Iceland: political and geographical location. Economic and geographical characteristics of the Republic of Iceland Iceland conclusion about the level of economic development

Similar documents

The geographical location and climatic features of Iceland are a country, most of which is sparsely populated; it is occupied by desert spaces devoid of trees with volcanoes and waterfalls. Interesting holidays in Iceland: cake day, beer day, Christmas.

presentation, added 01/15/2012


Geological structure and relief of Iceland. Two hypotheses for core formation. Types of volcanoes and their forms. Factors that determine climate. Hydrological objects of Iceland. Underground waters, thermal springs and geysers. Flora of Iceland and its distribution.

course work, added 03/12/2019


General characteristics of small European countries. Area, population, official language, status, geographical and administrative location, government system, natural resources and economy of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Great Britain, Ireland.

course work, added 05/23/2014


Iceland is a vast island in the North Atlantic Ocean. Composition of the territory: geology and relief. Annual course of temperatures and precipitation. The largest rivers and lakes in Iceland. Representatives of local flora and fauna. Map of the Island's National Parks.

presentation, added 02/21/2015


Economic and geographical information about Iceland: location, flag, official language. The structure of the earth's surface, volcanic activity and features of the coastline. Characteristic features of climate and vegetation. Government structure and politics.

abstract, added 03/11/2013


Physical-geographical, economic-geographical, political-geographical position of the country. US government system. Nature of the country. Natural resources. Environmental resources. Population. Branches of the economy. Economic industry. External Relations.

abstract, added 07/14/2008


General characteristics of Norway, natural conditions, resources, economic and geographical location, population. Economic system: industry, agriculture, transport, foreign economic relations, culture, tourism. Environmental problems of Norway.

abstract, added 04/26/2009


Canada is one of the most developed and second largest countries in the world. Area, population, form of government. Economic and geographical position of the country. Natural conditions, relief, climate. Natural and water resources, zones, animals, minerals.

presentation, added 09/11/2014


Geographical location of Argentina, the size of its territory, government structure, ethnic composition of the population. Natural conditions and resources and their economic assessment. Structure and features of the national economy. Problems and prospects for development.

abstract, added 06/22/2015


General characteristics of Norway: its economic and geographical position; natural conditions; country resources. Spitsbergen and its purpose. Industry, agriculture, fishing and forestry, transport. Political and geographical position of the country.

Geographical position

Iceland is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean, near the Arctic Circle. The country lies between Norway and Greenland. Almost the entire territory of the country is a volcanic plateau with peaks up to 2 km, which drop steeply to the ocean and form a huge number of fjords.
Iceland has many active volcanoes: Hekla, Askja, Laki, etc. There are also geysers, hot springs, glaciers and lava fields that cover almost the entire territory of the island.
The total area of ​​the country is about 103 thousand square meters. km., of which 11.8 thousand sq. km. covered with glaciers.
The capital of the country is the city of Reykjavik.

Iceland is the second largest island in Europe. In the north the country is washed by the Greenland Sea, in the east by the Norwegian Sea. In the west, the Denmark Strait separates Iceland from Greenland. The northernmost point of the country is located in the Arctic Circle. The length of the island from north to south is 306 km, from west to east - 480 km. In summer there are white nights here, and in December the sun appears only for 3-4 hours.

The highest point in the country is Hvannadalshnukur, its height is 2119 meters above sea level.

The total area of ​​glaciers is 11.8 thousand square meters. km. The largest cover glacier is Vatnajökull, which is located in the southeast of the island.

Iceland has many rivers, but they are not navigable. The longest of them are: Tjorsar, Jökulsa a Fjodlum, Jölvüsaa and Skjalvandafljöt. The largest lakes in the country are Thingvallavatn and Thorisvatn.

Iceland is located in a zone of moderately cold maritime climate, which in the north becomes subpolar. Although this country is considered arctic, the climate here is not so cold, because... it is softened by the warm Gulf Stream.
Winters here are relatively warm - O-5C, and summers are cool (9-12C). Annual precipitation is 300 mm in the north, up to 2000 mm in the south. On the south-facing slopes of Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull, the average annual rainfall is over 3800 mm.
Strong winds blow over the country all year round.
The average annual temperature on the southwest coast in Reykjavik is 4°C. The average January temperature is -1°C, July 11°C. On the northern coast in Akureyri the average annual temperature is 3°C. The average January temperature here is -2°C and 11° C.
Coastal waters are ice-free throughout the year. The weather in Iceland is highly variable throughout the day. This is due to the passage of cyclones eastward across the Atlantic Ocean.
It happens that there is still snow at the end of May, and in December there can often be prolonged thaws.

