Iceland

Iceland (Icelandic: Ísland) is an island is to the Northwest of the continent. Iceland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the South, the Denmark Strait (betweenGreenlandand Iceland) in the West and the Greenland Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, in the North. The North-East of the country is located just below the Arctic Circle. This runs precisely over the small island of Grímsey, Iceland belongs to that. Iceland had a population of 328.452 achieved on 1 January 2011, and an area of 103,000 km².Iceland is the least populated country in Europe. The capital Reykjavik is located on the southwest coast at 64 ° 08 ' North latitude, making it the world's most northern capital. Iceland itself is the westernmost country of Europe.

Unlike many other countries, which the political system have included in their official national name, suggested the Government in 2004 on behalf of the Prime Minister,[4] that the term "Republic" (lýðveldi) before the name Iceland (Ísland), should be regarded as a description of the form of Government of the country and not as a part of the name of the country.

The island is geologically formed about 20 million years ago by volcanic activity in the Atlantic Ocean; However, for a long time it remained uninhabited. According to tradition, was the Norwegian Ingólfur Arnarsonarrived in Iceland, the first permanent inhabitant of 874. After the island from 930 when it had been independent Icelandic Commonwealth several centuries, it fell in the following centuries under the control of the Kingdom of Norway, the Union of Kalmar, Denmark-Norway and Denmark. In the 19th century grew the national consciousness, but only since 17 June 1944 Iceland is completely independent. The current Iceland is a parliamentary Republic toScandinavian model; in 2007 and 2008 led the country's human development index.

The majority of Icelanders descended from Norwegian and Irish settlers and the culture of Iceland is strongly influenced by the Norwegian culture. The Icelandic belongs to the Scandinavian languages, but deviates off though of the languages of the Scandinavian mainland.



Content
[hide] *1 History  ==History[ Edit] == Iceland on the 16th-century Carta MarinaThe presence of an island Northwest of the British Isles was already known or suspected by the Greeks and Romans. The "Ultima Thule", where the Romans in a writings about stories, probably goes missing on that for the time being, but certainty about Iceland.From archaeological finds show that the Romans probably have set foot on land, but the first ones were probably Iceland stayed for extended periods of Irish monks. With the arrival of the Vikings they disappeared.
 * 2 Geography
 * landscape characteristics 2.1
 * 2.2 Flora and fauna
 * 3 Government and politics
 * 3.1 History
 * 3.2 Recent developments
 * 3.3 new Constitution
 * 3.4 administrative divisions
 * 3.5 Regions with capital
 * 3.6 City on Iceland
 * 3.7 Defence
 * 4 Population and culture
 * 4.1 Population
 * 4.2 religion
 * 4.3 education and language
 * 4.4 Music
 * 4.5 holidays (Hátíðir og merkisdagar)
 * 4.6 Media
 * 4.7 Mythology
 * 5 Economy
 * 5.1 Fisheries
 * 5.2 tourism
 * 5.3 Energy
 * 5.4 Trade
 * 5.5 financial sector
 * 5.6 currency
 * Transport 6
 * 6.1 Air
 * 6.2 Water
 * 6.3 Country
 * 7 points of interest
 * 8 Statistics
 * 9 see also
 * 10 external links

Most of the first inhabitants were of Norwegian descent. They left their homeland to the regime of jarl Harald clean hair (or Fairbanks) to escape. In that time, recovered from an island that was not yet inhabited, and Flóki Vilgerðarson (also known as Hrafna-Flóki or raven Flóki called, because he had three Ravens who helped him to find the unknown Island) decided to try his luck in that new country. He settled on a large Bay in the West (at the current Flókatóftir toBreiðafjörður). During the first harsh winter starved all his cattle, and penniless, he moved again, but not before the country is to have given its name: Iceland. Later came via Ireland, Scotland, wandering along the Hebrides and the Faroe Islands (where they gained in the meantime slaves) country enjoyed him on to Iceland. The first Viking who established themselves permanently in Iceland was Ingólfur Arnarson. In 874 he landed on the South coast and around 877 he settled on a Bay in the Southwest. That place he called Reykjavik (see there). The next 60 years the country was completely colonized. ==Geography[ Edit] == Middle Atlantic Back. Volcanoes are marked in redThe oldest parts of the island are 17 to 20 million years old. This area is in the Northwest and is in Icelandic called the Vestfirðir (West Fjords). The island is growing as a result of volcanism is still on. The last part is the small island of Surtsey was formed during a in the Vestmannaeyjar volcanic eruption that began in 1963 (and only 3.5 years later).

