Iceland and User:Mquinon2/Popol Vuh Museum Draft: Difference between pages
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'''Introduction''' |
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{{sprotect2}} |
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{{otheruses1|the country in Europe}}<!--****DISAMBIG NOT PART OF ARTICLE, SO GOES ABOVE IT ALL.****--> |
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{{Infobox Country |
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|native_name = ''Lýðveldið Ísland'' |
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|conventional_long_name = Republic of Iceland |
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|common_name = Iceland |
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|image_flag = Flag of Iceland.svg |
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|image_coat = |
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|image_map = Europe location ISL.png |
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|map_caption = Location of '''Iceland''' (red) in [[Europe]] (white) |
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|national_motto = <!-- ICELAND HAS NO OFFICIAL MOTTO --> |
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|national_anthem = ''[[Lofsöngur]]'' |
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|official_languages = [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] |
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|capital = [[Reykjavík]] |
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|latd=64 |latm=08 |latNS=N |longd=21 |longm=56 |longEW=W |
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|largest_city = Reykjavík |
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|government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]] |
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|leader_title1 = [[List of Presidents of Iceland|President]] |
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|leader_name1 = [[Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson]] |
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|leader_title2 = [[List of Prime Ministers of Iceland|Prime Minister]] |
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|leader_name2 = [[Geir Haarde]] |
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|leader_title3 = [[Althing|Althing President]] |
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|leader_name3 = [[Sturla Böðvarsson]] |
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|area_rank = 107th |
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|area_magnitude = 1 E11 |
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|area_km2 = 103,000 |
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|area_sq_mi = 39,770 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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|percent_water = 2.7 |
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|population_estimate = 319,355{{smallsup|1}} |
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|population_estimate_rank = 172nd |
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|population_estimate_year = July 2008 |
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|population_census = 229,187 |
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|population_census_year = December 1980 |
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|population_density_km2 = 3,1 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 7.5 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |
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|population_density_rank = 233th |
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|GDP_PPP = $12.172 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] |
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|GDP_PPP_rank = 132nd |
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|GDP_PPP_year = 2006 |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $42,058 <ref>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=30&pr.y=11&sy=2004&ey=2008&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=193%2C158%2C122%2C542%2C124%2C137%2C156%2C138%2C423%2C196%2C128%2C142%2C172%2C182%2C132%2C576%2C134%2C961%2C174%2C184%2C532%2C144%2C176%2C146%2C178%2C528%2C436%2C112%2C136%2C111&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CNGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPPPSH&grp=0&a=] </ref> |
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|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 5th |
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|GDP_nominal = $16.579 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] |
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|GDP_nominal_rank = 93rd |
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|GDP_nominal_year = 2006 |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $63,875 <ref>[http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=30&pr.y=11&sy=2004&ey=2008&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=193%2C158%2C122%2C542%2C124%2C137%2C156%2C138%2C423%2C196%2C128%2C142%2C172%2C182%2C132%2C576%2C134%2C961%2C174%2C184%2C532%2C144%2C176%2C146%2C178%2C528%2C436%2C112%2C136%2C111&s=NGDP_RPCH%2CNGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CPPPSH&grp=0&a=] </ref> |
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|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 4th |
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|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |
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|sovereignty_note = from [[Denmark]] |
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|state_religion = [[National Church of Iceland]] |
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|established_event1 = Home rule |
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|established_date1 = 1 February 1904 |
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|established_event2 = Sovereignty |
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|established_date2 = 1 December 1918 |
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|established_event3 = Republic |
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|established_date3 = 17 June 1944 |
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|HDI = {{increase}} 0.968 |
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|HDI_rank = 1st |
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|HDI_year = 2007 |
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|HDI_category = <font color="#009900">high</font> |
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|Gini = 25.0 {{smallsup|2}} |
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|Gini_year = 2005 |
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|Gini_rank = 4th |
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|Gini_category = <font color="#009900">low</font> |
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|currency = [[Icelandic króna]] |
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|currency_code = ISK |
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|country_code = |
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|time_zone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] |
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|utc_offset = +0 |
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|time_zone_DST = not observed |
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|utc_offset_DST = |
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|cctld = [[.is]] |
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|calling_code = 354 |
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|demonym = [[Icelanders|Icelander]] |
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|footnote1 = {{cite web |title=Statistics Iceland:Key figures |publisher=www.statice.is |date=1 October 2007 |url=http://www.statice.is/?PageID=1390}} |
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|footnote2 = {{cite web |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |title=CIA - The World Factbook -- Field Listing - Distribution of family income - Gini index |publisher=[[United States Government]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2172.html#Govt |accessmonthday=14 September |accessyear=2008}} |
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}} |
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'''Iceland''', officially the '''Republic of Iceland''' ({{Audio-IPA|en-us-Iceland.ogg|[ˈaɪslənd]}}) ({{lang-is|'''Ísland''' or '''Lýðveldið Ísland''' ([[names of Iceland]])}}; {{IPA2|ˈistlant}}), is an [[island nation]] in [[Northern Europe]], located in the [[North Atlantic Ocean]] between mainland [[Europe]] and [[Greenland]].<ref name="CIA Govt">{{cite web |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |title=CIA - The World Fact book -- Iceland |work=Government |publisher=[[United States Government]] |date=20 July 2006 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ic.html#Govt |accessmonthday=6 August |accessyear=2006}}</ref> It is the least populous of the [[Nordic countries]] and the second smallest; it has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km².<ref name="Statice">{{cite web |authorlink=Statistics Iceland |title=Statistics Iceland|work=Government |publisher=The National Statistical Institute of Iceland |date=14 September 2008 |url=http://www.statice.is#Govt |accessmonthday=14 September |accessyear=2008}}</ref> Its [[capital]] and largest city is [[Reykjavík]]. |
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The Popol Vuh Museum or "Museo Popol Vuh" is located on the campus of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Zone 10 in Guatemala and is especially known for its extensive collection of many artifacts of the Mayan culture. It also includes colonial art and folklore section with over four hundred masks and costumes. The museum is operated by a Board of Directors of citizens of Guatemala interested in the preservation and public display of the exhibits. The museum is there to provide an educational focus for people who want to see and learn about the pre-Columbian past of Guatemala. The Museo Ixchel de Textiles, Maya textile museum, is directly across the street. The Popol Vuh Museum is a private, nonprofit, scientific institution supported by its own funds and external donations. |
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Located on the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]], Iceland is [[Volcanic activity|volcanically]] and [[geothermal (geology)|geologically active]] on a large scale; this defines the landscape in various ways. The interior mainly consists of a [[plateau]] characterized by [[desert|sand fields]], [[mountain]]s and [[glacier]]s, while many big [[river|glacial rivers]] flow to the sea through the lowlands. Warmed by the [[Gulf Stream]], Iceland has a [[temperate climate]] relative to its [[latitude]] and provides a habitable environment and nature. |
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The [[settlement of Iceland]] began in 874 when, according to ''[[Landnámabók]]'', the Norwegian chieftain [[Ingólfur Arnarson]] became the first permanent [[Norwegian people|Norwegian]] settler on the island.<ref>[http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~Marc-Carlson/history/grontime.html History of Medieval Greenland]</ref> Others had visited the island earlier and stayed over winter. Over the next centuries, people of [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] and [[Gaels|Gaelic]] origin settled in Iceland. Until the twentieth century, the [[Icelanders|Icelandic population]] relied on fisheries and agriculture, and was from 1262 to 1918 a part of the [[Norway|Norwegian]] and later the [[Denmark|Danish]] monarchies. In the twentieth century, Iceland's economy and [[welfare system]] developed quickly. In recent decades, Iceland has implemented free trade in the [[European Economic Area]] and diversified from fishing to new economic fields in [[Service Sector|service]]s, [[finance]], and various [[industries]]. |
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'''History''' |
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Today, Iceland has some of the world's highest levels of economic and civil freedoms.<ref>[http://www.invest.is/news/30/default.aspx Iceland: One of the world´s most free economies], Invest in Iceland Agency</ref> As of 2007, Iceland is ranked as the [[List of countries by Human Development Index|most]] [[Human Development Index|developed country]] in the world by the [[Human Development Index|United Nations' Human Development Index]].<ref>[http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/hdr_20072008_en_indicator_tables.pdf untitled<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref> It is also the [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth]] [[Gross domestic product|most productive country]] per capita, and one of the most [[egalitarian]], as rated by the [[List of countries by income equality|Gini coefficient]].<ref>[http://imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2007/01/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2006&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=%2C&br=1&pr1.x=20&pr1.y=14&c=512%2C941%2C914%2C446%2C612%2C666%2C614%2C668%2C311%2C672%2C213%2C946%2C911%2C137%2C193%2C962%2C122%2C674%2C912%2C676%2C313%2C548%2C419%2C556%2C513%2C678%2C316%2C181%2C913%2C682%2C124%2C684%2C339%2C273%2C638%2C921%2C514%2C948%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C283%2C228%2C853%2C924%2C288%2C233%2C293%2C632%2C566%2C636%2C964%2C634%2C182%2C238%2C453%2C662%2C968%2C960%2C922%2C423%2C714%2C935%2C862%2C128%2C716%2C611%2C456%2C321%2C722%2C243%2C965%2C248%2C718%2C469%2C724%2C253%2C576%2C642%2C936%2C643%2C961%2C939%2C813%2C644%2C199%2C819%2C184%2C172%2C524%2C132%2C361%2C646%2C362%2C648%2C364%2C915%2C732%2C134%2C366%2C652%2C734%2C174%2C144%2C328%2C146%2C258%2C463%2C656%2C528%2C654%2C923%2C336%2C738%2C263%2C578%2C268%2C537%2C532%2C742%2C944%2C866%2C176%2C369%2C534%2C744%2C536%2C186%2C429%2C925%2C178%2C746%2C436%2C926%2C136%2C466%2C343%2C112%2C158%2C111%2C439%2C298%2C916%2C927%2C664%2C846%2C826%2C299%2C542%2C582%2C443%2C474%2C917%2C754%2C544%2C698&s=NGDPDPC&grp=0&a= Report for Selected Countries and Subjects<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref><ref>[http://hdrstats.undp.org/indicators/145.html Human Development Report 2007/2008 - Inequality measures, ratio of richest 10% to poorest 10%<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref> Icelanders have a rich [[Culture of Iceland|culture and heritage]], such as cuisine and poetry, and the medieval [[Icelandic Sagas]] are internationally renowned. Iceland is a member of the [[UN]], [[NATO]], [[European Free Trade Association|EFTA]], [[European Economic Area|EEA]] and [[OECD]], but not of the [[European Union]]. The country is a candidate for a non-permanent seat at the [[UN Security Council]]. |
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== Geography == |
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{{main|Geography of Iceland}} |
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The museum takes its name from the Popol Vuh, a book written after the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. It narrates myths and the pre-Hispanic history of quichés, whose kings dominated great part of the western plateau of Guatemala. The collection at the Popol Vuh Museum includes many objects related to myths of that book. The Museum was founded by Jorge and Ella Castillo who, 20 years ago, donated most of the collection of archaeological and colonial pieces which today are the basis of the Popol Vuh Museum. |
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===Topography=== |
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[[Image:Map of Iceland.svg|thumb|left|A map of Iceland with major towns marked.]] |
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Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean just south of the [[Arctic Circle]], which passes through the small island of [[Grímsey]] off Iceland's northern coast, but not through mainland Iceland. Unlike neighbouring [[Greenland]], Iceland is considered to be a part of [[Europe]], not of [[The Americas|North America]], though geologically the island belongs to both continents. Because of cultural, economic and linguistic similarities, Iceland in many contexts is also included in [[Scandinavia]]. The closest bodies of land are Greenland (287 km) and the [[Faroe Islands]] (420 km). The closest distance to the mainland of Europe is 970 km (to Norway). |
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Iceland is the [[List of islands by area|world's 18th largest island]], and Europe's second largest island following [[Great Britain]]. The country is 103,000 [[Square kilometre|km²]] (39,768.5 [[Square mile|sq mi]]) in size, of which 62.7% is tundra. Lakes and glaciers cover 14.3%; only 23% is vegetated. <ref name="NLS">{{cite web |title=National Land Survey of Iceland |publisher=www.statice.is |date=unknown |url=http://www.lmi.is/landsurvey.nsf/pages/index.html/ |accessdaymonth=6 August |accessyear=2006}}</ref> The largest lakes are [[Þórisvatn]] ([[Reservoir (water)|Reservoir]]): 83–88 km² (32–34 sq mi) and [[Þingvallavatn]]: 82 km² (32 sq mi); other important lakes include [[Lögurinn]] and [[Mývatn]]. Öskjuvatn is the deepest lake at 220 [[metre|m]] (722 [[Foot (unit of length)|ft]]). [[Image:Skaftafellsfjöll, facing northeast.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The unglaciated central part of [[Skaftafell National Park]]. Iceland has four national parks which cover a significant part of the country.]] |
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'''The Popol Vuh Museum Facilities''' |
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Many [[fjord]]s punctuate its extensive coastline, which is also where most settlements are situated because the island's interior, the [[Highlands of Iceland]], is a cold and uninhabitable combination of sand and mountains. The major towns are the capital [[Reykjavík]], [[Kópavogur]], [[Hafnarfjörður]], [[Reykjanesbær]], where the international [[airport]] is located, and [[Akureyri]]. The island of [[Grímsey]] on the [[Arctic Circle]] contains the northernmost habitation of Iceland.<ref name="CIA Geo">{{cite web |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |title=CIA - The World Factbook -- Iceland |work=Geography |publisher=[[United States Government]] |date=20 July 2006 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ic.html#Geo |accessmonthday=6 August |accessyear=2006}}</ref> |
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Iceland has four national parks: [[Jökulsárgljúfur National Park]], [[Skaftafell National Park]], [[Snæfellsjökull National Park]], and [[Þingvellir|Þingvellir National Park]]. |
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The Museo Popol Vuh is the most modern of all the museums in Central America, in terms of physical facilities and in learning about advanced technology of display. |
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===Geological activity=== |
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[[Image:Iceland satellite.jpg|thumb|left|Iceland, as seen from space on 29 January 2004 ([[NASA]]).]] |
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[[Image:Iceland Dettifoss 1972-4.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dettifoss]], the most powerful [[waterfall]] in Europe, located in Northeast Iceland.]] |
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A geologically young land, Iceland is located on both the [[Iceland hotspot]] and the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]], which runs right through it. This combined location means that geologically the island is extremely active, having many [[volcano]]es, notably [[Hekla]], [[Eldgjá]], [[Herðubreið]] and [[Eldfell]]. Iceland is one of two places on Earth where a [[mid-ocean ridge]] rises above sealevel and is therefore the perfect place to study the [[geology]] of a mid ocean ridge which makes it a dream place for geologists. The volcanic eruption of [[Laki (volcano)|Laki]] in 1783–1784 caused a [[famine]] that killed nearly a quarter of the island's population;<ref>[http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/ice/lec19/holocene.htm Late Holocene climate]</ref> the eruption caused dust clouds and haze to appear over most of Europe and parts of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] for several months after the eruption. |
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There are also many [[geyser]]s in Iceland, including [[Geysir]], from which the English word is derived, as well as the famous [[Strokkur]] which erupts every 5-10 minutes. After a phase of inactivity, [[Geysir]] started erupting again after a series of [[earthquake]]s in the year 2000.<br />With this widespread availability of [[geothermal power]], and because many rivers and [[waterfall]]s are harnessed for [[hydroelectricity]], most residents have hot water and home heat cheaply. The island itself is composed primarily of [[basalt]], a low-[[silica]] [[lava]] associated with [[effusive eruption|effusive volcanism]] like [[Hawaii]]. But Iceland has various kinds of volcanoes, many of which produce more evolved lavas such as [[rhyolite]] and [[andesite]]. |
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'''The Collection''' |
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Iceland controls [[Surtsey]], one of the youngest islands in the world. Named after [[Surtr]], god of fire, it rose above the ocean in a series of volcanic eruptions between 8 November 1963 and 5 June 1968.<ref name="CIA Geo"/> Only scientists researching the growth of new life are allowed to visit the island.<ref>[http://iceland.vefur.is/iceland_nature/Volcanoes_in_Iceland/surtsey.htm Surtsey Volcano]</ref> |
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[[Image:Erupting geysir.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The erupting [[Great Geysir]] in [[Haukadalur]] valley, the oldest known [[geyser]] in the world.]] |
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===Climate=== |
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{{main|Climate of Iceland}} |
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[[Image:Eyjafjallajökull.jpeg|right|thumb|250 px|[[Eyjafjallajökull]] glacier]] |
