Population: 294,000
Capital: Reykjavik
Language: Icelandic
Area: 103,000 sq km (39,769 sq miles)
View Maps of Scandinavia
Currency unit: 1 krona = 100 aurar
Iceland remains outside the EU but is a member of Nato.
Main exports: Fish products
GNI per capita: US $46,320
International dialing code: +354
Politics:
- President: Olafur Ragnar Grimsson
- Prime minister: Johanna Sigurdardottir
Climate:
The Icelandic climate is temperate and is moderated by the North Atlantic Current. Winters here are generally mild and windy while the summers are damp and cool. Due to snowmelt in late spring, the end of July or the beginning of August are the best time to visit the center of Iceland. Read more: Weather in Iceland. Open year-round, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland is the most popular attraction.
Transportation:
If you'd like to rent a car and drive, make sure to read Driving in Iceland. The major airport is Keflavik International Airport (airport code KEF). If you want to drive off the main circular road, you may very well need a vehicle with 4-wheel drive. Most of the tracks are quite rugged, sometimes directly a lava bed, sometimes rocky or sandy. Most of the trails have numerous fords. In mid-July, it can be difficult to pass some of them, as snow is still melting and the water can be high.
Press:
- Frettabladid - daily
- Morgunbladid - morning daily
- DV - evening daily
- Vidskiptabladid - business
- Baejarins besta - West Fjords local news
Television:
- Icelandic National Broadcasting Service - operates public network Sjonvarpid
- Stod 2 - main private station
- Syn - private
- Skjar einn - private
Radio:
- Icelandic National Broadcasting Service - public radio, operates two national networks and four regional stations
- Bylgjan - main private station
