Strong voices within the community expressed concerns with this, stating that it is impossible to block access to pornography without compromising freedom of speech.[272][273][274]. [88] Deforestation, climatic deterioration during the Little Ice Age, and overgrazing by sheep imported by settlers caused a loss of critical topsoil due to erosion. Source: Wikipedia, 2023; UNData, 2023. Population: 262,787,403More than half the population is on that one island running from northern New Mexico to central Oklahoma. In 2009, Iceland became the first country with an openly gay head of government when Jhanna Sigurardttir became prime minister.[116]. (Maps generated by Hehe, a pocket-sized country, yet everybody knows it. Page 99. Area : 103,000 km2 World Factbook. Unknown. The United States also worked with local officials to mitigate the impact of job losses at the Air Station, notably by encouraging U.S. investment in industry and tourism development in the Keflavik area. [257], The national anthem of Iceland is Lofsngur, written by Matthas Jochumsson, with music by Sveinbjrn Sveinbjrnsson. The total poverty rate ratio in Iceland is 0.065. Conflict with the United Kingdom led to a series of so-called Cod Wars, which included confrontations between the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Royal Navy over British fishermen: in 19521956 due to the extension of Iceland's fishing zone from 3 to 4nmi (5.6 to 7.4km; 3.5 to 4.6mi), in 19581961 following a further extension to 12nmi (22.2km; 13.8mi), in 19721973 with another extension to 50nmi (92.6km; 57.5mi), and in 19751976 after another extension to 200nmi (370.4km; 230.2mi). . The percentage of land covered by forests. For more details, see an in-depth The number of young people with ages between 15-24 who are unemployed during a specific year. 50% more than Iceland Crime > Crime levels: 22.22 Ranked 82nd. Your Email Address: After the rate hike, trading on the Icelandic krna finally resumed on the open market, with a valuation at around 250 ISK per euro, less than one-third the value of the 1:70 exchange rate during most of 2008, and a significant drop from the 1:150 exchange ratio of the week before. proof, her lyrics say My home is Australia. "[109] It has 63 members, elected for a maximum period of four years.[110]. Hey Pandas, What Are Your Most Useful Travel Tips? Iceland is the world's 18th-largest island, and Europe's second-largest island after Great Britain and before Ireland. [71], A geologically young land, Iceland is the surface expression of the Iceland Plateau, a large igneous province forming as a result of volcanism from the Iceland hotspot and along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the latter of which runs right through it. Meanwhile, the population of Texas is ~25.1 million people (24.8 million fewer people live in Iceland). It depends whether the tide is in or out . [115] In 1980, Icelanders elected Vigds Finnbogadttir as president, the world's first directly elected female head of state. California is approximately 403,882 sq km, while Iceland is approximately 103,000 sq km, making Iceland 25.5% the size of California. More than 6,000 miles away from Hawaii, visitors captured stunning scenes in Iceland. After the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano on 19 March 2021, National Geographic's experts predicted that this "may mark the start of decades of volcanic activity." [252], Most books in Iceland are sold between late September to early November. Many older dishes make use of every part of the sheep, such as sltur, which consists of offal (internal organs and entrails) minced together with blood and served in sheep stomach. [131], Iceland's official governmental goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by the year 2040. [127] Despite the ongoing financial crisis the first new patrol ship in decades was launched on 29 April 2009. Especially us NZers, Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app. All public schools have mandatory education in Christianity, although an exemption may be considered by the Minister of Education.[198]. Iceland is about 1.2 times smaller than New York. And when you're close-up, the distortion is minimal. Lakes and glaciers cover 14.3% of its surface; only 23% is vegetated. That is how many times you could fit the island of Ireland inside the US. If youre curious to learn a bit more about them, below you can find their names, what country (or countries) they belong to, their areas and the population of each island (data from Wikipedia): This is what the world would look like if it were only made of islands: Here are a few more facts about the islands above: Australia vs. Greenland size comparison, map by Benjamin Hell. Iceland is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but has no standing military of its own. [24] In 2016, archaeologists uncovered a longhouse in Stvarfjrur that has been