Facts on Iceland
 
Iceland is a 40,000 square mile island, with a population of 288,000 people, of which more then half live in the greater Reykjavik area. It is the least populated of all European countries.
 
The country’s capital Reykjavik is the world’s most northern city.
 
It is home to the largest glaciers in Europe and 11 per cent of the country is covered in these spectacular natural ice formations.
 
There are over 100 fjords, 10,000 waterfalls and unlimited hot springs.
 
About three-quarters of the island of Iceland is barren of vegetation and its only national tree is the northern birch. Animals are mainly agricultural, such as sheep, goats and cattle, but its surrounding waters are rich in a wide variety of fish as well as over 40,000 minke whales which are native to the country.
 
The geothermal hot waters of the country supply the majority of inhabitants with cheap and environmentally undamaging heating and energy supplies, while rivers also provide hydroelectric power.
 
Icelanders today still speak the language of the Vikings called Old Norse, but the majority of the population speak fluent English, learned from television and their superior language teaching methods in schools.
 
The first Viking settlers in Iceland founded its republican government in 980 AD. The present day republic was founded in the mid-1900s and is governed by the Althing, with elections held every four years. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson is the present day president of Iceland.
 
Iceland has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with the economy depending greatly on the export of seafood, making up 72 per cent of all exports. Despite this fact, only 4.4 per cent of the workforce is employed in this sector, while 66 per cent finds work in other services.
                                                                                        
The country has 79 municipalities which govern local affairs such as schools, transportation and zoning.
 
There is no standing army in the country, but it does have a military peace keeping unit called the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit.
 
The healthcare system of Iceland is of a very high standard and the results are evident, with life expectancy for women at 80 years and for men at 74 years; this is among the highest in the world.
 
Ninety-seven per cent of the population is Evangelical Luteran, with a small percentage of Roman Catholics.
 
In summer, the country sometimes sees 24 hours of sunlight and in the winter, the same amount of darkness.
 
The literacy rate of Iceland is almost 100 per cent.
 
Swimming is the national sport, with over 170,000 of 280,000 nationals participating in the sport.
 
The internationally celebrated artist Bjork is from Iceland and she often credits her success to the powerful influence that her home country has played in her unique music and lyrics.

Information about the Icelandic  Culture and History - Facts on Iceland - Getting to Iceland - Natural Attractions - Nightlife - Activities in Iceland - Reykjavik Overview - Shopping - Wining and Dining - 10 Things to do in Iceland.