day of summer, including the long twilight, is 24 hours, and the shortest of winter 4 hours.-Monks from the Scottish isles first founded in the Faroe group a few hermitages.

In the 9th century fugitive Norwegian pirates established themselves under Grimr Kamban. The islands became Danish when Norway was united with Denmark in 1380. During the 18th century they were notorious as the seat of smugglers. They were occupied by the English from 1807 to 1814. The administration is composed of a Danish amtmand or bailiff, who is commander of the armed force, and a landfoged, who is director of the police; and they are represented in the legislature of Denmark by a deputy appointed by the king. Commerce with the Faroe islands is a monopoly of government, and Danish ships are permitted to approach them only between May and September. Capital, Thorshavn, on the S. E. side of Stromo; pop. about 800.