Part 1
More Random Facts Than You Or I Can Take, and Some Not So Random

    Look no further than Iceland to find a land with no regular armed forces, a literacy rate of 100%, people whose sex is shown in their names, and a capital named Reykjavik.  Iceland's nickname, the Land of Frost and Fire, is appropriate because of the proximity of glaciers, hot springs and volcanoes.  It is an island, either slightly smaller than Kentucky or slightly smaller than Virginia, according to your source.  The heritage is mainly Norweigian, intermixed with some Celtic background - dating back to Iceland's founding by the Vikings.  Iceland is protected by the Icelandic Defense Force (IDF), a US supported venture and only has its own Coast Guard.  Of course this is appropriate because basically the entire population resides on the coast - and approximately half of the population lives in Reykjavik.  The middle four-fifths of the island is unhabited!  It should be noted that Iceland is one of the "midnight sun" countries, meaning it has days of light in June and days of darkness in December.

If your father were named Erik and he named you Leif, your name would be Leif Erikson.  If you were a girl in the same situation, your name would be Leif Erikdottir (though I don't know why he would name a girl Leif).

This is the Patronymic system.

    Interestingly enough, Iceland's literacy rate, defined as people over the age of 16 that can read, is 100%.  Hot dogs are made of lamb, which is more popular than beef or pork.  Skyr, a milk-curdy dessert and knock-off or yougurt, is a favorite.  Iceland is smack in the middle of the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current, a moderating influence on the island.  Fjords and plateaus make up the landscape as well as more glaciers than in continental Europe.  The male-female ratio is just about 1:1.  The national language is Icelandic, though most of the population learns two or more of the following languages: Danish, English, German or Swedish.

    Drift ice from the north may cool the temperature during parts of the year.  The largest hot spring, Deildartunguhver, produces about 40 gallons/second of boiling water.  On the contrary, the largest glacier is 3,240 square miles.  A recent avalanche in '95 killed 14 people.  School is required for people between the ages of 7 and 16.  The University of Iceland opened in 1940.  Houses are built of re-enforced concrete, which serves as protection against monstrous winds and dastardly earthquakes.  Swimming is the most popular sport, either done in water heated by hot springs or in indoor pools.  There is a symphony orchestra in Reykjavik.

    The parliament is called the Althing and members are elected to four-year terms.  Nine of sixty-three seats are not elected, rather are divided among political parties based on the percentage each received in the election.  A president is elected, though a prime minister and a cabinet run the government.

    There are no Eskimos in Iceland.

Iceland is divided into 23 counties and 14 towns

Akranes, Akureyri, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsyla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur, Husavik, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik, Saudharkrodur, Seydhisfjordhur, Siglufjordhur, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, and Vestur-Skaftafellssysla.

Part 2
The Important Stuff, Or What We Call Economical Things

    Industrialization occurred in the first half of this century, giving Iceland the high standard of living it has today.  There are approximately 458 cars and 318 TVs per 1000 people.  Private consumption per capita in 1993 was $10,600US.  However cost of living is high, due to the fact that almost all that is purchased is imported.  Most households have more than one wage earner and many individuals work more than one job.  In fact, engaged couples often live together in a parents' home to save money for an apartment before they get married.  Children are hatched (a.k.a. born) in that period and marriage is sometimes combined with baptism.  The infant mortality rate is 5.3 per 1000 and average life expectancy is 78.73 years - one of the world's longest.  Iceland averages only seven people per square mile, the lowest of European countries and incidentally, Reykjavik is the closest European capital to the United States.

