In Faroese, fjørður can refer to any elongated body of saltwater, including a sound or strait separating two islands.
The northern part of the strait between Streymoy and Eysturoy is called Sundini which transitions into Tangafjørður between Norðuri í Sundum (Kollafjørdur) and Morskranes.
The southern end is not precisely defined and merges with Nólsoyarfjørður strait at a line roughly between cape Eystnes (near Æðuvík on Eysturoy) and the islet of Hoyvíksholmur (near Tórshavn, Streymoy).
The deepest points of the northern and southern section are both −85 metres (−279 ft) at locations just offshore of Kolbeinagjógv and Hvítanes respectively.
The villages on Eysturoy are Morskranes, Kolbeinagjógv, a modern residential area of Strendur (all part of Sjóvar kommuna), Toftir and Nes.
[9] In 2011, circa 1,300 people commuted on a regular basis for work or education between the two sides of the Tangafjørður, yet were forced via Streymin Bridge.