ICELAND

By: Tanya Halupa

Basic Facts of Iceland

First settled in 874 Know as “ The Land of Fire and Ice” Capital-Reykjavík Lofsöngur-National anthem Official language- Icelandic Common energy source- Geothermal

Energy Population- 270,000

Technology

Internet usage- Has one of the highest internet usage rates in the world

Cell Phone- You need to have a GSM or NMT system along with one of our main service providers we use today to use phones in iceland

Transportation

Iceland uses many of the types of transportation we use today.

They use:RailroadsCarsAirplanesBusses& any other

source

Geothermal Energy

Heat within the earth A renewable source Inexpensive way to power your home Most Icelanders use geothermal energy

Religion

You can practice mainly any type of religion you choose to follow in Iceland but the main religion is the Evangical Lutheran faith.

Climate

Windy and very cool winters Damp and wet summers Icelanders always are prepared for a

form of precipitation to come their way and cool temperatures

Import and export goods

Agriculture goods Cattle Hay Market Gardening Sheep

Manufactured Goods Aluminum Cement Clothing Electrical Equipment Fertilizer Bookbinding Printing

Fishing Capelion Cod Haddock Herring

Top industry- Seafood

Natural Resources

With having fishing as their top industry one of their top natural resources is their rich fishing grounds along with hydro and geothermal power and pastureland.

Tax Issues

22.75 is the flat percentage rate people have to pay to the central government of their income

Local government also have tax fees which raise the tax rate to 36 percent

Charge 6 percent of every dollar like we do in the United States

Health Care

More common and more benefits Financed by the central government 85 percent of tax issues 15 percent for fees The people of Iceland have the right of

access to the best possible health service at any given time for the protection of their mental, social and physical health

Health Care (cont.)

The law ensures that there is no discrimination against patients on the grounds of sex, religion, beliefs, nationality, race, skin color, financial status, family relations or status in other respect.

Gross National Product

In millions, the Gross National Product of Iceland is 4200 and their GNP growth rate is 0.30% in fishing

Income

$30,140 US dollars

Minimum salary per month-100.000 ISK or 1130 Euro

Salary for working 40 hours a week

Unskilled workers 147.000 ISK

skilled trades 227.000

shop assistants 163.00

office clerks 188.000

Cost of Living

80.000 ISK per month for one person expect to pay 25.000- 30.000 per month

for a single room with access to kitchen and bathroom

Historical Events

1918 Act Union-Iceland declared its independence which became known as the Kingdom of Iceland

1911-the University of Iceland opened 1945-The first international flight by an

Icelandic aircraft 1946-Iceland joins the United Nations

Historical Events (cont.)

1963-Volcanic eruption in ocean south of Iceland creates a new island, Surtsey

1973-Volcanic eruption in Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the Westman Islands group off the south coast of Iceland

2000-1000 years of Christianity in Iceland celebrated

The Great Geyser

Sends boiling water up to 60 meters in the air

It is not as active as in was in past years but another geyser which is only a few hundred meters away from geyser erupts about every ten minutes or so

Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir

born July 28, 1982 She was a member of the band Ske In 2005 she began her solo career She is best known for her character

Silvía Night

Interesting Facts

Most active volcano area in the world Has the largest waterfall and glacier in

Europe Its capital is the cleanest in the world Longest Human lifespan on earth First female president in the world, Mrs.

Vigd¡s Finnbogad¢ttir

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland http://www.geographia.com/iceland/ http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3396.htm http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/

pageinfo_pays.php3?Pays=ISL&Opt=economy http://www.doingbusiness.org/ExploreTopics/

PayingTaxes/Details.aspx?economyid=88 http://www.icetourist.is/displayer.asp?

cat_id=269 http://iceland.vefur.is/Iceland_history/

facts.htm http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/pges/instruction/

kid-pages/islands/iceland/sports.html http://www.statice.is/Pages/444?NewsID=1985

References (cont.)

http://www.exploreiceland.is/city_guide/art_and_culture/famous_icelanders/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Iceland

http://www.iceland- experience.com/iceland_education.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Iceland

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Iceland

http://www.iceland.is/history-and- culture/History/EventsCalendar/

http://www.mapsofworld.com/iceland/culture/icelandic-clothing.html

http://www.iceland- experience.com/iceland_facts.htm