Visas, entry rules, customs rules

Citizens of the Russian Federation require a Schengen visa to visit Iceland. You can apply for a visa to Iceland at the consular section of the Danish Embassy located in Moscow.
For a minor child traveling with one of the parents, other relatives or accompanying persons, permission to travel from the other parent is required.
Single women traveling with children are required to provide a photocopy of a single mother's identity card or an original certificate from the police confirming that the relationship with the child's father is not maintained and his whereabouts are unknown. Widow(ers) must provide a copy of their spouse's death certificate.
The import and export of foreign currency is not limited. The import and export of local currency is limited to 8 thousand ISK. It is allowed to import duty-free a small amount of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, meat products (from EU countries only), personal items and products, including photographic and video equipment. Strong alcoholic drinks can only be imported by persons over 20 years of age, wine and tobacco products - by persons over 18 years of age.
It is prohibited to import weapons, drugs, some medicines (without appropriate permits from customs authorities), fresh vegetables and dairy products into Iceland. It is allowed to import medicines for personal use if they have a certificate or prescription from the attending physician.

Population, political status

The country's population is 276 thousand people. The national composition is homogeneous - about 99% of the total population are Icelanders. Persons of foreign origin also live in Iceland - Danes, Germans and Norwegians. Over 70% of the population lives in cities. The largest cities in the country are: Reykjavik, Kopavogur, Akureyri.
Almost 4/5 of the country's territory is uninhabited, most of the population is concentrated on the narrow coast, in the valleys and lowlands of the south and southwest.
Iceland is a republic with a presidential form of government. Executive power is concentrated in the hands of the president and the government. The president of the country is elected for a term of 4 years. Legislative power belongs to the president and the unicameral parliament, the Althing. There are 63 deputies in parliament who are elected for 4 years. The Minister-President is approved by the President following the results of parliamentary elections and after consultations with the leaders of party factions in the Althing.
The administrative-territorial division of the country is 23 districts (sisla), which include 124 rural communities and cities.
The official language is Icelandic, which is very carefully preserved in the country. But almost everywhere they speak English.