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The climate of Iceland's coast is subpolar [[oceanic climate|oceanic]]. The warm [[North Atlantic Current]] ensures generally higher annual temperatures than in most places of similar [[latitude]] in the world. The winters are mild and [[wind]]y while the summers are damp and cool. Regions in the world with similar climate include the [[Aleutian Islands]], [[Alaska Peninsula]] and [[Tierra del Fuego]] although these regions are closer to the equator. Despite its proximity to the Arctic, the island's coasts remain ice-free through the winter. Ice incursions are rare, the last having occurred on the north coast in 1969.<ref>Climate, History and the Modern World; Lamb H., 1995, Longman Publ.</ref> |
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More than 400 archaeological and colonial treasures are on display. The exhibit galleries are organized chronologically beginning with the preclassic, Classic and Postclassic periods of the ancient Maya, followed by the colonial era. The largest area of the permanent exhibit is dedicated to the Classic period. |
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There are some variations in the climate between different parts of the island. Very generally speaking, the south coast is warmer, wetter and windier than the north. Low-lying inland areas in the north are the most arid. Snowfall in winter is more common in the north than the south. The [[Highlands of Iceland|Central Highlands]] are the coldest part of the country. |
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The highest air temperature recorded was 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn on the south-eastern coast. The lowest was -38 °C (-36.4 °F) on 22 January 1918 at Grímsstaðir and Möðrudalur in the northeast hinterland. The temperature records for [[Reykjavík]] are 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) on 30 July 2008, and -24.5 °C (-12.1 °F) on 21 January 1918. |
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{{Temperature in Iceland}} |
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'''The Gallery''' |
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===Flora and fauna=== |
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<gallery> |
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[[Image:Icelandic sheep summer 06.jpg|thumb|An [[Icelandic sheep]].]] |
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Image:Can8602 02, El Castillo, Chichen Itza, Maya Ruins, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.jpg |
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Image:Can8602 13, Temple of the Warriors, Chichen Itza, Maya Ruins, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.jpg |
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Few plants and animals have migrated to the island or [[evolution|evolved]] locally since the last [[ice age]], 10,000 years ago. There are around 1,300 known species of [[insects]] in Iceland, which is a rather low number compared with other countries (over one million species have been described worldwide). The only native land [[mammal]] when [[human]]s arrived was the [[arctic fox]], which came to the island at the end of the ice age, walking over the frozen sea. There are no native [[reptile]]s or [[amphibian]]s on the island. |
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[[Image:Katursnow.jpg|thumb|left|150px|An [[Icelandic horse]].]] |
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[[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Iceland belongs to the Arctic province of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. According to the [[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF]], the territory of Iceland belongs to the ecoregion of [[Iceland boreal birch forests and alpine tundra]]. Approximately three-quarters of the island are barren of vegetation; plant life consists mainly of [[grassland]] which is regularly grazed by [[livestock]]. The only [[tree]] native to Iceland is the northern birch ''[[Betula pubescens]]'', which formerly formed forest over much of southern Iceland. Permanent human settlement greatly disturbed the isolated ecosystem of thin, volcanic soils and limited species diversity. The forests were heavily exploited over the centuries for firewood and timber. Deforestation caused a loss of critical topsoil due to [[erosion]], greatly reducing the ability of birches to grow back. Today, only a few small birch stands exist in isolated reserves. The planting of new forests has increased the number of trees, but does not compare to the original forests. Some of the planted forests include new [[foreign species]]. |
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The animals of Iceland include the [[Icelandic sheep]], [[Icelandic cow|cattle]], [[Icelandic chicken|chicken]], [[Icelandic goat|goat]] and the sturdy [[Icelandic horse]]. Many varieties of [[fish]] live in the ocean waters surrounding Iceland, and the fishing industry is a main contributor to Iceland’s economy, accounting for more than half of its total exports. Wild mammals include the [[arctic fox]], [[mink]], [[mouse|mice]], [[rat]]s, [[rabbit]]s and [[reindeer]]. Before and around the 1900s [[polar bear]]s occasionally visited the island, traveling on icebergs from Greenland. [[Bird]]s, especially sea birds, are a very important part of Iceland's animal life. [[Puffins]], [[skua]]s, and [[kittiwakes]] nest on its sea cliffs. Though Iceland no longer has a commercial whaling fleet (as of August, 2007) it still allows scientific whale hunts, which are not supported by the Scientific Committee of the [[International Whaling Commission]] (IWC). |
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{{seealso|Whaling in Iceland}} ''and'' [[The Botany of Iceland]]. |
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== History == |
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{{main|History of Iceland}} |
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===Settlement and the establishment of the Commonwealth=== |
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{{seealso|Settlement of Iceland|Icelandic Commonwealth}} |
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[[Image:Law speaker.jpg|thumb|upright|right|A 19th-century depiction of a meeting of the [[Alþingi]] at [[Þingvellir]].]] |
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The first people thought to have inhabited Iceland were [[Hiberno-Scottish mission|Irish monks]] or [[hermit]]s who came in the eighth century, but left with the arrival of [[Norsemen]], who systematically settled Iceland in the period circa AD 870-930. The first known permanent Norse settler was [[Ingólfur Arnarson]], who built his homestead in [[Reykjavík]] in 874. Ingólfur was followed by many other emigrant settlers, largely Norsemen and their Irish [[slavery|slaves]]. By 930, most arable land had been claimed and the [[Althing]], a legislative and judiciary parliament, was founded as the political hub of the [[Icelandic Commonwealth]]. [[Christianization of Iceland|Christianity was adopted]] in 1000. The Commonwealth lasted until 1262, when the political system devised by the original settlers proved unable to cope with the increasing power of Icelandic chieftains. |
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===Middle Ages to the Early Modern Era=== |
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The internal struggles and civil strife of the [[Sturlung Era]] led to the signing of the [[Old Covenant]], which brought Iceland under the [[Norway|Norwegian]] crown. Possession of Iceland passed to [[Denmark-Norway]] in the late 14th century when the kingdoms of Norway and Denmark were united in the [[Kalmar Union]]. In the ensuing centuries, Iceland became one of the poorest countries in Europe. Infertile soil, volcanic eruptions, and an unforgiving climate made for harsh life in a society whose subsistence depended almost entirely on agriculture. The [[Black Death]] swept Iceland in 1402–1404 and 1494–1495, each time killing approximately half the population.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2279/is_n156/ai_20059971/pg_14 6th-10th century AD]</ref> |
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Around the middle of the 16th century, King [[Christian III of Denmark]] began to impose [[Lutheranism]] on all his subjects. The last [[Catholicism|Catholic]] bishop in Iceland was beheaded in 1550, and the country subsequently became fully Lutheran. Lutheranism has since remained the dominant religion. In the 1600s and 1700s, Denmark imposed harsh trade restrictions on Iceland, while [[pirate]]s from England, Spain and [[Algeria]] (''[[Turkish Abductions]]'') raided its coasts. A great [[smallpox]] [[List of epidemics|epidemic]] in the 18th century killed around one-third of the population.<ref>[http://iceland.vefur.is/iceland_history/history.htm Iceland: Milestones in Icelandic History]</ref><ref>[http://dannyreviews.com/h/Iceland.html The History of Iceland (Gunnar Karlsson)]</ref> In 1783 the [[Laki]] volcano erupted, with devastating effects. The years following the eruption, known as the ''[[Mist Hardships]]'' (Icelandic: ''Móðuharðindin''), saw the death of over half of all livestock in the country, with ensuing famine in which around a quarter of the population died. |
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===Independence and recent history=== |
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In 1814, following the [[Napoleonic Wars]], [[Denmark-Norway]] was broken up into two separate kingdoms via the [[Treaty of Kiel]]. Iceland remained a Danish dependency. A new independence movement arose under the leadership of [[Jón Sigurðsson]], inspired by the [[Romantic nationalism|romantic and nationalist]] ideologies of mainland Europe. In 1874, Denmark granted Iceland home rule, which was expanded in 1904. The Act of Union, an agreement with Denmark signed on 1 December 1918, recognized Iceland as a fully sovereign state under the Danish king. During the last quarter of the 19th century many Icelanders emigrated to [[North America]], largely Canada, in search of better living conditions. |
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[[Image:Jon Sigurdsson.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Jón Sigurðsson]], leader of the Icelandic independence movement.]] |
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[[Iceland during World War II]] joined Denmark in asserting neutrality. After the [[German occupation of Denmark]] on 9 April 1940, Iceland's parliament declared that the Icelandic government should assume the Danish king's authority and take control over foreign affairs and other matters previously handled by Denmark on behalf of Iceland. A month later, [[United Kingdom|British]] military forces [[Invasion of Iceland|occupied Iceland]], violating Icelandic neutrality. In 1941, responsibility for the occupation was taken over by the [[United States Army]]. [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] occupation of Iceland lasted throughout the war. |
