- General Characteristics
- Iceland is located south of Arctic Circle and on ocean's hot spot
- Total surface area is 103,000 km², with 80% uninhabited
- Average altitude is 500 meters, highest point is 2,119 meters
- Major Landforms
- Contains 269 glaciers, Vatnajökull being largest at 8,300 km²
- Features 4,145 named mountains, highest being Hvannadalshnjúkur (2,109 meters)
- Has 130 volcanoes, with Katla being most active (erupts every 40-80 years)
- Only 2% of land is covered by forests, with Hallormsstaðaskógur being largest
- Climate and Environment
- Subpolar oceanic climate with cool summers and cold winters
- Gulf Stream brings warm water, moderating winters
- Poor soils and severe deforestation limit agricultural development
- Climate affects food production through greenhouse cultivation
- Economy and Tourism
- Tourism contributes 10% GDP and 39% of export revenue
- Geographical trips offer unique experiences like volcano exploration
- Iceland welcomes six times its population in visitors
- Mining industry limited to aluminum, ferrosilicon, and diatomite