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Iceland Country & Tourist Information

 
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    Location
    North Atlantic, close to Arctic Circle.

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

    Population
    300,000 (FCO estimate 2006).

    Population Density
    2.9 per sq km.

    Capital
    Reykjavík.
    Population:  184,000 (UN estimate 2003).

    Government
    Republic. Gained full independence from Denmark in 1944.

    Language
    The official language is Icelandic; English and Danish are widely spoken.

    Religion
    Lutheran, with a Catholic minority.

    Time
    GMT.

    Electricity
    220 volts AC, 50Hz.
    Plugs are two-pin.

    Head of Government
    Prime Minister Geir Haarde since 2006.

    Head of State
    President Ólafur Ragnar Grimsson since 1996.

    Telephone
    Country code: 354.

    Mobile Telephone
    Roaming agreements exist with many international companies. Coverage is good.

    Internet
    Many Internet cafes can be found, especially in Reykjavík.

    Media
    Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV) is a public-service broadcaster owned by the state, which runs national radio and TV services. The RUV has to promote the Icelandic language, history and culture. There is guaranteed press freedom.


    Post
    There is an efficient airmail service to Europe.

    Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630. The post office at Grensásvegir is also open Sat 1000-1400 year-round. Some offices open Mon-Fri 1000-1800.

    Press
    • Dailies include FrettabladidMorgunbladid and DV.
    • Vidskiptabladid is a business paper.
    • Baejarins besta provides West Fjords local news.
    • English-language news website (www.icelandreview.com).

    Radio
    • Bylgjan is the main private station.
    • The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service operates two national networks and four regional stations of public radio.

    Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

    2007
    1 Jan New Year’s Day.
    5 Apr Maundy Thursday.
    6 Apr Good Friday.
    9 Apr Easter Monday.
    19 Apr First Day of Summer.
    1 May May Day.
    17 May Ascension.
    28 May Whit Monday.
    17 Jun National Day.
    7 Aug Commerce Day.
    24-26 Dec Christmas.
    31 Dec New Year’s Eve.

    2008
    1 Jan New Year’s Day.
    20 Mar Maundy Thursday.
    21 Mar Good Friday.
    24 Mar Easter Monday.
    20 Apr First Day of Summer.
    1 May May Day. 
    1 May Ascension.
    12 May Whit Monday.
    17 Jun 
    National Day.
    7 Aug Commerce Day.
    24-26 Dec Christmas.
    31 Dec New Year’s Eve.

    Contact Information:

    Note
    Icelandic consulates no longer issue visas. For visa information, contact the Royal Danish embassy (tel: 09065 540 755 for appointments. For further details see Denmark section).

    Icelandic Tourist Board
    Laekjargata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
    Tel: 535 5500.
    Website: www.visiticeland.com

    Embassy of Iceland in the UK
    2A Hans Street, London SW1X 0JE, UK
    Tel: (020) 7259 3999.
    Website: www.iceland.org/uk
    Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1600.
    There is currently no Icelandic tourist board in the UK, but the embassy can deal with all enquiries. There is also a brochure request line based in the UK, tel: (020) 7636 9660.

    Embassy of Iceland in the USA
    1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005, USA
    Tel: (202) 265 6653.
    Website: www.iceland.org/us

    Icelandic Tourist Board in the USA
    c/o The Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
    Tel: (212) 885 9700.
    Website: www.icelandtouristboard.com


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