Who can tell me about Iceland’s economy, climate, geographical location and characteristics? Thank you.

Economic Situation (1) Basic Economic Situation

Iceland’s economy mainly relies on marine fisheries. Fisheries provide 60% of Iceland's export revenue and employ 8% of its labor force.

In 2005, household final consumption increased by 11.9% and fixed asset composition increased by 34.5%, which were the main reasons for the growth of gross domestic product (GDP). The 28.4% increase in imports resulted in a current account trade deficit of 162 billion kronor ($2.43 billion), accounting for 16.3% of GDP. The trade deficit seriously affected GDP growth.

In 2006, Iceland's GDP was 1,141.7 billion kronor (US$18.1 billion), with annual GDP growth of 2.6%, and per capita GDP exceeding US$60,000, reaching US$60,370. This is a sharp decline from the 7.5% annual growth rate in 2005. Gross national income (GNI) growth exceeded 6.7% in 2005, mainly due to improved trade and a reduction in net basic income expenditures. Because of the financial tsunami, Iceland became the first bankrupt country in the world

Agriculture

According to statistics in 1980, fish production was 1,500,839 tons, hay 3,879,000 cubic meters, potatoes 15,341 tons, There were 902 tons of radishes, 827,927 sheep, 52,346 horses, 59,933 cattle, 12,965 pigs, and 310,724 poultry.

Industry

1. Energy industry

Iceland is endowed with unique hydropower and geothermal resources. The energy industry is very developed, with abundant electricity and low prices. The geothermal utilization and development technology is unique in the world.

2. Metallurgical industry

High energy-consuming industries such as aluminum smelting and steel smelting have developed rapidly in Iceland. There are currently three aluminum smelters with an annual output of 178,000 tons, 70,000 tons and 90,000 tons and a silicon steel plant with an annual output of 120,000 tons. In addition to the Reydarfjordur aluminum plant in Iceland currently under construction (annual output of 320,000 tons of aluminum) and Expansion of Grundartangi Aluminum Plant (annual production of 170,000 tons of aluminum). By 2008, Iceland's annual aluminum output will reach 760,000 tons. Iceland will become one of the world's major aluminum producers, and its output will account for 5% of the world's aluminum production (13-14 million tons).

Banking Industry

Since the privatization of the banking industry in 2000, Iceland’s financial industry has grown rapidly, and the country’s economic development has leapt into the ranks of the world’s advanced countries. At the same time, rapid and aggressive development has brought great hidden dangers to Iceland’s future economic development. The subprime mortgage crisis that started in the United States in the second half of 2007 spread to Iceland, plunging its economy into unprecedented difficulties. Iceland is paying the price for its economic advancement.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Iceland’s biopharmaceutical industry has developed rapidly in recent years and is currently ranked fourth in the world, becoming one of the main economic pillars of Iceland. This is mainly due to the advancement and development of biomedical and genetic research in Iceland.

Building materials industry

Cement, insulation materials, aluminum corrugated plates, paints and coatings, etc., not only meet domestic needs, but are also exported in large quantities.

Car modification industry

Has the patented technology and equipment to modify ordinary jeeps into special jeeps with high-power and large-size wheels that can travel in glaciers, mountains, lava and other areas.

Computer software industry

Games, business, anti-virus and disinfection, teaching and laboratory software are developed, and it is one of the world's major software exporters.

Tourism

Aurora Iceland has three national parks:

1. Parliament National Park (Thingvellir), located in southwest Iceland, 50 kilometers east of the capital In 930 AD, early Icelandic immigrants held the first national "People's Congress" here, establishing the world's earliest democratically elected parliament and the first Icelandic constitution. The scenery here is beautiful, and it is world-famous for the fractured valleys of the two major plates of Eurasia and America and the pure and deep Parliament Lake. This park is also a world cultural and natural heritage scenic spot.

2. Vatnajökull National Park (Skaftafell), located in southeastern Iceland, is the largest national park and nature reserve in Iceland. The park integrates glaciers, volcanoes, canyons, forests, and waterfalls with spectacular scenery.

3. Glacier Gorge National Park (J?kullsargljufur), located in northern Iceland, is home to the largest waterfall and one of the longest canyons in Europe, a habitat for birds.

(2) Iceland under Economic Crisis

Icelandic Financial Crisis

The 2008 Icelandic financial crisis was a series of events that occurred in Iceland and were related to the global financial crisis. , these events directly affected the economy and banking system of the entire country of Iceland. All three major banks in Iceland were affected and their control was transferred to the state.

In late September 2008, the Icelandic government announced that Glitnir Bank would be nationalized. The following week, control of the National Bank of Iceland (Landsbanki) was also transferred to the Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority. Shortly after, the Financial Supervisory Authority took over Iceland's largest bank, Kaupthing.

Iceland faces national "bankruptcy"

Iceland's financial industry suffered heavy losses in the global credit crisis. The exchange rate of the Icelandic krona against the euro shrank by 30%, and its external debt exceeded US$138.3 billion. GDP is only $19.37 billion. Iceland is in danger of "national bankruptcy".

