1. Iceland

2. FACTS Location: North Atlantic, Greenland to the west (about 300 km), and Norway to the east (about 1,000 km). Size: 103,000 km 2 (39,800 square miles). Volcanic, uninhabitable lava and mountainous. Lowlands, 25% of total area. 78% of energy produced by hydro-electric dams across the country. Majority of houses and industrial buildings are heated by geothermal water.

4. Glaciers Vatnajökull, biggest glacier in Europe. Highest Icelandic peak reaches 2112 m above sea level. 1/10 of landmass covered in ice - 80% of which is covered by Vatnajokull.

5. Dettifoss-the most powerful waterfall in Europe

6. Volcanoes Iceland has hundreds of volcanoes, many of which are extinct. Iceland is the largest volcanic island in the world. Katla is one of the most active and most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland. Hekla was labelled the gateway to hell –1491m high and – 5.000-10.000 years old

7. HEKLA

8. Hot Springs Iceland is flooded by geothermal activity in the form of hot water.

9. The Blue Lagoon in Reykjanes

10. Climate Relatively mild and unvarying, despite proximity to the Arctic. North Atlantic Drift (a continuation of the Gulf Stream) keeps climatic conditions moderate. The mean annual temperature in Reykjavík is about 5° C, from -1° C in January to 11° C in July. Akureyri 4.8°C (annual), -0.6°C (January), 11.9°C (July)

11. Population Iceland is extremely homogeneous. Scandinavian and Celtic origin. –292.587 inhabitants (as of July 2004). –60% (over 177.000) live in the greater Reykjavík area. –6% (16.500) in Akureyri. –3.6% (10.636) are inhabitants of foreign origin. Some 92% live in cities and towns. The overall population density is 2.7 persons per sq km (7 per sq mi). Life-expectancy: –Women 82.6 years –Men 78.8 years

12. Religion and Language Evangelical Lutheran is the recognized state religion. 85% of the people are Lutheran. Icelanders enjoy complete religious freedom. The official language is Icelandic. Icelandic pupils learn at least 2 foreign languages, mainly English and Danish.

13. $€£¥ Money - The monetary unit of Iceland is the króna (ISK), consisting of 100 aurar –(61.05 krónur per U.S. dollar) –(73.40 krónur per 1 Euro)

14. The Parliament The oldest in the western world. Representatives of five parties hold seats in Althingi. The Independence Party (23) The Left Green Movement (5) The Liberal Party (3) The Progressive Party (12) The Social Democratic Alliance (20).

15. Beautiful places in Iceland Gullfoss Þingvellir Jökulsárlón

16. Krafla puffin Dynjandi Oldest church

17. Akureyri

18. VMA http://www.vma.is