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On 31 December 1943, the Act of Union agreement expired after 25 years. Beginning on 20 May 1944, Icelanders voted in a four-day [[Icelandic referendum, 1944|plebiscite]] on whether to terminate the union with Denmark and establish a republic.<ref> Id. at p.48 </ref> The vote was 97% in favor of ending the union and 95% in favor of the new republican constitution. Iceland formally became an independent republic on 17 June 1944, with [[Sveinn Björnsson]] as the first President. The Allied occupation force left in 1946. Iceland became a member of [[NATO]] on 30 March 1949, amid [[Icelandic NATO Riot|domestic controversy and riots]] and on 5 May 1951, a defense agreement was signed with the United States. American troops returned to Iceland and remained throughout the [[Cold War]] until autumn 2006. |
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The immediate post-war period was followed by substantial economic growth, driven by industrialization of the fishing industry and [[Marshall aid]] and [[Keynesian]] government management of the economies of Europe, all of which promoted trade. The 1970s were marked by the [[Cod Wars]]{{ndash}} several disputes with the United Kingdom over Iceland's extension of its fishing limits. The economy was greatly diversified and liberalized following Iceland's joining of the [[European Economic Area]] in 1992. |
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== Government == |
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{{main|Politics of Iceland}}<!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series--> |
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Iceland is a [[representative democracy]] and a [[parliamentary republic]]. The modern parliament, called "Alþingi" ([[English language|English]]: [[Althing]]), was founded in 1845 as an advisory body to the [[Denmark|Danish]] [[Monarch|king]]. It was widely seen as a reestablishment of the assembly founded in 930 in the [[Icelandic Commonwealth|Commonwealth]] period and suspended in 1799. It currently has sixty-three members, each of whom is elected every four years. |
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The [[president of Iceland]] is a largely ceremonial office that serves as a [[diplomat]], figurehead and [[head of state]], but who can also block a law voted by the parliament and put it to a national referendum. The current president is [[Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson]]. The [[head of government]] is the [[prime minister]], who, together with the cabinet, takes care of the [[executive (government)|executive]] part of [[government]]. The cabinet is appointed by the president after general elections to Althing; however, this process is usually conducted by the leaders of the political parties, who decide among themselves after discussions which parties can form the cabinet and how its seats are to be distributed, under the condition that it has a majority support in Althing. Only when the party leaders are unable to reach a conclusion by themselves in reasonable time does the president exercise this power and appoint the cabinet himself. This has not happened since the republic was founded in 1944, but in 1942 the regent of the country ([[Sveinn Björnsson]], who had been installed in that position by the Althing in 1941) did appoint a non-parliamentary government. The regent had, for all practical purposes, the position of a president, and Sveinn in fact became the country's first president in 1944. |
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[[Image:Iceland-Reykjavik-Stjornarrad-1.jpg|thumb|left|Stjórnarráðið, the seat of the [[executive branch]] of Iceland's government.]] |
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The governments of Iceland have almost always been coalitions with two or more parties involved, due to the fact that no single political party has received a majority of seats in Althing in the republic period. The extent of the political powers possessed by the office of the president is disputed by legal scholars in Iceland; several provisions of the constitution appear to give the president some important powers but other provisions and traditions suggest differently. In 1980, Icelanders elected [[Vigdís Finnbogadóttir]] as president, the world's first directly elected female head of state. She retired from office in 1996. |
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Elections for the office of town councils, parliament and presidency are each held every four years. The next elections are scheduled for 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively. |
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===Subdivisions=== |
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[[Image:Reykjavik althing.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Althing]] in [[Reykjavík]], with the cathedral on the left.]] |
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{{main|Administrative and electoral divisions of Iceland}} |
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Iceland is divided into [[regions]], [[constituencies]], [[counties]], and [[municipalities]]. There are eight regions which are primarily used for statistical purposes; the district court [[jurisdiction]]s also use an older version of this division.<ref name="CIA Govt"/> Until 2003, the constituencies for the parliament elections were the same as the regions, but by an amendment to the constitution, they were changed to the current six constituencies: |
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:* ''[[Constituencies of Iceland|Reykjavík North]]'' and ''[[Constituencies of Iceland|Reykjavík South]]'' (city regions); |
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:* ''[[Constituencies of Iceland|Southwest]]'' (four [[Enclave and exclave|geographically separate]] suburban areas around Reykjavík); |
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:* ''[[Constituencies of Iceland|Northwest]]'' and ''[[Constituencies of Iceland|Northeast]]'' (north half of Iceland, split); and, |
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:* ''[[Constituencies of Iceland|South]]'' (south half of Iceland, excluding Reykjavík and suburbs). |
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The redistricting change was made in order to balance the weight of different districts of the country, since a vote cast in the sparsely populated areas around the country would count much more than a vote cast in the Reykjavík city area. The imbalance between districts has been reduced by the new system, but still exists.<ref name="CIA Govt"/> |
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Iceland's twenty-three counties are, for the most part, historical divisions. Currently, Iceland is split up among twenty-six [[magistrate]]s (''[[sýslumaður|sýslumenn]]'') that represent government in various capacities. Among their duties are tax collection, administering bankruptcy declarations, and performing civil marriages. After a [[Icelandic Police|police]] re-organization in 2007, which combined police forces in multiple counties, about half of them are in charge of police forces. <ref name="CIA Govt"/> |
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There are seventy-nine municipalities in Iceland which govern local matters like schools, transportation and zoning. These are the actual [[Administrative division|second-level subdivision]]s of Iceland, as the constituencies have no relevance except in elections and for statistical purposes. [[Reykjavík]] is by far the most populous municipality, about four times more populous than [[Kópavogur]], the second one. <ref name="CIA Govt"/><br /> |
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<center> |
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<gallery> |
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Image:Regions of Iceland.png|[[Regions of Iceland]] |
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Image:Constituencies Iceland.png|[[Constituencies of Iceland]] |
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Image:Syslur.PNG|[[Counties of Iceland]] |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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</center> |
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===Politics=== |
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{{main|Politics of Iceland}} |
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Iceland has a [[left-right politics|left-right]] [[multi-party system]]. The biggest party is the [[right-wing politics|right wing]] [[Independence Party (Iceland)|Independence Party]] (’’Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn’’), while the second largest one is the [[Social democracy|social democratic]] [[Social Democratic Alliance (Iceland)|Alliance]] (‘’Samfylkingin’’). Following the [[Icelandic parliamentary election, 2007|May 2007 parliamentary elections]], these two formed a coalition, enjoying a strong majority in Althing, with 43 out of 63 members supporting it. |
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Other political parties that have a seat in Althing are the [[Centrism|centrist]] [[Progressive Party (Iceland)|Progressive Party]] (‘’Framsóknarflokkurinn’’), which had been in government with the Independence Party for 12 years before the 2007 election, the [[Left-Green Movement]] (‘’Vinstrihreyfingin - grænt framboð’’), founded in 1999, and the [[Centre-right]] [[Liberal Party (Iceland)|Liberal Party]]. Many other parties exist on the municipal level, most of which only run locally in a single municipality. |
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===Foreign relations=== |
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{{main|Foreign relations of Iceland}} |
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Iceland maintains diplomatic and commercial relations with practically all nations, but its ties with the [[Nordic countries]], Germany, the US, and the other [[NATO]] nations are particularly close. Icelanders remain especially proud of the role Iceland played in hosting the historic 1986 [[Reykjavík Summit|Reagan-Gorbachev summit]] in Reykjavík, which set the stage for the end of the [[Cold War]]. Iceland's principal historical [[international dispute]]s involved disagreements over [[fishing rights]]. Conflict with [[United Kingdom|Britain]] led to a series of so-called [[Cod Wars]] in 1952-1956 as a result of the extension of Iceland's fishing zone from 3 to 4 nautical miles (6 to 7 km), 1958-1961 following a further extension to 12 nautical miles (22 km), 1972-1973 with another extension to {{convert|50|nmi|km}} and in 1975-1976: another extension to 200 nautical miles (370 km). |
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Iceland has no standing [[Military of Iceland|army]]. The [[U.S. Air Force]] maintained four to six [[Interceptors]] at the [[Naval Air Station Keflavik|Keflavík base]], until 30 September 2006 when they were withdrawn. Iceland supported the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] despite much controversy and condemnation in Iceland, deploying a [[Icelandic Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal|EOD]] team to Iraq which was replaced later by members of the [[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit]]. Iceland has also participated in the ongoing [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|conflict in Afghanistan]] and the 1999 [[1999 NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|bombing of Yugoslavia]]. |
