Lyoveldio Island
(Republic of Iceland)
Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944.
Chief of state is President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson (since 1 August 1996). Prime Minister is Geir H. Haarde (since 7 June 2006).
Capital of Iceland is Reykjavik, and Independence Day, 17 June (1944, from Denmark) is the National holiday.
Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930.
|
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK.
The area is approximately 103,000 sq km (100,250 sq km land. 2,750 sq km water). Terrain is mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, and icefields. The coast is deeply indented by bays and fjords. Natural hazards include earthquakes and volcanic activity. Climate is temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current. You will find mild, windy winters, and damp, cool summers.
Population: About 304,367 people live in Iceland.
The ethnic group is a homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts. Languages include Icelandic, English, Nordic, and German.
Religious Denomination: Lutheran Church of Iceland (85.5%), Roman Catholic (2%), Reykjavik Free Church (2.1%), Hafnarfjorour Free Church (1.5%), other Christian (2.7%), and unspecified/unaffiliated (6.2%).
Agriculture: Potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish.
Exports (commodities): Fish, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, and diatomite.
Economy: Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 70% of export earnings and employs 6% of the work force. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching.
Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK).
This page was last updated on 28 August, 2008