Atlantica - 01.01.2006, Blaðsíða 78

Facts about Iceland
LAND Iceland is an island of 103,000 km2 (39,756 square miles),
with an average height of 500 m above sea level. Its highest peak, Hvanna-
dalshnúkur, rises to 2,119 m, and over 11 per cent of the country is
covered by glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe.
ENERGY Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hot spot of
volcanic and geothermal activity: 30 post-glacial volcanoes have erupted in
the past two centuries, and natural hot water supplies much of the popula-
tion with cheap, pollution-free heating. Rivers, too, are harnessed to provide
inexpensive hydroelectric power. The electrical current is 220 volts, 50 Hz.
PEOPLE Out of a population numbering almost 295,000, and 75 per
cent live in the capital, Reykjavík, and its neighbouring towns in the south-
west. Keflavík International Airport is located about 50 km from the capital.
The highland interior is uninhabited (and uninhabitable), and most centres
of population are situated on the coast.
LANGUAGE Iceland was settled by Nordic people in the 9th century
– tradition says that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a
Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavík now stands. The
Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings, although modern Icelandic
has undergone changes of pronunciation and, of course, of vocabulary!
Iceland is alone in upholding another Norse tradition, i.e. the custom of
using patronymics rather than surnames; an Icelander’s Christian name
is followed by his or her father’s name and the suffix -son or -dóttir, e.g.
Gudrún Pétursdóttir (Gudrún, daughter of Pétur). Members of a family can
therefore have many different “surnames,” which sometimes causes confu-
sion to foreigners!
CHURCH The National Church of Iceland, to which 88 per cent of
the population belong, is Evangelical Lutheran. In addition to the many
Lutheran churches in Reykjavík, there is one Roman Catholic Cathedral
in Reykjavik.
TIME In spite of its mid-Atlantic location, Iceland is on Greenwich
Mean Time all year round.
HISTORY In 930, the Icelandic settlers founded one of the world’s
first republican governments; the Old Commonwealth Age, described in the
classic Icelandic Sagas, lasted until 1262, when Iceland lost its independence.
In 1944 the present republic was founded. The country is governed by the
Althingi (parliament), whose members are elected every four years. Four-
yearly elections are also held for the presidency; President Ólafur Ragnar
Grímsson was elected in June 1996 to succeed Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. The
head of state plays no part in day-to-day politics. Prime minister is Mr.
Halldór Ásgrímsson (2004).
ECONOMY The economy is heavily dependent upon fishing. Despite
efforts to diversify, particularly into the travel industry, seafood exports
continue to account for 60 per cent merchandise exports earnings. Yet less
than 10 per cent of the workforce is involved in fishing and fish process-
ing. The travel industry makes up the second-largest industry in Iceland.
The standard of living is high, with income per capita among the best in
the world. The financial sector has been liberalised in recent years. The
economy is service-oriented: two thirds of the working population are
employed in the service sector, both public and private. Iceland is a member
of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic
Area (EEA).
HEALTH Life expectancy, at 81.8 years for women and 77.4 for men,
is one of the highest in the world, and a comprehensive state health-care
system aims to keep it that way.
NOV / DEC 2005
HOLLYWOOD MOVIES
The Corpse Bride
Dreamer
Fever Pitch
Transporter 2
Robots
Little Manhattan
In Her Shoes
Proof
The Constant Gardner
Broken Flowers

TV SHOWS
The Simpsons: Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
Monk
Arrested Development
Will and Grace
Friends: The One With the Blackout
Tru Calling
Firefly
Angel
CARTOONS
Batman of the Future: Earthmover
Animaniacs
The Book of Pooh: Bravehat/Scaredy Cat

MUSIC VIDEOS
Selected Music Videos
+ SEVERAL AUDIO SELECTIONS
Pop, rock, alternative, children’s, classical,
country, jazz, and top 40.

DigEplayer SELECTIONS
[Only available on flights to and from Orlando]
The digEplayer is a convenient handheld device which uses
video-on-demand technology to deliver a spectrum of in-flight entertain-
ment choices. Get your pick of 8 movies, 4 short subjects, cartoons, music
videos and a range of music from classical to rap.
Unlike traditional in-flight entertainment systems, the state-of-the-art
digEplayer literally puts the choice of what to watch or listen to in the
hands of customers in the form of a device about the size of a portable
DVD player, but with superior audio and video quality.
The digEplayer is only available on San Francisco and Orlando flights.
The player may be rented for $15 in Economy class.
We have limited space onboard so please accept our apologies if we
cannot supply you with a digEplayer.
.
DigEplayer
067 ATL106 Icelandair.indd 76 16.12.2005 13:11:51