GENERAL INFORMATION
Area
103,000 sq km (39,769 sq miles).
Population
288,471 (2002).
Population Density
2.8 per sq km.
Capital
Reykjavík.
Population: 112,554 (2002).
Government
Republic. Gained full independence from Denmark in 1944.
Head of State: President Ólafur Ragnar Grimsson since 1996.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson since 2004.
Iceland’s Parliament (the Alþingi or Althing) is the oldest in the world.
Language
The official language is Icelandic, which has remained virtually unchanged since the Vikings settled Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Icelandic language refuses to accept foreign words, preferring instead to coin new words from ancient Viking roots. The word for computer thus becomes tölva, a hybrid made up of the old words for ‘number’ and ‘prophetess’. English (which is taught in schools) and Danish are widely spoken.
Religion
Lutheran, with a Catholic minority.
Time
GMT.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings are normally two-pin with round section pins 4mm in diameter with centers 2cm apart. Lamp fittings are screw-type. Power is generated by a mix of geothermal and hydroelectric stations.
Communications
Telephone
Full IDD service is available. Country code: 354. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 and 1800 networks exist, serving Reykjavík and coastal towns. Network operators include Iceland Telecom (website: www.simi.is), Og Vodaphone (website: www.ogvodafone.is) and Viking Wireless.
Fax
Public facilities are available at the main telephone headquarters in Austurvoll Square and in most hotels and offices.
Internet
Internet cafes provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. ISPs include Hringidan/Vortex Inc (website: www.vortex.is) and Vodafone (website: www.itn.is).
Telegram
There is a 24-hour telegram service from the Telegraph Office in Reykjavík.
Post
There is an efficient airmail service to Europe. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630. The post office at Austurstræti is also open Sat 1000-1400 from June to September.
Press
The most popular newspapers are DV, Fréttablaðið and Morgunblaðið. International English-language newspapers and magazines are available.
Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
Public Holidays
Jan 1 2005: New Year’s Day.
Mar 24: Maundy Thursday.
Mar 25: Good Friday.
Mar 28: Easter Monday.
Apr 21: First Day of Summer.
May 1: Labor Day.
May 5: Ascension.
May 16: Whit Monday.
Jun 17: National Day.
Aug 1: Commerce Day.
Dec 24-26: Christmas.
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve (from noon).
Jan 1 2006: New Year’s Day.
Apr 13: Maundy Thursday.
Apr 14: Good Friday.
Apr 17: Easter Monday.
Apr 20: First Day of Summer.
May 1: Labor Day.
May 25: Ascension.
Jun 5: Whit Monday.
Jun 17: National Day.
Aug 7: Commerce Day.
Dec 24-26: Christmas.
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve (from noon).
Special Events
For a full list, contact the Icelandic Tourist Board (see General Info section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Iceland in 2005:
Jan-Mar: Thorrablot Feast (pagan midwinter feast), Reykjavik.
Jan 21-Feb 19: Thorri (Viking celebrations), cnationwide.
Mar 1: Beer Day (celebration of the end of beer probation in 1989), nationwide.
Apr 20: First Day of Summer (ancient holiday), nationwide.
May: Reykjavík Arts Festival.
Jun: International Viking Festival, Hafnarfjördur; Summer Solstice; Arctic Open International Golf Tournament, Akureyri.
Jun 17: National Independence Day (commemoration of birth of Jón Sigurdsson), nationwide.
Aug: Reykjavik Marathon; Verslunnarmannahelgi, Labor Day weekend (big festivals take place mainly in the Westman Islands but also around the country); Gay Pride Fesitval, Reykjavík.
Sep: Annual Sheep & Horse Round-up.
Oct: Reykjavík JazFestival; Iceland Airwaves Festival, Reykjavík.
Dec-Jan 2006: Christmas Traditions in Iceland, various locations.
Contact Information:
Note
Icelandic consulates no longer issue visas. For visa information contact the Royal Danish Embassy (see Denmark section).
Location
North Atlantic, close to Arctic Circle.
Country dialing code
354.
Icelandic Tourist Board
Laekjargata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: 535 5500. Fax: 535 5501.
E-mail: info@icetourist.is
Website: www.icetourist.is
Embassy of Iceland
2A Hans Street, London SW1X 0JE, UK
Tel: (020) 7259 3999 or (0906) 554 0755 (for visa appointments via the Danish embassy). Fax: (020) 7245 9649.
E-mail: icemb.london@utn.stjr.is
Website: www.iceland.org/uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600.
Note
There is currently no Icelandic Tourist Board in the UK, but the office in Iceland can deal with all enquiries.
British Embassy
Street address: Laufásvegur 31, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Postal address: PO Box 460, 121 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: 550 5100. Fax: 550 5105.
E-mail: britemb@centrum.is
Website: www.britishembassy.is
Vice-Consulate in: Akureyri.
Embassy of Iceland
1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Tel: (202) 265 6653. Fax: (202) 265 6656.
E-mail: icemb.wash@utn.stjr.is
Website: www.iceland.org/us
Icelandic Tourist Board
c/o The Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 885 9700. Fax: (212) 885 9710.
E-mail: usa@icetourist.is
Website: www.icelandtouristboard.com or www.goscandinavia.com
Embassy of the United States of America
Laufásvegur 21, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: 562 9100. Fax: 562 9110.
E-mail: consularreykja@state.gov
Website: www.usa.is
Embassy of Iceland
360 Albert Street, Suite 710, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7X7, Canada
Tel: (613) 482 1944. Fax: (613) 482 1945.
E-mail: icemb.ottawa@utn.stjr.is
Website: www.iceland.org/ca
Consulates also in: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montréal, Regina, St John’s, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg.
Canadian Embassy
Street address: Túngata 14, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Postal address: PO Box 1510, 121 Reykjavík, Iceland
Tel: 575 6500. Fax: 575 6501.
E-mail: rkjvk@international.gc.ca
Website: www.canada.is |