What to see

The main attraction of this country is its unique nature. Volcanic landscapes, geysers, waterfalls, glaciers and lakes look very picturesque.
Reykjavik ("Smoky Bay") is the country's capital and largest city. It is small in size and distinguished by its comfort and quiet life. This city is also the northernmost capital in the world. It is surrounded on three sides by the sea. Reykjavik's architecture is not typical for capital cities, which is why it is considered one of the most unusual cities in the world. The center of the capital, its old part, looks like a vast green space of lawns and lakes. Here you can see traditional houses of old construction, in which the influence of early Scandinavian architecture is noticeable.
Some residential buildings still have sheepfolds and stables attached to them. But they are no longer used for keeping livestock, but have been converted into shops and cafes.
It is worth noting the Parliament House and the old Government Building (18th century), which are located between the harbor and the lake.
The capital itself stands on the site where Ingolfur Arnarson's Vikings built the first permanent settlement on the island. This happened in 874. There are no industrial facilities or even thermal power plants in the city. Water from hot thermal springs is used to heat the city. Therefore, the environmental situation in Reykjavik is simply excellent, the air is very clean.
The modern part of the city stretches to the east of the old city. Here, tourists deserve attention: the National Gallery of Iceland, the Reykjavik City Art Museum, and the National Museum, which has a unique historical collection.
Just behind the National Museum is the Arni Magnusson Institute. It stores unique ancient books with traditional saga legends, as well as many historical works.
The Arber Folk Museum is interesting because of the old houses of the capital that have been reconstructed. Here you can see a traditional Icelandic style church with a turf roof, as well as farmhouses from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Reykjavik's central church, Hallgrimskirkja, is one of the city's main attractions. It is interesting for its original architecture and unique organ, which is made in the Art Nouveau style. In front of the church there is a monument to the Vikings - the discoverers of America. The small Botanical Garden and recreation park are also worth a visit. The capital also has a number of museums dedicated to the country's most famous artists.
The capital has many swimming pools, some of which are outdoor ones. The water temperature in them reaches +27 C. Reykjavik also has many discos, nightclubs, drama, opera and ballet theaters and cinemas. A picturesque green area stretches along the banks of the Ellidaar River. This river flows through the eastern part of the city and is one of the richest rivers in the country and is home to salmon.
Not far from the city there is an extinct volcano Esya, whose height is 906 meters. It is a very popular place for trekking and active recreation. Further south is the large Blaulone Lake, or Glacier Lagoon. It is connected to the ocean by a strait. Here you can see unique stone-moss heaths with relict vegetation and giant glaciers.
100 km. To the east of the capital, at the foot of the Langjökull glacier, you can visit the unique valley of geysers - Haukadalur. It houses the famous Big Geyser. Its three-meter crater fills with hot water and then dries up. The water in the crater is highly mineralized and has a turquoise color.
Many tourists come here to see the steam eruptions, which last ten minutes and rise to a height of 40-60 meters. But lately the geyser has been erupting less and less. There are dozens of other geysers around it.
The Hengil area, located near Reykjavik, also deserves the attention of tourists. Its hot water is now used to heat the capital and a large number of outdoor swimming pools. In the valley east of the geyser fields you can see the birthplace of Icelandic statehood. The Fields of Thing, described in the Thingvöllir sagas, are famous for being the site of meetings of the first settlers of the country.
Geyser fields attract a huge number of tourists here. There are more than 250 groups of them, which include more than 7 thousand individual hot springs. It has the largest number of geysers per unit area in the world.
In the south of the country lies the vast Haudakalur geyser field. Here is Geysir (Great Geyser), which was once considered the largest geyser in Iceland. However, only the Strokkur geyser regularly erupts here. Around it there are a large number of outlets of underground hot water. These exits look like bottomless wells, which are filled to the brim with blue transparent water.
The areas of the Torfa Glacier, which lie east of the Hekla volcano, are also worth visiting. Also noteworthy for tourists are the Kverkfjöll volcano, the areas of Nama, the Kerlingar and Kverk mountains, the area of ​​the Grim Lakes near the Vatna glacier, Krisu Bay, the geothermal fields of Kjölur, Landmannalaugar, Nesjavellir, Onavfelsnes, Reykir. Near the town of Hveragerdi you can see hot springs and fields of “colored earth”.
Some springs spew out water whose temperature reaches about +750 C. The largest hot spring in the country is Deildartunguhver. It produces more than 150 liters of boiling water every second. This water is used to heat homes, create hot water pools and evaporate salt from seawater.
A well-known attraction in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon. It is a unique geothermal lake, the water of which is saturated with natural salts. You can swim in this lake at any time of the year, because... the water temperature in it does not fall below +16 C. Its water is used to treat a number of diseases, especially skin diseases.
In the vicinity of the lagoon you can visit lava fields, a rocky coastline, a bird colony and a geothermal power plant with a swimming pool. To the east of the Blue Lagoon is the lava-covered Reykjanes Peninsula. You can stop by the fishing village of Grindavik. The settlement of Reykholt is also worth a visit. Snorri Sturluson, a famous Icelandic poet, writer and politician, lived here for a long time. He is the author of the famous history of the Norwegian kings - "The Circle of the Earth".
Icelandic waterfalls are also very beautiful. The most famous of them are: the "waterfall of the gods" Goudafoss, Gullfoss ("golden waterfall"), located on the Hvitau River, near the Great Geyser, Skógarfoss and the "falling waterfall" Dehtifoss in the north of the country.
The highest is Hauifoss, which is located on the Fossad River. Its height is 130 meters. And the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland are Hroynfossar ("lava falls"). They are located near Reykholt and were so named because they cascade out from under the lava field. The water from them flows into the river with a surprisingly blue color.
The interior of the island is a lifeless plateau. It is very quiet and calm here, you can observe the life of the relic natural world of the country. In Icelandic legends, each of these sites is given magical properties.
In the east of Iceland, in the East Borgarfjord, is the Aulvaborg rock. According to Icelandic tales, Icelandic elves live here.
The Körlingaskar Pass ("witch's gorge") lies at the western foot of the Körlingarfjell mountain. It is believed that evil forces live here, and the local lake is home to an analogue of the Loch Ness monster.
The city of Akureyri is the northern capital of the country. It lies on the shores of the picturesque Eyjafjord. Nearby is the ice-free Lake Mývatn ("mosquito lake"). It is one of the richest lakes in the northern hemisphere and is considered one of the wonders of the world.
Gullfoss waterfall is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. Here you can climb the craters of the Graubok and Hverfell volcanoes, and visit the ice caves of Kverkfjell and Nyomaskaro.
From Akureyri you can take a ferry to the “island near the Arctic Circle” Grimsey, which is considered one of the most “extreme” places inhabited by humans. This island is famous for its wild landscapes.
One of the main attractions of Iceland is its volcanoes. Iceland ranks first in the world in the number of volcanoes per unit area. Their peaks are visible from almost all points of the country. The most famous volcanoes are: “Icelandic Fuji” Hekla, Helgafell, multi-colored Kverkfjöll, Graubok and “island creator” Surtsey.
The country has excellent conditions for sport fishing and extreme tourism. Lovers of rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, trout and salmon fishing, etc. come here.

