Guide to Iceland

Name: Iceland

Location: North Atlantic. Lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland is geographically and culturally Europe but half of it lies on the American plate and is moving westward at an estimated 1-2cm a year.

Population: 294,000 (UN, 2005)

Capital: Reykjavik

Airport: Keflavik International airport

Area: 103,000 sq km (39,769 sq miles)

Major language: Icelandic

Major religion: Christianity

Life expectancy: 79 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN)

Monetary unit: 1 krona = 100 aurar

Main exports: Fish and fish products, metals

GNI per capita: US $38,620 (World Bank, 2005)

Internet domain: .is

International dialling code: +354

Entry Requirement: A passport or other travel document accepted by Icelandic authorities valid at least three months beyond intended stay is required for visitors to Iceland.

Time Zone: GMT/UTC 0

Climate: Summers are pleasant but temperatures tend to be around 12°C (53°F). Winters are surprisingly mild, thanks to the warm waters of the atlantic Gulf stream. Nevertheless at average temperatures of -0.4°C its enough to give your nose and cheeks a somewhat rosey glow.

Best time to go: July and August are peak time otherwise expect short dark days and icy weather, but there's always the Northern Lights to brighten up the trip.

Note: THE SCHENGEN AGREEMENT: The Schengen agreement went into effect for Iceland on March 26, 2001 and the following countries participate in the Schengen cooperation in addition to Iceland: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Germany.

Travel between above-mentioned countries will in principle be without document check.

UPDATE:

From June 7, 2008, an area encompassing 13 per cent of Iceland´s landmass, and encapsulating unparalleled geographical diversity will become the largest protected wilderness in Europe.

Volcanoes, lava flows, vast glaciers, powerful waterfalls, canyons and calderas, sand flats, rivers, lakes and lush vegetation are just some of the natural wonders contained within Vatnajökull National Park’s 13,000 sq kms. The park’s boundaries will incorporate previously unprotected land as well the existing Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur national parks, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss and the entire Vatnajökull glacier (Europe’s largest).

The Icelandic government is initially investing ISK1,150 million, around £8 million, in a network of visitor centres and park rangers’ work stations due to be completed in 2012. An existing visitor centre at Skaftafell will be joined by five new facilities including one currently under construction at Ásbyrgi. Ranger’s stations will also increase from four to 11.

28 February 2008