Dialing code +354
ISO 2 code IS
ISO 3 code ISL
Capital Reykjavik
Main Language Icelandic
Currency Krona (ISK)
GDP $12.2 billion 137th
Population 308,910 179th

Geography

Continent Europe
Location Northern Europe island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean northwest of the United Kingdom
Land 103,000 km2 108th
Terrain Mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Climate Temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild windy winters; damp cool summers
Natural Hazards Mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Note: Strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe

Neighbouring Countries

History

Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D. Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly the Althing established in 930. Independent for over 300 years Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century 20% of the island's population emigrated mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy longevity and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 80.67 years 12th
Median Age 35.1 years 59th
Birth Rate 13.43 births/1,000 population 144th
Death Rate 6.85 births/1,000 population 128th
Sex Ratio 0.83 male(s)/female 72nd
Literacy 99.0% 38th
Population

308910

Transportation

Roadways 13058 km 128th
Railways None km
Airports 99 60th
Waterways None km
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 108th

Economy

Currency Krona (ISK)
GDP $12.2 billion 137th
GDP per capita (PPP) $39900 18th