Coins of the Roman Empire were found on the territory of the country, which date back to the 3rd century AD. It is impossible to say for sure whether they were brought by the Vikings, or whether the island was visited long before the 9th century.
There are numerous references to "Thule" or "Far Thule" in Roman literature from the 4th century BC. This place, in its natural and geographical description, strongly resembles Iceland.
Iceland was settled in the 9th century as a result of the unification of Norway under the rule of King Harald I. Many families who did not like the new government fled in search of a new place to live. In Iceland, they first settled only on the coast. The sea served as a source of food and wood (fin), because There were practically no forests on the island.
The first settler in Iceland is considered to be the noble Norwegian Ingolf Arnarson, who settled in the area of ​​modern Reykjavik in 874.
Gradually, a state system was formed in the country. In each region, a Thing was created to resolve disputes, issues, and carry out court proceedings. At the beginning of summer, representatives of the regions gathered for the Althing. The laws of those times were very confusing, with many exceptions.
The first Althing was convened in 930. From this date the era of democracy begins. Icelandic democracy is considered the oldest existing in the world today.
The history of the country is well known thanks to the large number of sagas that have come down to us.
The ancient Icelanders were skilled sailors and Vikings. The literacy rate among them was very high. The texts of the Elder (poetic) and Younger (prose) Eddas were discovered in Iceland, thanks to which Scandinavian mythology has survived to this day.
In 1262, Iceland had to sign the so-called “Old Treaty” with Norway. She recognized the supreme power of the Norwegian kings, who were supposed to support her economically.
In 1397, Iceland and Norway came under Danish rule through the Union of Kalmar.
In 1814 this union was dissolved. However, Iceland remained part of Denmark.
In 1830, the ideas of Icelandic nationalism arose among Icelandic students in Copenhagen. The leader of this movement was the philologist Jon Sigurdson.
In 1845, the country recreated parliament as a legislative body. It was called the Althing.
The convened constituent assembly in 1851 was dissolved by the authorities due to too radical demands. However, already in 1854 the Danish trade monopoly was completely abolished in Iceland.
In 1855, a law on freedom of the press was introduced in the country.
In 1874, the thousandth anniversary of the settlement of Iceland was celebrated. Then, for the first time in history, the Danish king Christian IX visited the island. He announced further reforms. The king granted Iceland its own constitution, according to which the Althing received the rights of local legislative power. Citizens of the country elected 30 deputies to its composition. The king also appointed 6 more deputies.
Executive power remained in the hands of the governor, who was appointed by the Danish government. He reported to the Danish Ministry of Justice. Iceland also has its own minister - a member of the cabinet. He was Danish, lived permanently in Copenhagen and was responsible to the Danish Parliament.
In the last decades of the 19th century, the first signs of modernization in the economy and social structure began to appear in the country. Market relations began to develop, and the first large farms and fishing enterprises appeared in Iceland. Since 1882, marketing and fishing cooperation began to spread.
In 1885, the National Bank of Iceland was established in Iceland.
On December 1, 1918, Iceland was declared an independent kingdom in a personal union with Denmark.
During World War II, Denmark was occupied by the Germans. This contributed to the separation of Denmark and Iceland on April 9, 1940.
A month after this, the British entered Reykjavik harbor, violating Iceland's neutrality. The Allied occupation of Iceland continued throughout the war.
In 1941, the American Army accepted responsibility for the occupation.
On June 17, 1944, Iceland gained full independence and became a republic. June 17 has since become a public holiday in Iceland.
On March 30, 1949, Iceland joined NATO. After the war, the country experienced significant economic growth. This was facilitated by the Marshall Plan, the industrialization of the fishing industry and Keynesian government management of the economy.
In the 1970s, the “cod war” broke out. It represented a diplomatic dispute with Britain over the expansion of Iceland's fishing grounds.
In 1994, the country joined the European Economic Area.
In October 2008, the banking system collapsed in Iceland. The country almost went bankrupt. It experienced a serious financial crisis. There was an increase in inflation and unemployment, a fall in GDP and the exchange rate of the Icelandic krona. The economic situation has become more difficult.
In 2010, same-sex marriage was legalized in Iceland.
On November 27, 2010, elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in Iceland.

International trade

For a long time, the country's foreign trade was characterized by a negative balance. This was due to limited natural resources and poor development of consumer goods production.
The main imports are petroleum products and cars.

Other important imports are textiles, ships, paper, ready-made garments, chemical products and metal products.
The main export items are: fish and fish products.
Traditionally, Iceland's main trading partners were the USA, USSR, Great Britain and Germany. In 1970, the country joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). But Iceland's economic interests are contradicted by the European Union's policy of creating a common fishery. Therefore, her government refrains from participating in this organization.

The shops

In Iceland you can buy good clothes, especially outerwear. Local residents know a lot about practical and beautiful clothes.
As a souvenir, you can also bring with you national Icelandic clothing, which is a knitted woolen sweater with a traditional pattern.
And clothes from famous world brands are slightly cheaper in the country than on the continent. There is also a fairly large number of in-house designers who create unique clothes and accessories.
In Iceland you can buy very original jewelry made from polished lava or deer antler.
Iceland has a lot of talented writers, musicians, actors and directors. But you can get acquainted with their work mainly only in their homeland.
Some types of Icelandic-style meat or fish can be excellent treats.
The country's shops are usually open from 10.00 to 18.00 from Monday to Friday, on Saturdays - from 10.00 to 14.00-16.00. Some large department stores are open until 10 pm on Fridays. On Sunday, and in the summer - on Saturdays, all shops are closed.
Iceland is considered a fairly expensive country for tourists.

Demography

The population density in the country is the smallest in Europe, averaging 2.7 inhabitants per 1 sq. km.
The average age of the population is 35.1 years. The average age of men is 34.6 years, women - 35.6 years.
Age composition of the population:
under 15 years old - 20.7%
15-64 years old - 67.1%
over 65 years old - 12.2%.
The annual population growth is 0.741%. Birth rate - 13.5 per 1000; mortality rate - 6.81 per 1000; infant mortality rate is 3.4 per 1000.
The average life expectancy is 80.67 years. The average life expectancy for men is 78.53 years, for women - 82.9 years.
The fertility rate is 1.9 (the European average is 1.5).

