[Travel Info]
Iceland's population is around 320.000 of which the vast majority or around 2/3 lives in the capital, Reykjavik, and surrounding areas.Iceland is a republic, has a written constitution and a parliamentary form of government. The president is elected by direct popular vote for a term of four years, with no term limit. Most executive power rests with the Government, which is elected separately from the presidential elections every four years.
Iceland was the last European country to be settled, mostly by Norsemen in the 9th and 10th centuries. They came mainly from Norway and elsewhere in Scandinavia, and from the Norse settlements in the British Isles, from where a Celtic element was also introduced. The language and culture of Iceland were predominantly Scandinavian from the outset, but there are traces of Celtic influence in some of the ancient poetry, in some personal names and in the apperance of present-day Icelanders.
[Getting there]
How to get to Iceland by air?
Iceland is not as far as you may think. The Leifur Eiriksson Terminal at Keflavik International Airport is only a 3 hours flight from Amsterdam, London and Paris. New York, Boston, Baltimore is approx. 5-6 hours flying. The following airlines can bring you to Iceland:
How to get to Iceland by sea?
The Faroe Islands´ Smyril Line operates a weekly passenger- and car-ferry service from Bergen in Norway and Hanstholm in Denmark to Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland.
More information can be found on the website of Smyril Line
[Basic Facts]
Geography
- Location: European island in the North Atlantic (3 hours' flight from London, 5 ½ hours from New York).
- Capital: Reykjavik (population 120.000 approx.)
- Total area: 103,000 km² (39,756 square.miles); vegetation: 23.1%, lakes: 2.7%, glaciers: 11.6%, wasteland: 62.6%.
- Sea area within fishing limits: 758,000 km².
- Coastline: 4,970 km.
People
- Population 2009: 320.000 (3 per sq. km).
- Ethnic groups: Homogenous mixture of descendants of the original Nordic and Celtic settlers.
- Religion: State Lutheran Church 84%.
Government
- Type: Republic since 17 June 1944. Independent since 1 December 1918.
- President (since 1996): Mr. Olafur Ragnar Grímsson.
- Prime Minister (since 2009): Mrs. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. The cabinet is responsible to the legislature (Althingi).
Economy
- Currency: Icelandic krona (ISK) (Rate of exchange - See Central Bank exchange rates).
- Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita 2007: USD 54,000
- Labour force: 180.000 (2008).
- Unemployment: 4% (2008, 4th quarter).
- Employment by industry (approx): Agriculture: 3%. Fishing: 3% Industry: 20%. Services: 70%
[Nature]
In environmental terms, Iceland is unique. Iceland is a large country (103,000 km², about the same surface area as Ireland or the State of Virginia), but is sparsely populated, with only 3 persons per km² living mostly along the coast. The interior of the country contains stunning contrasts. It is largely an arctic desert, punctuated with mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls. Most of the vegetation and agricultural areas are in the lowlands close to the coastline.
Iceland has very mild, coastal weather. The average summer temperature in Reykjavik, the capital, is 11.8°C/53°F in July, with average highs of 24.3°C/76°F. Iceland has a pure, pollution-free environment. Industry is operated almost exclusively with clean hydroelectric and geothermal power.
For further practical informations about Iceland, visit: Iceland.is - Gateway to Iceland
Other useful links:
The official travel guide to Iceland: http://www.visiticeland.com/
What's on in Iceland: http://www.whatson.is/
The Icelandic Meteorological office: http://www.vedur.is/english/
Safe Travel: http://www.safetravel.is/
Tailor-made immersive journeys specialist: https://www.comptoir.fr
ferdakompaniid.com