Iceland Country & Tourist Information

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 Frettabladid, Morgunbladid 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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