Iceland: Geography

The World Factbook 1993: Iceland Geography

Location: in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Greenland and Norway

Area: total area: 103,000 km2 land area: 100,250 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Kentucky

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 4,988 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

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

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

Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 1% other: 78%

Irrigated land: NA km2

Environment: subject to earthquakes and volcanic activity

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