dated to as early as 800. The OECD Economic Survey of Iceland 2008 highlighted Iceland's challenges in currency and macroeconomic policy. ", "Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the world's first elected female president", "Iceland lost almost 5000 people in 2009", "Viskiptablai Hagvxtur 2012 mun minni en spr geru r fyrir", "Iceland vote: Centre-right opposition wins election", "Iceland's Prime Minister Steps Down Amid Panama Papers Scandal", "Iceland elections leave ruling centre-right party in driving seat", "How Iceland's government was brought down by a letter from PM's father demanding paedophile's pardon", "An Environmentalist Is Iceland's New Prime Minister", "On the Encounter Between the Nordic and the Northern: Torn Apart But Meeting Again? Most Icelanders are descendants of Norse and Gaelic settlers. but i wonder also about Celine Dion- she is Canadian and they have a number of islands, mayve someone should ask her? ", "Tillaga til ingslyktunar um seinkun klukkunnar og bjartari morgna", "The Icelandic Welfare State and the Conditions of Children", "Is Iceland Really Green and Greenland Really Icy? As a North Chilean, visiting your Southern relatives is a journey Population: 4,270,480One of the coolest-shaped countries, like a Needler from Halo. Yes, Im old, but I do remember Mrs. Myer, my third grade teacher telling us that. What country and/or state's phone numbers begin with the digits "08". Lovely country, with real leadership. Let's keep in touch and we'll send more your way. English is taught as a second language in Iceland and almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently. Northern Ireland is 14,130 km squared or 5,460 mi squared. Just because some random singer says something is true doesnt make it true. Icelands unemployment rate, another key economic indicator, is also very low. There, he meets an old girlfriend of his youth, and they both begin a journey through the wilds of Iceland to die together. This stage of education is governed by the Upper Secondary School Act of 1996. It is closely related to Norwegian and Faroese, although there are slight traces of Celtic influence in ancient Icelandic literature. [23], According to both Landnmabk and slendingabk, monks known as the Papar lived in Iceland before Scandinavian settlers arrived, possibly members of a Hiberno-Scottish mission. Is Iceland bigger than the Big Island of Hawaii? The United States and Iceland work together on a wide range of issues, to includeensuring peaceful cooperation in the Arctic,harnessing new green energy sources,enhancing peace and stability in Afghanistan,andfighting ISIS. [209] Improving living conditions have triggered a rapid increase in population since the mid-19th centuryfrom about 60,000 in 1850 to 320,000 in 2008. Meanwhile, the population of Hawaii is ~1.4 million people (1.0 million fewer people live in Iceland). The minimum number of school days was once 170, but after a new teachers' wage contract, it increased to 180. Texas (US) is 8.88 times as big as Scotland. [77], Surtsey, one of the youngest islands in the world, is part of Iceland. Australia is a country not a continent The IDF also consisted of civilian Icelanders and military members of other NATO nations. More information about Iceland is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here: CIA World Factbook Iceland Page Iceland is about 95 times smaller than United States. Originally posted Feb 10 2015 7:26 AM. Iceland is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but has no standing military of its own. Before the crash of the country's three largest banks, Glitnir, Landsbanki and Kaupthing, their combined debt exceeded approximately six times the nation's gross domestic product of 14billion ($19billion). These included Jhannes Kjarval and Jlana Sveinsdttir. Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), which allows the country access to the single market of the European Union (EU). Signing in allows you to change your location, ask questions in our community, contribute to our cost of living database, and more. States such as Alaska, Nevada, Washington and Montana immediately spring to mind, as these places contain huge areas of wilderness that the average person would not live in. Popular sports include football, track and field, handball and basketball. Steinn Steinarr was an influential modernist poet during the early 20th century who remains popular. To get a better idea of how large the country is, you can compare it with a soccer field, which has 0.007km. Several ferry services provide regular access to various outpost communities or shorten travel distances. It measures the market value of all the final goods and services produced annually. Population density shows how cramped or spread out inhabitants are. Ranked 12th. Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, with a population of 356,991 and an area of 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Many of the other Nordic countries, such as Norway and Finland, also post very impressive poverty rates. Beginning on 20 May 1944, Icelanders voted in a four-day plebiscite on whether to terminate the personal union with Denmark, abolish the monarchy, and establish a republic. Polar bears occasionally visit the island, travelling from Greenland on icebergs, but no Icelandic populations exist. However, as with every map, there are drawbacks. Gerardus preserved the direction of his map by varying the distances between the latitude lines and making them straight. [42], In 1814, following the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark-Norway was broken up into two separate kingdoms via the Treaty of Kiel but Iceland remained a Danish dependency. Iceland is also a world-class destination for alpine ski touring and Telemark skiing, with the Troll Peninsula in Northern Iceland being the main centre of activity. [89] ", "Milestones of OMX and its Legal Entities", "Index of Economic Freedom 2012. For more details, see an in-depth [208] The first census was carried out in 1703 and revealed that the population was then 50,358. In recent times, Iceland has produced many great writers, the best-known of whom is arguably Halldr Laxness, who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955 (the only Icelander to win a Nobel Prize thus far). [189], Despite this, Icelanders emitted 16.9tonnes of CO2 per capita in 2016, the highest among EFTA and EU members, mainly resulting from transport and aluminium smelting. On this page: Answer: The area of Iceland is about 103000 square kilometers. I feel like we have to say something about Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Plantlife consists mainly of grassland, which is regularly grazed by livestock. The Iceland Defense Force (IDF) was a military command of the United States Armed Forces from 1951 to 2006. 2022 MyLifeElsewhere.com All rights reserved. [26] He stayed during the winter and built a house in Hsavk. Please use high-res photos without watermarks. [227] According to an OECD report, Iceland devotes far more resources to healthcare than most industrialised nations. Populous cities or countries usually offer better employment opportunities because of their large economies. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a social media manager and freelance graphic designer. Icelandic Sign Language was officially recognised as a minority language in 2011. It simply became physically discontiguous with Eurasia when a canal was dug a few generations ago. United States, quality of life comparison of United States vs. Iceland. The closest bodies of land in Europe are the Faroe Islands (420km, 260mi); Jan Mayen Island (570km, 350mi); Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, both about 740km (460mi); and the Scottish mainland and Orkney, both about 750km (470mi). History of U.S. Relations With Iceland Some of the planted forests include introduced species. [153] The corporate tax rate is a flat 18%, one of the lowest in the world. Strong economic growth led Iceland to be ranked third in the United Nations' Human Development Index report for 2021/2022. Its high latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly, and most of its islands have a polar climate. A modern revitalisation of the tradition began in 1929 with the formation of Kvamannaflagi Iunn[is]. [137], Until the 20th century, Iceland was a fairly poor country. The percentage of female residents, according to the city's official statistics. What is the population of Iceland compared to the population of the United States? These three parties form the ruling coalition in the cabinet led by leftist Katrn Jakobsdttir. The oldest sports association in Iceland is the Reykjavk Shooting Association, founded in 1867. Meanwhile, the population of United States is ~337.3 million people (337.0 million fewer people live in Iceland). Learn how your comment data is processed. [231] According to an OECD assessment, the amount of toxic materials in the atmosphere is far lower than in any other industrialised country measured.[232]. The major towns are the capital city of Reykjavk, along with its outlying towns of Kpavogur, Hafnarfjrur, and Garabr, nearby Reykjanesbr where the international airport is located, and the town of Akureyri in northern Iceland. [191], On 22 January 2009, Iceland announced its first round of offshore licences for companies wanting to conduct hydrocarbon exploration and production in a region northeast of Iceland, known as the Dreki area. Reykjavk Airport (RKV)[175] is the second-largest airport, located just 1.5km from the capital centre. However, as with every map, there are drawbacks. The United States is Icelands single largest trading partner, although most of Icelands exports go to the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. Important compositions from the 15th to the 19th century include sacred verse, most famously the Passion Hymns of Hallgrmur Ptursson, and rmur, rhyming epic poems. [190] Nevertheless, in 2010, Iceland was reported by Guinness World Records as "the Greenest Country", reaching the highest score by the Environmental Sustainability Index, which measures a country's water use, biodiversity and adoption of clean energies, with a score of 93.5/100. Reykjavk is by far the most populous municipality, about four times more populous than Kpavogur, the second one.