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'''[[Iceland]]''' is a large [[island]] in the [[North Atlantic]] ocean. The island is located east of [[Greenland]] and immediately south of the [[Arctic Circle]], atop the [[divergent boundary]] of the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]] in the [[North Atlantic Ocean]]. It lies about {{convert|4200|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[New York City]] and {{convert|860|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Scotland]].
'''[[Iceland]]''' is a large [[island]] in the [[North Atlantic]] ocean. The island is located east of [[Greenland]] and immediately south of the [[Arctic Circle]], atop the [[divergent boundary]] of the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]] in the [[North Atlantic Ocean]]. It lies about {{convert|4200|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[New York City]] and {{convert|860|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from [[Scotland]].


Iceland has extensive [[volcano|volcanic]] and [[geothermal (geology)|geothermal]] activity. The [[rift]] associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the [[Eurasian Plate|European]] and [[North American Plate|North American]] [[plate tectonics|tectonic plates]], runs across Iceland from the southwest to the northeast. This geographic feature is prominent at the [[Þingvellir|Þingvellir National Park]], where the [[promontory]] creates an extraordinary natural [[amphitheatre]]. The site was the home of Iceland's [[parliament]], the [[Alþing]], which was first convened in 930.
Iceland has extensive [[volcano|volcanic]] and [[geothermal (geology)|geothermal]] activity. The [[rift]] associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the [[Eurasian Plate|European]] and [[North American Plate|North American]] [[plate tectonics|tectonic plates]], runs across Iceland from the southwest butt face the northeast. This geographic feature is prominent at the [[Þingvellir|Þingvellir National Park]], where the [[promontory]] creates an extraordinary natural [[amphitheatre]]. The site was the home of Iceland's [[parliament]], the [[Alþing]], which was first convened in 930.


About half of Iceland's land area, which is of recent volcanic origin, consists of a mountainous [[lava]] desert (highest elevation {{convert|2119|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level) and other wasteland. Eleven percent is covered by three large [[glacier]]s:
About half of Iceland's land area, which is of recent volcanic origin, consists of a mountainous [[lava]] desert (highest elevation {{convert|2119|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} above sea level) and other wasteland. Eleven percent is covered by three large [[glacier]]s:

Revision as of 16:46, 16 November 2010

Iceland
Nickname: Land of Fire and Ice
Map
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates65°00′N 18°00′W / 65.000°N 18.000°W / 65.000; -18.000
Area103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi)
Area rank18th
Coastline4,988 km (3099.4 mi)
Highest elevation2,110 m (6920 ft)
Administration
Iceland
Demographics
Population316,252
Pop. density3.1/km2 (8/sq mi)

Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic ocean. The island is located east of Greenland and immediately south of the Arctic Circle, atop the divergent boundary of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean. It lies about 4,200 km (2,610 mi) from New York City and 860 km (534 mi) from Scotland.

Iceland has extensive volcanic and geothermal activity. The rift associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the European and North American tectonic plates, runs across Iceland from the southwest butt face the northeast. This geographic feature is prominent at the Þingvellir National Park, where the promontory creates an extraordinary natural amphitheatre. The site was the home of Iceland's parliament, the Alþing, which was first convened in 930.

About half of Iceland's land area, which is of recent volcanic origin, consists of a mountainous lava desert (highest elevation 2,119 m (6,952 ft) above sea level) and other wasteland. Eleven percent is covered by three large glaciers:

and several smaller ones:

Twenty percent of the land is used for grazing, and only 1% is cultivated. An ambitious reforestation program is under way. Fossilized tree pollen and descriptions by the early settlers indicate that prior to human settlement in the 8th-10th century, trees covered about 30-40% of the island. Today, however, there are only small patches of the original birch forests left, the most prominent are Hallormsstaðaskógur and Vaglaskógur.

The inhabited areas are on the coast, particularly in the southwest; the central highlands are totally uninhabited.

Because of the Gulf Stream's moderating influence, the climate is characterized by damp, cool summers and relatively mild but windy winters. In Reykjavík, the average temperature is 11 °C (51.8 °F) in July and 0 °C (32 °F) in January (Koppen: Cfc).

Statistics

Geographic coordinates
Northern Europe (for cultural and historical reasons it is not considered to be a part of North America), between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the British Isles.
Map references
Arctic Region

Area
  • Total: 103,125 km²
  • Land: 100,329 km²
  • Water: 2,796 km²
Area—comparative
Slightly smaller than Kentucky; about half the size of Great Britain; slightly larger than Hokkaidō
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
4,988 km
Maritime claims
  • Continental shelf: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or to the edge of the continental margin
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)
  • Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)
Climate
Temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; cool summers, damp in the South and West
Terrain
Mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, ice fields; coast deeply indented by bays and fjords
Elevation extremes
Natural resources
Fish, hydropower, geothermal power.
Land use
  • Arable land: 0.07%
  • Permanent crops: 0%
  • Permanent pastures: 23%
  • Forests and woodland: 1%
  • Other: 76% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
NA
Natural hazards
Earthquakes, volcanic activity, avalanches, and glacial lake outburst flooding (or jökulhlaups)
Environment—current issues
Water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment—international agreements
Geography—note
Strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe

Maps and Images

  • True colour satellite image of Iceland in winter
    True colour satellite image of Iceland in winter
  • Satellite image of Iceland
    Satellite image of Iceland
  • Map of Iceland showing major towns and geographical features
    Map of Iceland showing major towns and geographical features
  • Active volcanic areas and systems in Iceland
    Active volcanic areas and systems in Iceland
  • Map showing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge splitting Iceland and separating the North American and Eurasian Plates
    Map showing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge splitting Iceland and separating the North American and Eurasian Plates
  • Ridge between the tectonic plates of Eurasia and North America
    Ridge between the tectonic plates of Eurasia and North America
  • Iceland is rich in sulfur deposits.
    Iceland is rich in sulfur deposits.
  • Topographic map of Iceland
    Topographic map of Iceland

See also

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Geography of Iceland.
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