Iceland english introduction.

Iceland (Icelandic,? Located in the North Atlantic, about 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) east of Greenland and about 1 000 kilometers (about 620 miles) west of Norway. The extreme size of the country is about 305 kilometers (about 190 miles) from north to south and about 485 kilometers (about 300 miles) from east to west. The area of Iceland is103,000 square kilometers (39,800 square miles).

II. Land and resources

Iceland is roughly oval in shape and its coastline is jagged, especially in the west and north, with a total length of 4,990 kilometers (3,3 100 miles). The important harbors on the west coast are bay and Bray? afj？ r？ Ur (fjord) It protrudes to the northwest between the latter and Húnaflói (Bay), one of the main gaps in the northern coast. It is an irregularly formed peninsula surrounded by steep cliffs. The coastline of the peninsula accounts for about 30% of the coastline of the whole island. Originated from volcanoes, Iceland is mainly composed of uninhabitable lava platforms and mountain outcrops; The lowlands are mainly located in the southwest coast, accounting for 25% of the total area. Most Icelanders live in coastal areas, especially in the southwest.

The average elevation of the highland is between 6 10 and 9 15 meters (about 2000 to 3000 feet). Hvanandalshnukur (2119 m/6,952 ft) in the southeast is the highest peak. Nearly 15% of the island's surface is covered by snowfields and glaciers. Watner? The glacier is located in the southeast, covering an area of 8,456 square kilometers (3,265 square miles). There are more than 120 glaciers and countless small lakes and fast-flowing rivers on the island.

Iceland is famous for its number of volcanoes, craters and hot springs and the frequency of earthquakes. There are more than 100 volcanoes on the island, including at least 25 volcanoes that have erupted in history. Among these volcanoes, it is worth noting that Hekla (1, 49 1 m/4,892 ft) has erupted many times, including 1766, 1947 and 1980, and nearby Laki. Volcanoes have formed huge lava areas, and many volcanic eruptions have caused extensive damage. In 1783, when the only known Laki volcano erupted, floods caused by lava, volcanic ash, gas and melting of snow and ice killed more than 9,000 people, destroyed a large area of cultivated land and destroyed about 80% of livestock on the island. 1963, the submarine volcano on the southwest coast of Iceland erupted, forming Sutherland. 1973, a volcano on the island of Heimayi became active, forcing the residents of Vestmannaeyjar, the main town on the island, to evacuate.

Hot springs are very common in Iceland. There are many springs in volcanic areas, which appear in the form of geysers, boiling mud lakes and other forms. Geysers, usually considered as the most spectacular, erupt at irregular intervals (usually from 5 to 36 hours), spraying a column of boiling water as high as about 60 meters (about 200 feet). Most homes and industrial facilities in Reykjavik are heated by water delivered from nearby hot springs.

climate

Although Iceland has a high altitude and is close to the North Pole, its climate is relatively mild and stable. Due to the influence of the ocean, especially the North Atlantic drift (the continuation of the Gulf Stream), the climate conditions in all parts of the island are mild. The annual average temperature in Reykjavik is about 5 C (about 41f), and the temperature variation range in January is-1c (31f), and in July it is1/kloc (50. In the northwest, north and east coastal areas, the temperature is usually low due to the influence of polar ocean currents and drifting ice. Quite violent storms are characteristic of most of winter. The annual precipitation on the southern coast is between 1, 270 and 2030mm (about 50 to 80 inches), and that on the northern coast is only 5 10/0mm (about 20 inches). The annual rainfall on the southern slopes of some inland mountains in Iceland is as high as 4570 mm (about 180 inch).

Plants and animals

The vegetation in Iceland belongs to the Arctic European type. There are plenty of grass and heather along the southern coast, which can provide pasture for sheep and other livestock. There may have been large forests on the island in prehistoric times, but now trees, such as birch and spruce, are relatively rare. Vaccinium and Vaccinium are the only fruits that grow on the island. Arctic foxes may have lived in Iceland when the first humans settled down. Reindeer introduction contract1770; Rodents are brought by ships. There are neither reptiles nor frogs and toads. About 100 species of birds inhabit the island; Many of these species are aquatic, including whistling swans and several kinds of ducks. Eiderdown duck is precious because of its down. Whales and seals live along the coast, as do cod, haddock, halibut and herring. Many salmon and trout inhabit Iceland's freshwater rivers and lakes.

Three populations

Iceland's population is extremely single, almost all of which are Scandinavian and Celtic. A large-scale migration to coastal towns and villages has taken place since the1940s. About 92% people now live in towns. The population of Iceland (estimated in 2002) is 279,384. The total population density is 2.7 people per square kilometer (7 people per square mile).

A. Political divisions and major cities

Iceland is divided into eight regions, and each region has its own administrative center. Reykjavik (population 1998,108,351) is the capital and main port. Other towns are Curreri (15, 102), which is on the northern coast; Kópavogur (2 1，370)，Hafnarfj？ r？ Ur (18600) and Kev Lavic (7637), located on the west coast near Reykjavik; And Wuestemann Najjar (4,640 people) on the small island of Heimey near the south coast.

B. Religion and language

The state religion of Iceland is Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which about 90% people are members. However, complete religious freedom exists. Liberal Lutherans and Roman Catholics are in the minority. This language is Icelandic, which is closer to the old Norwegian of the original Viking settlers in Iceland than other Scandinavian languages. See Icelandic; Icelandic literature.

education

The literacy rate of adult population in Iceland is close to 100%. Education throughout the university is free, and all children between the ages of 6 and 65 must receive education. In the school year of 1998- 1999, 30,355 students were registered in primary schools, 30,253 students in secondary schools and vocational schools, and 7,386 students in institutions of higher learning. The main institution of higher education is the University of Iceland in Reykjavik (19 1 1). There is also a technical college, an agricultural and music college and a normal school.

The main libraries in Iceland are university library, national library and city library, all of which are located in Reykjavik. The capital is also the location of the Natural History Museum; The National Museum has a large collection of Icelandic antiquities; And an art gallery that collects the works of Icelandic sculptor Einar Jónsson.

Fourth, economy

Private enterprises are the foundation of Iceland's economy, but the government exercises considerable control and supervision over key sectors. Until the end of19th century, agriculture was the main occupation, and fishing was the supplementary source of income. However, by the middle of the 20th century, fishery and fish processing had become major industries. Hydropower has rich potential and is being developed for further industrialization. 1970, Iceland became a member of the European Free Trade Association. The national budget of 1998 includes $2.4 billion in revenue and $2.4 billion in expenditure. Iceland suffered a high inflation rate in the late 1970s and 1980s, but in the early 1990s, the inflation rate dropped sharply. In 2000, Iceland's GDP was $8.5 billion.

agriculture

Only 9% of Iceland's workforce is engaged in agriculture and fishing. Only 0.07% of the land is under cultivation. The main crops are turnips and potatoes. Animal husbandry is the main occupation, producing a large number of dairy products, wool, mutton and lamb and eggs. In 2006, there were 465,000 sheep, 72,654,380 cows and 77,330 horses in the country.

fish

Fishing and fish processing are the most important industries in Iceland, with a total catch of 2.2 million metric tons in 1997. Foods including fresh fish and processed fish account for 70% of Iceland's exports. Iceland is the main producing area of cod, and other main catches include hairscales, haddock, crustaceans, herring, red fish and Setfish. There are a large number of fish processing facilities in coastal towns. Faced with international pressure, Iceland suspended all whaling operations on 1989. However, in June 1992, Iceland withdrew from the International Whaling Commission, raising objections to the designation of some species of whales as endangered species, and claiming that some species threatened Iceland's commercial fish stocks.

C mining

Iceland has almost no proven mineral resources, and profitable development has been difficult. Minerals of commercial value include pumice and diatomite.

manufacturing industry

In addition to fish processing, the manufacturing industry is mainly to meet domestic consumption demand. The main products are clothing, shoes, soap and chemicals. Book production is also a major trade of Iceland. Some electrical appliances are made of. In addition, large factories have been established to produce aluminum (imported bauxite) and ferrosilicon, so as to make use of Iceland's energy resources.

energy

Hydropower plants produce 85% of Iceland's electricity, and the rest is supplied by geothermal resources. 1999 output is 7 1 100 million kwh. The hot water in the spring is used for heating and some production operations.

F. Money and banking

The monetary unit in Iceland is krona, which is equal to 100 Aulard (78.62 krona is equal to 1 USD; 2000). 198 1 year, the government introduced a new króna, equivalent to 100 old krónur. Currency is issued by the state-owned central bank (196 1). There are several private commercial banks in Iceland.

G foreign trade

Although Iceland's foreign trade is occasionally balanced, the country's annual imports are often greater than its exports. In 2000, the import cost was US$ 2.6 billion, and the export income was US$ 65,438+900 million. The main imported products include refined petroleum, machinery, transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, chemicals, basic manufactured goods and food. The export of metals and ores, including a large amount of aluminum, accounts for 16% of the total export. The country's main trading partners are Britain, the United States, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Norway and Japan.

H. Transport and communications

Iceland has 12962 km (8054 miles) of roads, mainly located in coastal areas. In 1999, Iceland had 546 buses per 1000 residents. There are no railways or navigable rivers on the island. How many seaports are there in this country, including Al Canes, Kevlavik, Reykjavik and Siglov? r？ Ur. Icelandic Airlines provides domestic and international aviation services.

There are three kinds of daily newspapers in Iceland with a total circulation of 145000. Telephone and telegraph services are owned and managed by the government; The state monopoly on radio and television ended on 1986. In 1997, there were 950 radios and 358 televisions for every 1000 residents in China.

V. Government

Iceland is governed by 1944, the Constitution that came into effect when the country became fully independent. Iceland does not have its own armed forces except 120 coast guard personnel, but it is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. About 1, 520 American military personnel are stationed at Keflavík Air Force Base.

administrative staff

Iceland's head of state is the president, who is elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years by people aged 65-438+08. The president has no power. The highest executive of the country is the Prime Minister, who is responsible to the Parliament. The Prime Minister is assisted by the Cabinet, which has real executive power.

Legislature

Iceland's legislature is Parliament, which has met almost continuously since its establishment in 930 AD, and changed from bicameral system to unicameral system in 199 1. It has 63 members, 54 of whom are elected according to the proportional representation system for a term of four years, and 9 are distributed to political parties according to their relative total votes in the election.

political party

The main political organization in Iceland is the Independence Party, a conservative group; Left alliance, including People's Alliance, People's Party and Women's List Alliance; Liberal progressive party; And the left-wing green alliance. The Icelandic government is generally composed of alliances, including the current government of the Independent Party and the Progressive Party.