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 Iceland| Facts & Figures |
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| President: Ólafur Ragnar
Grímsson (2004) Prime Minister: Johanna Sigurdardottir
(2009) Land area: 38,707 sq mi (100,251 sq km);
total area: 39,768 sq mi (103,000 sq km)1 Population (2009 est.): 306,694 (growth
rate: 0.7%); birth rate: 13.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 3.2/1000;
life expectancy: 80.6; density per sq km: 3
Capital and largest city (2003 est.):
Reykjavik, 184,200 (metro. area), 114,800
(city proper) Monetary unit: Icelandic
króna More Facts & Figures |
GeographyIceland, an island about the size of Kentucky,
lies in the north Atlantic Ocean east of Greenland and just touches the
Arctic Circle. It is one of the most volcanic regions in the world. More
than 13% is covered by snowfields and glaciers, and most of the people
live in the 7% of the island that is made up of fertile coastland. The
Gulf Stream keeps Iceland's climate milder than one would expect from an
island near the Arctic Circle.
GovernmentConstitutional republic.
HistoryThe earliest inhabitants of Iceland were Irish
hermits, who left the island upon the arrival of the pagan Norse people in
the late 9th century. A constitution drawn up c. 930 created a form of
democracy and provided for an
Althing
, the world's oldest
practicing legislative assembly. The island's early history was preserved
in the Icelandic sagas of the 13th century.
In 1262–1264, Iceland came under Norwegian
rule and passed to ultimate Danish control through the unification of the
kingdoms of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark (the Kalmar Union) in 1397.
In 1874, Icelanders obtained their own
constitution, and in 1918, Denmark recognized Iceland, via the Act of
Union, as a separate state with unlimited sovereignty. It remained,
however, nominally under the Danish monarchy.
During the German occupation of Denmark in World
War II, British, then American, troops occupied Iceland and used it for a
strategic air base. While officially neutral, Iceland cooperated with the
Allies throughout the conflict. On June 17, 1944, after a popular
referendum, the Althing proclaimed Iceland an independent republic.
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