Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Iceland (2006) - Faroe Islands (2007)

Compare Iceland (2006) z Faroe Islands (2007)

 Iceland (2006)Faroe Islands (2007)
 IcelandFaroe Islands
Administrative divisions 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities
Age structure 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 33,021/female 32,021)


15-64 years: 66.5% (male 100,944/female 98,239)


65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,876/female 19,287) (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 20.6% (male 4,882/female 4,904)


15-64 years: 65.3% (male 16,353/female 14,668)


65 years and over: 14.1% (male 3,041/female 3,663) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Airports 98 (2006) 1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 93


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 29


under 914 m: 61 (2006)
-
Area total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
total: 1,399 sq km


land: 1,399 sq km


water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky eight 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. The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948.
Birth rate 13.64 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 14.12 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $6.995 billion


expenditures: $6.761 billion; including capital expenditures of $467 million (2005 est.)
revenues: $588 million


expenditures: $623 million (2005)
Capital name: Reykjavik


geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W


time difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Torshavn


geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W


time difference: 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
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Coastline 4,970 km 1,117 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydveldid Island


local short form: Island
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Faroe Islands


local long form: none


local short form: Foroyar
Death rate 6.72 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $3.073 billion (2002) $64 million (1999)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Carol VAN VOORST


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


mailing address: US Department of State, 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640


telephone: [354] 562-9100


FAX: [354] 562-9118
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
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 (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Disputes - international Iceland disputes Denmark's alignment of the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
Economic aid - donor $6.7 million $NA -
Economic aid - recipient - $105 million; note - annual subsidy from Denmark (2005)
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 4% 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 current account deficit, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, and diversifying the economy. 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 estimates call for strong growth until 2007, slowly dropping until the end of the decade. The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Electricity - consumption 8.619 billion kWh (2004) 269.7 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 8.619 billion kWh (2004) 290 million kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Environment - current issues water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, 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: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
party to: Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Ethnic groups homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% Scandinavian
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 62.982 (2005), 70.192 (2004), 76.709 (2003), 91.662 (2002), 97.425 (2001) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister Geir H. HAARDE (since 7 June 2006)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister


elections: president, largely a ceremonial post, is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 June 2004 (next to be held June 2008); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Joannes EIDESGAARD (since 3 February 2004)


cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister


elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)


election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - NA
Exports 0 bbl/day (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners UK 17.9%, Germany 16.4%, Netherlands 13%, US 8.1%, Spain 7.7%, Denmark 4.3% (2005) Denmark 32%, UK 27%, Norway 10.2%, Nigeria 9.3%, Netherlands 5.5% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
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) white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.6%


industry: 15%


services: 76.5% (2005 est.)
agriculture: 27%


industry: 11%


services: 62% (1999)
GDP - real growth rate 5.6% (2005 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 62 00 N, 7 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 archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
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 consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)
Imports - partners Germany 13.4%, US 9.1%, Sweden 8.6%, Denmark 7.3%, Norway 7.2%, UK 5.9%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Japan 4.7% (2005) Denmark 53%, Norway 20.7%, Iceland 6%, Sweden 4.3% (2006)
Independence 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate 14.2% (2005 est.) 8% (1999 est.)
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
total: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4% (2005 est.) 1.8% (2005)
International organization participation Arctic Council, 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, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Irrigated land NA 0 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) none
Labor force 165,900 (2005 est.) 24,250 (October 2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 10.3%


industry: 18.3%


services: 71.4% (2003)
agriculture: 33%


industry: 33%


services: 34% (October 2000)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0.07%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.93% (2005)
arable land: 2.14%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.86% (2005)
Languages Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
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%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Movement 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 Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 20 January 2004 (next to be held no later than January 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 23.7%, Social Democratic Party 21.8%, Republican Party 21.7%, People's Party 20.6%, Center Party 5.2%, Independence Party 4.6%, other 2.4%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 7, People's Party 7, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1


note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 8 February 2005 (next to be held in February 2009); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, People's Party 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.31 years


male: 78.23 years


female: 82.48 years (2006 est.)
total population: 79.49 years


male: 76.06 years


female: 82.93 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99%


male: 99%


female: 99% (2003 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%


note: probably 100%, the same as Denmark proper
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway
Map references Arctic Region Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 3 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 3,354 GRT/480 DWT


by type: passenger/cargo 1


registered in other countries: 34 (Antigua and Barbuda 8, Bahamas 1, Belize 2, Faroe Islands 4, Gibraltar 1, Malta 4, Norway 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 10) (2006)
total: 16 ships (1000 GRT or over) 92,454 GRT/63,291 DWT


by type: cargo 10, container 2, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 1


foreign-owned: 8 (Iceland 4, Norway 4) (2007)
Military - note under a 1951 bilateral agreement, Iceland's defense was provided by a US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered in Keflavik; in October 2006, all US military forces in Iceland were withdrawn; nonetheless, the US and Iceland signed a Joint Understanding to strengthen their bilateral defense relationship, including regular security consultations, military communications in the event of national emergencies, annual bilateral exercises on Icelandic territory, and future bilateral and NATO support to four Iceland Air Defense System (IADS) radar sites defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches no regular armed forces; Icelandic National Police, Icelandic Coast Guard (Islenska Landhelgisgaeslan) subordinate to Ministry of Justice, Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (2006) no regular military forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure 0 -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0% NA
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Nationality noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)


adjective: Faroese
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity NA
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Net migration rate 1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Independence Party or IP [Geir HAARDE]; Left-Green Movement or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON - will step down in August 2006]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) or SDA [Ingibjorg Solrun GISLADOTTIR] Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Anfinn KALLSBERG]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 299,388 (July 2006 est.) 47,511 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.87% (2006 est.) 0.543% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Religions Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%, Roman Catholic Church 2%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%, other Christian 2.7%, other or unspecified 3.8%, unaffiliated 2.4% (2004) Evangelical Lutheran
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: 0.82 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
at birth: 1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.996 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.115 male(s)/female


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


total population: 1.045 male(s)/female (2007 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: 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: good international communications; good domestic facilities


domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed


international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Telephones - main lines in use 193,900 (2005) 23,000 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 304,000 (2005) 50,000 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) 3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
Terrain mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Total fertility rate 1.92 children born/woman (2006 est.) 2.15 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.1% (2005 est.) 2.1% (2006)
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.