Official Name: Lydhveldidh Island (Republic of Iceland)
Currency: Krona
Current Exchange Rate: |
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Hemisphere: Northern
Continent: Europe
Location: Island at N end of Atlantic Ocean. Neighbors: Nearest is Greenland to W.
Area: 39,741 sq mi, 102,928 sq km
Form of Government: Unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (Althingi 63)
Population: (2007) 310,000
Population Density: (2007) persons per sq mi 33.7, persons per sq km 13.0
Principal Language(s): Icelandic, English, Nordic Languages, German widely spoken
Religions: Lutheran Church of Iceland 86%, unaffiliated 3%
Capital: Reykjavik
Capital Population: 116,642
Capital Average Temperature: Maximum: 4.6 degrees Celsius, 40.3 degrees Fahrenheit
Major Cities: Kopavogur 27,525, Hafnarfjordhur 23,751, Akureyri 16,887, Gar abaer 9,556
Topography: recent volcanic origin. Three quarters of surface is wasteland, glaciers, lakes, a lava desert. There are geysers and hot springs and the climate is moderated by the Gulf Stream.
Economy: G.D.P. $ 12.1 billion
G.D.P. per Capita: $ 38,800
Vital Statistics: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2006): 14.5 (world avg. 20.3). Death rate per 1,000 population (2006); 6.2 (world avg. 8.6) Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman 2006) 2.07. Life expectancy at birth (2006) male 79.4 years; female 83.0 years
Government Website: www.iceland.is
Reference Sources: The World Almanac 2009, The New York Times Almanac 2009, Time Almanac 2009, World Climate website.
