Discover Fascinating Iceland Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Iceland.
Iceland
Background
๐๏ธ Iceland's Rich History ๐๏ธ
Did you know that Iceland was settled by Norwegian and Celtic immigrants in the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D.? ๐ฐ๐ This beautiful island is home to the Althingi, the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, which was established way back in 930! How cool is that? ๐ฐ๏ธโจ
Year of Althingi Establishment
930
Exports - commodities
Iceland ๐ฎ๐ธ is known for its unique exports, especially when it comes to commodities! Let's dive into what Iceland is sending out into the world! ๐๐ผ
In 2022, the main commodities exported from Iceland were:
- Fish ๐
- Aluminum โ๏ธ
- Iron Alloys โ๏ธ
- Aluminum Wire ๐
- Animal Meal ๐
These exports play a significant role in Icelandโs economy, showcasing its rich natural resources and industrial capabilities. Isn't it fascinating how different products can represent a country on the global stage? ๐๐ก
Exports - partners
Iceland's Export Partners ๐ฎ๐ธ
Iceland has a diverse range of export partners that contribute significantly to its economy. ๐ข In 2022, hereโs how the exports were divided:
- Netherlands: ๐ 27%
- UK: ๐ฌ๐ง 9%
- US: ๐บ๐ธ 8%
- Germany: ๐ฉ๐ช 8%
- France: ๐ซ๐ท 6%
These partnerships help Iceland thrive, connecting the country to global markets! ๐
Letโs take a look at these export percentages using a pie chart! ๐ฅง
Export Percentage to Netherlands
27%
Export Percentage to UK
9%
Export Percentage to US
8%
Export Percentage to Germany
8%
Export Percentage to France
6%
Iceland's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐ The capital city of Iceland is Reykjavik! It's not just the heart of the country; it's also the northernmost capital of a sovereign state in the world! ๐ฅณ Reykjavik is famous for its stunning Northern Lights, vibrant culture, and rich Viking history. Explore its colorful buildings and art scene, and dive into the geothermal waters that make Iceland so special! ๐ฆ
Imports - commodities
Iceland relies on a mix of essential commodities to fuel its economy! ๐๐ In 2022, the country imported several key products, ensuring that its industries keep running smoothly. Let's take a look at what Iceland brought in last year:
- Refined Petroleum: A vital resource for energy and transportation.
- Aluminum Oxide: Crucial for producing aluminum, an essential material in various sectors.
- Cars: Importing vehicles to keep the roads busy!
- Carbon-Based Electronics: Copper and other electronics that power everything from our phones to our fridges!
- Aircraft: Taking to the skies for transportation and tourism. โ๏ธ
These imports play a major role in keeping life's gears turning in Iceland! โ๏ธ
Climate
๐๏ธ Iceland has a temperate climate, which means it experiences mild temperatures thanks to the North Atlantic Current! ๐ This special current keeps the weather from getting too cold, especially during the mild, windy winters. โ๏ธ And during the damp, cool summers, the refreshing air is perfect for exploring the stunning landscapes and unique wildlife. ๐๐ฆ
Executive branch
Iceland's Executive branch is led by some important figures! ๐ฎ๐ธ
The chief of state is President Halla TOMASDOTTIR, who took office on August 1, 2024. This marks an exciting time for Iceland as a new president brings fresh ideas and leadership! ๐
The head of government is Prime Minister Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON, who has been in office since April 9, 2024. The Prime Minister plays a critical role in running the government and making decisions that affect the lives of Icelanders every day! ๐๏ธ
Current President of Iceland
Halla TOMASDOTTIR since August 1, 2024
Current Prime Minister of Iceland
Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON since April 9, 2024
Legislative branch
๐ฎ๐ธ In Iceland, the legislative branch is a unicameral Parliament, which means there is only one chamber! ๐๏ธ It consists of 63 seats where representatives come together to discuss and make decisions that shape the country. ๐ค This structure allows for streamlined debates and decisions, making the legislative process efficient and focused.
Total number of seats in Parliament
63
Natural resources
Natural Resources in Iceland ๐
Iceland is known for its abundant natural resources! From the cold, clear waters surrounding this beautiful island, we catch delicious fish ๐, to harnessing the power of nature with hydropower and geothermal power โก. Additionally, we also find valuable diatomite, which is used in various industries.
Hereโs a fun rundown of Iceland's key resources:
- Fish: A vital part of Icelandโs economy and diet!
- Hydropower: A major source of renewable energy, used to power homes and industries.
- Geothermal Power: Providing heating and electricity, Iceland is a leader in using this natural resource!
- Diatomite: A unique resource that contributes to different products and applications.
Icelandโs natural resources not only support the economy but also contribute to the beautiful landscapes we cherish! ๐
Main Natural Resources
Fish, Hydropower, Geothermal Power, Diatomite
Economic overview
Iceland is a high-income country located in the incredible North Atlantic. ๐ Although it's not part of the European Union (EU), it enjoys market integration through the European Economic Area (EEA). The economy is currently dominated by key industries including tourism, fishing, and aluminum. However, these sectors can be quite vulnerable to changes in demand and unpredictable volcanic activity ๐.
Inflation rates are currently above the target range, marking a challenge for the economy. Additionally, there are barriers that make it hard for foreign businesses to enter the market and limits on economic diversification. ๐๏ธ
Economic Vulnerability Factors
Tourism, fishing, and aluminum dominance with exposure to demand swings and volcanic activity
Inflation Status
Inflation remains above target rate
Market Integration
Non-EU member with EEA integration
Business Access
Barriers to foreign business access
Government type
Iceland is a unitary parliamentary republic! ๐๏ธ This means that they have a strong central government, with power concentrated in a parliament elected by the people. The parliament is responsible for making laws and decisions, and the prime minister is in charge of the government. Sounds pretty cool, right? ๐โจ
Ethnic groups
Iceland is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, with the majority of its people identifying as Icelandic, making up a whopping 78.7% of the population! ๐ฎ๐ธ But that's not all! The vibrant Polish community accounts for 5.8%, while the Danes and Ukrainians both represent 1% each. ๐ What about the rest? Well, 13.5% of the population comes from various other ethnic backgrounds! ๐
Let's take a closer look at these numbers with a pie chart to visualize the diverse ethnic groups in Iceland!
Percentage of Icelandic Ethnic Group
78.7%
Percentage of Polish Ethnic Group
5.8%
Percentage of Danish Ethnic Group
1%
Percentage of Ukrainian Ethnic Group
1%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups
13.5%
Ethnic Groups in Iceland
Religions
In Iceland, the religious landscape is quite diverse! ๐ The largest group is the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, which has a significant following of 58.6%. Other notable religions include:
- ๐๏ธ Roman Catholic: 3.8%
- ๐ Independent Congregation of Reykjavik: 2.6%
- ๐๏ธ Independent Congregation of Hafnarfjordur: 1.9%
- ๐ฟ Pagan worship: 1.5%
- ๐ค Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association: 1.4%
- ๐ Other (including Zuist and Pentecostal) or unspecified: 18.7%
- ๐ซ None: 7.7%
As you can see, while most Icelanders belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, there are plenty of other beliefs that make Iceland's religious culture vibrant!๐
Percentage of population in Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland
58.6%
Percentage of Roman Catholics
3.8%
Percentage of Independent Congregation of Reykjavik
2.6%
Percentage of Independent Congregation of Hafnarfjordur
1.9%
Percentage of Pagan Worship
1.5%
Percentage of Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association
1.4%
Percentage of Other or Unspecified
18.7%
Percentage of None
7.7%
Religious Distribution in Iceland
Languages
Languages in Iceland ๐ฎ๐ธ
Iceland is a fascinating country with a rich culture, and its languages reflect this diversity! ๐คฉ Here are the main languages spoken in Iceland:
- Icelandic: The official language, closely related to Old Norse. Itโs like a treasure chest of history! ๐
- English: Widely spoken and understood, making it easier for visitors to get around. ๐ฃ๏ธ๐
- Polish: A growing community brings this vibrant language to Iceland. ๐ฅณ
- Nordic Languages: Other Nordic languages are also spoken due to geographic and historical ties. โ๏ธ
- German: Another prevalent language, showcasing Icelandโs connections with Europe. ๐ฉ๐ช
All these languages come together to create a rich tapestry of communication in this beautiful island nation! ๐
Imports - partners
๐ Let's dive into Iceland's trade partners for imports in 2022! Hereโs how Iceland sources its goods from different countries:
- Norway steals the spotlight with 12% of imports! ๐ณ๐ด
- Netherlands follows closely behind with 10%! ๐ณ๐ฑ
- Meanwhile, Denmark and Germany each contribute 8%! ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ฉ๐ช
- Rounding out the list is China with 7%! ๐จ๐ณ
These trade relationships show how Iceland connects with the world! ๐โจ
Total import percentages
100%
Iceland's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ The total population of Iceland is 364,036 people! ๐ฅณ This vibrant country is known for its stunning landscapes and rich culture. Let's dive into some fascinating statistics about its population! โก๏ธ
Total Population
364,036
Area
๐ Area of Iceland
Did you know that Iceland is made up of land and water? Let's break it down!
- Total Area: 103,000 sq km
- Land Area: 100,250 sq km
- Water Area: 2,750 sq km
This means that most of Iceland is land, while a small part is made up of beautiful waters! ๐ง
Check out this cool pie chart to see how the areas compare visually! ๐ฅง
Total Area of Iceland
103000 sq km
Total Land Area of Iceland
100250 sq km
Total Water Area of Iceland
2750 sq km
Iceland Area Composition
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's dive into Iceland's economic performance! Ireland's Real GDP, measured in purchasing power parity, is on an upward trend! Here's how it looks over the last three years:
- 2021: $23.084 billion
- 2022: $25.134 billion
- 2023: $26.155 billion
This growth indicates that the economy is getting stronger and wealthier! ๐
Real GDP in 2023
$26.155 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$25.134 billion
Real GDP in 2021
$23.084 billion
Iceland's Real GDP Over Time
Real GDP per capita
๐ Let's take a look at how Iceland's economy is doing by checking out its Real GDP per capita over the last few years! This is a really important number because it shows how much money, on average, each person would have if the total economic output was shared evenly. Hereโs what we found:
- 2021: $62,000
- 2022: $65,800
- 2023: $66,500
As you can see, the numbers are getting higher each year! ๐ This means Iceland's economy is growing, and people might be feeling a bit wealthier! ๐
Iceland's Real GDP per Capita Over Time
Imports
๐ Iceland is a vibrant country with lots of trade! Let's take a peek at its import numbers over the years. In 2023, Iceland's imports were estimated at a whopping $13.484 billion! ๐ฎ That's a little up from $13.146 billion in 2022 and significantly up from $10.065 billion in 2021. This shows growth in Iceland's economy and its connections to the world! ๐โจ
Imports in 2023
$13.484 billion
Imports in 2022
$13.146 billion
Imports in 2021
$10.065 billion
Iceland's Import Growth Over Time
Exports
๐ฎ๐ธ Iceland's Exports ๐
Iceland is making waves in the export market! ๐ Check out the estimated exports over the past few years:
- In 2023, Iceland's exports are estimated at $13.49 billion! ๐ฐ
- Just a year before, in 2022, it was $13.109 billion.
- Going back further to 2021, the exports were at $9.606 billion.
As you can see, Iceland's exports have been on a rising trend, showcasing the growth and dynamism of its economy! ๐
Letโs dive into a chart to visualize this exciting growth!
Exports in 2023
$13.49 billion
Exports in 2022
$13.109 billion
Exports in 2021
$9.606 billion
Iceland's Export Growth Over the Years
Population growth rate
๐ Did you know that Iceland's population growth rate is estimated to be 0.85% in 2024? This means that the number of people living in Iceland is slowly but steadily increasing! ๐ Isnโt it exciting to think about how communities can grow and change over time?
Estimated Population Growth Rate 2024
0.85%