Dennis McAllister, age 13, of Lynn, Mass., for his question:

WHO OWNS THE FAEROE ISLANDS?

Between Iceland and the Shetland Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean are a group of 18 islands and some reefs called the ,Faeroe Islands. Sometimes it is spelled Faroe. The islands belong to Denmark.

In 1948, Denmark granted the Faeroes self government. The islanders now have their own parliament, or Lagting, and send representatives to the Danish parliament in Copenhagen.

Norway ruled the islands from the 800s until 1380, when they came under the control of Denmark. British forces occupied the islands during World War II, but the civil government remained the same.

The group has an area of 540 square miles and a population of about 50,000. Major islands are Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vagar, Sudhuroy and Sandoy. The seat of government is in a city called Torshavn on Streymoy.

The coastline is steep and deeply indented. Treacherous currents along the shores make navigation difficult. The hardy people of Norse origin fish and raise sheep. They also sell the eggs and feathers of the many sea birds that nest on the cliffs. The islanders do very little farming.