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The island is mainly made up of volcanic material and rock, because it is located on the Middle-Atlantic back, the separation area by a number of tectonics plates that slowly drift apart, leaving the underlying magma Gets the chance to the surface and to fill the cracks. Part of that Middle Atlantic back runs from North to South through the middle of the country and rises in so far that the growing completion above the sea surface as it were very Iceland. As a result of the driving plate tectonics some parts of Iceland with an average speed of about 1 to 2 cm per year steadily apart. Þingvellir, about 50 kilometers east of Reykjavik, is the only place in the world where the separation of the American and European continental plate can see. A side-effect is that Iceland is also on a hotspot is. That are places in the Earth's crust where the underlying magma to very close under the surface of the earth can come. Both phenomena ensure that Iceland can be called very active volcanic.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The country has a number of active volcanoes, including the Katla under the Mýrdalsjökull, the Lakiarea, the Hekla, and the new island of Surtsey. In april 2010, a powerfuleruption of the volcano under the Eyjafjallajökull for problems, particularly for the air travel. Other, or dormant volcanoes are shield volcano Snæfell volcano culminates at 1,060 metres, the two-volcanoes, Kerið, Eldborg, Hverfjall, Krafla and Askja. In addition there pseudo craters, in particular at Mývatn, Kirkjubæjarklaustur and near Rauðavatn in Reykjavik.

The Strokkur geyser in theHaukadalurValley crack once every few minutes.<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">One of the most important natural phenomena where Iceland is famous for, its geysers. Until about 60 years ago came across some 30 Iceland geysers for. At Hveragerði and surroundings, in the Haukadalur (where the Geysir lies), and at Flúðir in Iceland in the North of Hveravellir layers most. The hot water they spouted up was sweet, but there are at least three geysers where this salt (sea) water was. One lay in the South Western tip of Reykjanes peninsula near Gunnuhver, the other at the Ísafjörður in the westfjords and the third not far from Drangsnes.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On Iceland there are always dozens of geysers have been active and varied their number as a result of (small) landslides from time to time. New geysers were boiling water sources got geyser activity, the activity of other geysers were down (the best known example of this is the Geysir) or even disappeared. Because in the last few decades near the geysers is active in the ground to drill, the number of hot springs geysers decreased. Right now the Strokkur, which are water fountain every 5-8 minutes up syringe, the only source on Iceland that meets the expectations of a geyser. The other geysers are hardly more active or by concrete bins covered and the water is it collected and used for heating purposes or for the hot water supply. Other phenomena of Volcanism on subglacial lakes are Iceland ( Grímsvötnfor example), solfataren and mineral springs, fumaroles, hot springs (the source at Deildartunguhverdelivers 180 liters of boiling water per second, making it the largest hot spring of Europe) and geothermal power plants. Also, all rocks on Iceland, such as basalt and basalt lava,tephra and Tuff, volcanic glass, palagonite and rhyolite, of volcanic origin. A rarer phenomenon are Lake's. an example of this is J. ===Landscape Characteristics<span class="mw-editsection" len="333" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Iceland in winter from space<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland has for the most part low and medium mountain, whether or not covered with glaciers, from which many rivers flow to the sea.Some of these carry very large amounts of water, but they are usually for ships due the fast flow.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The highest mountain is the Hvannadalshnúkur. This is mostly with his 2110 tucked under the Öræfajökull.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Trees and shrubs on Iceland come especially in dwarf form, for example in the nature reserve Þórsmörk. Only in the East of the country is an area for that ' forest ' can be called, the 2000 acre Hallormstaðaskógur. The trees are planted there for the most part. Large trunks that one sometimes encounters along the coast, is Driftwood that has come from far away.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Interior is virtually uninhabited; the most populated area is located on the southwest coast around Reykjavik.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Along the North of the island the cold East Greenland currentflows, along the South the warm Gulf stream. Linked to the wind that often blows over the island from South to North, the climate in Reykjavik (South West) colder than in Europe, but still moderate. On the other hand, In the Northern Akureyri are the temperature fluctuations because of the often larger offshore wind.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">From the Vestfirðir in the Northwest through the North to the East of the country is the coastline characterized by larger and small fjords and bays. A number of fjords in winter months alone over the water to reach and is even in the summer only accessible with a car. That is partly the cause of the depopulation that since the Second World War in this part of the country going on.

