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Compare Iceland (2002) - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2005)

Compare Iceland (2002) z Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2005)

 Iceland (2002)Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2005)
 IcelandFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Administrative divisions 23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla


note: there may be four other counties
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Age structure 0-14 years: 23% (male 33,189; female 31,155)


15-64 years: 65.1% (male 91,704; female 90,199)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,828; female 18,309) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products
Airports 86 (2001) 5 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 13


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
total: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 73


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 21


under 914 m: 49 (2002)
total: 3


under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Area total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
total: 12,173 sq km


land: 12,173 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky slightly smaller than Connecticut
Background 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. Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.
Birth rate 14.37 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $3.5 billion


expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
revenues: $66.2 million


expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.)
Capital Reykjavik Stanley
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate
Coastline 4,988 km 1,288 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydhveldidh Island


local short form: Island
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Currency Icelandic krona (ISK) -
Death rate 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $2.6 billion (1999) $NA
Dependency status - overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340


telephone: [354] 5629100


FAX: [354] 5629139
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON


chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653


FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656


consulate(s) general: New York
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Disputes - international Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied the islands by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks
Economic aid - donor $NA -
Economic aid - recipient - $0 (1997 est.)
Economy - overview Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, providing 70% of export earnings and employing 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Consumption, investment, and exports should recover moderately in 2003. The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost.
Electricity - consumption 7.02 billion kWh (2000) 17.72 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 7.549 billion kWh (2000) 19.06 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 83%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
Environment - current issues water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
-
Ethnic groups homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% British
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 102.430 (January 2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997) Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001), 0.6609 (2000)


note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Executive branch chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament


elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)


head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA)


cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
Exports $2 billion f.o.b. (2002) NA
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon wool, hides, meat
Exports - partners UK 18.2%, Germany 14.9%, Netherlands 10.9, US 10.3%, Portugal 5.5%, Spain 5.4%, Norway 5.3% (2001) Spain 77.4%, UK 9.4%, US 4.9% (2004)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
GDP purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $27,100 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -0.7% (2002 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 51 45 S, 59 00 W
Geography - note strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season
Highways total: 12,691 km


paved: 3,262 km


unpaved: 9,429 km (1999)
total: 440 km


paved: 50 km


unpaved: 390 km (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $2 billion (2002) NA
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Imports - partners Germany 12.2%, US 11.1%, Denmark 8.6%, Norway 7.8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6.6% (2001) UK 63.2%, Spain 30.3%, France 3.6% (2004)
Independence 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Industrial production growth rate 0.2% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism fish and wool processing; tourism
Infant mortality rate 3.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: NA


male: NA


female: NA (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5% (2001 est.) 3.6% (1998)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ICFTU, UPU
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 20 (2001) -
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Labor force 159,000 (2000) 1,100 (est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 5%, fishing and fish processing 12%, manufacturing 13%, construction 11%, other services 60% (1999) agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0.06%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.94% (23% permanent pastures) (1998 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2001)
Languages Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken English
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction English common law
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 40.7%, Social Democratic Alliance (PA, Social Democratic Party, Women's List) 26.8%, Progressive Party 18.4%, Left-Green Alliance 9.1%, Liberal Party 4.2%; seats by party - Independence Party 26, Social Democratic Alliance 17, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 6, Liberal Party 2
unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor


elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.66 years


male: 77.42 years


female: 82.07 years (2002 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
-
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina
Map references Arctic Region South America
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,816 GRT/2,500 DWT


ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
none
Military - note defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard no regular military forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure $0 NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 71,142 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 62,556 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Nationality noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
noun: Falkland Islander(s)


adjective: Falkland Island
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity strong winds persist throughout the year
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss
Net migration rate -2.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Political parties and leaders Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Sverrir HERMANNSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR] none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 279,384 (July 2002 est.) 2,967 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 0.52% (2002 est.) 2.44% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar Stanley
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 260,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km -
Religions Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002) primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist
Sex ratio at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
-
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: extensive domestic service


domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
general assessment: NA


domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands


international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
Telephones - main lines in use 196,984 (2001) 2,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001) 0 (2001)
Television broadcast stations 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service)


note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002)
Terrain mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains
Total fertility rate 1.99 children born/woman (2002 est.) NA children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.8% (2002 est.) full employment; labor shortage (2001)
Waterways none -
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