FACTS AND FIGURES
Geographical data
Location Between 63°N and 66°N and 13°W and 24°W, close to the Arctic Circle and about midway between New York and Moscow.
Land area 103,000 km2 (40,000 square miles), 4/5 of which is uninhabited.
Population
| Approx. population (July 2008) | 320,000 | |
| Population density | 3.1/km2 |
Capital
| Capital and seat of government | Reykjavík | |
| Population | 119,900 | |
| Greater Reykjavík area | 200,780 |
Religion
| Evangelical Lutheran Church (State Church of Iceland) |
85.5% |
|
| Lutheran free churches | 4.5% | |
| Other religions | 10% |
Education
| Schools for compulsory education (6-15 yrs) |
192 |
|
| Schools for further education | 42 | |
| Universities and colleges | 8 |
Language
| Spoken and written language |
Icelandic – a Nordic language that has changed only slightly since the arrival of the first settlers in the 9th century. |
|
| Literacy rate | 99.9% | |
| Other mandatory languages taught in schools |
English and Danish |
Other facts
- 11% (11,800 km2) of the country is covered with glaciers.
- Hvannadalshnjúkur is the highest peak (2,119 m).
- Öskjuvatn is the deepest lake (220 m).
- The average Icelandic male is 180 cm tall, weighs 88 kg and is 33.9 years old.
- The average Icelandic female is 167 cm tall, weighs 73 kg and is 35.3 years old.
- For two to three months in summer there is continuous daylight in Iceland.