Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/109.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 12KB | 317 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\iceland.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Iceland"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Iceland, click {z,"-25.406569,55.714656,3.723941,77.921795",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
northwest of the UK

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 103,000 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 100,250 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly smaller than Kentucky

{2}Land boundaries:{4} 0 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 4,988 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK
(Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)

{2}Climate:{4} temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool
summers

{2}Terrain:{4} mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by
bays and fiords
{3}lowest point:{4} Atlantic Ocean 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 1%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 0%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 20%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 1%
{3}other:{4} 78%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} NA sq km

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment

{2}natural hazards:{4} earthquakes and volcanic activity

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation

{2}Geographic note:{4} strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European
country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 270,292 (July 1996 est.)
{3}note:{4} population data estimates based on average growth rate may differ slightly from official
population data because of volatile migration rates

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 24% (male 33,605; female 31,933)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 64% (male 88,064; female 85,724)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 12% (male 13,916; female 17,050) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 0.83% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 16.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 6.17 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.82 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 80.08 years
{3}male:{4} 77.68 years
{3}female:{4} 82.6 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Icelander(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Icelandic

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norwegians and Celts

{2}Religions:{4} Evangelical Lutheran 96%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3%, none 1% (1988)

{2}Languages:{4} Icelandic

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 100%
{3}male:{4} NA%
{3}female:{4} NA%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Republic of Iceland
{3}conventional short form:{4} Iceland
{3}local long form:{4} Lyoveldio Island
{3}local short form:{4} Island

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Reykjavik

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 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

{2}Independence:{4} 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

{2}National holiday:{4} Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic, 17 June (1944)

{2}Constitution:{4} 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944

{2}Legal system:{4} civil law system based on Danish law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980) was elected for a four-
year term by universal suffrage; election last held 29 June 1988 (next to be held June 1996);
results - there was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR was unopposed
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991) was appointed by the
president
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet was appointed by the president

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
Parliament (Althing): elections last held on 8 April 1995 (next to be held by April 1999); results -
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 - (63 total) Independence 25,
Progressive 15, Social Democratic 7, Socialists 9, People's Movement 4, Women's Party 3

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court (Haestirettur), justices are appointed for life by the president

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Independence Party (conservative), David ODDSSON; Progressive
Party (liberal), Halldor ASGRIMSSON; Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON;
People's Alliance (left socialist), Margret FRIMANNSDOTTIR; Women's Party, Kristin
ASTGEIRSDOTTIR; People's Movement (centrist); National Awakening (People's Revival Party),
Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR

{2}International organization participation:{4} Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Einar BENEDIKTSSON
{3}chancery:{4} Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone] through 6655
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} New York

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Parker W. BORG
{3}embassy:{4} Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik
{3}mailing address:{4} US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340
{3}telephone:{4} [354] 5629100
{3}FAX:{4} [354] 5629139

{2}Flag:{4} 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)


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, but with an
extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and comparatively even distribution of income. The
economy is heavily dependent on the fishing industry, which provides nearly 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, in recession
since 1988, began to recover in 1993, posting 0.4% growth, but was still hampered by cutbacks in
fish quotas as well as falling 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, however, remains divided on the issue of EU membership, primarily because of
Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $5 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 3.2% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $18,800 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 9.6%
{3}industry:{4} 22.1%
{3}services:{4} 68.3% (1994)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 2.5% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 127,900
{3}by occupation:{4} commerce, transportation, and services 60.0%, manufacturing 12.5%, fishing and
fish processing 11.8%, construction 10.8%, agriculture 4.0%, other 0.9% (1990)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 3.9% (December 1995)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $1.9 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $2.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $297 million (1994 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 1.75% (1991 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 1,070,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 4.7 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 16,458 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish catch of about 1.1 million metric tons in 1992

{2}Exports:{4} $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} fish and fish products, animal products, aluminum, ferrosilicon, diatomite
{3}partners:{4} EC 68% (UK 25%, Germany 12%), US 11%, Japan 8% (1992)

{2}Imports:{4} $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles
{3}partners:{4} EC 53% (Germany 14%, Denmark 10%, UK 9%), Norway 14%, US 9% (1992)

{2}External debt:{4} $2.5 billion (1993 est.)

{2}Economic aid:{4} $NA

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Icelandic krona (IKr) = 100 aurar

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Icelandic kronur (IKr) per US$1 - 65.970 (January 1996), 64.692 (1995), 69.944
(1994), 67.603 (1993), 57.546 (1992), 58.996 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4} 0 km

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 11,373 km
{3}paved:{4} 2,513 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 8,860 km (1992 est.)

{2}Ports:{4} Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur,
Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,025 GRT/40,410 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2
(1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 84
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 5
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 49
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 4
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 22 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 143,600 (1993 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} adequate domestic service
{3}domestic:{4} the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay
links
{3}international:{4} 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)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 5, FM 147 (transmitters and repeaters), shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 91,500 licensed (1993 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 202 (transmitters and repeaters)

{2}Televisions:{4} 96,100 licensed (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; note - Iceland's defense is provided by
the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 71,317
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 63,126 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} none