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Compare Iceland (2004) - Saint Helena (2001)

Compare Iceland (2004) z Saint Helena (2001)

 Iceland (2004)Saint Helena (2001)
 IcelandSaint Helena
Administrative divisions 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha*
Age structure 0-14 years: 22.5% (male 33,522; female 32,489)


15-64 years: 65.8% (male 98,091; female 95,450)


65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,552; female 18,862) (2004 est.)
0-14 years:
19.08% (male 699; female 687)

15-64 years:
71.72% (male 2,711; female 2,500)

65 years and over:
9.2% (male 286; female 383) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, green vegetables, mutton, dairy products, fish corn, potatoes, vegetables; timber; fish, crawfish (on Tristan da Cunha)
Airports 100 (2003 est.) 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total:
1

over 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 93


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 29


under 914 m: 61 (2004 est.)
-
Area total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
total:
410 sq km

land:
410 sq km

water:
0 sq km

note:
includes St. Helena Island, Ascension, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha, which consists of Tristan da Cunha Island, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, and the three Nightingale Islands
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky slightly more than two times the size of Washington, DC
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. Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, St. Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile, from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Ascension Island is the site of a US Air Force auxiliary airfield; Gough Island has a meteorological station.
Birth rate 13.83 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 13.49 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $4.205 billion


expenditures: $4.405 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (2003)
revenues:
$11.2 million

expenditures:
$11 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY92)
Capital Reykjavik Jamestown
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers Saint Helena - tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Tristan da Cunha - temperate; marine, mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)
Coastline 4,988 km 60 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 1 January 1989
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:
Saint Helena
Currency Icelandic krona (ISK) Saint Helenian pound (SHP)
Death rate 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.33 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.6 billion (1999) $NA
Dependency status - overseas territory of the UK
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] 562-9100


FAX: [354] 562-9118
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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)
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) remains dormant; 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 none
Economic aid - donor NA -
Economic aid - recipient - $12.6 million (1995); note - $5.3 million from UK (1997)
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 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 depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $5 million in 1997 or almost one-half of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK.
Electricity - consumption 7.341 billion kWh (2001) 5.6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 7.894 billion kWh (2001) 6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
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:
Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m
Environment - current issues water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, 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% African descent 50%, white 25%, Chinese 25%
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 76.709 (2003), 91.6617 (2002), 97.4246 (2001), 78.6159 (2000), 72.3353 (1999) Saint Helenian pounds per US dollar - 0.6764 (January 2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998), 0.6047 (1997), 0.6403 (1996); note - the Saint Helenian 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 Halldor ASGRIMSSON (since 15 September 2004); note - Former Prime Minister David ODDSSON switched positions with former Foreign Minister Halldor ASGRIMMSON


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 26 June 2004 (next to be held June 2008); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON wins with 85.6% of the vote, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government:
Governor and Commander in Chief David HOLLAMBY (since NA June 1999)

cabinet:
Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch
Exports 0 bbl/day (2001) $704,000 (f.o.b., 1995)
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon fish (frozen, canned, and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), coffee, handicrafts
Exports - partners Germany 17.4%, UK 17.4%, Netherlands 11.2%, US 9.8%, Spain 6.3%, Denmark 5%, Norway 4.5%, France 4% (2003) South Africa, UK
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 Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship
GDP purchasing power parity - $8.678 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $18 million (1998 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 9.2% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 26.7%


services: 64.2% (2003 est.)
agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $30,900 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,500 (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.6% (2003 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 15 56 S, 5 42 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 harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns
Highways total: 12,955 km


paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km


unpaved: 9,092 km (2003)
total:
158 km (Saint Helena 118 km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 0 km)

paved:
138 km (Saint Helena 98km, Ascension 40 km, Tristan da Cunha 0 km)

unpaved:
NA km 20 km (Saint Helena 20 km, Ascension 0 km, Tristan da Cunha 0 km)
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) $14.434 million (c.i.f., 1995)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts
Imports - partners Germany 11.8%, Denmark 8%, US 7.5%, UK 7.5%, Norway 7%, Sweden 6.5%, Netherlands 6.2%, Italy 4.7% (2003) UK, South Africa
Independence 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industrial production growth rate 8.1% (2003 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism construction, crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing
Infant mortality rate total: 3.31 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
22.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.1% (2003 est.) 3.2% (1997 est.)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ICFTU
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
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; Magistrate's Court; Small Debts Court; Juvenile Court
Labor force 160,000 (2003) 3,500 (1998 est.)

note:
1,200 of whom are working offshore
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, services 59.5% (1999) agriculture and fishing 6%, industry (mainly construction) 48%, services 46% (1987 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0.07%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.93% (2001)
arable land:
6%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
6%

forests and woodland:
6%

other:
82% (1993 est.)
Languages Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken English
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction NA
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 (15 seats, including the speaker, 3 ex officio and 12 elected members; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 9 July 1997 (next to be held NA August 2001)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.18 years


male: 78.18 years


female: 82.27 years (2004 est.)
total population:
77.01 years

male:
74.13 years

female:
80.04 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA


female: NA
definition:
age 20 and over can read and write

total population:
97%

male:
97%

female:
98% (1987 est.)
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about mid-way between South America and Africa
Map references Arctic Region Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,341 GRT/6,019 DWT


by type: petroleum tanker 1


registered in other countries: 26 (2004 est.)
none (2000 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 -
Military expenditures - dollar figure 0 -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 75,568 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 66,503 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Nationality noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
noun:
Saint Helenian(s)

adjective:
Saint Helenian
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite fish
Net migration rate 2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 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] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 293,966 (July 2004 est.) 7,266 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 0.97% (2004 est.) 0.72% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar Georgetown (on Ascension), Jamestown
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 3,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002) Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth:
1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.04 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal NA years of age
Telephone system general assessment: extensive domestic service


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


international: country code - 354; 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:
can communicate with any place in the world

domestic:
automatic network

international:
HF radiotelephone from Saint Helena to Ascension which is a major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK ; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 190,700 (2003) 2,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 279,100 (2003) 0 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) 0 (1997)
Terrain mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords Saint Helena - rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains

note:
the other islands of the group have a volcanic origin
Total fertility rate 1.93 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.53 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.4% (2003 est.) 14% (1998 est.)
Waterways - none
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