Introduction to Geography of Iceland
Iceland, or Republic of Iceland, an island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, usually considered the westernmost country of Europe. Iceland lies immediately south of the Arctic Circle, about 500 miles (800 km) northwest of Scotland. With an area of 39,769 square miles (103,000 km2), the island is slightly smaller than the state of Kentucky. Maximum length (east-west) is roughly 310 miles (500 km); greatest width (north-south), 190 miles (300 km).
Facts in brief about IcelandCapital: Reykjavik.Official language: Icelandic.Official name: Republic of Iceland.Area: 39,769 mi2 (103,000 km2). Greatest distances—east-west, 300 mi (483 km); north-south, 190 mi (306 km). Coastline—1,243 mi (2,000 km).Elevation: Highest—Hvannadalshnukur, 6,952 ft (2,119 m) above sea level. Lowest—sea level.Population: Current estimate—300,000; density, 8 per mi2 (3 per km2); distribution, 93 percent urban, 7 percent rural. 2005 official government estimate—295,864.Chief products: Agriculture—cattle, hay, sheep. Fishing—capelin, cod, haddock, herring. Manufacturing—aluminum, cement, clothing, electrical equipment, fertilizer, food products, printed materials.Flag: Iceland's flag has a red cross with a white border on a blue background. The blue background is the national color of Iceland. The red and white crosses recall the flag of Denmark, the former ruler of Iceland. The civil flag, flown by the people, is rectangular. The state flag, flown by the government, has a swallowtail (forked tail).Money: Basic unit—Icelandic krona.Physical Geography
Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean.Except for narrow coastal plains and valleys, Iceland consists of a volcanic plateau that varies in height from 2,100 to 2,600 feet (640 to 790 m). Dotting it are several mountains 5,000 to nearly 7,000 feet (1,520 to 2,130 m) high, most of which are topped by glaciers. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier, is an ice cap in the southeast. Other features, all of volcanic origin, include dormant and active volcanoes, lava flows, and hot springs. Iceland is one of the most volcanically active areas in the world. Earthquakes are frequent.
The most famous hot spring is Geysir; from its name many languages derive their term for a spouting hot spring. In many areas use is made of the geothermal waters. For example, most buildings in Reykjavík, the capital and largest city, are heated by hot water piped from deep wells through a central system.
Major rivers, including the Thjórsá, the longest, flow from glaciers. At the plateau's edge many descend in rapids, cascades, and universal falls. These torrents have tremendous hydroelectric potential and proyide most of Iceland's power. Lakes are numerous, but all are small. On the north, east, and west coasts, fjords and bays cut far into the land, often producing excellent natural harbors.
Because of the North Atlantic Current, part of which flows past the island, Iceland's climate is relatively mild. Reykjavík has average temperatures of 52° F. (11° C.) in July and 30° F. (-1° C.) in January. Weather changes are frequent during all seasons. Fogs are common along the coast. Annual rainfall on the southern lowlands is about 50 inches (1,270 mm). The amount is considerably higher in the mountains and much lower in the north. As in all northern lands, daylight hours are extremely long in summer and short in winter.
Iceland is largely a barren country with extensive lava flows. Vegetation consists chiefly of grasses and mosses.
Economy
Iceland's economy is a mixture of private enterprise and government ownership. The economy is heavily dependent on commercial fishing, which accounts for about 75 per cent of Iceland's export earnings. The catch, although varied, consists mainly of cod. A long-term goal of the government is to lessen the economy's dependence on fishing.
Iceland's basic currency unit is the krona.
Agriculture, the backbone of Iceland's economy until the 1900's, is still significant. Virtually all the farmland consists of pastures and cultivated meadows. Sheep raising and dairying are the chief farm activities. Hay is the leading crop. Because of the short growing season, oats and such hardy vegetables as potatoes and turnips are the only other significant crops. A variety of vegetables are grown in greenhouses heated by geothermal water.
Iceland has virtually no minerals and few other natural resources except abundant geothermal water and hydroelectric power. Cheap hydroelectricity has attracted such manufacturing as aluminum refining and ferroalloy production, using imported materials. Except for fish processing and the making of fertilizer, other manufacturing is small-scale and geared mainly to meeting local needs. Tourism and services are growing in importance.
Iceland has no railways or inland waterways and depends heavily on roads and coastal shipping for transportation. Virtually all roads are coastal routes. Reykjavík has the chief seaport. There is an international air terminal at Keflavík. Icelandair provides domestic and international service.
The People
In 2004 the population of Iceland was 290,570. The density was about 7.3 persons to the square mile (2.8 per km 2), less than one-tenth that of the United States. More than 90 per cent of the people live in cities and villages, nearly all of which are along the coast. Most of the island, especially the interior, is uninhabited. Except for a few foreign born, the population is almost entirely of Scandinavian origin.
Icelandic is the language of the country. It adheres more closely to Old Norse than do other Scandinavian tongues. English, Nordic languages, and German are also spoken.
There is complete religious freedom, but most of the people belong to the established church, the Evangelical Lutheran.
Education is free and compulsory for all children 7 through 15. Illiteracy is virtually nonexistent. The major institution of higher learning, the University of Iceland, is located at Reykjavík.
Government
Iceland is a republic governed under a constitution adopted in 1944. A president, elected by popular vote for a term of four years, is the head of state. A prime minister, who is appointed by the president, is the head of government. Iceland has a one-house parliament, the Althing, consisting of 63 members. Members are elected for a term of four years.
Iceland is divided into 23 towns and 200 rural districts. Each has an elected council or board. The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, various special courts, and local courts.