The glacier lake Breiðárlón in South Iceland<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In the South is the coastline characterized by absence of a nearly perfectly natural inlets and extensive coil zandvlaktes, a result of the flushing of the region by the meltwater of the Vatnajökull.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The west coast is again though characterized by wide fjords and bays, such as Faxaflói (Faxabaai) and the Breiðafjörður. The lighthouse at the bird cliffs of Bjargtangar in Vestfirðir Látrabjarg is near the westernmost tip of Europe.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The debris and gravel roads in large parts of the Interior, such as the Kaldidalur-route, are only accessible during the summer months for off-road vehicles. However, these roads In winter there even for the most powerful vehicles impassable and therefore closed to all traffic.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The landscape is mountainous. Table mountains alternate with active and dormant volcanoes and calderas(meandering) rivers, between which a way. Geologically, Iceland is still very young and because the rivers are still a way through the hard basalt should wear out, there are many waterfalls for. In Icelandic is a waterfall called "foss". Of this is there are a number of spectacular. The Dettifoss is Europe's largest waterfall in terms of water volume. Valleys in the past were filled by the lava of large volcanic eruptions, leaving sometimes whole lava Plains are. One-third of all lava that was emitted worldwide, the last 500 years was on Iceland emitted.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" len="159" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [5]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland has four national parks: JökulsárgljúfurNational Park, SkaftafellNational Park, the National Park Snæfellsnes and the Þingvellir National Park. ===Flora and fauna<span class="mw-editsection" len="328" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === The "bare" Icelandic landscape<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">An important feature of Iceland is the very limited occurrence of trees. During the colonization, the country would have been covered but it is questionable whether there was real trees occurred. Be In multiple saga's travel to Norway that, in addition to the intention to trade, to a large extent, were undertaken to lumber to pick up. Though refers to wood to make charcoal to fire and glean. On the other hand refer, however, names like Skógarströnd (boskust) and Skógarnes (boskaap) to the presence of forests (skógur means forest).Also in the first chapter of the Landnámabók (book of country names) written that the country between mountains and coast with forest was covered. The current trees are limited to spruce, dwarf Birch, dwarf willows and crippled crops. It is alleged that the islet in the river ÞjórsáÁrnes a reasonable picture would give how the island has seen there from about 2,000 years ago. Although most of the country from rocks, boulders and Arctic desert landscapes come exists, mosses, lichens and grasses common. Also come in certain places for orchids . In (mainly) the South are the cultivated lowlands. By the Northern geographical location of Iceland is the tree line already on 200-300 metres above sea level.

