About Denmark

The Kingdom of Denmark comprises two external territories, the Faeroe Islands and Greenland. The Faeroe Islands have been under Danish rule since Queen Margarethe inherited Norway in 1380. By the House Rule Act of 1948 they were given control over all their internal affairs. They have their own parliament, the Løgting. The Danish Folketing, to which the Faeroese send two members, remains responsible for defence and foreign policy, constitutional matters and the judicial and monetary systems. The Faeroes control fishing resources within their territorial waters, but jurisdiction over resources beneath the bed of the sea in the area adjacent to the islands has yet to be settled with Denmark. The Faeroe Islands did not join the European Community with Denmark in 1973.

A High Commissioner, represents the Danish government, and has the right to address the Løgting and to advise on joint affairs. All Danish legislation must be submitted to the Landsstyri before becoming law in the Faeroe Islands.

Greenland, too, came under the Danish Crown in 1380. In the revision of the Danish constitution in 1953, Greenland, as part of the Kingdom, acquired the representation by two members in the Danish Folketing. In 1979, it was accorded autonomy in economic and other internal matters. Since 1985, it is fully autonomous, only foreign relations and defence remaining a Danish responsibility. Like the Faeroe Islands, Greenland is not a member of the European Community, and like on the Faeroe Islands, Denmark is represented by a High Commissioner.

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