|RNational holiday:|N Anniversary of the establishment of the Republic, June 17.
|RNature and climate:|N A main island and several small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean just south of the Polar circle.
The south and east coasts are even, while the north and west coasts are cut by several deep fjords and bays and many small islands. Iceland have a central plateau at between 500 and 800 m.a.s.l. with many high peaks, the highest, Öræfajökull, reaches 2119 m.a.s.l.
Iceland have 30 still active volcanoes and as late as 1963 a new island, Surtsey, was born in an underwater volcanic eruption. There are also many geysers, hot water springs, that are used for heating.
Europe's biggest glacier is Vatnajökull covering 8400 km².
Most area is bare mountains with very scarce vegetation, mainly grassy moors and heaths. There are few wild animals, but many different species of birds.
Considering the northern location the climate is mild thanks to the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream. Average temperature in January 0°C and in July 11°C by the coast, with lower temperatures in the interior.
Percipitation 2000 mm by the west and south coasts and 500 mm in the north.
|RPeople:|N Homogeneous population, a mix of Norwegian and Celtic immigrants.
|REconomy:|N 55% of the labour force is occupied in commerce, finance and services, 14% in manufacturing, 8% in fishing and fish processing and 6% in agriculture.
Fishing is the over all dominating industry. Fish products accounts for about 80% of the export revenues. So much depending on fishing Iceland have several times extended the fishing zone in the Northern Atlantic Ocean, first in 1958 to 12 nautical miles, in 1972 to 50 miles and in 1975 to 200 miles. These extensions have strained the diplomatic relations with many other countries, especially great Britain, but Iceland also take great efforts in controlling the fish resources and stops fishing when the resources are threatened, thus securing good fishing in the long run.
The agricultural industry is aimed at producing for cattle and sheep. Production of meat and milk is sufficient but grain must imported.
Iceland have rich resources of hydroelectric and geothermic power.
The industry can be divided in two sectors: There are a few big energyintensive factories in the capital area and on the other hand a large number of small industries spread around the coast. Many of these small industries depend on fishing, others produce food, wool and hides, textiles, furniture and so on.
Tourism is very important.
|RHistory:|N According to old Icelandic scriptures the island was discovered by a Dane and a Norseman in the same year 860 AD, when only a few weather-driven Irish monks lived there. Real settlement started about 870 when the Norse Ingolfur Armarson built a home at Rökviken - Reykjavik. After him thousands of Norsemen, Danes and Swedes settled on the island.
From the start these Scandinavian immigrants practised their traditional way of lawmaking and justice, the ting, and in 930 the Ulfljots law was acknowledges for the whole Iceland. The Allting met at Pingvellir every summer. At the same place and time the court met.
In the 12th and 13th centuries there were frequent fighting between different clans that weakened the nation and in 1262 iceland came under the Norwegian king. When Norway in 1536 was united with Denmark Iceland followed.
1602 the Danish king imposed trade rules that caused severe decline in business and trade and in 1798 the whole Icelandic administration was moved to the Danish capital Copenhagen and the Allting was closed.
In the 19th century there were strong national currents and in 1843 the Allting was allowed to work again as an advisory board to the Danish government. In 1874 Iceland had it's own constitution and in 1903 it was allowed to have an government of it's own.
1918 Iceland became an independent country with the same head of state as Denmark.
When Germany in 1940 occupied Denmark, first British troops and later American troops occupied Iceland.
In 1944 the Allting proclaimed the independent republic of Iceland.
Iceland have compulsory military service but no army! After an agreement in 1951 the USA is responsible for the defence of the island.