Industry

Iceland has almost no mining industry. Deposits of brown coal, pumice and Iceland spar are being developed only on a small scale. The country's industry began to develop rapidly only after the Second World War. Today it employs about a third of the population.
Now the main industry is fish processing. There are large herring processing plants in Sigljufjörður, Akureyri and other cities. There are about 100 fillet and fresh frozen fish production facilities in Reykjavik, Hafnarfjörður, Västmannayjar and other cities.
The country has many shipyards and ship repair facilities that serve the fishing fleet. Iceland also produces ready-made clothing, furniture and building materials, footwear, metal products and electrical equipment. There is a mineral fertilizer factory near Reykjavik. There is a cement plant in Akranes.

Flora and fauna

Currently, there is very little vegetation in Iceland. Only less than 1/4 of its territory is covered with vegetation.
The vast interior plateaus have almost no vegetation cover. The predominant vegetation composition is mosses and grasses. Until recently, trees accounted for only about 1% of the total area. The most common tree species in Iceland are birches, whose trunks are usually twisted due to strong winds. In recent years, large coniferous plantations have been established in some places.
The fauna of Iceland is not very diverse. At the time of settlement of its territory, the only land mammal living there was the Arctic fox. At the end of the 18th century, reindeer were bred in the country. Mice, rats and mink were accidentally introduced to Iceland.
About 80 species of birds nest in the country. A large number of ducks, swans and geese live on mountain lakes and rivers. Seagulls, terns, etc. are common on the sea coast.
The lakes are home to trout, and the rivers are home to salmon. Two species of seals and some species of whales live in coastal waters. There are feeding and spawning grounds for a large number of fish species here. The most important are sea bass, cod, halibut, haddock, and shrimp.

Banks and money

Icelandic banknotes / Currency converter

The country's monetary unit is the Icelandic krona (international designation - ISK, domestically - IKg), which is equal to 100 aurars. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500 and 100 crowns, coins in 50, 10, 5 and 1 crown, as well as 50 and 10 aurar.
Tourists can exchange currency at banks, The Change Group offices and hotels. The commission is about $2.5 regardless of the amount.
Traveler's checks are accepted everywhere. Credit cards are very popular. Non-cash payments make up the overwhelming majority of domestic turnover. Credit cards from the world's leading payment systems are accepted for payment everywhere.
ATMs are available in all banks, large shops, hotels and on most main streets. They work with all types of credit cards.
Banks in Iceland are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9.15 to 16.00.

To rent a car you must be over 18 years old or have a driving experience of more than 2 years. An international credit card is also required. The new Russian driving license is valid. The country has offices of large international rental companies, as well as small private companies.
Fines for violating traffic rules are quite large. Speed ​​limits: 50 km/h within the city, 80 km/h on gravel roads, 90 km/h on asphalt roads.
Parking in the capital is quite easy - there are multi-level parking lots and surface parking lots. There are not many cars in the city, so there are usually no difficulties in finding a parking space.
Payment for parking is hourly; you can pay through special machines at the entrance or through a parking employee.
Reykjavik has an extensive, modern bus network. You can also travel to the suburbs by bus. Tickets are cheaper to buy at the ticket offices of bus terminals. For trips with transfers, you must purchase a transit ticket.
To travel along the ring highway that encircles the entire island, you need to buy a special pass.
You can use taxi services. You can order a taxi by phone (free of charge), at specialized parking lots, or just stop on the street.
Coastal shipping is used mainly for the transport of goods. Intensive passenger traffic is carried out on lines between Reykjavik and Arkanes, as well as the islands of the southern coast and the northern ports of Chrissi and Grimsi. Thus, the wheat harvest has increased more than 20 times over the past 20 years.
There are about 6 thousand farms in Iceland, of which approximately 80% are owned by private individuals. The main branch of livestock farming has always been sheep breeding.
Lamb is the traditional meat food of the local population.
The farms also house many other types of animals - goats, pigs, minks, and black and brown foxes. There is a large population of horses of the local breed - Icelandic ponies. They are widely used for equestrian tourism.
The most important farm product is hay. Turnips, potatoes, cabbage and other vegetables are also grown in Iceland. Greenhouse farming is widespread.
Mainly tomatoes and cucumbers, vegetables, flowers, bananas and grapes are grown in greenhouses.
The state supports agriculture.
Fishing and fish processing play an important role in the Icelandic economy.

INTRODUCTION

2. Natural resources

2.1 Agriculture in Iceland

3. Political structure

4. Economy

4.2 Iceland's foreign trade

4.3 Energy in Iceland

4.4 Transport in Iceland

4.5 Banking and finance in Iceland

4.6 Housing construction

4.7 Healthcare

4.8 Connections with Russia

5. Current events

LIST OF REFERENCES USED

Introduction

For most of the country's history, its economy was based on fishing and agriculture. After World War II, the importance of fishing and the fish processing industry increased, and some diversification of the Icelandic economy took place.

Economic growth in 1996–2007 was 3–5% per year. In 2002, the country suffered from the global economic recession, industrial growth was only 0.2%, and GDP fell by 0.6%. In 2003, economic growth resumed, inflation fell from 5% to 2%.

GDP in 2007 amounted to more than 8.4 billion US dollars (30,200 US dollars per capita). The unemployment rate in 2007 was 2.8%.

