Iceland Facts & Figures

 Courtesy of BBC1 � �Countryfile�

Despite being one of the least populous and least habitable countries in the world Iceland has worked economic miracles. With less than 0.1% arable land, Iceland relies heavily on the sea and fishing provides 70% of its export earnings. Britain is one of its biggest customers � its fish stocks our supermarkets and many of us choose to visit as tourists. Making the best use of their limited resources has propelled Iceland into the list of the world�s top ten richest countries.

Iceland is known as the land of �Ice and Fire� with gushing waterfalls, towering volcanoes and 12% of the country covered in glaciers � it is one of the newest countries in the world in geological terms, formed due to immense volcanic activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

The country is slightly larger in size than Ireland and lies 499 miles northwest of the UK, between the North Atlantic and the Greenland Sea.   It�s the least densely populated country in Europe with a population of around 300,000 � about the same as Coventry.

Despite being so close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland rarely sees extremes in the weather, mainly due to the Gulf Stream.   This means that farming is a big part of rural life, and along with fishing and tourism, makes up an important chunk of Iceland�s economy.

Geology � Land of Fire & Ice

If the Earth was 24 hours old, Iceland would have existed for only a few seconds.  Iceland was formed on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North-American and Eurasian plates meet and the country is still growing at a rate of about 2cm a year because of the intense volcanic activity still rumbling beneath the surface. Evidence of its geology and creation can be seen everywhere, from huge desert-like lava-fields and volcanoes, to bubbling geysers and glacial valleys.  

Geothermic Energy

Geothermal power comes from hot water underground, which is created because of the volcanic activity that is still going on today.   Iceland was one of the poorest countries in the world until it tapped into this natural resource in 1928 and harnessed this raw energy. Today around 85 per cent of the population enjoy heating and electricity from geothermal power and it is also used to power the growing industry of greenhouse farming � allowing farmers to produce fruit, vegetables and even flowers in otherwise inhospitable areas.   The country�s biggest tourist attraction, The Blue Lagoon, is actually created by the run-off from the nearby Geothermal Power Station and Iceland is also home to the world�s only �green� vodka distillery � where vodka is made using geothermal power, from natural spring water and filtered through lava rocks for purity!

Whales

Whales are one of Iceland�s natural resources, enjoyed by thousands of tourists every year.   Whale-watching tours have become one of Iceland�s biggest money-earners.

Fishing

Around 10 per cent of Iceland�s population relies on fishing and fish-processing for a living and the industry has always played an important part of life there.   The main catches are capelin, cod, herring and haddock and much of our fish in the UK comes from Icelandic waters.   The country prides itself on its sustainable management of the fisheries, reacting quickly to any scientific information gathered about the stocks to ensure a healthy long-term future for Iceland�s fleet of trawlers.

Reykjav�k � The Green Capital

Despite having the highest energy consumption per capita, Reykjav�k is one of the greenest capital cities on earth.  

The Hidden People

Icelanders have no doubt that fairies and elves exist, so much so that they even divert building projects around the homes of the �hidden people�.

Glaciers

More than 12 per cent of the country is made up of glaciers and icecaps.   Very little water runs off the surface of Iceland�s second largest glacier Langjokull � which means the �long glacier�, but it supplies the largest natural lake of the country and the lakes to the north, geothermal areas in the West and the Geysir area as well.   Icelanders and tourists alike enjoy the glaciers all year round on a whole host of transport options, but with �black holes�, crevices and unpredictable weather it�s always better to approach the glaciers with an experienced guide.