THE GEOGRAPHY OF ICELAND
Chapter:
I. Introduction:
Size and Location
Iceland's Strategic Importance
Halfway between New York and Moscow on the Great Circle*
Occupation by British and American Forces During WW II
(History of) "Iceland" vs. "Greenland" Lore
Country of Contrasts, Superlatives, Uniqueness
Geologically Young, Historically Young, Politically Old
Dominant Quality of Geography is Physical (Compare:)
II. History:
Antiquity: Ultima Thule
Irish: Papar - Monks (Papey Island)
The Vikings: Age of Settlement, 870-930 (Landn�m)
The Commonwealth Free State, 930 - 1262
The First American Republic
Fr�n
Introduction of Christianity, 1000
Union with Norway, 1262 - 1380
Sturlung Age, Early 13th - Early 15th Centuries
Hekla Eruptions: 1300, 1341, 1389
Black Death
Danish Rule, 1380 - 1944
Steps to Independence: 1874, 1918, 1944
World War II and The Republic of Iceland, 1944 -
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
III. Natural Regions of Iceland:
Reykjanes and the Capital Region
South Iceland - Largest Plains and Agricultural Area
The Eastern Fjords - Wilderness Destroyed?
The Northern Fjords - Akureyri
The Western Fjords - �safj�rdur
West Iceland - Saga Country
The Interior Highlands: Desolate, Uninhabited, Uninhabitable
IV. Physical Geography:
Size, General Configuration, Terrain
Basic Geology: History, Location, Rocks and Minerals
Endogenous Forces:
Plate Tectonics
Divergent Plates
Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Extensions
Reykjanes Peninsula
South Iceland Seismic Zone
Tj�rnes Fracture Zone
Seismic Activity and Earthquakes
Pseudocraters (Gervig�gar)
Volcanism (25 percent of area)
Mantle Plume, Hot Spot
Energy resources
Clean Air
Rocks and Minerals
Gradation
Glaciation (16 percent of area,
13 Ice Caps of Significance;
Innumerable Alpine Glaciers)
Fjords
Skeidarasandur
J�kulhlaups
Continental Shelves
Climate
Maritime: Influence of Ocean Currents
Irmiter Current (Warm)
East Iceland Current (Cold)
Icelandic Low
Comparative Temperatures
Vegetation
History
At Settlement: 25 percent forested
Now approximately 1 percent forested
Types of Vegetation:
Aspen, Birch
540 Vascular Plants**
Moss, Lichens
Efforts at Reforestation
Fauna
Soil
Formation
Soil covers approximately 25 percent of area**
Soil Erosion
Use of Blue Lupin, Aspen, Lymegrass to control erosion
Environmental Problems, Activities
Decline of Air Quality
Industrialization and the Landscape
Movement to a Hydrogen Society
V. Population Geography:
Basic Traits: Celtic + Norse Origins; Homogeneity
Controversy of Origins
Peripheral Distribution - Concentration in Southwest
Cataclysms and Population Change (Migration, Natural)
Founding of New Iceland, Canada
Icing Prompted Consideration of Total Evacuation
Current Migration Patterns
Domestic
International
Contributions to Population Total
Longevity
Sex Ratios
VI. Political Geography:
Iconography (colors and coat of arms)
Strategic Position
Nation-State Idea
Shape: Compactness and Length of Coastline
Unitary State
Division into Electoral Regions, Counties, Municipalities, and Towns
Hierarchy of Political Organization
6 Provinces/Kj�rdaemi/Electoral Districts (First Order)
27 Counties - S�sla, S�slar (28) (Second order)
14 Independent Towns - Kaupsta�ur/Kaupsta�ar) (Third Order)
124 Municipalities/Hreppar (Fourth Order)
Mergers, e.g., �rborg and Reykjanesb�r
Influence and Impact of the NATO Base
Maritime Law and the EEZ
Straight Baselines
Cod Wars
Importance of Country in Formulating Law of the Sea
Rockall
VII. Economic Geography:
Distribution
Employment Sectors
Income Sources
Natural Resources
Fishing and Livelihoods
Foreign Exchange
ITQ
Agriculture
Limitations
Growing Season
Soils
Arable Land (1 Percent)
Animal Husbandry
Minerals
Sulphur (US, Sicily, King, War)
Peat
Gold
Calcite
Salt
Pumice
(Cement)
Energy
Geothermal (heating)
Hydroelectricity (power)
Cogeneration Plants
Use of Fossil Fuels (transport, backup)
Power Generation and Exports
Possibility of Export of Energy to Europe
Manufacturing and Industry (Energy Intensive)
Diatomite
Alusuisse �SAL Plant at Straumsv�k
US Nor�ur�1l Plant at Grundartangi
Icelandic Alloys J�rnblendiverksmidgan Grundar
Rey�arfj�rdur Project - Power and Aluminum Processing
Service Orientation
Tourism (3rd largest earnings sector)
Sources:
Trade
VIII. Language and Religion:
Introduction
Language
Origins in Old Norse
Date and basis of modern Icelandic
Conservatism of Icelandic vis-a-vis Norwegian
Regionalism in Language (North/South)/Speech Patterns
Committee on Lexicon
Religion
State Religion
Poll
Other Religions
Resurgence of �satr�
IX. Transportation Patterns:
Peripheral
Underdeveloped Highway System (Poorest in Europe)
Classification System
Technology and Signage (including F Roads)
Ports
Airports, Airlines, Air Traffic Control
Use of Tunnels, Ferry Services
Other: Railroad, International/Local Air Service
X. Settlement Patterns:
Importance of Physical Enviornment in Placenames
Classification of Cities
14 Independent Places (Hreppar)
124 Municipalities in Iceland (Kaupsta�ar)
Primate City: Reykjav�k
Peripheral Distribution
All Coastal Cities Fishing (Except Borgarnes)
Few Inland Urban Places, e.g., Selfoss
Rural Pattern: Dispersed (4700 Farming Units)
Summer Residential Huts and Huts for Other Purposes, e.g., Emergency
Bibliography:
Texts
Popular Literature
Periodical Literature
Electronic Resources
Appendices
Index
* See maps in new Bank of Iceland book
**Around Iceland 91, p. 143