An Icelandic Mare with foalOrchids at the Arnarfjörður<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Arctic fox is the only original landMammal. In sea life whales and to the coast one finds two types of seal ( Phoca vitulinaandHalichoerus grypus ). The immigrants brought sheep, cows, pigs, horses and poultry with it. Mice, rats, rabbits and mink are generally introduced accidentally. Reindeer are introduced in the 18th century and some is wild and lives in the Eastern Highlands. The polar bear is not for, but among other things set up copy in Húsavík is a way. This came in 1969 on an ice floe of Greenland powered. Also in the summers of 2007 and 2008 there were polar bears on land. However, these animals were killed because they are outside of their natural habitat are regarded as dangerous for people.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Amphibians and Reptiles, poisonous animals, such as Scorpions, come on not for Iceland. Though mosquitoes, particularly where vegetation in swamps and Lakes occur. Mývatn(literally mosquitoes more) is known for the many mosquitoes that hover like clouds over the Lake with no wind. in summer there are also butterflies, which, however, are difficult to observe. In the clean and transparent waters in and around Iceland coming very much for fish, such as salmon, trout, Cod and flatfish.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland is an important Habitat for countless birds and bird species. Many species of ducks and geese come there for, besides seabirds, wading birds and rare birds of prey such as the snowy owl. The Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus) is very common in Reykjavik. Both overwintering on Iceland for as birds that it as a resting place, breeding ground or foraging place use. Thus, the Puffin in droves (60 percent of the world population) for. In addition it comes also the common Guillemot much for along the cliff coasts.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" len="159" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [6]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In greenhouses are heated by hot springs plants, flowers, vegetables (including tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers) and fruit (among other grapes and oranges) grown. The main regions with greenhouses cultivation are in South Iceland in Hveragerði and the geothermal areas around Reykholt (Borgarfjörður) in the West and Flúðir in the Southwest. ==Government and politics<span class="mw-editsection" len="333" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == The building of the Alþing, the Icelandic Parliament, in Reykjavik===History<span class="mw-editsection" len="326" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">One of the habits that the settlers took from their homeland, was keeping þings (' people's meetings '). Over time some þings were more important than others. Soon came the call for a central location for a common þing. This was In the year 930 Alþingi-the Icelandic Parliament -and thus founded. The location of the Alþingi (' people's Assembly ' comprehensive) was Þingvellir, a surface that was still in common property. Many important historical events have taken place during the Alþing, as the official transition toChristianity in the year 1000. In 1845, Parliament moved to Reykjavik. In 1928, Þingvellir Iceland's first National Park. Iceland has by all countries in the world and the longestdemocratic tradition is a Democratic Republic with an elected president. In 1918 Iceland obtained greater independence and changed the status of a part of Denmark into apersonal Union with the Danish Crown for 25 years. When this Union in 1944 could be not be extended because of the Second World War Iceland became fully independent on 17 June 1944.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The country is a member of the NATO, the EVA, the HONOR and has joined the Schengen area. In July 2009, the Icelandic Parliament the green light to an official request for EU accession.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" len="159" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [7]  that same month, Iceland officially candidate EU Member.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" len="159" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [8] ===Recent developments<span class="mw-editsection" len="336" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2007, there was a Government that consisted of the large, centre-right independence party and the smaller, social democratic Alliance, together accounting for 43 seats in the 63 seat Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament. Premier was Opened by the independence party. On 26 January 2009 the Government prematurely resigned following the poor state of the economy, caused by the credit crisis. The Icelandic economy was based to a large extent on the banking sector and this was moved in big trouble due to the economic crisis.In October 2008, the three largest Icelandic banks even nationalized. Many Icelanders lost their respect and lost savings, and expressed their dissatisfaction with the Government in demonstrations. The Krona lost largely its value against the Euro and by the end of 2008 declared the country bankrupt.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" len="159" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [9]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On 1 February 2009, the Cabinet-Sigurðardóttir installed. This left-wing minority Government consisting of the Alliance and Left-Green looked to the early elections on april 25, 2009 as interim-Government Affairs and especially the economic problems went. Interim Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir was of the Alliance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [10]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In addition, the long-awaited cabinet this early EU membership. This was, however, from the whole of the Union welcomed, although from Netherlands and Great Britain were also criticisms about repayment of the money that their savers lost in the Icesavedebacle. Also the own population is not entirely: there are fears among other things loss of the private fishing rights which the Icelandic economy still depends to a large extent on. Iceland now has the status of a candidate Member of the EU.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Government admitted to the foreign demand that Iceland would repay a total of € 3.5 billion. That meant a hefty monthly contribution of each Icelandic citizen, which for the Icelanders unpalatable turned out. There was national fuss, and then refused the head of State: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson to approve the relevant law. He called for a referendum on hold here.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">With the support of a population started the Government civil and criminal investigations into those responsible for the financial crisis. The previous Minister of finance received a prison sentence of 2 years while Interpol issued an international arrest warrant for bankers who were involved in the crash.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In the referendum of March 2010, 93% voted against the repayment of the debt. The IMF froze its loans immediately. But Iceland was not intimidated. As Grimsson said: "we were told that if we do not accept the terms of the international community, we would be the Cuba of the North. But if we they had accepted we would have become the Haiti of the North ". ===New Constitution<span class="mw-editsection" len="329" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">To the country to liberate the extensive power of international financiers and virtual money decided the population to make a new Constitution. They selected 25 citizens of 522 adults who not belonged to any political party but by at least 30 people were recommended. The meetings were streamed online and the citizens could pass on their comments and suggestions. They were witness to the creation of the document. The Constitution that originated from this process of participatory democracy was in the fall of 2011 to Parliament for approval.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [11]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In response to the crisis was the Besti flokkurinn political party in 2009 (best party) was established. Jón Gnarr was founder in 2010 Mayor of Reykjavik. regions of Iceland===Administrative divisions<span class="mw-editsection" len="335" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland consists of eight regions. ===Regions with capital<span class="mw-editsection" len="336" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===City on Iceland<span class="mw-editsection" len="330" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The capital of Iceland is Reykjavík, surrounded by some suburbs. Some other great places are Akureyri, Keflavík, Selfossand Egilsstaðir , Ísafjörður.
 * 1) Capital region, Iceland, Reykjavik
 * 2) Southern peninsula and a volcanic system,, Keflavík
 * 3) Iceland, Westland, Borgarnes
 * 4) Vestfirðir, Westfjords, Ísafjörður
 * 5) Iceland, Severnaya Zemlya west, Sauðárkrókur
 * 6) Iceland, Akureyri , East Severnaya Zemlya
 * 7) East Country, Iceland, Egilsstaðir
 * 8) South Country, Iceland, Selfoss