Today, Iceland, a country as complex and modern as its geographical isolation, is still in a state of shock. But if the events of the end of 2008 - the fall of banks and the national currency, the first wave of layoffs - were more like a bad dream, now Iceland is waking up to understand that this is happening in reality. Reykjavik, the center of one of the world's fastest-growing economic booms, looks little like its former self today. There are practically no people in the city who would not be affected by the financial crisis in one way or another. Overnight people lost their savings. Prices are going up. Once crowded restaurants are nearly empty. Inflation in the country is already 16 percent and continues to grow. People stopped going on trips abroad. And the local currency, the kroner, which a year ago had a 65 to 1 ratio to the dollar, has dropped by half today. Now for 1 dollar you will have to pay 130 ISK. Finally, companies are cutting wages en masse, depriving employees of extra hours of work, and conducting mass layoffs. In this work we will try to give an up-to-date economic description of this northern island state.

1. Geographical and climatic information

Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland, is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean (northwest of Great Britain). The territory of the state consists of the island of Iceland and small islands around it. The name of the country literally means Ice Country

Despite its name and the presence of glaciers, Iceland is by no means an Arctic country. The weather in Iceland is influenced by two currents (the warm North Atlantic, a continuation of the Gulf Stream, and the cold East Greenland) and Arctic drift ice, which accumulates on the northern and eastern coasts. July and August are the warmest months (in Reykjavik in July +11 °C, in January 0 °C). The average annual temperature on the southwest coast in Reykjavik is 4°C, the average January temperature is –1°C, and July is 11°C. Corresponding figures on the northern coast (in Akureyri) are 3°C, -2°C and 11°C. Coastal waters are ice-free throughout the year. The exception is situations related to the removal of polar ice in the north and east. Due to the significant improvement in climate since the early 1920s, the removal of polar ice to the shores of Iceland occurred only once, in 1965. The weather in this country changes dramatically, sometimes within 24 hours, depending on the passage of cyclones eastward across the Atlantic Ocean. An Icelandic proverb says: "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will get worse." The dark time lasts from mid-November to the end of January. Average annual precipitation is 1300–2000 mm on the southern coast, 500–750 mm on the northern coast and over 3800 mm on the south-facing slopes of Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.

Iceland's working population is 312,872. (as of December 2007), of which 36% are employed in agriculture, 21% in fishing, 18% in industry and crafts, 15% in trade and transport, 10% in others.

The national composition is homogeneous: over 95% are Icelanders - descendants of Scandinavians who speak Icelandic. The country is also home to Danes, Norwegians, and others. The average population density is about 3 people. per 1 sq. km. About 60% of the population is concentrated in the southwestern part of the country (Reykjavik and its surroundings).

2. Natural resources

Cultivated lands occupy less than 1% of the country's total area. Only 5% of the amateur population is employed in agriculture. The country has approx. 6 thousand farms, 80% of which belong to private individuals. The main livestock industry is sheep breeding (450 thousand in 1996); Lamb is the main meat food in Iceland and is also an export item, along with wool and sheep skins. There are also significant numbers of cattle (73 thousand) and poultry (350 thousand), goats, pigs, black foxes, minks and ponies are bred.

The farms produce hay and grow potatoes, turnips, cabbage and other vegetables. Greenhouse farming (cucumbers, tomatoes, other vegetables, flowers, bananas, etc.) is being developed on the basis of geothermal sources. The government pays farmers significant subsidies.

2.2 Fishing and fish processing in Iceland

This industry employs 12% of the population and accounts for 70% of the country's export earnings. The main fishing grounds are cod (in the waters off the southwestern coast from January to May), herring (off the northern coast from June to September), etc. Due to the decrease in catches of herring and cod and the reduction in fish resources of the North Atlantic, the importance of capelin and pollock has increased in recent years. The fish catch in 1996 was 2 thousand tons.

Motor boats with trawls are widely used in fishing. Cod is processed primarily in Reykjavik; herring is salted and processed into fish oil and fishmeal in Siglúfjörður and other towns on the northern coast.

In 1989, under international pressure and the threat of a boycott of Icelandic goods, Iceland agreed to join a moratorium on whaling. In the mid-1990s, the government approved the resumption of whaling on a limited scale.

3. Political structure

The head of state is the president, elected in direct general elections for a term of 4 years. President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson was elected on June 29, 1996, remained for a second term on June 29, 2000 due to the lack of other candidates, was elected for a third term on June 26, 2004, and automatically remained for a fourth term in 2008, again due to the lack of other candidates. The Icelandic government currently consists of representatives of two parties - the Independence Party and the Progressive Party. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. The current one is Johanna Sigurdardottir (temporary, since January 2009). Iceland is a member of the Nordic Council, the UN and NATO.

The legislative body is the unicameral Parliament (Althing) (63 seats; members are directly elected for 4 years). Until 1991, the Althing was bicameral. Parliament can pass a vote of no confidence in the government.

The Constitution of the Republic of Iceland was adopted in 1920. Later, significant changes were made to it - in 1944 and 1991. June 17 (the day the Constitution was adopted) is considered Iceland's Independence Day.

