Iceland is among the ten richest countries in the world based on GDP per capita at purchasing power parity. The economy historically depended heavily on the fishing industry, which still provides almost 40% of export earnings and employs 8% of the work force. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydro-electric and geothermal power), Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices.

The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale-watching. Growth slowed between 2000 and 2002, but the economy expanded by 4.3% in 2003 and grew by 6.2% in 2004. The unemployment rate of 1.8% (3rd quarter of 2005) is among the lowest in the European Economic Area.
Over 99% of the country's electricity is produced from hydropower and geothermal energy.

Agriculture-potatoes,green vegetables, mutton, dairy products and fish.


How fattening! How heavily polluted!


Iceland's literacy rate is among the highest in the world, and a love of literature, art, chess, and other intellectual pursuits is widespread.

Oh no! They are smart in Iceland! Oh no, I get to learn more about Norse Mythology, which has been a subject of interest to me for a good while!

In 2004, British citizens made up the single largest group of tourists to Iceland (60,000) followed by Americans (48,000). The largest group of resident foreigners are the 2000 Polish citizens.

Oh shit! 48,000 Americans! Noooo.

There are around 1,300 known species of insects in Iceland (ca. 1,100 of them endemic), which is rather low compared with other countries.

Bust out of the bug spray!

When humans arrived, birch forest and woodland probably covered 25-40% of Iceland’s land area.

This surely backs up the fact that Iceland is incredibly cold!