The unspoiled Faeroe Islands lie far off the beaten track in the North Atlantic. Discovered by Irish hermits in the 8th century AD, the 18 islands were settled by Vikings 100 years later. While Faeroes means "Sheep Islands," the people of these weather-beaten rocks have always turned to the sea for sustenance. Tórshavn, with a population of about 15,000, is the capital of the archipelago. The islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, though they possess their own parliament, language and currency. Colorful houses surround the harbor at Tórshavn. The town's older houses present a unique image with their tar-colored walls and green-grass roofs.