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 Althingi, 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. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but Iceland was especially hard hit by the global financial crisis in the years following 2008. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first rate by world standards.
🇮🇸 Iceland Tourism Information…
🇮🇸 Iceland Tourism Information…
Austurland / East Iceland
- Providences:
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Capital Region
- Cities: Reykjavik
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Highlands
- Providences:
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Norðurland / NORTH ICELAND
- Providences:
- Cities:
- Towns:
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Suðurland / South ICELAND
- Providences:
- Cities:
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Reykjanes / Southwest Iceland
- Cities: Kefavik
- Towns:
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions: Blue Lagoon
Vestfirðir / WEST FJORDS
- Providences:
- Cities:
- Towns:
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- Others Sights & Attractions:
Vesturland / WEST ICELAND
- Providences:
- Cities:
- Towns:
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| The Great Geysir Strokkur Godafoss Blue Lagoon-Grindavík Gullfoss-Blaskogabyggd Harpa Jökulsárlón Landmannalaugar National Park Lake Mývatn Geothermal Area and Reserve Reykjavik Hallgrímskirkja Church Skógafoss -Skógar Þingvellir Vaynajökull National Park Skaftafell Ice Cave Dettifoss Waterfall Askja Caldera Vik |
🇮🇸 Iceland Country Information…
Capital:
Ryekjavik
Largest City:
Ryekjavik
Government:
Republic
Currency:
Icelandic króna (ISK)
Area:
103,001 km2 (39,682 sq. mi. ) ranked 108th
Climate:
Temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Population:
335,878 (July 2016 est.) ranked 179th
Language:
Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Ethnic Groups:
Homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6%
Religion:
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (official) 73.8%, Roman Catholic 3.6%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.9%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 2%, The Independent Congregation 1%, other religions 3.9% (includes Pentecostal and Asatru Association), none 5.6%, other or unspecified 7.2% (2015 est.)
Electricity:
230V, 50Hz (European plug C, F )
Telephone Code:
+354
Local Emergency Phone Number:
112
Internet TLD:
.is
Time Zone:
GMT/WET (UTC +0)
Road Driving Side:
Right
Anthem:
Lofsöngur
Monarch:
Guðni Thoriacius Jóhannesson
Prime Minister:
Katrin Jakobsdottir
🇮🇸 Holidays and Observances in Iceland in 2021
| Date | Name | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | National holiday |
| Jan 6 | Wednesday | Twelfth Night | Observance |
| Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance |
| Feb 17 | Wednesday | Ash Wednesday | Observance |
| Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season |
| Apr 1 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | National holiday |
| Apr 2 | Friday | Good Friday | National holiday |
| Apr 3 | Saturday | Holy Saturday | Observance |
| Apr 4 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | National holiday |
| Apr 5 | Monday | Easter Monday | National holiday |
| Apr 22 | Thursday | First Day of Summer | National holiday |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labour Day | National holiday |
| May 9 | Sunday | Mothers’ Day | Observance |
| May 13 | Thursday | Ascension Day | National holiday |
| May 23 | Sunday | Whit Sunday | National holiday |
| May 24 | Monday | Whit Monday | National holiday |
| Jun 17 | Thursday | Icelandic Republic Day | National holiday |
| Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season |
| Aug 2 | Monday | Commerce Day | National holiday |
| Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season |
| Oct 31 | Sunday | Halloween | Observance |
| Nov 14 | Sunday | Fathers’ Day | Observance |
| Dec 1 | Wednesday | Independence Day | Observance |
| Dec 21 | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season |
| Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Eve (from noon) | National holiday |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | National holiday |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | Second Day of Christmas | National holiday |
| Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Eve (from noon) | National holiday |
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports:
$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)