Faroe Islands Map, Weather, Population & Salmon: Complete Facts Guide
By Triprz Editorial Team | November 6, 2026
A complete factual guide to the Faroe Islands covering the geography and map of all 18 islands, month-by-month weather and climate data, population demographics, and the Faroese salmon farming industry.
Tags: faroe islands, map, weather, population, salmon, geography, climate, facts, demographics, aquaculture
Article
The Faroe Islands are one of the most misunderstood destinations in Europe. Travelers know the photos — cliff-edge lakes, grass-roof houses, waterfalls into the ocean — but the practical facts are harder to find. This guide covers the geography, climate, demographics, and the salmon industry that drives the Faroese economy.
## Faroe Islands Map: The 18 Islands Explained
The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, located approximately 320 km north of Scotland, 430 km east of Iceland, and 670 km west of Norway. The total land area is 1,399 km² — roughly the size of Greater London.
### The Islands at a Glance
| Island | Area (km²) | Population | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streymoy | 373 | 23,000 | Capital Tórshavn, Saksun, Sørvágsvatn lake |
| Eysturoy | 286 | 11,000 | Slættaratindur (highest peak), Gjógv, Funningur |
| Vágar | 178 | 3,200 | Vágar Airport, Mulafossur, Gásadalur, Mykines ferry |
| Suðuroy | 166 | 4,600 | Southernmost island, coal mines, remote hikes |
| Sandoy | 112 | 1,300 | Sand dunes, new tunnel connection (2023) |
| Borðoy | 95 | 5,000 | Klaksvík (second-largest town), Klakkur hike |
| Viðoy | 41 | 600 | Northernmost island, Enniberg cliff |
| Kalsoy | 31 | 150 | Kallur lighthouse, James Bond filming location |
| Kunoy | 36 | 80 | Kunoy village, mountain ridge |
| Koltur | 2.5 | 0 | Uninhabited island, Koltur mountain |
| Mykines | 10 | 11 | Puffin colony, westernmost island |
| Skúvoy | 10 | 30 | Historical island, Saga-era graves |
| Hestur | 6 | 0 | Uninhabited, sea cliffs |
| Nólsoy | 11 | 200 | Tórshavn commuter island, puffin colony |
| Svínoy | 27 | 30 | Small village island |
| Fugloy | 11 | 40 | Easternmost island, bird cliffs |
| Stóra Dímun | 2.7 | 0 | Uninhabited, one farm |
| Lítla Dímun | 0.8 | 0 | Uninhabited, sheer cliffs, sheep only |
### How the Islands Connect
The islands are linked by a combination of undersea tunnels, bridges, and ferries:
- **Bridges:** Streymoy–Eysturoy (bridge, 1973), Borðoy–Viðoy (bridge)
- **Subsea tunnels:** Eysturoy Tunnel (2020, 11 km, includes undersea roundabout), Sandoy Tunnel (2023, 10 km)
- **Ferries:** Vágar–Mykines, Klaksvík–Kalsoy (Syðradalur), Tórshavn–Nólsoy, Tórshavn–Suðuroy, Tórshavn–Skúvoy/Sandoy (reduced since Sandoy Tunnel opened)
The subsea tunnel toll system uses automatic license plate recognition. You receive a bill by mail or email after driving through. Cost: ~$12 per crossing.
## Faroe Islands Weather: Month-by-Month Climate Data
The Faroe Islands have a subpolar oceanic climate — mild winters, cool summers, and frequent rain and fog year-round. The Gulf Stream keeps temperatures moderate for the latitude (62°N).
### Temperature and Rainfall by Month
| Month | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Rainy Days | Daylight Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 2 | 22 | 5–7 | Short days, strong storms, Northern Lights possible |
| February | 6 | 2 | 18 | 7–9 | Coldest sea temperatures, snow possible |
| March | 7 | 2 | 20 | 9–12 | Transition month, unpredictable |
| April | 9 | 4 | 18 | 12–15 | Spring arrival, Edinburgh flights resume |
| May | 11 | 6 | 16 | 15–18 | Puffins arrive, trails opening |
| June | 13 | 8 | 15 | 18–21 | Near-midnight sun, best visibility |
| July | 14 | 9 | 15 | 17–19 | Warmest month, peak tourist season |
| August | 14 | 9 | 17 | 15–17 | Puffins still present, heather blooming |
| September | 12 | 8 | 19 | 12–15 | Autumn colors, fewer tourists |
| October | 9 | 5 | 22 | 9–12 | Storm season begins, ferries disrupted |
| November | 7 | 3 | 22 | 6–8 | Dark, wet, Edinburgh flights end |
| December | 6 | 2 | 24 | 4–6 | Shortest days, Christmas in Tórshavn |
### Key Weather Facts
- **Annual rainfall:** ~1,300 mm (distributed across 220+ rainy days — bring rain gear every day)
- **Fog frequency:** ~200 foggy days per year — the #1 hiking hazard
- **Wind:** Average annual wind speed 26 km/h; winter storms regularly exceed 100 km/h
- **Snow:** Rare at sea level (5–10 days/year), common on mountain summits
- **Midnight sun:** Not a true midnight sun (too far south), but June nights are bright enough to hike without a headlamp
- **Northern Lights:** Visible September–March on clear nights, though cloud cover makes sightings rare
## Faroe Islands Population: Demographics
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population | 54,800 (2026 estimate) |
| Capital | Tórshavn (23,000) |
| Second-largest town | Klaksvík (5,200) |
| Third-largest town | Runavík (3,800) |
| Median age | 38.6 |
| Life expectancy | 81.2 years |
| Birth rate | 1.65 per woman |
| Official languages | Faroese, Danish |
| Currency | Danish Krone (DKK) — pegged to USD at ~6.75 DKK = $1 |
| Government | Autonomous territory of Denmark |
| EU membership | Not a member (part of Danish realm but opted out) |
| Religion | Faroese Church (Lutheran) — 80%+ |
The Faroese population is remarkably concentrated — nearly half live in the Tórshavn metropolitan area, and the remaining popula
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