Iceland, the 18th largest island in the world and 2nd largest island in Europe is situated in northern Europe, comprising the main island of Iceland and islets in the North Atlantic Ocean between Europe and Greenland. The Greenland Sea borders to the north and the North Atlantic Ocean borders the island to the south. Reykjavík is the capital of the island. Iceland has the world's oldest legislative assembly. Iceland enjoys the memberships of UN, NATO, EFTA, EEA and OECD. Iceland ranked the most developed country in the world according to the Human Development Index in 2007.
HISTORY:- The Irish hermits were the first inhabitants of Iceland. They are overrun by the pagan Norse people in the 9th century. In 930, the Althing, world’s oldest legislative and judiciary parliament, was set up in the Icelandic Commonwealth. After the downfall of the commonwealth in 1262, Iceland was conquered by Norway. In 1264 Iceland came under the control of Denmark. In 1397, the Kalmar Union was founded by the unification of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark kingdoms. After the treaty of Kiel in 1814, Denmark and Norway was broken up from the Kingdom and formed two different kingdoms. As a result Iceland became a Danish dependency. In 1874, Iceland was granted home rule by Denmark. Iceland remained neutral at the initial stage of the World War II. During the World War II, when German troop occupied Denmark, the British, followed by the American soldiers occupied Iceland. In 1944, Iceland broke up the union with the Danish kingdom. On 20th May, 1944 Iceland was declared as an independent republic by a popular referendum.
GEOGRAPHY:- Iceland is located at 65 00 N, 18 00 W in Northern Europe. The total area of the country is total: 103,000 sq km, in which total land area is 100,250 sq km and total wart area is 2,750 sq km. 14.3% of the nation is covered by lakes and glaciers. The coastline is 4,970 km long along with the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is located at the Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is located at Vatnajokull glacier- Hvannadalshnukur (2,110 m). Iceland is mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, and ice fields. The coasts deeply are indented by bays and fiords.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Iceland is mostly temperate which is moderated by the North Atlantic Current. The island has mild, windy winters and damp, cool summers.
GOVERNMENT:- Iceland has a constitutional republic. The Constitution was adopted on 16th June 1944 and came to effect on 17th June 1944 but was amended many times. The legal system is based on the Danish law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch is consisted of the President (chief of state), the Prime minister (head of government), and the cabinet. The President is elected by a popular vote. The leader of the majority party or the majority coalition is elected the Prime minister. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime minister.
Legislative branch is consisted of the unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats). It is the oldest legislative assembly in the world.
Judicial branch is consisted of the Supreme Court and the eight district courts. The judges are appointed by the Minister of Justice, for life.
Major political parties of Iceland are Independence party (IP), Progressive party (PP), Social Democratic Alliance (SDA), Left-Green Party (LGP), Liberal Party (LP). Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
Prime Minister Geir Haarde
Althing President Sturla Böðvarsson
Prime Minister Geir Haarde
Althing President Sturla Böðvarsson
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Iceland is divided into 8 regions, 23 counties and 79 municipalities.
The regions are:
Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, and Vesturland.
The regions are:
Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, and Vesturland.
CULTURE:- Norse culture is prominent in the culture of the Island. The sagas and eddas literature were popular since the first days of settlements. Icelandic music is very much similar to Nordic music including various folk and pop genres. Fish, lamb and dairy products are the main ingredients of Icelandic cuisine. Þorramatur is the national food of Iceland. The traditional sport of the island is Glíma while football, track and field, handball, basketball, golf, tennis, swimming, chess and horse riding are very popular.
ECONOMY:- Iceland’s capitalistic economy is the 4th most productive economy in the world by nominal GDP per capita, and the 5th most productive economy by GDP at purchasing power parity. Fishing is the main industry which accounts 70% of the foreign earnings.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $11.89 billion; per capita $39,400.
Real growth rate: 1.8%.
Inflation: 4.1%.
Unemployment: 2.1%.
Arable land: 0.07%.
Budget:
Revenues: $9.635 billion
Expenditures: $8.597 billion (2007 est.)
Revenues: $9.635 billion
Expenditures: $8.597 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt: 27.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt - external: $3.073 billion (2002)
Agriculture: Potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish.
Labor force: 180,000; agriculture, fishing and fish processing 5.1%, industry 23%, services 71.4% (2005).
Industries: Fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism.
Natural resources: Fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite.
Exports: $4.569 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite.
Imports: $5.777 billion (2007 est.): machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles.
Major trading partners: UK, Germany, Netherlands, U.S., China, Spain, Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden, Japan (2006).
Monetary unit: Icelandic króna.
LANGUAGE:- Icelandic is the official language but English, Nordic languages, German are widely spoken.
CITIES:- Capital of the island Reykjavik is the largest city. Other major cities are Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Akureyri.
POPULATION:- Iceland is least populated nation among the Nordic countries The estimated population of Iceland is 301,931 with a growth rate of 0.8%.
Density per sq mi: 8
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)
Density per sq mi: 8
Literacy rate: 99% (2003 est.)
RACE:-
Homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%
Population of foreign origin 6%
Homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%
Population of foreign origin 6%
RELIGION:-
Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%
Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%
Roman Catholic Church 2%
Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%
Other Christian 2.7%
Other or unspecified 3.8%
Unaffiliated 2.4% (2004)
Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%
Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%
Roman Catholic Church 2%
Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%
Other Christian 2.7%
Other or unspecified 3.8%
Unaffiliated 2.4% (2004)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 13.5 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.55 years
Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 3,344
Birth rate: 13.5 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.55 years
Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (2003 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 3,344
UNICEF:- Iceland is the newest member in the UNICEF family joining since 2004. UNICEF focuses on children education and protection of children rights.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 13,028 km; paved: 4,241 km; unpaved: 8,787 km (2005).
Ports and harbors: Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur.
Airports: 99 (2007).
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 13,028 km; paved: 4,241 km; unpaved: 8,787 km (2005).
Ports and harbors: Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur.
Airports: 99 (2007).
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