<p lang="en" len="475" style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">See also: list of places in Iceland and list of Icelandic municipalities ===Defence<span class="mw-editsection" len="323" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Although Iceland is a member of NATO, has no own armed forces. Armed forces of the United States guarded until October 1, 2006, on the basis of a military Convention of 1951, the country and its territorial watersfrom a marinevliegbasis in Keflavík. The United States has been still guarantees the territorial integrity of Iceland, but the marinevliegbasis is no longer in use as such.

<p lang="en" len="65" style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland does have a coast guard and a military police component. ==Population and culture<span class="mw-editsection" len="335" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Population<span class="mw-editsection" len="324" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Icelanders are descendants of the Vikings, mixed with Scottish and Irish immigrants. Most foreigners are Danes. More than half of the population lives in Reykjavik and the surrounding area.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In the period 1750 to 1850 the population of Iceland was stable at approximately 50,000 people. He subsequently entered a gradual expansion to about 75,000 by the end of the 19th century in order to speed up and hence the country 328.452 achieved on 1 January 2011, residents, almost evenly divided between men and women. The proportion of the population between 0 and 14 years was 20.9%, between 15 and 64 years 66.8% and finally was 12.3% of the population 65 years and older<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[12]. The life expectancy at birth lay in 2010 at 79.5 years for men and 83.5 years for women. The proportion of foreigners was 6.6%.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Family names are on Iceland almost Icelanders not used — the use of patronymics, such as "Karlsdóttir ' (' daughter of Karl ') or ' Grímsson ' (' son of Grímur ') (see also: Icelandic names). The first name is still more important than the patronymic: in one personal phone books and other alphabetical lists on its first name ranked. ===Religion<span class="mw-editsection" len="325" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In Iceland, there is freedom of religion. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland is the State Church. In the national register is always tracked what religious belief one has. About 5 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. From 1996 to 2009, the Dutch Bishop Jo Gijsen Bishop of Reykjavik.

<p lang="en" len="35" style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2004, this the following picture:

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Although the majority of the population is Christian, most Icelanders not with regularity to the Church. Most have Liberal-Christian views. ===Education and language<span class="mw-editsection" len="332" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Icelanders speak Icelandic as their mother tongue. Icelandic is to qualify as old Norse. Outside Iceland is not the language spoken. With it comes the number of speakers of Icelandic around 320,000. Icelandic is aNorth Germanic language. The Icelandic language is related to Faroese, Norwegian, Danish and Swedish.
 * Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland: 85% of the inhabitants
 * Free Lutheran Church of Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður: 3.6% of the inhabitants
 * not affiliated with a religious group: 2.4% of the population
 * Roman Catholic Church: 5 percent of the population
 * other Christian: 6.5% of the population
 * else (including followers of Ásatrú-religion): 1 percent of the population
 * Islam: 0.2% of the population

