Politics and Economy

Iceland is a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of its government. The modern parliament “Alþingi” was founded in 1845 and it was seen as a re-establishment of the assembly founded in 930 in the Commonwealth period. Currently the icelandic parliament has 63 members.

The Icelandic Flag

In history, Iceland was an under-developed society based on agriculture. In the 19th century fishing became much more prosperous. During the political movement of independence, the bank of nation was founded in 1855. By taking credits, the fishing fleet could be modernised and in the early 20th century a first economic boom started. But not until the middle of the century people joined much affluence. After its independence in 1944 Iceland’s fishing zone has been enlarged from 3 to 200 sea miles. The fishing industry developed to Iceland’s most important industrial sector during the 20th century.

But an economy based on only one economic sector often is subjected to strong economic fluctuations. That’s why the country’s government is still trying to bring forward other branches, particularly such as power industry or tourism. The tourism industry became of a great importance during the last 60 years. In 1950 only 4.000 tourists visited Iceland. Today more than 300,000 visitors come to the North Atlantic island per year.

The Icelandic Emblem

Name: Republic of Iceland (icelandic: Lýðveldið Ísland)

Ensign: Red cross with white border on a blue background

Country symbol: IS

Capital: Reykjavík, 23 districts

Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK) = 100 Aurar
Get more information on the icelandic currency here!

Official language: Icelandic

National holiday: 17th June

Political system: Constitutional republic

Legislative body: Althing (parliament)

Executive authority: Cabinet

Judiciary: Supreme Court

The biggest political parties: Independance Party, Progress Party, Social democratics, The Greens

Parliamentary elections: each four years

Electoral law: Citizens of 18 years or older

President: Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (since August 1996)

Prime Minister: Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir

Military: without armed forces

Membership in several international organisations, such as:

• European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
• European Economic Association (EEA)
• North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
• Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• Nordic Council
• Council of Europe
• others

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 1,141,747 million ISK (in 2006)

GDP per capita: 53,766 US-$ (in 2006)

The webpages of the icelandic parliament provides more information about the political system of Iceland: http://www.althing.is