Page last updated on February 08, 2019

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: 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:
0 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean
882 highest point: Slaettaratindur

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 - other 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