Location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 1,393 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 1,393 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
(some lakes and streams)
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
183
Area - comparative:
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,117 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
continental shelf: 200
nm or agreed boundaries or median line
[see also: Maritime claims - continental shelf country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200
nm or agreed boundaries or median line
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation:
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
agricultural land: 2.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 2.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 0.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 97.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Population distribution:
the island of Streymoy is by far the most populous with over 40% of the population; it has approximately twice as many inhabitants as Eysturoy, the second most populous island; seven of the inhabited islands have fewer than 100 people
Natural hazards:
strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year
Environment - current issues:
coastal erosion, landslides and rockfalls, flash flooding, wind storms; oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands