Iceland Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

North Atlantic, close to Arctic Circle.

Language

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

Area

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

Time Zone

GMT.

Electricity

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

Population

304,000 (2008).

Population Density

3 per sq km.

Capital City

Reykjavík. Population: 118,000 (city); 198,000 (metropolitan area) (2008).

Government

Republic. Gained full independence from Denmark in 1944.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir since 2009.

Head of State

President Ólafur Ragnar Grimsson since 1996.

Religion

Lutheran, with a Catholic minority.

Recent History

Icelandic foreign policy is dominated by two factors: fishing and relations with Atlantic powers. Iceland is a member of NATO, the Nordic Council and of the Council of Europe. Iceland has historically eschewed membership of the European Union but, since Sweden, Finland and Denmark have joined up, it is Iceland's opposition to the EU's fisheries policy of stock management by quotas that is now the decisive influence. Both main parties strongly oppose the Common Fisheries Policy, so it seems unlikely that Iceland will apply for EU membership in the foreseeable future. On the issue of whaling, Iceland has been among the few objecting to the International Whaling Commission's (IWC) ban. In October 2006, Iceland announced a return to commercial hunts, with the fisheries ministry citing the nation's dependence on living marine resources.

Iceland is one of the most visible victims of the current global economic crisis, largely due to the size of its national debt which was 10 times bigger than the country's economy. The full effects are yet to be seen, although the now weak Icelandic krona seems to have encouraged more tourists to visit this once notoriously expensive destination.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +354.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with many international companies. Coverage is good. Pre-paid GSM phonecards, which travelers can use with their own GSM phones, can be purchased at petrol stations around the country. GSM phones may also be rented at several locations.

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.Mon-Fri 0830-1630. The post office in Austurstræti (Reykjavík center) is also open Sat 1000-1400 (Jun-Aug). Some offices open Mon-Fri 1000-1800.

Press

• Dailies include Frettabladid,Morgunbladid and DV.
• Vidskiptabladidis abusiness paper.
• Baejarins besta provides West Fjords local news.
• Iceland Review (www.icelandreview.com) is an English-language magazine focusing on all aspects of Icelandic life, and also has news.

Radio

• Bylgjan is the main private station.
• The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service operates two national networks and four regional stations of public radio.
• State Radio, FM 93.5 and FM 92.4, broadcasts a short news program every weekday morning at 0730 from June to August. You can also listen to it by telephone (tel: 515 3690).

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
24 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas
31 Dec New Year’s Eve

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Apr First Day of Summer
21 Apr Maundy Thursday
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
19 May Ascension
13 Jun Whit Monday
17 Jun National Day
1 Aug Commerce Day
24 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas
31 Dec New Year’s Eve

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Apr Maundy Thursday
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
26 Apr First Day of Summer
1 May Labor Day
17 May Ascension
28 May Whit Monday
17 Jun National Day
6 Aug Commerce Day
24 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas
31 Dec New Year’s Eve

Contact Information

Note

Icelandic consulates no longer issue visas. Danish, Norwegian and Swedish embassies issue Icelandic visas. For information on where to get your visa, visit www.utl.is or contact the Royal Danish Embassy directly (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 or www.icetourist.is

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.

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 or www.goiceland.org