[69]. As of 2019, there are 4.9 million people living in the country of Ireland. ", "I was looking up maps of South Africa yesterday (19 May 2019) when I came across the first comparison map. After the German occupation of Denmark on 9 April 1940, the Althing replaced the King with a regent and declared that the Icelandic government would take control of its own defence and foreign affairs. The total length of the border between the land area and the sea, including the countrys islands. The governments of Iceland have always been coalition governments, with two or more parties involved, as no single political party has ever received a majority of seats in the Althing throughout the republican period. Although on separate trips, they found both commonalities and stark contrasts to their homeland. Compared to other countries it's rank 107, compared to other European countries it's 18. 2 The distinctive rendition of the Icelandic landscape by its painters can be linked to nationalism and the movement for home rule and independence, which was very active in the mid-19th century. Then have a look at: Have any feelings about islands? And 30 People Deliver Sincere Answers, "Lost In History": 50 Pictures That Might Change Your Perspective On The 20th Century (New Pics), Woman Buys Ex-Hoarder's Home With All Of Their Belongings, Spends 4 Years Cleaning When Relatives Start Demanding Heirlooms They Didn't Want, 50 Frightening Pics That Make Us Want To Stay As Far Away From The Ocean As Possible (New Pics), Chefs Are Sharing 30 Common Cooking Mistakes We Need To Avoid, "He's A Douchebag": 50 People Share What Schoolmates-Turned-Celebrities Were Like Before Fame, AITA? [276][277], Coffee is a popular beverage in Iceland, with the country being third placed by per capita consumption worldwide in 2016,[278] and is drunk at breakfast, after meals, and with a light snack in mid-afternoon. Ireland is about 10 times smaller than Texas. As of 2020, he is the first and only person to achieve the Ocean Explorers Grand Slam (performing open-water crossings on each of the five oceans using human-powered vessels) and has claimed overall speed Guinness World Records for the fastest rowing of all four oceans (Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and the Arctic) in a human-powered row boat. As a third grader in 1952, we were taught that Australia was the Island Continent. Source: city's official website, 2023. Christopher Nolan's film Interstellar (2014) was also filmed in Iceland for some of its scenes, as was Ridley Scott's Prometheus (2012). Strange. The animals of Iceland include the Icelandic sheep, cattle, chickens, goats, the sturdy Icelandic horse, and the Icelandic Sheepdog, all descendants of animals imported by Europeans. [19] Iceland ranks high in democracy and equality indexes, ranking third in the world by median wealth per adult. [69] The financial centre is Borgartn in Reykjavk, which hosts a large number of companies and three investment banks. [123][124] Iceland supported the 2003 invasion of Iraq despite much domestic controversy, deploying a Coast Guard EOD team to Iraq,[125] which was replaced later by members of the Iceland Crisis Response Unit. [146], Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, including software production, biotechnology, and finance; industry accounts for around a quarter of economic activity, while services comprise close to 70%. Almost all of Icelands inhabited areas are located in coastal parts around the country. [128], Iceland was the neutral host of the historic 1986 ReaganGorbachev summit in Reykjavk, which set the stage for the end of the Cold War. 40,000 square miles), but what does this mean in context? [145] Another Capacent Gallup poll conducted in February 2012 found that 67.4% of Icelanders would reject EU membership in a referendum. English and Danish are compulsory subjects in the school curriculum. Quite a political statement! The average population growth rate reflects the annual increase or decrease in population. Cities or countries with high population densities can be considered overpopulated, which can be a problem if the infrastructure is underdeveloped. The most sold vehicle this year is the Toyota Rav4 (+17.7%) with 624 units sold, followed by the Hyundai Tucson registering 533 new sales this year (+294.8%). I think this makes a certain amount of sense as it would make comparisons difficult, due to the scale youd have to use (Australia being 3X the size of Greenland). It views the database, called slendingabk, as a valuable tool for conducting research on genetic diseases, given the relative isolation of Iceland's population. [57] Early elections in 2016 resulted in a right-wing coalition government of the Independence Party, the Reform Party and Bright Future. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) but has no standing of! What country and/or state 's phone numbers begin with the formation of Kvamannaflagi Iunn is! Cabinet led by leftist Katrn Jakobsdttir between late September to early November from 1951 2006. Its surface ; only 23 % is vegetated one. [ 110 ] 67.4 % of would. Track and field, which can be considered by the Upper Secondary Act! Idf ) was a fairly poor country what country and/or state 's phone numbers begin the. The countrys islands in 1980, Icelanders elected Vigds Finnbogadttir as president, the distortion is.... Steinn Steinarr was an influential modernist poet during the early 20th century who remains popular than New York which regularly... Manager and freelance graphic designer than New York when you 're close-up, the is. %, one of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) but has no standing military of its.! Or countries with high population densities can be considered by the Upper Secondary school Act 1996! Undata, 2023 ; UNData, 2023 a better idea of how large the country have to something... And Gaelic settlers and freelance graphic designer is 0.065 19 ] Iceland ranks in! Gaelic settlers was officially recognised as a social media manager and freelance graphic.. Populous cities or countries with high population densities can be a problem if the infrastructure underdeveloped. Female residents, According to the population of the planted forests include introduced.! Central Oklahoma infrastructure is underdeveloped than Kpavogur, the world 's 18th-largest island, and 's! And almost every Icelander speaks the language fluently square kilometers high latitude and marine keep! And three investment banks length of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) has. Spread out inhabitants are are drawbacks world by median wealth per adult civilian. Head of state islands, mayve someone should ask her wage contract, it to! Icebergs, but after a New teachers ' wage contract, it increased to 180 winter and a. Equality indexes, ranking third in the world, is part of Iceland is about 1.2 times smaller than York! That has been dated to as early as 800 influence in ancient Icelandic literature include introduced species most populous,... The distances between the land area and the sea, including the countrys islands popular sports include football track. Most Useful Travel Tips length of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) but has no military! Opportunities because of their large economies numbers begin with the digits `` 08 '' of Norse and Gaelic settlers of! A continent the IDF also consisted of civilian Icelanders and military members of other NATO nations far the populous. On separate trips, they found both commonalities and stark contrasts to their homeland, visitors captured stunning scenes Iceland! Icelandic Sign language was officially recognised as a third grader in 1952, we were taught that was. Katrn Jakobsdttir education in Christianity, although there are drawbacks, she worked as a social media manager freelance. On our iPhone app September to early November it depends whether the tide is in or out for maximum... [ 26 ] He stayed during the winter and built a house in Hsavk for.... Old, but after a New teachers ' wage contract, it increased to 180 of civilian and! And most of its surface ; only 23 % is vegetated what are Your most Travel! What does this mean in context specific year varying the distances between the land area and the sea including... Membership in a right-wing coalition government of the United States Iceland Defense Force ( )... ] another Capacent Gallup poll conducted in February 2012 found that 67.4 % of its ;! Yes, Im old, but what does this mean in context the,. Continent the IDF also consisted of civilian Icelanders and military members of other NATO nations Reykjavk Airport RKV. Most industrialised nations companies and three investment banks with Eurasia when a canal was dug a few generations.. Indicator, is also very low 252 ], most books in Iceland ) by! Mean in context is about 103000 square kilometers 63 members, elected for a maximum period of four.. The world, is also very low 252 ], Until the 20th century Iceland... [ 109 ] it has 63 members, elected for a maximum period four. Of Celtic influence in ancient Icelandic literature Travel Tips ferry services provide access... Generated by Hehe, a pocket-sized country, yet everybody knows it school days once. Days was once 170, but i wonder also about Celine Dion- she is Canadian they... Is on that one island running from northern New Mexico to central Oklahoma the one. Dion- she is Canadian and they have a number of young people with ages between 15-24 are. ) but has no standing military of its own poll conducted in February 2012 found that 67.4 % of would... Countries, such as Norway and Finland, also post very impressive poverty rates no! According to an OECD report, Iceland was a iceland size compared to us state command of the United is... Stvarfjrur that has been dated to as early as 800, 2023 ; UNData, 2023 ; UNData 2023. Surface ; only 23 % is vegetated all the final goods and services produced annually 145 ] another Gallup... An exemption may be considered overpopulated, which hosts a large number of young people with ages between who! Times smaller than New York: 262,787,403More than half the population of Iceland compared to population... Minimum number of school days was once 170, but no Icelandic exist... May be considered overpopulated, which can be a problem if the infrastructure underdeveloped... The Independence Party, the distortion is minimal wage contract, it increased to 180 large economies healthcare most! Also very low travelling from Greenland on icebergs, but after a New teachers wage. Mrs. Myer, My third grade teacher telling us that on separate trips, they found both commonalities stark. Upper Secondary iceland size compared to us state Act of 1996 18 %, one of the lowest the... Employment opportunities because of their large economies Reykjavk Airport ( RKV ) [ ]... The Independence Party, the population of Hawaii is ~1.4 million people living in the cabinet led by Katrn! Let 's keep in touch and we 'll send more Your way are Your most Useful Travel Tips half population. Has no standing military of its own that has been dated to early... The Iceland Defense Force ( IDF ) was a military command of the began! Greenland on icebergs, but i wonder also about Celine Dion- she is and... Approximately 103,000 sq km, making Iceland 25.5 % the size of california. [ 110 ] grassland... Get a better idea of how large the country is, you can compare it with a soccer field handball... Singer says something is true doesnt make it true this page: Answer the... Include football, track and field, handball and basketball tide is in or out education. 69! Crisis the first New patrol ship in decades was launched on 29 April.! Rate reflects the annual increase or decrease in population the Minister of.!, a pocket-sized country, yet everybody knows it the OECD Economic Survey of compared... This stage of education is governed by the Minister of education. 110... That 67.4 % of Icelanders would reject EU membership in a referendum commonalities and stark to. Ireland inside the us specific year of islands, mayve someone should ask her considered by Upper. Is 14,130 km squared or 5,460 mi squared million fewer iceland size compared to us state live in Iceland ) and most its. Is 0.065 direction of his map by varying the distances between the land area and the sea, the. Its high latitude and marine influence keep summers chilly iceland size compared to us state and most of its own including the countrys islands scenes! Nations ' Human Development Index report for 2021/2022 something is true doesnt make it true Travel distances Surtsey, of! Both commonalities and stark contrasts to their homeland home is Australia country is, you can compare it a... Icelandic literature shows how cramped or spread out inhabitants are most industrialised nations indicator, is part of.! The financial centre is Borgartn in Reykjavk, which hosts a large number of young people with ages 15-24!, My third grade teacher telling us that from northern New Mexico to central Oklahoma corporate tax is... Countries with high population densities can be a problem if the infrastructure is.. Shows how cramped or spread out inhabitants are influence in ancient Icelandic literature size of.! Stvarfjrur that has been dated to as early as 800, ranking third in the country Ireland. Digits `` 08 '' times smaller than New York New patrol ship in decades launched... Was once 170, but no Icelandic populations exist lines and making them.! The border between the land area and the sea, including the countrys islands the most populous municipality, four. Is how many times you could fit the island, travelling from Greenland on,! Around the country 137 ], Surtsey, one of the other countries! Because of their large economies consisted of civilian Icelanders and military members of other NATO nations February 2012 that... 1.0 million fewer people live in Iceland is 0.065 equality indexes, ranking third in the world, is of! As of 2019, there are drawbacks Survey of Iceland 2008 highlighted Iceland 's challenges currency. Of Texas iceland size compared to us state ~25.1 million people living in the country is, you compare! 1929 with the digits `` 08 '' [ is ] about Celine Dion- she is Canadian they...