A Chronology of Key Events:
circa 600 AD - Irish monks settle on the islands.
circa 800 - Norwegian farmers arrive.
circa 1000 - Christianity introduced by order of the king of Norway.
1035 - Faroe Islands become formally a land under the Kingdom of Norway (in reality the rule of Norwegian kings only secured by late 12th century).
1380 - As a land under the Norwegian Crown the Faroe Islands enter together with Norway into a Dual Monarchy with the Kingdom of Denmark.
1655 - Faroe Islands are presented to the von Gabel family. Their oppressive feudal rule ends in 1709 when the Faroes come under direct Danish rule.
1814 - With the Kiel Treaty of 1814 Norway is separated from the union with Denmark. The Faroes are maintained under the rule of the Kingdom of Denmark.
1816 - Faroe Islands status as county of the Kingdom of Denmark.
1850 - The Danish constitution is by Danish order extended to the Faroe Islands, which are given representation in both houses of the Danish parliament.
1856 - Danish Royal trade monopoly abolished. Free trade is established.
1872 - Purchase of the first seafaring fishing vessel heralds the growth of the islands' main economic activity.
1906-09 - First political parties are formed, representing divisions over the self-government issue.
1940 - World War II: British forces occupy the Faroes while Denmark is under German occupation. The Faroese flag is recognised by the British Government.
1946 - Narrow vote for secession from Denmark in referendum. Danish king dissolves Faroese parliament.
1948 - Home rule act is passed. The islands become an autonomous, self-governing nation under the external sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark.
1973 - Faroese parliament decides not to join the European Community (now European Union) with Denmark.
early 1990s - Severe economic crisis, amid falling fish prices and depleted stocks. Unemployment and emigration rise. Almost 10 % decline in population.
1998 - After the General Election a pro-independece Government coalition is formed under Prime Minister Mr Anfinn Kallsberg (People's Party).
2000 - Negotiations on Faroese sovereignty between Faroese and Danish governments commence and fail.
2001 March - Planned referendum on independence is cancelled after Denmark says a pro-independence result would lead to a very sudden halt in Danish subsidies.
2002 January - Faroes take over responsibility of the entire education system and a major part of social security, resulting in a 35 per cent reduction in annual Danish State subsidies.
2002 April - After the General Election a new Government coalition is formed consisting of both independence and unionist parties. A more gradual self-government policy is adopted.
2003 December - Pro-independence party pulls out of coalition.
2004 - After early elections in January a three-party coalition is formed with Mr Jóannes Eidesgaard (Social Democrat) as Prime Minister.
2005 - After negotiations with Denmark, Faroese self-government is widened with greater powers to unilaterally take over new government areas and also to act in foreign policy matters.
2008 January - Parliamentary elections. New governing coalition formed. Joannes Eidesgaard continues as Prime Minister.
2008 September - Mr Kaj Leo Holm Johannesen (Union Party) becomes prime minister and forms new coalition government after the collapse of the coalition led by Mr Joannes Eidesgaard.
2011 October - Centre right Union and People's parties increase their share of the vote in parliamentary elections. Mr Kaj Leo Holm Johannesen continues as Prime Minister.
2015 September - New Government takes office in the Faroes. Prime Minister, Mr Aksel Johannesen’s Social Democratic Party (Javnaðarflokkurin) formes a coalition with the Republican Party (Tjóðveldi) and the Progressive Party (Framsókn).
The new Government consists of 8 ministers, including the Prime Minister, with four men and four women.