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== Demographics == |
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{{main|Demographics of Iceland}} |
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{{Citizenship of Iceland}} |
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The original population of Iceland was of [[Norway|Nordic]] and [[Celt]]ic origin. This is evident from literary evidence dating from the settlement period as well as from later scientific studies such as [[blood type]] and [[Genetics|genetic]] analyses. One such genetics study has indicated that the majority of the male settlers were of Nordic origin while the majority of the women were of Celtic origin.<ref>Helgason, Agnar et al. (2000). [http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/AJHG/journal/issues/v67n3/001900/001900.web.pdf Estimating Scandinavian and Gaelic Ancestry in the Male Settlers of Iceland]{{Dead link|date=June 2008}}. ''American Journal of Human Genetics'', 67:697–717, 2000. Institute of Biological Anthropology, University of Oxford.</ref> |
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[[Image:Reykjavík séð úr Hallgrímskirkju 6.JPG|thumb|200px|left|[[Reykjavík]], Iceland's largest metropolitan area, and the centre of the [[Greater Reykjavík Area]] which, with a population of 200,000, makes for 64% of Iceland's population.]] |
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Iceland has extensive genealogical records dating back to the late 1600s and fragmentary records extending back to the [[Settlement of Iceland|Age of Settlement]]. The biopharmaceutical company [[deCODE Genetics]] has funded the creation of a [[genealogy]] [[database]] which attempts to cover all of Iceland's known inhabitants. It sees the database, called Íslendingabók, as a valuable tool for conducting research on genetic diseases, given the relative isolation of Iceland's population. |
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The population of the island is believed to have varied from 40,000 to 60,000 in the period from initial settlement until the mid-19th century. During that time, cold winters, ashfall from volcanic eruptions, and [[bubonic plague]]s adversely affected the population several times. The first census was carried out in 1703 and revealed that the population was then 50,358. After the destructive volcanic eruptions of the [[Laki]] volcano during 1783–1784 the population reached a low of about 40,000. Improving living conditions have triggered a rapid increase in population since the mid-19th century - from about 60,000 in 1850 to 320,000 in 2008. |
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In December 2007, 33,678 people (13.5% of the total population) who were living in Iceland had been born abroad, including children of Icelandic parents living abroad. 19,000 people (6% of the population) held foreign citizenship. [[Polish people|Poles]] make up the far largest minority nationality (see table on the right for more details), and still form the bulk of the foreign workforce. About 10,000 Poles now live in Iceland, 1,500 of them in Reyðarfjörður where they make up 75 percent of the workforce who are building the Fjarðarál aluminium plant.<ref>[http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35572 ICELAND: Migration Appears Here Too]</ref> The recent surge in immigration has been credited to a [[labor shortage]] because of the booming economy while restrictions on the movement of people from the Eastern European countries that joined the EU/[[European Economic Area|EEA]] in 2004 have been lifted. Large-scale construction projects in the east of Iceland (see [[Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Project]]) have also brought in many people whose stay is expected to be temporary. |
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The south-west corner of Iceland is the most densely populated region. It is also the location of the capital [[Reykjavík]], the northernmost capital in the world. The largest towns outside the [[greater Reykjavík area]] are [[Akureyri]] and [[Reykjanesbær]], although the latter is relatively close to the capital. |
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===10 most populous towns in Iceland=== |
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List of ten most populous towns in Iceland. The population census is 1 July 2008 (estimate). |
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{{columns |
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|col1 = |
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*120,000 [[Reykjavík]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}30,000 [[Kópavogur]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}25,434 [[Hafnarfjörður]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}17,390 [[Akureyri]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}14,029 [[Reykjanesbær]] |
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|col2 = |
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*10,272 [[Garðabær]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}8,479 [[Mosfellsbær]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}7,817 [[Árborg]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}6,549 [[Akranes]] |
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*{{pad|0.2em}}5,033 [[Fjarðabyggð]] |
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}} |
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===Language=== |
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{{main|Icelandic language}} |
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Iceland's official written and spoken language is [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]], a [[North Germanic languages|North Germanic language]] descended from [[Old Norse]]. It has changed less from Old Norse than the other Nordic languages, has preserved more verb and noun [[inflection]], and has to a considerable extent developed new vocabulary based on native roots rather than borrowings from English. It is the only living language to retain the [[runic]] letter [[Þ]]. The closest living language to Icelandic is [[Faroese language|Faroese]]. In education, the use of [[Icelandic Sign Language]] for Iceland's deaf community is [[recognition of sign languages|regulated]] by the ''National Curriculum Guide''. |
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[[English language|English]] is widely spoken as a secondary language, and many Icelanders speak it almost at a native level of proficiency{{Fact|date=August 2008}}. [[Danish language|Danish]] is also widely understood. Studying both these languages is a mandatory part of the compulsory school curriculum.<ref>Iceland Export Directory[http://www.icelandexport.is/english/about_iceland/icelandic_language/ </ref> Other commonly spoken languages are [[German language|German]], [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]] and [[Swedish language|Swedish]]. Danish is mostly spoken in a way largely comprehensible to Swedes and Norwegians{{ndash}} it is often referred to as "Scandinavian" in Iceland.{{Fact|date=August 2008}} |
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Rather than using [[family names]] as is the custom in all mainland European nations, the Icelanders use [[patronymics]]. The patronymic follows the person's given name, e.g. ''Ólafur Jónsson'' ("Ólafur, son of Jón") or ''Katrín Karlsdóttir'' ("Katrín, daughter of Karl"). |
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===Religion=== |
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[[Image:Hallgrímskirkja.jpeg|thumb|right|[[Hallgrímskirkja]] ''(Church of Hallgrímur)'' in Reykjavík, Iceland.]] |
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{{main|Religion in Iceland}} |
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Icelanders enjoy [[freedom of religion]] under the [[constitution of Iceland|constitution]], though the [[National Church of Iceland]], a [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] body, is the [[state church]]. The National Registry keeps account of the religious affiliation of every Icelandic citizen. In 2005, Icelanders divided into religious groups as follows:<ref name="CIA People">{{cite web |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |title=CIA - The World Factbook -- Iceland |work=Demographics |publisher=[[United States Government]] |date=20 July 2006 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ic.html#People |accessmonthday=6 August |accessyear=2006}}</ref> |
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* 80.7% members of the National Church of Iceland. |
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* 6.2% members of unregistered religious organisations or with no specified religious affiliation |
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* 4.9% members of the Free Lutheran Churches of Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður. |
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* 2.8% not members of any religious group. |
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* 2.5% members of the [[Roman Catholic Church]], which has a [[Diocese of Reykjavík]] (see also [[Bishop of Reykjavik (Catholic)]]) |
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The remaining 2.9% is mostly divided between around 20–25 other [[Christianity|Christian]] denominations and sects, and less than 1% belong to non-Christian religious organisations. The largest non-Christian denomination is [[Íslenska Ásatrúarfélagið]], a [[neopaganism|neopagan]] group.<ref>[http://www.statice.is/?PageID=1180&src=/temp_en/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=MAN10001%26ti=Populations+by+religious+organizations+1990%2D2007++%26path=../Database/mannfjoldi/Trufelog/%26lang=1%26units=Number Statistics Iceland - Statistics » Population » Religious organisations]</ref> |
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Religious attendance is relatively low, as in the other Nordic countries. The above statistics represent administrative membership of religious organizations and not the actual belief demographics of the population of Iceland. {{Fact|date=September 2008}} |
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== Economy and infrastructure == |
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{{main|Economy of Iceland}} |
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[[Image:Akureyri.JPG|thumb|left|[[Akureyri]] is the largest town in Iceland outside of the [[greater Reykjavík area]]. Most rural towns are based on the fishing industry, which provides 40% of Iceland's export.]] |
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Iceland is the fourth most productive country in the world by [[List of countries by GDP per capita|nominal gross domestic product per capita]] (54,858 USD), and the fifth most productive by [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP]] at [[purchasing power parity]] (40,112 USD). Except for its abundant [[hydroelectricity|hydro-electric]] and [[geothermal power]], Iceland lacks natural resources; historically its economy depended heavily on the [[fishing]] industry, which still provides almost 40% of export earnings and employs 8% of the work force. The economy is vulnerable to declining fish stocks and drops in world prices for its main material exports: fish and fish products, [[aluminium]], and [[ferrosilicon]]. [[Whaling in Iceland]] has been historically significant. Although the Icelandic economy still relies heavily on fishing, its importance is diminishing as the [[travel industry]] and other service, technology and various other industries grow. Economic growth slowed from 2000 to 2002, but the economy expanded by 4.3% in 2003 and 6.2% in 2004. The unemployment rate of ~1.0% (2007 est.) is among the lowest in the [[European Economic Area]].{{cn}} |