    Iceland's labor force is approximately 145,000 (as of 1994) with commerce, transportation, and services at 60%; manufacturing at 12.5%; fishing/fish processing at 11.8%; construction at 10.8%, agriculture at 4% and other at 0.9%.  The main industries are fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferro-silicon production, geothermal power and tourism.  Fish accounts for 75% of Iceland's exports - the favorable conditions along the continental shelf resulting from the Gulf Stream make this a major part of Iceland's economy.  The total catch is approximately 2,000,000 tons.  Quotas were recently raised and the catch is expected to increase slightly then stabilize itself.  The price of marine products is at or just below average and is expected to remain the same.  In addition to large trawlers and small boats, processing and freezing plants ready the catch for export.  A recent expansion of the aluminum smelter tripled the Iceland's production capacity.  The price of aluminum declined in 1995 but is expected to be rising.  Aluminum is approximately 11% of exports.  The ferro-silicon industry is doing well, running at full capacity, with high demand and high prices.  Expansion is being considered for the smelter in Grundartangi.  Currently, 12% of exports are ferro-silicon.  (Don't ask me what ferro-silicon is.)  Geothermal heating is used in around 80% of the houses in Iceland, being one of the most important resources.  Approximately 5000 of 45000 usable Gwh are utilized at the present, allowing for much expansion in the future.  Geothermal heating is currently not being exported J.  Though only 1% of the land is arable, around 15% of the population are farmers.  The main crop is hay and is grown to support the livestock - sheep and cattle.  Some farmers have built greenhouses around hot springs, allowing them to produce tomatoes, grapes and bananas.

    Iceland's economy has been on the increase: Gross Domestic Product rose from 434,524 million kronur to 519,760 million kronur from 1994 to 1997 (approximately $5.3 billion US in 1996).  Over this same period, economic growth averaged 3.4%, while inflation stayed below 2%.  From 1995-6, real disposable income increased 9% and wages per capita increased by around 7.5%.  Though social security and unemployment benefits were high, growth of those have slowed.  Unemployment itself has declined because of the increase in economic activity and growth of the labor force.  Interest rates have declined slightly, though they are comparable with those of neighboring countries.  Iceland's Central Bank configures monetary policy with the goal of price stability.  The Central Bank recently lowered interest rates to keep the low inflation which was helping growth.  Following a string of years in which the government ran deficits, 1997 was the first year in which a surplus was registered.  The fiscal plan in coming years is to increase budget surpluses in coming years to pay off debt and eventually lower taxes.  To meet this goal, treasury expenditures will decline and the income tax system will be reviewed and revised.  In past periods of rapid economic growth, fiscal policy has been relaxed, resulting in inflation and overheating.  It is argued that fiscal policy should therefore be tightened.  Currently the country is dissaving, or spending more than it takes in, emphasizing the need to balance the budget.

    Iceland's success in growth is tied mainly to its exports of fish, aluminum and ferro-silicon, and is therefore subjected to the prices of the world market. The aluminum and ferro-silicon industries have shown potential for expansion as facilities for smelting are enlarged.  Iceland must continuously account for being an island nation, importing just about everything.  However, currently there is growth, low unemployment and low inflation.  As long as the Central Bank keeps prices stable and the government continues to reduce deficits and inflation, Icelanders will experience steady growth.

17 June 1944: Independence Day (from Denmark)
Anniversary of the Establishment of the Republic

Recipe for Icelandic Pancakes (or Crepes) with Whipped Cream
-taken from http://www.iceland.org/general.html

Batter:  3 cups flour, 4 eggs, 3 tbs. Butter (melted), 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. Baking powder, 1 tsp. Vanilla essence, 2 1/2-3 cups milk.

Directions: Separate egg whites and beat until stiff.  Mix together all other ingredients and add the egg whites lastly.  Bake paper thin on a hot cast-iron griddle (about 9 inches in diameter).  Spread with preserves, jam or jelly, one tablespoon whipped cream.  Fold into triangles.  Serve with afternoon coffee or as dessert.  (Traditional)

Get out of here, you knuckleheads!
 
 
 

Questions for Mr. Marsh

1. Which is not one of Iceland's main industries?
a) Fishing
b) Aluminum smelting
c) Ferro-silicon smelting
d) Packaging ice

2. Iceland currently has:
a) High inflation
b) Low inflation
c) No inflation
d) Stagflation

3. Iceland's geography does not include:
a) Hot, hot springs
b) Glaciers
c) Iceland is a peninsula
d) Coastline

4. What does a mountain climber name her son?
a) Cliff
b) Clifford
c) Clifford the big red dog
d) Cliffhanger
e) Cliffordhanger
f) Bobby
g) All of the above except for Bobby
 

Bibliography not included