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Icelandic came in the 9th century with the Vikings spoke old Norse Vikings to Iceland, this. On the European continent has undergone many changes, among other things by the Norwegian influences of the Plattduits.Thus, the modern Norwegian fall less in relation to the old Norse name, also the grammar simpler. These changes went by to the old Norse speaking Icelanders, the old Norse spoken in Iceland that is little changed since 9th century. Modern Icelandic is a language very similar to the old Norse. The Icelanders are proud of their language and do not want the language becoming superficial. New words which are necessary in order to identify technological or other developments are usually created by combining existing Icelandic words. There is even an Institute that monitors.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The Icelandic language uses the Latin alphabet supplemented by a number of characters. The alphabet consists of 36 characters. The "Icelandic language day" is celebrated annually on november 16: the birthday of the Icelandic poet Jónas Hallgrímsson.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">From their eighth or ninth year, children learn English as a second language. Danish is also widely spoken.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The largest higher education institution is the University of Iceland, which has its largest campus in downtown Reykjavík. Other schools that teach at the University level are the University of Reykjavík, the University of Akureyri, Iceland at Hvanneyri agricultural University and the Bifröst University. ===Music<span class="mw-editsection" len="321" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Traditionally, on Iceland in complete isolation a music style developed. The original Icelandic music (the tvísöngur) consisted of two-part chant, which was typical quarters melodies . Only since the contacts with theScandinavian culture was this music gradually mixed with the Norwegian and Danish music. In the 19th century also came this music encountered the nationalist tendencies of European art music, with which the connection was paved with the Western European art music. In the Icelandic folk music are therefore hardly take advantage of the tracks Gregorian chant or the Lutheran Chorale. The art music of the 19th century-as well as later also insisted the modern and popular music-by in the long run also in Iceland.

<p lang="en" len="42" style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Icelandic contemporary musicians are:

===Public holidays (Hátíðir og merkisdagar)<span class="mw-editsection" len="350" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Media<span class="mw-editsection" len="320" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland's largest television stations are the public service broadcaster Sjónvarpið and the commercial broadcasters Stöð 2, SkjárEinn and ÍNN. There are also smaller stations, many of which broadcast only locally. The main radio stations are Rás 1, Rás 2 and Bylgjan. The daily newspapers are Morgunblaðið and Fréttablaðið.
 * Pop Singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir;
 * The post-rock band Sigur Rós;
 * The funk fusion group Mezzo Forte;
 * Emilíana Torrini;
 * Hera Björk;
 * -The indie folk/indie popband Of Monsters and Men.
 * 1 January: nýársdagur (new year 's).
 * January 6: þrettándi, the thirteenth day. Last day of the Icelandic Christmas (see also: Middle-).
 * At the end of January is the old combined January/February month Þorri (Þorri) celebrated, the Þorrablót (Thorrablot).
 * Bolludagur ("bolletjesdag"). Bolletjesdag used to be the Monday for the fasting days and is now celebrated by (many) cream puffs (rjómabollur) to eat at the coffee.
 * Sprengidagur ("explosiedag"). This day was formerly the last day before the beginning of lent days and there was so much eaten as possible (and available) was. Now it will be with a special meal, consisting of cured meat and beans, celebrated.
 * Öskudagur ("Asdag"). The first day of lent days that started on a Wednesday. This is now a free day.
 * Sumardagurinn fyrsti; the first Thursday after april 18: first day of the (old) summer. Iceland knew according to the old calendar but two seasons: summer and winter.
 * Sjómannadagurinn; the first Sunday in June: dedicated to the seafarers (fishermen, shipowners etc.).
 * Listahátið; at the end of June on even-numbered years: Reykjaviks international art festival.
 * June 17: þjóðhátið; important national folk festival on júní sautjándi . On the occasion of the fact that Iceland became a Republic on 17 June 1944.
 * Verslunarmannahelgi ("traders weekend"); first weekend in August.
 * Síldarævintyri ("herring adventure"); feast on first weekend and Monday in August in Siglufjörður (North-Iceland).
 * VestmannaeyjarÞjóðhátið; Folk Festival on the Westman Islands in early August.
 * September: time when the sheep from the mountains and Plains are rounded up for collation. Often a delight.
 * Fyrsti vetrardagur; end of October: first day of the (old) winter.
 * 1 december: commemoration of gaining sovereignty of Denmark in 1918.
 * december 24: aðfangadagur; Christmas Eve.
 * 25 and 26 december: Jól; Christmas.
 * december 31: gamlárskvöld; new year's Eve.