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Although Iceland is a highly-developed country, it is still one of the most newly-industrialized in Europe. Until the 20th century, it was among the poorest countries in Western Europe. The strong economic growth that Iceland has experienced in recent decades has only just allowed for the modernization of [[infrastructure]]. The government coalition plans to continue its generally [[neo-liberal]] policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing [[inflation]], revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and [[privatisation|privatising]] state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to [[European Union|EU]] membership, primarily due to Icelanders' concern about losing control over fishing resources.{{cn}} |
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Iceland's economy has been diversifying into [[manufacturing]] and service industries in the last decade, including [[software]] production, [[biotechnology]], and financial services. The [[tourism]] sector is expanding, with the recent trends in [[ecotourism]] and [[whale]]-watching. Iceland's [[agriculture]] industry consists mainly of [[potato]]es, [[vegetables|green vegetables]] (in [[greenhouse]]s), [[Lamb (food)|mutton]] and [[dairy|dairy products]].<ref name="CIA Economy">{{cite web |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |title=CIA - The World Factbook -- Iceland |work=Demographics |publisher=[[United States Government]] |date=20 July 2006 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ic.html#Econ |accessmonthday=20 July |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The financial center is [[Borgartún]] in Reykjavik, hosting a large number of companies and three [[investment bank]]s. Iceland's [[stock market]], the [[Iceland Stock Exchange]] (ISE), was established in 1985.{{cn}} |
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The primary currency of Iceland is the [[Icelandic Króna]] (ISK). Iceland's then foreign minister [[Valgerður Sverrisdóttir]] said in an interview on 15 January 2007 that she seriously wished to look into whether Iceland can join the [[Euro]] without being a member of the [[European Union|EU]]. She believes it is difficult to maintain an independent currency in a small economy on the [[European Economic Area|open European market]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Helena |last=Spongenberg |title=Slovenia celebrates full entry into euro club |url=http://euobserver.com/9/23252 |publisher= |date=[[2007-01-15]] |accessdate=2007-01-16 }}</ref> An extensive poll, released on 11 september 2007, by Capacent Gallup showed that 53% of respondents were in favour of adopting the [[euro]], 37% opposed and 10% undecided.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSL1111656420070911|title=Euro support in Iceland hits five-year high |publisher=[[Reuters]] |date=[[2007-09-11]] |accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref> |
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Iceland ranked 5th in the [[Index of Economic Freedom]] 2006 and 14th in 2008. Iceland has a [[flat tax]] system. The main personal [[income tax]] rate is a flat 22.75 percent and combined with municipal taxes the total tax rate is not more than 35.72%, and there are many deductions.<ref name="economicfreedom2008">[http://www.heritage.org/index//country.cfm?id=Iceland Index of Economic Freedom 2008 - Iceland]</ref> The [[corporate tax]] rate is a flat 18 percent, one of the lowest in the world.<ref name="economicfreedom2008"/> Other taxes include a [[value-added tax]] and a net [[wealth tax]]. Employment regulations are relatively flexible. Property rights are strong and Iceland is one of the few countries where they are applied to fishery management.<ref name="economicfreedom2008"/> Taxpayers pay various subsidies to each other, similar to European countries with [[welfare state]], but the spending is less than in most European countries. Despite low tax rates, overall taxation and consumption is still much higher than countries such as [[Ireland]]. According to OECD, agricultural support is the highest among OECD countries and an impediment to structural change. Also, health care and education spending have relatively poor return by OECD measures. OECD ''Economic survey of Iceland 2008'' highlighted Iceland's challenges in currency and macroeconomic policy.<ref>[http://www.oecd.org/document/36/0,3343,en_2649_34569_40157540_1_1_1_1,00.html Economic survey of Iceland 2008]</ref> There was a currency crisis that started in the spring of 2008 and on the 6th October trading in Iceland's banks was suspended as the government battled to save the economy.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2008-04-01-iceland-banks_N.htm Bank default worries slam Iceland's currency]</ref> |
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Iceland is the most developed society in the world, ranked [[List of countries by HDI|first]] on the [[United Nations]]’ [[Human Development Index]]. Icelanders are the second longest-living nation with a life expectancy at birth of 81.8 years. Iceland is one of the most [[egalitarian]] countries in the world, according to the calculation provided by the [[List of countries by income equality|Gini coefficient]].{{cn}} |
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===2008 Economic Crisis=== |
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In October 2008, the Icelandic parliament passed emergency legislation to minimize the impact of the [[financial crisis of 2007-2008]]. Iceland may face national bancrupcy, because its bank assets are nine times annual gross domestic product of 14 billion euros ($19 billion). <ref>http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081007/eu_iceland_banks.html</ref> |
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===Transport=== |
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[[Image:Route1(iceland).png|thumb|''[[Route 1 (Iceland)|The Ring Road of Iceland]] and some towns it passes through: '' |
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1.[[Reykjavík]], 2.[[Borgarnes]], 3.[[Blönduós]], 4.[[Akureyri]], |
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5.[[Egilsstaðir]], 6.[[Höfn]], 7.[[Selfoss (town)|Selfoss]].]] |
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{{main|Transport in Iceland}} |
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The social structure of Iceland is very dependent upon the personal automobile. Icelanders have one of the highest levels of car ownership per capita: on average one car per inhabitant older than 17 years.<ref>[http://www.avant.is/einstaklingar/helpcenter/Frodleikur/pages/FrodleikurFaersla.aspx?EntryID=5954 Avant.is<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref> By tradition old or seldom used cars are often kept in laybys or turnoffs in rural areas. Most Icelanders travel by car to work, school or other activities. |
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The main mode of transport in Iceland is road. Iceland has 13,034 km of administered roads, of which 4,617 km are paved and 8,338 km are not. Until the second half of the 20th century, Iceland could only afford to pave roads near the biggest towns. Today, roads are being improved throughout the country and freeways are being built in and around Reykjavík. It should be remembred when travelling in Iceland that a great number of roads remain unpaved to this day. One must take particular care to notice and avoid potholes, not least because of the number of recent reports of deep pits indistinguishable from potholes having been dug by vandals.{{Fact|date=October 2008}} Iceland currently has no railways. |
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[[Route 1 (Iceland)|Route 1]] or the Ring Road (Icelandic: ''Þjóðvegur 1'' or ''Hringvegur'') is a main road in Iceland that runs around the island and connects all inhabited parts (the interior of the island is uninhabited). The road is 1339 km long (840 miles). It has one lane in each direction, except near larger towns and cities and in the [[Hvalfjörður Tunnel]] where it has more lanes. Most smaller bridges on it are single lane and made of wood and/or steel. Most of the road's length is paved with [[asphalt]], in the east 5 km (3.1 miles) of road are currently being moved and are [[gravel]] but will paved soon (as of 29 September 2008). |
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The main hub for international transport is [[Keflavík International Airport]], which serves Reykjavík and the country in general. It is 48km (30mi) to the west of Reykjavík. Domestic and regional flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands operate out of [[Reykjavík Airport]], which lies in the city centre. There are 86 airport runways in Iceland; most of them are unpaved and located in rural areas. |
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===Energy=== |
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{{see also|Renewable energy in Iceland}} |
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[[Image:NesjavellirPowerPlant edit2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Nesjavellir]] Geothermal Power Plant services the [[Greater Reykjavík Area]]'s hot water needs.]] |
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[[Renewable energy]] provides over 70% of the nation's primary energy.<ref name="statice1">[http://www.statice.is/Uploads/files/LH06/L060701.xls Gross energy consumption by source 1987–2005], ''[http://www.statice.is/?PageID=583 Statistics Iceland]{{Dead link|date=June 2008}}'', accessed 2007-05-14</ref> Over 99% of the country's electricity is produced from [[hydropower]] and [[geothermal energy]], and the country expects to be energy-independent by 2050.<ref name="statice1"/> Iceland's largest geothermal power plant is located in [[Nesjavellir]], while the [[Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Project|Kárahnjúkar dam]] will be the country's largest hydroelectric power plant. |
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Nonetheless, Icelanders still emit 10.0 [[tonne]]s of [[CO2]] equivalent of [[greenhouse gas]]ses per capita, higher than France or Spain. This is due to the wide use of personal transport. Iceland is the only country that has filling stations dispensing [[hydrogen]] fuel for cars powered by [[fuel cell]]s. It is also one of only a few countries currently capable of producing hydrogen in adequate quantities at reasonable cost, because of Iceland's plentiful [[geothermal energy]]. |
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===Education and science=== |