Icelandic political parties:

Independence Party (IP) - founded in 1929 - conservative orientation,

Progressive Party (PP) - created in 1916 - center-right,

United Left (UL) - formed in 2000 - social democratic orientation,

Left Green Party (LGP) - created in 1999 - left socialists,

Liberal Party (LP) - created in 1998 - right.

The leading pro-organization is the Federation of Trade Unions of Iceland (FIF).

Iceland is part of the Scandinavian legal system, which belongs to the Romano-Germanic family. The civil law system is based on Danish law, and does not fall entirely under the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice. The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, or Haestirettur, (judges are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) and eight district courts (judges are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice). In addition, there are special courts for maritime, labor and religious matters.

4. Economy

Previously, Iceland was practically a country of monoculture economy - the main source of income was fishing and fish processing (32% of industry in 2001). However, in recent years there has been an intensive diversification of industry based on cheap renewable energy (mainly geothermal sources and hydropower). The Icelandic government has announced a large-scale program to build aluminum smelters. Biotechnology, tourism, banking, and information technology are also actively developing. In terms of employment structure, Iceland looks like an industrialized country: 7.8% in agriculture, 22.6% in industry, and 69.6% in services. GDP in 2003 was about 9.5 billion US dollars (36,320 US dollars per capita).

In 2007, the UN recognized Iceland as the best country to live in the world.

4.1 Manufacturing industry in Iceland

Industry began to develop only after the Second World War. Currently, about a third of the population works there. There is virtually no mining industry (apart from small mining of brown coal, pumice and Iceland spar). Since the late 1960s, aluminum has been produced from imported raw materials (aluminum dioxide); the resulting metal is exported. The main industrial sector is fish processing, production of fillets and fresh frozen fish. There are shipyards and ship repair enterprises serving the fishing fleet. They produce ready-made clothes, shoes, metal products, electrical equipment, furniture and building materials. There is a mineral fertilizer factory (near Reykjavik) and a cement plant (in Akranes). Since 1979, the production of ferrosilicon (an alloy of iron and silicon) has been established.

Geographical location of Iceland.
Climate and nature of Iceland.

ICELAND, Republic of Iceland (Lyveldi Island), a state in Europe, on the island of the same name in the north Atlantic Ocean. Area approx. 103 thousand km2. Population 292.8 thousand people (2004). The capital is Reykjavik. Apart from Reykjavik, there are no major cities in Iceland. The most significant are Kopavogur, Akureyri, Hafnarfjörður, Gyvünes.

In the north, Iceland is washed by the Greenland Sea, in the east by the Norwegian Sea, and in the northwest the Denmark Strait separates it from Greenland. The island of Iceland was formed relatively recently as a result of volcanic activity that has not subsided to this day. Most of it is occupied by volcanic plateaus, in some places covered with ice (height 400-800 m), above which rise mountain ranges with numerous volcanoes (about 200 in total). The most famous Icelandic volcanoes are Hekla, Laki, Askja, Hvannadalshnukur (the highest point in Iceland, 2119 m). Characterized by numerous hot springs and geysers, frequent earthquakes.

State structure of Iceland.

The head of state is the president. The legislative body is the parliament (the Althing, the oldest parliament in Europe, from the 10th century).

Administrative and governmental structure of Iceland.

23 sysla.

Population of Iceland.

The national composition is homogeneous: more than 99% of the population are Icelanders; the rest are Danes and Swedes. The official language is Icelandic. Most believers are Lutherans. OK. 92% of the population lives in cities, of which approx. 60% - in the metropolitan agglomeration. Population density 2.7 people/km2.

Economy of Iceland.
Industry and economy of Iceland.

Iceland is a country with an exceptionally high standard of living. GNP per capita $24,950 (1995). The basis of Iceland's economy is fishing (mainly cod, perch, haddock, herring, halibut) and fish processing. Fish and seafood account for 73.3% of export value (1996). Fish processing centers are Reykjavik, Siglufjordur, Akureyri, Vestmannaeyjar.

Iceland has a powerful potential for cheap hydro and geoenergy resources. St. over 93% of electricity is produced at hydroelectric power stations, St. 6% – on geothermal power plants. In terms of electricity consumption per capita, the country occupies one of the leading places in the world, and in terms of its production per capita, it ranks 2nd in Western Europe after Norway. Hot springs are widely used for heating residential buildings and greenhouses (year-round cultivation of vegetables and berries is established). Large sources of cheap electricity have built aluminum factories for export. Shipbuilding and ship repair are developed.

The main branch of agriculture is highly productive sheep breeding. The famous Icelandic wool and woolen knitwear are an important export. Traditional crafts are preserved - collecting eider down, catching seals.
The currency is the Icelandic krona.

History of Iceland.

The settlement of Iceland began in the 9th century. The first settlers called Iceland "the land of ice." Most of the colonists were Vikings - immigrants from Norway.

In 1262-64 Iceland was under the rule of Norway, together with which in 1397 it came under the rule of Denmark. However, Iceland has always enjoyed fairly broad self-government.

