Situated in the heart of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic Ocean at 62°00’ N, 006°45’ W, the Faroe Islands lie northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway.
The archipelago is composed of 18 mountainous islands covering 1399 sq. km (545,3 sq. miles). It is 113 km (70 miles) long and 75 km (47 miles) wide, roughly in the shape of an arrowhead. There are 1100 km (687 miles) of coastline and at no time you are more than 5 km (3 miles) away from the sea. Belonging to the islands is a sea area of 274.000 sq. km (105.792 sq. miles).
The highest mountain is 882 m (2883 ft) above sea level and the average height above sea level for the country is 300 m (982 ft).
The Faroe Islands are built up of layers of volcanic basalt and, as a rule, are tilted with the eastern shores sloping into the sea and the western coasts rising up in soaring cliffs. This layer effect is most pronounced along the more peaceful and protected fjords and sounds. Along the shores of these fjords and sounds lie the towns and villages.
Of the 18 islands 17 of them are inhabited, some of them only by a single family. The pattern of settlement is characterized by a large number of densely populated communities differing greatly in size. More than 85% of the population live In the central area, where the islands are connected with sub-sea tunnels or a bridge.