Faroe Islands Geography - 2024

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

land: 1,393 sq km

water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Area - comparative

eight times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Coastline

1,117 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Climate

mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Terrain

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

Elevation

highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural resources

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Land use

agricultural land: 2.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)

forest: 0.1% (2018 est.)

other: 97.8% (2018 est.)

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

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