Iceland Facts Arctic Land Area 40,000 square miles Population 270,000 Indigenous Groups Norwegian & Celtic (95%) Language Icelandic Govt. Republic Mineral Resources Diatomite Largest City Reykjavik (pop. 100,850) Economy Fishing, agriculture, tourism Highest Point Hvannada-dalshnukur (6,952 feet) Free E-Newsletter Receive Arctic News, Weather and Travel Information Click Here! Did you know? Iceland is the second-largest island in Europe, after Great Britain. Hekla is Iceland's most famous volcano; it has erupted about 20 times within human memory, most recently in 1991. Iceland, which had been under the control of Denmark since the late 14th century, became a separate, independent kingdom under the Danish crown in 1918, and was made a republic in 1944. Home heating in Reykjavik and many other towns is provided by the hot springs that are found all over the country. This geothermal heat is also used by greenhouses where even tropical fruits such as bananas may be grown.

Iceland

Lying precariously atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland was created about 20 million years ago by intense volcanic activity. With many volcanoes still active and erupting regularly, new land is continually being formed. In fact, a tenth of Iceland's surface is covered by lava deposited since the last ice age. Another tenth of the land is covered by glaciers and ice fields. Only about one-fifth of Iceland's area is cultivable. Woods, mainly birch, exist in a few places, along with some stunted willows. In all, more than half of the surface is virtually devoid of vegetation.

The fishing industry is the cornerstone of the Icelandic economy, though it employs only slightly more than a tenth of the work force. Cod is by far the most important species, though the catch also includes redfish, saithe, shrimp, haddock, Greenland halibut, ocean catfish, scallops, Norway lobster, capelin, and herring. Due to an international ban, whaling has essentially ended in Iceland, and seal hunting is not profitable and thus likely to end as well.

Agriculture consists mostly of potatoes, turnips, and grass cultivation, with animal husbandry of sheep and dairy cattle also occurring on many farms. Thermal springs are used for greenhouse cultivation of tomatoes, cucumber, and flowers.

Originally settled by Norse Vikings in the late ninth and early tenth century AD, Iceland became an independent commonwealth under Norwegian and later Danish rule. In 1944, Iceland declared itself independent from Denmark. Today, Iceland is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary government.

Iceland's population is mostly of Scandinavian stock, with the rest of Celtic origin. The Icelandic language evolved from Old Norse. More than 95% of the population is Evangelical Lutheran.

Iceland's temperature averages 31° F in January and 52° F in July, although the interior is significantly colder than coastal areas. Precipitation varies from 15 to 20 inches on the north coast to more than 150 inches in the mountainous central areas.

A separate commonwealth of Denmark, but also part of the Arctic region, the Faroe Islands are situated 200 miles north of Scotland and approximately half-way between Iceland and Norway. This archipelago has a landscape of low, bare mountains, with plenty of grazing land for sheep. The climate is oceanic: humid, changeable, and windy. The ocean temperatures are well above freezing.