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{{seealso|Education in Iceland}} |
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[[Image:IcelandicCompulsoryEducationPie.svg|thumb|200px|A pie chart showing how an Icelandic child’s compulsory education time will be divided over a ten-year period.]] |
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The [[Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (Iceland)|Ministry of Education, Science and Culture]] is responsible for the policies and methods that schools must use, and they issue the National Curriculum Guidelines. However, the playschools and the primary and lower secondary schools are funded and administered by the municipalities. |
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[[Nursery school]] or ''leikskóli'', is non-compulsory education for children younger than six years, and is the first step in the education system. The current [[legislation]] concerning playschools was passed in 1994. They are also responsible for ensuring that the curriculum is suitable so as to make the transition into [[compulsory education]] as easy as possible. |
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Compulsory education, or ''grunnskóli'', comprises [[Primary education|primary]] and lower [[secondary education]], which often is conducted at the same institution. Education is mandatory by law for children aged from 6 to 16 years. The school year lasts nine months, and begins between 21 August and 1 September, ending between 31 May and 10 June. The minimum number of school days was once 170, but after a new teachers’ wage contract, it increased to 180. Lessons take place five days a week. The [[Programme for International Student Assessment]], coordinated by the [[OECD]], currently ranks the Icelandic secondary education as the 27th in the world, significantly below the [[OECD]] average.<ref>http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/8/39700724.pdf</ref> |
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Upper secondary education or ''framhaldsskóli'' follows lower [[secondary education]]. These schools are also known as [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasia]] in English. It is not compulsory, but everyone who has had a compulsory education has the right to upper secondary education. This stage of education is governed by the Upper Secondary School Act of 1996. All schools in Iceland are mixed sex schools. |
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Iceland is a very technologically advanced society. By 1999, 82.3% of Icelanders had access to a computer.<ref>[http://www.visindavefur.is/svar.asp?id=959 Vísindavefurinn: Hversu almenn er tölvueign Íslendinga?<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref> Iceland also had 1,007 mobile phone subscriptions per 1,000 people in 2006, the 16th highest in the world.<ref>{{cite web |authorlink=Central Intelligence Agency |title=CIA - The World Factbook -- Iceland |work=Demographics |publisher=[[United States Government]] |date=15 November 2007 |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2151rank.html |accessmonthday=29 November |accessyear=2007}}</ref> |
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Iceland is home to the [[European Mars Analog Research Station]]. |
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== Culture == |
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{{main|Culture of Iceland}} |
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Icelandic culture has its roots in [[Scandinavia|Norse]] traditions. [[Icelandic literature]] is popular, in particular the [[Icelanders' sagas|sagas]] and [[edda]]s which were written around the time of the [[Settlement of Iceland|island’s settlement]]. Icelanders place relatively great importance on [[independence]] and [[self-sufficiency]]; in a European Commission public opinion analysis over 85% of Icelanders found independence to be "very important" contrasted with the EU25 average of 53%, and 47% for the [[Norwegians]], and 49% for the [[Danes]].<ref name="europeancommission">{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf |title=European Commission Eurobarometer Social values, Science and Technology analysis June 2005 p.35|format=PDF}}</ref> |
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Some traditional beliefs remain today; for example, some Icelanders either believe in [[elves]] or are unwilling to rule out their existence. Inhabitants of mountainous areas still pay homage to these beliefs by constructing stone piles near roads and tracks. <ref name="nytimes">{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/13/international/europe/13elves.html?ex=1278907200&en=5e99759b563f81fe&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss |title=www.nytimes.com/2005/07/13/international/europe/13elves.html?ex=1278907200&en=5e99759b563f81fe&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> Iceland ranks first on the [[Human Development Index]], and was recently ranked the fourth happiest country in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061113093726.htm |title=www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/11/061113093726.htm<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> |
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Iceland is liberal in terms of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered ([[LGBT]]) matters. In 1996, Parliament passed legislation to create [[registered partnership]]s for same-sex couples, covering nearly all the rights and benefits of [[marriage]]. In 2006, by unanimous vote of Parliament, further legislation was passed, granting same-sex couples the same rights as different-sex couples in adoption, parenting and assisted insemination treatment. |
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===Literature and the arts=== |
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{{main|Icelandic literature|Art of Iceland}} |
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[[Image:Steinn steinarr1.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''The poet [[Steinn Steinarr]]'' by [[Einar Hákonarson]], one of Iceland's best known artists.]] |
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[[Image:Möðruvallabók f13r.jpg|thumb|right|An example from [[Brennu-Njáls saga]]. The [[saga]]s are a significant part of the Icelandic heritage.]] |
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Iceland's best-known classical works of literature are the [[Icelanders' sagas]], prose epics set in Iceland's age of settlement. The most famous of these include ''[[Njáls saga]]'', about an epic blood feud, and ''[[Grœnlendinga saga]]'' and ''[[Saga of Eric the Red|Eiríks saga]]'', describing the discovery and settlement of [[Greenland]] and [[Vinland]] (modern [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]]). ''[[Egils saga]]'', ''[[Laxdæla saga]]'', ''[[Grettis saga]]'', ''[[Gísla saga]]'' and ''[[Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu]]'' are also notable and popular [[Icelanders' sagas]]. |
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A translation of the [[Bible]] was published in the 16th century. Important compositions since the 15th to the 19th century include sacred verse, most famously the [[Passion Hymns]] of [[Hallgrímur Pétursson]], and rímur, [[rhyme]]d epic [[poem]]s with alliterative verse that consist in two to four verses per stanza, popular until the end of the 19th century. In recent times, Iceland has produced many great writers, the best-known of which is arguably [[Halldór Laxness]] who received the [[Nobel Prize for Literature]] in 1955. [[Steinn Steinarr]] was an influential modernist poet. |
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The distinctive rendition of the Icelandic landscape by its painters can be linked to nationalism and the movement to [[History of Iceland#Home Rule and Sovereignty|home rule and independence]], which was very active in this period. |
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Contemporary Icelandic painting is typically traced to the work of [[Þórarinn Þorláksson]], who, following formal training in art in the 1890s in [[Copenhagen]], returned to Iceland to paint and exhibit works from 1900 to his death in 1924, almost exclusively portraying the Icelandic landscape. Several other Icelandic men and women artists learned in Denmark Academy at that time, including [[Ásgrímur Jónsson]], who together with Þórarinn created a distinctive portrayal of Iceland's landscape in a romantic naturalistic style. Other landscape artists quickly followed in the footsteps of Þórarinn and Ásgrímur. These included [[Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval|Jóhannes Kjarval]] and [[Júlíana Sveinsdóttir]]. Kjarval in particular is noted for the distinct techniques in the application of paint that he developed in a concerted effort to render the characteristic [[volcanic rock]] that dominates the Icelandic environment. [[Einar Hákonarson]] is an expressionistic and figurative painter who brought the figure back into Icelandic painting. |
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[[Icelandic architecture]] draws from [[Scandinavia]]n influences. The scarcity of native trees resulted in traditional houses being covered by [[grass]] and [[turf]]. |
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===Music=== |
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{{main|Music of Iceland}} |
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Icelandic music is related to [[Nordic music]], and includes vibrant [[folk music|folk]] and [[pop music|pop]] traditions, including medieval music group [[Voces Thules]], alternative rock band [[The Sugarcubes]], singers [[Björk]] and [[Emiliana Torrini]]; and [[Sigur Rós]]. The [[national anthem]] of Iceland is "[[Lofsöngur]]", written by [[Matthías Jochumsson]], with music by [[Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Icelandic National Anthem|work=musik og saga|accessmonthday=11 November |accessyear=2005|url=http://www.musik.is/Lof/E/lofe.html}}</ref> |
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[[Image:Bjork Hurricane.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Björk]] is one of the most famous people from Iceland.]] |
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Traditional Icelandic music is strongly religious. [[Hallgrímur Pétursson]] wrote many [[Protestant]] [[hymn]]s in the 17th century. Icelandic music was modernized in the 19th century, when [[Magnús Stephensen]] brought [[pipe organ]]s, which were followed by [[harmonium]]s. |
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Other vital traditions of Icelandic music are epic alliterative and rhyming ballads called [[rímur]]. Rímur are epic tales, usually [[a cappella]], which can be traced back to [[skaldic poetry]], using complex metaphors and elaborate rhyme schemes. The best known rímur poet of the 19th century was [[Sigurður Breiðfjörð]] (1798-1846). A modern revitalization of the tradition began in 1929 with the formation of the organization [[Iðunn (organization)|Iðunn]].<ref>Cronshaw, pgs. 168-169</ref> |
