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| Country Guide > Europe > Iceland |
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General Information
Area 103,000 sq km (39,769 sq miles). Population 288,471 (2002). Population Density 2.8 per sq km. Capital Reykjavk. Population: 112,554 (2002). Geography Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic close to the Arctic Circle and includes islands to the north and south. The landscape is wild, rugged and colourful, with black lava, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, grey and white rivers with waterfalls and green valleys, its coastline richly indented with bays and fjords. The whole of the central highland plateau of the island is a beautiful but barren and uninhabitable moonscape - so much so that the first American astronauts were sent there for pre-mission training. Five-sixths of Iceland is uninhabited, the population being concentrated on the coast, in the valleys and in the plains of the southwest and southeast of the country. More than half the population live in or around Reykjavk, the capital. Iceland is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Hekla, in the south of Iceland, is the most famous and magnificent volcano of them all. It has erupted no fewer than 16 times since Iceland was settled, and throughout the Middle Ages was considered by European clergymen as one of the gateways to Hell itself. Another volcano, Snfellsnes, fired Jules Verne’s imagination to use its crater as the point of entry for his epic tale, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Iceland’s highest and most extensive glacier is Vatnajkull; at 8500 sq km (3280 sq miles), it is the largest in Europe, although it is now reported to be melting. Government Republic. Gained full independence from Denmark in 1944. Head of State: President lafur Ragnar Grimsson since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Halldr sgrmsson since 2004. Iceland’s Parliament (the Alingi or Althing) is the oldest in the world. Language The official language is Icelandic, which has remained virtually unchanged since the Vikings settled Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Icelandic language refuses to accept foreign words, preferring instead to coin new words from ancient Viking roots. The word for computer thus becomes tlva, a hybrid made up of the old words for ‘number’ and ‘prophetess’. English (which is taught in schools) and Danish are widely spoken. Religion Lutheran, with a Catholic minority. Time GMT. Electricity 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings are normally two-pin with round section pins 4mm in diameter with centres 2cm apart. Lamp fittings are screw-type. Power is generated by a mix of geothermal and hydroelectric stations. Communications Telephone Full IDD service is available. Country code: 354. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM 900 and 1800 networks exist, serving Reykjavk and coastal towns. Network operators include Iceland Telecom (website: www.simi.is), Og Vodaphone (website: www.ogvodafone.is) and Viking Wireless. Fax Public facilities are available at the main telephone headquarters in Austurvoll Square and in most hotels and offices. Internet Internet cafes provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. ISPs include Hringidan/Vortex Inc (website: www.vortex.is) and Vodafone (website: www.itn.is). Telegram There is a 24-hour telegram service from the Telegraph Office in Reykjavk. Post There is an efficient airmail service to Europe. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630. The post office at Austurstrti is also open Sat 1000-1400 from June to September. Press The most popular newspapers are DV, Frttablai and Morgunblai. International English-language newspapers and magazines are available. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
