World Factbook
Faroe Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Area
land
1,393 sq km
water
0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
total
1,393 sq km
Climate
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Land use
other
29.8% (2023 est.)
forest
0.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
70.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 70.1% (2023 est.)
Location
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway
Coastline
1,117 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Slaettaratindur 882 m
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
0 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
Natural hazards
strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year
Geography - note
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands, 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
Natural resources
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Area - comparative
eight times the size of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 7 00 W
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