Iceland

Republic of IcelandLyoveldio Island

constitutional republicIndependence 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

Iceland as the 1998 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 93 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

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CapitalReykjavik
Position65 00 N, 18 00 W
Area103,000 sq km
LocationNorthern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the
1998

Every edition of Iceland

Populationas each edition published it
271,033 people July 1998 est. · 257,023 in 1990
Population growth% a year
0.52% 1998 est. · 0.88% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 34 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
78.84 years 1998 est. · 78.69 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
2.04 children per woman 1998 est. · 2.2 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
5.27 deaths per 1,000 live births 1998 est. · 7 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$21,000 1997 est. · $17,400 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
4.9% 1997 est. · -3.3% in 1993

Geography

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the | North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK

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Land useshare of 103,000 sq km

permanent crops 0%permanent pastures 23%forests and woodland 1%other 76% (1993 est.)arable land 0% in all
Area
103,000sq km
land: 100,250 sq kmwater: 2,750 sq kmslightly smaller than Kentucky
Coastline
4,988km
land boundaries: 0 kmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Highest point
2,119m
Hvannadalshnukurlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Location

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK

Geographic coordinates

65 00 N, 18 00 W

Map references

Arctic Region

Climate

  • temperate;
  • moderated by North Atlantic Current;
  • mild, windy winters;
  • damp, cool summers

Terrain

mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords

Natural resources

fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

Natural hazards

earthquakes and volcanic activity

Environment-current issues

water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment

Environment-international agreements

party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

Geography-note

  • strategic location between Greenland and Europe;
  • westernmost European country;
  • more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe

People

15 fields
Population
271,033
(July 1998 est.)note: population data estimates based on average growth rate may differ slightly from official population data because of volatile migration ratesgrowth rate: 0.52% (1998 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1998 est.)

Birth
15.11Death
6.97Net migration
-2.94

Religions(1988)

Evangelical Lutheran 96%other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%none 1% (1988)
Literacy
100%
(1976 est.)definition: age 15 and over can read and writemale: NA%female: NA%

Age structure

0-14 years:
24% (male 32,723; female 31,196)
15-64 years:
65% (male 88,608; female 86,775)
65 years and over:
11% (male 14,324; female 17,407) (July 1998 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.82 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate

5.27 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population:
78.84 years
male:
76.76 years
female:
81.05 years (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.04 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Icelander(s)
adjective:
Icelandic

Ethnic groups

homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts

Languages

Icelandic

Government

Constitutional republic; President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996); Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)

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Presidential electionpercent of vote

37.1%
Independence Party 37.1%Progressive Party 23.3%Social Democratic Party 11.4%Socialists 14.3%People's Movement 7.2%Women's Party 4.9%last held on 8 April 1995 (next to be held by April 1999)

Parliament or Althing, 63 seats, elected 8 April 1995one dot, one seat

Independence 25Progressive 15Social Democratic 7Socialists 9People's Movement 4Women's Party 3

Percent of vote

Independence Party 37.1%Progressive Party 23.3%Social Democratic Party 11.4%Socialists 14.3%People's Movement 7.2%Women's Party 4.9%

Country name

conventional long form:
Republic of Iceland
conventional short form:
Iceland
local long form:
Lyoveldio Island
local short form:
Island

Government type

constitutional republic

Administrative divisions

23 counties (syslar, singular-sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular-kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla

Independence

17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

National holiday

Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944)

Constitution

16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)
head of government:
Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;
  • election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2000);
  • prime minister appointed by the president
election results:
Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; percent of vote-41.4%

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held on 8 April 1995 (next to be held by April 1999)
election results:
  • percent of vote by party-Independence Party 37.1%, Progressive Party 23.3%, Social Democratic Party 11.4%, Socialists 14.3%, People's Movement 7.2%, Women's Party 4.9%;
  • seats by party-Independence 25, Progressive 15, Social Democratic 7, Socialists 9, People's Movement 4, Women's Party 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Haestirettur, justices are appointed for life by the president

Political parties and leaders

  • Independence Party (conservative) or IP [David ODDSSON];
  • Progressive Party (liberal) or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON];
  • Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON];
  • People's Alliance (left socialist) or PA [Margret FRIMANNSDOTTIR];
  • Women's Party or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR];
  • People's Movement (centrist);
  • National Awakening (People's Revival Party) or PR [Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR]

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Jon-Baldvin HANNIBALSSON
chancery:
Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone:
[1] (202) 265-6653 through 6655

FAX

[1] (202) 265-6656; consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Day Olin MOUNT (22 August 1996)
embassy:
Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik
mailing address:
US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340
telephone:
[354] 5629100

FAX

[354] 5629118

Flag description

  • blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag;
  • the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy

Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically | capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, | and remarkably even distribution of income.

28 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
-$5.71billion
purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
-$21,000
purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)
Real growth rate
4.9%
(1997 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

GDP-composition by sector(1991)

agriculture 9.6%industry 22.1%services 68.3% (1991)

Budget

Revenues
$1.9 billionExpenditures
$2.1 billion (1996 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $146 million
Fixed lines
143,600
(1993 est.)

Economy-overview

Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. The economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 75% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force.

In the absence of other natural resources-except energy-Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon.

The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Growth is likely to slow in 1998, to a still respectable 3.9%.

Labor force

total:
131,000 (1996 est.)
by occupation:
manufacturing 12.9%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5%, agriculture 5.1% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.8% (1997 est.)

Industries

  • fish processing;
  • aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power;
  • tourism

Electricity-capacity

1.083 million kW (1995)

Electricity-production

4.916 billion kWh (1995)

Agriculture-products

  • potatoes, turnips;
  • cattle, sheep;
  • fish catch of about 1.1 million metric tons in 1992

Exports

total value:
$1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities:
fish and fish products 75%, animal products, aluminum, ferrosilicon, diatomite
partners:
UK 19%, Germany 14%, US 12%, Japan 11%, Denmark 8%, France 7% (1995)

Imports

total value:
$2 billion (f.o.b., 1996)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles
partners:
Germany 11%, Norway 10%, UK 10%, Denmark 9%, US 8%, Sweden 7% (1995)

Debt-external

$2.2 billion (1996 est.)

Currency

1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar

Exchange rates

Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1-72.707 (January 1998), 70.904 (1997), 66.500 (1996), 64.692 (1995), 69.944 (1994), 67.603 (1993)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

Telephone system

adequate domestic service

domestic:
the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links
international:
  • satellite earth stations-2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions);
  • note-Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 147 (transmitters and repeaters), shortwave 0

Radios

91,500 licensed (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations

202 (transmitters and repeaters)

Televisions

96,100 licensed (1993 est.)

Transportation

7 fields

Merchant marine, 5 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1997 est.)

cargo 1chemical tanker 1container 1oil tanker 1refrigerated cargo 1

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
54
total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 22

Networkskm

Highways
12,341Railways
0
Highways: paved: 3,196 km · unpaved: 9,145 km (1996 est.)

Highways

total:
12,341 km
paved:
3,196 km
unpaved:
9,145 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors

Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar

Airports

90 (1997 est.)

Airports-with paved runways

total:
11
over 3,047 m:
1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (1997 est.)

Military

No regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; | note-Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense | Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik

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Military branches

  • no regular armed forces;
  • Police, Coast Guard;
  • note-Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 70,906 (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

1 field

Disputes-international

Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area) INDIA

Central Intelligence Agency. “Iceland.” The World Factbook 1998. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/iceland/1998.

How to cite ← 1997 edition 1999 edition →