In 1918 the Danish-Icelandic union was concluded. In 1940, during the Second World War, British troops landed in Iceland, and in 1941, American troops. In 1944, the Danish-Icelandic union was dissolved and Iceland became an independent state. In 1958, conflicts between Iceland and Great Britain, Germany, and others repeatedly arose in connection with the violation of the fishing zone (the so-called “cod wars”).

Separate Iceland, being an economically developed region, advocates for the preservation of its foundations and identity. Residents of the state do not want to join the EU. Having small reserves of natural resources, they were able to create a strong economy and rationally use the difficult tectonic features of the area.

Geographical characteristics

Iceland belongs to European countries and is an island state. It is located in the north of the Atlantic Ocean and consists of a large island of the same name and numerous small islands. The capital of the state is Reykjavik. The total area of ​​Iceland is 103,000 square km. Population - 332,500 people. Local residents actively migrate within the country and move from small settlements to cities. Because of this, villages are gradually becoming empty.

Nature

Volcanoes and geysers

Iceland is an island of volcanoes. There are about 200 of them, with about 30 active. The peculiarities of the relief and tectonic structure of the earth are the reason for the presence of numerous hot springs and geysers in the country. A large number of them are concentrated within the national parks of Iceland.

The presence of such unique resources allowed the country's population to organize heating of premises with hot water from natural sources.

A large number of geysers and naturally formed warm baths in the open air have led to the presence of a specific smell of sulfur, which can be felt almost everywhere...

Rivers and lakes

There are a large number of rivers in Iceland. Due to the limited area of ​​the island, their length is small. The topography of the country determined the presence of many rapids in the riverbeds. The flow in them is rapid and rafting even small cargo along the rivers in boats is considered dangerous and impossible.

The rivers are fed predominantly by glaciers. Spills and floods occur in the summer, when layers of frozen water thaw.

There are about 2,770 lakes in the country. They are quite large. In addition to natural reservoirs, there are temporary and artificially created ones. Their filling also depends on the melting of glaciers...

The seas surrounding Iceland

The relatively small island of Iceland is washed by the waters of two oceans and two seas: the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Greenland and Norwegian Seas. Iceland is separated from Greenland by the Denmark Strait, 280 km wide. Iceland's coastline, like that of many northern countries, is indented by fjords.

The waters off most coasts are ice-free throughout the year. The only exceptions are the northern and eastern coastal zones, where the current brings drifting Arctic ice...

Plants and animals

The isolated location and proximity of the Arctic influenced the flora and fauna of Iceland. There are few plant species here. These are low grasses, flowers, mushrooms, lichens and algae. The forests that were mentioned in the 4th century have not survived to our time. The modern natural area of ​​Iceland is more like tundra. There are artificial forest plantations, but they do not grow quickly.

Among the animals, only birds can be noted, for example, the Atlantic puffin. Reptiles and amphibians are not found on the island. Among warm-blooded animals you can find sheep and cattle...

Iceland climate

Despite its northern location, Iceland has a relatively mild climate. The island is influenced by the warm North Atlantic Current and the cold Greenland Current. The warmest month of the year is August. The air temperature during this period warms up to 20 degrees Celsius. Winter is quite mild and stays within 2 degrees with a minus sign.

Despite its northern location, there is no polar night in the country. You can observe such a phenomenon as white nights. There is quite a lot of precipitation in Iceland, but it is unevenly distributed over the territory. Snow and rain are typical for the southern coast and the mountain slopes located here...

Resources

Natural resources

Isolated for a long time from other countries and peoples, the inhabitants of Iceland were exclusively engaged in the extraction and processing of fish. Waters rich in this resource make it possible to further develop this industry.

Mineral reserves in the island of Iceland are small. These are brown coal, spar and pumice. Natural resources include seafood. A large number of geothermal sources, in addition to the development of the tourism sector, makes it possible to actively engage in greenhouse farming. Whaling is conducted under limited conditions...

Industry and Agriculture

Iceland is one of the economically developed countries. In 2007, it was recognized as the best place to live among all the countries in the world. The main occupation of the local population is the service sector, in particular: tourism, information technology and the financial sector.

The country's industry is represented by aluminum smelters, which began to be built not so long ago, according to the new government policy.

All kinds of biotechnologies are also actively developing, and geothermal sources are being used rationally. Hydroelectric power stations are available to provide electricity to populated areas.

Today, agriculture is developed in the country. Land resources make it possible to grow fodder plants and actively breed cows and sheep, which are a source of dairy products, meat and wool...

Culture

People of Iceland

Most of the population of Iceland professes Lutheranism. The official language of communication is Icelandic. The rich cultural heritage is a source of pride for the local population. The ancient tales clearly reflect the history of the people and their basic foundations.

Outwardly, Icelanders give the impression of being very reserved people. In practice, they are thrifty and attentive to almost every guest. The government program is aimed at cultivating tolerance and tolerance for other people's faith among the citizens of the state...

The island state of Iceland, despite its belonging to European countries, the majority of the population protests against joining the EU. Residents of the country are worried about preserving their own foundations and traditional crafts.