<p lang="en" len="428" style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On June 16, 2010, the Icelandic Parliament a law to protect the right of free speech and for the protection of journalists and whistle-blowers and is the strictest law in this area in the world. ===Mythology<span class="mw-editsection" len="325" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland is rich in Norse mythology. ==Economy<span class="mw-editsection" len="323" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == The geothermal power plantNesjavellir in the southwest of the country===Fisheries<span class="mw-editsection" len="323" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Fishing and fish-processing industry, about 73 percent of the exports, are the most important leg of the Icelandic industry. This output, however, is sensitive to the change of the fish prices. From the Government are therefore attempts to provide a broader basis the economy; There is so much expected of geothermal energy. In addition to Iceland Norwayand Japan is the only country where commercial whaling is done. ===Tourism<span class="mw-editsection" len="323" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The second source of income is tourism. Visitors come mainly from Scandinavian countries and Germany, but also from Belgium, Netherlands and Canada. Most tourists come in summer. During the winter months some to Iceland to see the northern lights . ===Energy<span class="mw-editsection" len="322" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2009, about 66% of all geothermal energy generated (see, for example, Nesjavellir), 19% is generated by hydropower and other energy is produced with imported fossil fuels such as petroleum and coalto a lesser extent. Equipped with the geothermal sources Reykjavik of hot water and steam for heating. In the period 1989 to 2009 is the production of electricity quadrupled, from 4.475 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to this strong increase was especially necessary 16.883 GWh. for two new aluminum smelters and the extension of an existing smelter. Consumed In 2009 nearly 12,000 GWh of electricitythese smelters<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[13] . ===Trade<span class="mw-editsection" len="321" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland has an open economy, foreign trade makes up about one-third of the Icelandic economy. In 2009, for a total amount of ISK 500 billion exported and imported for ISK 410 billion. This was the first year since 2002 that Iceland scored a surplus in the trade balance . The export increased by 7% in 2009 while the imports dropped by 13%. The depreciation of the Icelandic krona versus other currencies made the Icelandic exports more attractive while import products were much more expensive. The main export products were fish (49%) and aluminium (34%). The import is more diverse and includes products such as petroleum, machinery, transport equipment, food, drink and tobacco. The European Unionwas the most important trading partner; in 2009, the EU's share in the export of Iceland about 83% and approximately 65% of the Icelandic imports.Netherlands was the most important trading partner with a share of 31% in the export and the import total, Norway <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14] . ===Financial sector<span class="mw-editsection" len="332" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In the early 21st century, the Icelandic financial sector a strong growth. This made the financial sector about 34 percent of the Icelandic economy. Due to the rapid expansion and the corresponding need for borrowed capital of this sector was the country very vulnerable to the effects of the credit crisis in 2008. By a rapid deterioration of the liquidity of the three banks in the country hit Iceland in a situation that bordered on bankruptcy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15]  the debts of the country turned out about five to nine times the gross national product amounts to an amount that is almost impossible to bring up independently.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"> [16]  see below Icelandic banks crisis, ===Currency<span class="mw-editsection" len="326" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The currency of Iceland is the Icelandic krona and abbreviated ISK. In 2007, the average cost of the euro such a 88 Icelandic crowns. On 10 October 2008, most banks stopped trading in the Icelandic krona because theeconomic crisis in the country had decreased greatly in value and ended up in an inflationary spiral<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17" len="161" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17]. The exchange rate of the krona halved; the rate of the euro in 2009 approximately 173 crowns. In 2010, some recovery on average against the euro and was 162 Iceland krona traded. ==Transport<span class="mw-editsection" len="322" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == Keflavik is the largest airport in Iceland.Map of the route 1 (Iceland), the ring road that encircles the entire island.===Air<span class="mw-editsection" len="320" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p lang="en" len="231" style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Center of air traffic are the two airports of Iceland:

<p lang="en" len="88" style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In addition, virtually every larger town in Iceland a small airfield or airstrip.
 * Keflavíkurflugvöllur (Keflavik), about 50 km southwest of Reykjavik on the Reykjanes peninsula, for international flights;
 * Reykjavíkurflugvöllur (Reykjavik airport), close to the Centre of Reykjavik, for flights to domestic destinations and to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

<p lang="en" len="144" style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">IcelandAir is an airline with flights between Keflavik and North America, Schiphol, Brussels, London, Paris, Hamburg and Frankfurt. ===Water<span class="mw-editsection" len="320" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland has a ferry service from Seyðisfjörður in the East, to Hirtshals in Denmark. This is done via Tórshavn on the Faerøereilanden. The crossings are from april to september, once a week.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland has six regular national ferry lines:

===Country<span class="mw-editsection" len="319" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">The main road is on the ring road or route 1 (Iceland)Iceland. This ca. 1350 kilometers long road with road number 1 runs around the island and connects some of the greatest places with each other but skips the remote areas about. The ring road is for the most part paved, but some parts in the East of Iceland are still unpaved. Most bridges and a number of tunnels on Iceland are carried out enkelstrooks. Often there are copies at the longer though passage features included, but caution continues to be provided. Highways and motorways come on Iceland not for although a number of the main roads to and from Reykjavík vierstrooks is performed.The speed limit is there, just as in all other paved roads, 90 kilometres per hour. Within built-up areas is a maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour, and on the dirt roads the speed limit is 80 kilometres per hour.
 * Herjólfur : between Landeyjahöfn and the Vestmannaeyjar in the South;
 * Baldur : Flatey and Brjánslækur, between Stykkishólmur in Breiðafjörður;
 * Bliki : between the history of Iceland, and Æðeyin the Westfjords Ísafjörður;
 * Sævar between Árskógssandur and Hrísey  : in the North;
 * Sæfari : between Akureyri, Dalvík and Hrísey , Grímsey in the North, and
 * Anný between Neskaupstaður and Mjóifjörður : in the East fjords.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland on public transport takes place by a network of bus connections, with generally low frequencies. In addition, Reykjavik about Strætó bs stadsbusnet.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Iceland has no railroads. The plan to open in 2020 to a rail connection between Reykjavik and Keflavik is probably not implemented, due to the credit crisis that struck Iceland in 2008 violently. ==Points Of Interest<span class="mw-editsection" len="334" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p lang="en" len="54" style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Some points of interest on Iceland include:

<p lang="en" len="234" style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.3999996185303px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">See also: monuments on the World Heritage list ==Statistics<span class="mw-editsection" len="327" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ Edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" len="1" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * JökulsárgljúfurNational Park, SkaftafellNational Park, the National Park Snæfellsnes and the Þingvellir National Park
 * Among other Geysers , Strokkur Geysir
 * Háifoss fallunder other waterfalls , Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Dettifoss, Goðafoss
 * Among other glaciers Eyjafjallajökull, Mýrdalsjökull, Vatnajökull
 * Glacier lakes under other Jökulsárlón
 * Volcanoes under other Hverfell, Kerið, Hekla
 * Fjords in Iceland
 * Reykjavik including Hallgrimskirkja and museums
 * Nature pools such as Blue Lagoon
 * Whale safari from Reykjavik and Husavik
 * Landmannalaugar
 * Þórsmörk
 * 96 percent of the inhabitants live in centres of cities, towns and villages
 * Reykjavik has 114,000 inhabitants (1 October 2005); Akureyri outside the region of Reykjavik is the only city of any size (17,000 inhabitants, 1 October 2005)
 * Increase in number of inhabitants about 2003: 0.96%
 * Estimated number of inhabitants in 2010: 304.711 (1 december 2004)
 * Number of births per 1000 inhabitants: 14 (1 december 2004)
 * Number of deaths per 1000 inhabitants: 6 (1 december 2004)
 * Average number of births per woman: 2.23 (2009)
 * Infant mortality rate: 2.4 per 1000 births (2003)
 * Infant mortality in first week of life: 1.69 per 1000 births (2003)
 * Migration balance in 2001: + 968
 * Population density in 2004: 2.8 inhabitants per km² (1 december 2004)
 * Life expectancy: men 78.7 years; women 83.2 years (december 2010)
 * Economy: gross domestic Product by 2003: ISK 810.844 million (2004)
 * Economic growth in 2002:-0.5 percent
 * GDP per inhabitant in 2003: 36.519 US dollars (2004)
 * Tax: income tax, in per cent: 37,73 (2005)
 * (There is a special tax (2 percent) at income above ISK 350,000 p.p. per month (2005).)


 * btw, in percentage (1 January 2010): 25.5, 14.0 or 7.0
 * Number of cars per 1000 inhabitants: 647 (2004)
 * Number of doctors per 1000 inhabitants: 3.6 (2002)