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| CIA Background Information |
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. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Iceland is a highly developed, stable democracy with a modern economy. The national language is Icelandic, but English is widely spoken, especially in the capital city of Reykjavik. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Iceland for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Iceland is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Iceland for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. For further details about travel ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun--Icelander(s). Adjective--Icelandic.
Population (January 1, 2008): 313,376.
Annual growth rate (2007): 1.8%.
Ethnic group: Relatively homogenous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts.
Religion: Evangelical Lutheran, 86%.
Language: Icelandic.
Education: Compulsory up to age 16. Attendance--99%. Literacy--99.9%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2001-2006 average)--2.4/1,000. Life expectancy (2006)--men 79.4 years, women 83 years.
Work force (2007, 181,500): Commerce--32.4%; manufacturing--10.2%; ... Read this Article
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Location: Iceland is Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK See Map
Capital: name: Reykjavik
geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W
time difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): Icelandic krona (ISK) ...More
Area: total: 103,000 sq km , land: 100,250 sq km , water: 2,750 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: slightly smaller than Kentucky
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m , highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 304,367 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 1% (2007 est.)
Ethnic Groups: homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6%
Religion: Lutheran Church of Iceland 82.1%, Roman Catholic Church 2.4%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.3%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.6%, other Christian 2.8%, other religions 0.9%, unaffiliated 2.6%, other or unspecified 5.5% (2006 est.)
Languages: Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
More Statistics
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| History
Iceland was settled in the late 9th and early 10th centuries, principally by people of Norse origin. In 930 A.D., the ruling chiefs established a republican constitution and an assembly called the Althingi (Alþingi) the oldest parliament in the world. Iceland remained independent until 1262, when it entered into ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Iceland : |
Geography
Area: 103,000 sq. km. (39,600 sq. mi.); about the size of Virginia or slightly larger than Ireland.
Cities: Capital--Reykjavík (pop. 117,898). Other towns--Kópavogur (28,665), Hafnarfjörður (24,895), Akureyri (17,278).
Terrain: Rugged.
Climate: Maritime temperate.
Highest elevation: Hvannadalshnjúkur at Vatnajökull Glacier, at 2,110 meters (6,923 ft.).
People
Nationality: Noun--Icelander(s). Adjective--Icelandic.
Population (January 1, 2008): 313,376.
... Read this Article
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