1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Roadways:

total: 463 km (2006)

Merchant marine:

total: 12
by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3
foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Torshavn, Vagur

Military
Faroe Islands

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 9,735 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 400
female: 387 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures:

NA

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Transnational Issues
Faroe Islands

Disputes - international:

because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been
realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been
deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that
the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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@Fiji

Introduction
Fiji

Background:

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British
colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in
1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by
the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to
the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a
1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji,
led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in
economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the
majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable.
Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by
an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a
prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held
in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected
government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May
2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by
Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting
president. In January 2007, BAINIMARAMA was appointed interim prime
minister.

Geography
Fiji

Location:

Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand