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Iceland
Fact
Sheet :
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Area : 103,000
sq km
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Population : 301,931 (July 2007 est.)
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Capital : Reykjavik
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Languages : Icelandic,
English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
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Currency : Icelandic
krona (ISK)
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Government type :
constitutional republic
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Elements of History :
Settled
by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during
the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's
oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established
in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently
ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano
of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread
famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's
population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited
home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence
attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social
cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
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Climate :
temperate;
moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters;
damp, cool summers
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