Iceland

IcelandBy: Andrea Lampe, Brooke Billings, and Emily Roberts

Flag

• The flag of Iceland was officially adopted on June 19, 1915.

MAP

tourism• Glacier tours• Whale watching• Bird watching

Physical Characteristics• The land is covered by:• glaciers• lakes• lava, sands and other wastelands

Population• 315,470 is the population

Government• The president, Iceland became a republic in 1944.• Although the president is popularly elected and has limited

veto powers • Traditional parliamentary system• The prime minister and the cabinet• The judiciary consists of.. • The constitution

Cultural Achievements And Religion• Most Icelanders are descendants of Norwegian settlers and

Celts from the British Isles.

• The Sagas

• Icelandic histories and genealogies

• The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion

Language• Icelandic• Icelandic is a Nordic language very similar to that spoken by

Iceland’s first settlers.• It is one of the oldest living languages in Europe.• English and Danish are mandatory languages taught in school.

History• 1000: Adoption of Christianity• 13th Century: The Sagas• 1944: Proclamation of the Republic Iceland• 1950’s to the Present

Economic Structure

• Natural resources

• Agriculture

• Prior to the 2008 crisis

• The economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which

provides 40% of export earnings, and employs 7% of the work

force

Cited Sources

• Tours in Iceland, Horseback Riding, River Rafting and More." Vacation Iceland, Holiday Information for Reykjavik, Akureyri and Other Locations. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.travelnet.is/Tours/>.

• "Iceland." U.S. Department of State. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3396.htm#gov>.

• "Iceland Flag and Description." World Atlas including Geography Facts, Maps, Flags - Worldatlas.com. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/flags/countrys/europe/iceland.htm>.

• "Population Studies." Welcome to the Iceland Adventure Web Site! Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://iceland.ednet.ns.ca/kbtoc.htm>.