The Icelandic government announced on October 7, 2008 that it would seek to borrow 4 billion euros from Russia to tide over the difficulties. Political and economic analysts in Western countries believe that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization seeking help from Russia are "rare" and have "geopolitical implications." Physical geography The area is 103,000 square kilometers. It is the westernmost country in Europe, located in the middle of the North Atlantic, close to the Arctic Circle. 1/8 of Iceland is covered by glaciers, with an area of ​​​​8,000 square kilometers. Iceland's geothermal wonders are the second largest island in Europe. The coastline is about 4970 kilometers long. The entire Iceland is a bowl-shaped highland, surrounded by coastal mountains and a plateau in the middle. Most of them are platforms. Most of the platform heights are between 400 and 800 meters. Some peaks can reach 1,300 to 1,700 meters. The highest peak in Iceland is Wanadalshnuk (2,119 meters). The lowland area is very small, and there are marine plains and glacial alluvial plains in the west and southwest. The plain area accounts for about 7% of the island. The coastline without glacier flow is irregular, with many fjords and small bays. Other coastal areas are mainly sandy beaches, with sandbars offshore forming lagoons.

Iceland has more than 100 volcanoes and is known as the "Arctic Fire Island". There are 200 to 300 volcanoes in total and 40 to 50 active volcanoes. The main volcanoes are Laki volcano, Warner Dals volcano, Hekla volcano, Katla volcano and so on. The Huaynadalshenuk volcano is the highest peak in the country, with an altitude of 2119 meters. Almost the entire country of Iceland is built on volcanic rocks, and most of the land cannot be cultivated. The volcanic activity on the southwest coast from 1963 to 1967 formed a small island of about 2.1 square kilometers.

Iceland is the country with the most hot springs in the world, so it is called the "Land of Ice and Fire". There are about 250 alkaline hot springs on the island, and the largest hot spring can produce 200 liters of spring water per second.

Iceland has many fountains, waterfalls, lakes and rapid rivers. The largest river, the Sijursau River, is 227 kilometers long. Iceland has a cold temperate maritime climate, which is constantly changing. Due to the influence of the North Atlantic warm current of Dettifoss, it is milder than other places at the same latitude. Daylight is long in summer and very short in winter. Aurora can be seen in autumn and early winter. Iceland is known as the "volcanic island", "fog island", "frozen land" and "ice and fire island".

Geothermal resources are abundant and hot springs are widely distributed.

Iceland’s climate

It is located at high latitudes, with a temperate maritime climate in the south and a tundra climate in the north.

It is deeply affected by the North Atlantic Warm Current, which mainly flows from its south, and there is one that goes around its west and north. Therefore, although it is located near the Arctic Circle, the temperature in winter is not low, and the temperature in summer is between 7 and 12 degrees Celsius across the island.

Located near the low pressure center in Iceland, the weather is changeable. The cyclone brings abundant precipitation to Iceland. The average annual precipitation in the southwest and west is between 1000 and 2000 mm, and the north and northeast are less, ranging from 400 to 600 mm. No matter what the season, there is a chance of rain and snow.

Iceland Hydrology

Rivers flow out radially from the central plateau. The main rivers include: Fjordrum Glacier, etc.

Iceland is not only the center of the Quaternary ice sheet, but there are still modern glaciers distributed on the plateau, mainly shield-shaped ice cap glaciers, and there are also a small number of cirque glaciers, accounting for 11.5% of the island's area. . The main ones are Vatnajökull, Langjökull, Hofsjökull and Mida Glacier. Vatnajökull covers an area of ​​8,450 square kilometers and is between a few hundred meters and 2 kilometers thick. It is the largest in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. of glaciers.

Vegetation in Iceland

Tundra is widespread, with grassland accounting for 24%, so animal husbandry is relatively developed. The forest area accounts for about 1.37%. It is distributed on the leeward and sunny slopes and valleys. It is dominated by birch shrubs. In recent decades, many European and American cold-resistant pines and cypresses have been introduced and are growing well.

Geology and Landforms

Since the late Miocene, it has been formed by the accumulation of upper mantle material overflowing from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Rift Valley. It is a volcanic island. The rocks that make up Iceland are all volcanic rocks, with basalt being the most widely distributed, as well as andesite, rhyolite, etc.

The island has many volcanoes and is known as the "Arctic Fire Island". There are 200 to 300 volcanoes and 40 to 50 active volcanoes. The main volcanoes are Laki volcano, Warner Dals volcano, Hekla volcano, Katla volcano and so on. Volcanic activity on the southwest coast from 1963 to 1967 formed a small island of approximately 2.1 square kilometers. Iceland has the largest number of hot springs in the world. There are about 250 alkaline hot springs on the island. The largest hot spring can produce 200 liters of spring water per second.

In terms of basic terrain, the entire Iceland is a bowl-shaped highland, surrounded by coastal mountains and a plateau in the middle. Most of them are platforms. Most of the platform heights are between 400 and 800 meters. Some peaks can reach 1,300 to 1,700 meters. The highest peak in Iceland is Wanadalshnuk (2,119 meters). The lowland area is very small, and there are marine plains and glacial alluvial plains in the west and southwest. The plain area accounts for about 7% of the island. The coastline without glacier flow is irregular, with many fjords and small bays.

Other coastal areas are mainly beaches, and the sandbanks outside the coast form lagoons.

Geothermal resources are abundant and hot springs are widely distributed.

Sightseeing

Iceland’s geothermal wonders Iceland is an ideal place for most adventure enthusiasts, and the number of explorers from the United States now doubles that of 10 years ago, in 2003 In 2006, the total reached 300,000—more than twice the country’s total population. The most convincing one is the local Icelandic Fgarabak Adventure Equipment Travel Company, which finds new adventure routes at an alarming rate every year. For example, some green swamps and tundra areas in the Oraphe Desert, the Alaskan volcanic craters in the hot spring and the Westman Islands where a large number of philodendrons gather. