Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Iceland (2003) - Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006)

Compare Iceland (2003) z Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006)

 Iceland (2003)Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006)
 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: 22.7% (male 32,902; female 30,952)


15-64 years: 65.4% (male 92,519; female 91,000)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,973; female 18,452) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products
Airports 86 (2002) 5 (2006)
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


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
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 (2006)
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 14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2006 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 name: Stanley


geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 41 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April
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 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population
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] 5629118
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 them 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 (including generous housing subsidies), 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, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include 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. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and inflation dropped back from 5% to 2%. 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 Falkland Islands' 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 7.341 billion kWh (2001) 20.68 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 7.894 billion kWh (2001) 22.23 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 0.1%


hydro: 82.5%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17.5% (2001)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
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, Environmental Modification, Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Oil Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air 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 - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62 (2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998) Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001)


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 Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since 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 0 bbl/day (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon wool, hides, meat
Exports - partners Germany 18.5%, UK 17.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, US 10.9%, Spain 5.2%, Denmark 4.6%, Portugal 4.3%, Norway 4.2% (2002) Spain 81.9%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2005)
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 - $8.444 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 95%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate -0.6% (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: 12,955 km


paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km


unpaved: 9,092 km (2003)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 15,470 bbl/day (2001) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Imports - partners US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002) UK 72.5%, US 15.1%, Netherlands 8.5% (2005)
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% (2002 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism fish and wool processing; tourism
Infant mortality rate total: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5.2% (2002 est.) 3.6% (1998)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, 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, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ICFTU, UPU
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 20 (2001) -
Irrigated land NA sq km NA
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) 1,724 (est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999) agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)


industry and services: 5%
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 1%


permanent crops: 0%


permanent pastures: 28%


forest and woodlands: 1%


other: 70% (2001 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)
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 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4
unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - two ex officio, eight elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor


elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.8 years


male: 77.54 years


female: 82.22 years (2003 est.)
total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
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 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWT


ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
-
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: 71,157 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 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 -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Political parties and leaders Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; 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 280,798 (July 2003 est.) 2,967 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.49% (2003 est.) 2.44% (2006 est.)
Ports and harbors Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar -
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0


note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 (FM) and Radio 2 (AM) service (2006)
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: 1.06 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 (2003 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 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders)


note: cable television is available in Stanley (2006)
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 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.) NA children born/woman
Unemployment rate 2.8% (2002 est.) full employment; labor shortage (2001)
Waterways none -
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.