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Icelandic contemporary music consists of a big group of bands, ranging from [[pop-rock]] groups such as [[Bang Gang]], [[Quarashi]] and [[Amiina]] to solo ballad singers like [[Bubbi Morthens]], [[Megas]] and [[Björgvin Halldórsson]]. The [[Independent music|indie]]-scene is also very strong in Iceland, bands such as [[Múm]], [[Sigur Rós]] and the solo artist [[Mugison]] are fairly well-known outside Iceland. |
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Many Icelandic artists and bands have had great success internationally, most notably [[Björk]] and [[Sigur Rós]] but also [[Quarashi]], Hera, [[Ampop]], [[Mínus]] and [[múm]]. The main music festival is arguably [[Iceland Airwaves]], a yearly event on the Icelandic music scene, where Icelandic bands along with foreign ones occupy the clubs of [[Reykjavík]] for a week. |
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===Media=== |
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{{seealso|Media in Iceland|cinema of Iceland}} |
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Iceland’s largest [[television station]]s are the state-run [[Sjónvarpið]] and the privately owned [[Stöð 2]] and [[Skjár einn]]. Smaller stations exist, many of them local. [[Radio]] is broadcast throughout the country, including some parts of the interior. The main radio stations are [[Rás 1]], [[Rás 2]] and [[Bylgjan]]. The daily [[newspapers]] are [[Morgunblaðið]], [[Fréttablaðið]] and [[24 stundir]]. Icelanders are a very technologically advanced nation and a large proportion of them keep a [[blog]]. The most popular websites are the news sites [[Vísir]] and [[Mbl.is]].<ref>[http://www.visindavefur.hi.is/svar.php?id=5456 Vísindavefurinn: Hver er mest sótta heimasíðan á veraldarvefnum?], accessed [[2007-11-29]]</ref> |
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Iceland is home to the television station [[Nick Jr.]]'s animated program ''[[LazyTown]]'' (Icelandic: ''Latibær''), a children's television program created by [[Magnús Scheving]]. It has become a very popular program for children and adults, and is shown in over 98 countries, including the UK, Canada, Sweden, the US and Latin America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2055496.ece|title=entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article2055496.ece<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> The LazyTown Studios are located in [[Garðabær]]. Actress [[Anita Briem]] who was in [[The tudors]] and [[Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008 film)|Journey to the Center of the Earth ]] is from Iceland |
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===Cuisine=== |
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{{main|Cuisine of Iceland|Þorramatur}} |
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Most national Icelandic foods are based around [[fish]], [[domestic sheep|lamb]] and [[dairy]] products. [[Þorramatur]] is a national food consisting of many dishes and is usually consumed around the month of [[Month#Icelandic/Old Norse calendar|Þorri]]. Traditional dishes include [[skyr]], cured ram [[scrota]], cured [[shark]], singed [[sheep]] heads and [[black pudding]]. |
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The modern Icelandic diet is very diverse, and includes cuisines from all over the world. Like in other Western societies, [[fast food]] restaurants are widespread. |
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===Sports=== |
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{{main|Sport in Iceland}} |
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Sport is an important part of the Icelandic culture. The main traditional sport in Iceland is ''[[Glíma]]'', a form of wrestling, thought to have originated in medieval times. |
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Children and teenagers participate in various leisure activities. Popular sports are [[football (soccer)|football]], [[Athletics (track and field)|track and field]], [[team handball|handball]] and [[basketball]]. Others are [[golf]], [[tennis]], [[swimming]], [[chess]] and [[horseback riding]] on [[Icelandic horse]]s. [[Team handball|Handball]] is often referred to as a national sport, [[Iceland national handball team|Iceland's team]] is one of the top-ranked teams in the world, and Icelandic women are surprisingly good at football compared to the size of the country, the national team ranked the 18th best by [[FIFA]]. Iceland has excellent conditions for ice and rock climbing, although [[mountain climbing]] and [[hiking]] is preferred by the general public. Iceland also has the most Strongman competition wins. |
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The oldest sport association in Iceland is the Reykjavik Shooting Association, founded 1867. [[Rifle shooting]] became very popular in the 19th century and was heavily encouraged by politicians and others pushing for Icelandic independence. [[Shooting]] remains popular and all types of shooting with small arms is practised in the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Skotfélag Reykjavíkur |accessmonthday=2 September |accessyear=2007 |url=http://www.sr.is/Stofnun_og_saga_SR.htm}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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* [[List of basic Iceland topics]] |
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* [[List of Iceland-related articles]] |
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{{Iceland topics}} |
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== References == |
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{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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{{portal|Iceland|Flag of Iceland.svg}} |
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{{sisterlinks}} |
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* [http://iceland.is/ Gateway to Iceland] |
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* [http://www.government.is/ Government Offices of Iceland] |
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* {{wikiatlas|Iceland}} |
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* {{wikitravel}} |
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* [[Wikia]] has a [[wiki]] on this subject at [[wikiasite:world|World Wikia]]: [[wikiasite:world:Iceland|Iceland]] |
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* {{dmoz|Regional/Europe/Iceland}} |
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* [[New Iceland|New Iceland in Manitoba, Canada]] |
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'''References''' |
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{{Template group |
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|title = Geographic locale |
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|list = |
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{{Counties of Iceland|state=collapsed}} |
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{{Countries of Europe}} |
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}} |
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{{Template group |
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|title = International membership |
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|list = |
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{{Nordic Council}} |
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{{West Nordic Council}} |
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{{NATO}} |
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{{OECD}} |
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{{WTO}} |
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{{European Free Trade Association (EFTA)}} |
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{{Germanic Europe}} |
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}} |
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[[Category:Iceland| ]]<!--This article should be at the head of its own category, and the space puts it there.--> |
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[[Category:Scandinavia]] |
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[[Category:Islands of Iceland]]<!--mainland Iceland is one of its own islands--> |
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[[Category:Former Danish colonies]] |
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[[Category:Former Norwegian colonies]] |
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[[Category:Island countries]] |
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[[Category:Republics]] |
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[[Category:Liberal democracies]] |
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#REDIRECT [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popol_Vuh_Museum]] |
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{{Link FA|af}} |
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#REDIRECT [[http://www.popolvuh.ufm.edu.gt/]] |
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#REDIRECT [[http://www.maya-archaeology.org/museums/popolvuh/popolvuh.php]] |
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#REFERENCE[[http://www.maya-art-books.org/Maya_art%20_iconography_artifacts/Mayan_art_iconography.html]] |
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#REFERENCE [[http://www.world66.com/centralamericathecaribbean/guatemala/guatemalacity/sights/popolvuh]] |
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Revision as of 01:47, 10 October 2008
Introduction
The Popol Vuh Museum or "Museo Popol Vuh" is located on the campus of the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Zone 10 in Guatemala and is especially known for its extensive collection of many artifacts of the Mayan culture. It also includes colonial art and folklore section with over four hundred masks and costumes. The museum is operated by a Board of Directors of citizens of Guatemala interested in the preservation and public display of the exhibits. The museum is there to provide an educational focus for people who want to see and learn about the pre-Columbian past of Guatemala. The Museo Ixchel de Textiles, Maya textile museum, is directly across the street. The Popol Vuh Museum is a private, nonprofit, scientific institution supported by its own funds and external donations.
History
The museum takes its name from the Popol Vuh, a book written after the Spanish conquest of Guatemala. It narrates myths and the pre-Hispanic history of quichés, whose kings dominated great part of the western plateau of Guatemala. The collection at the Popol Vuh Museum includes many objects related to myths of that book. The Museum was founded by Jorge and Ella Castillo who, 20 years ago, donated most of the collection of archaeological and colonial pieces which today are the basis of the Popol Vuh Museum.
The Popol Vuh Museum Facilities
The Museo Popol Vuh is the most modern of all the museums in Central America, in terms of physical facilities and in learning about advanced technology of display.
The Collection
More than 400 archaeological and colonial treasures are on display. The exhibit galleries are organized chronologically beginning with the preclassic, Classic and Postclassic periods of the ancient Maya, followed by the colonial era. The largest area of the permanent exhibit is dedicated to the Classic period.
The Gallery
References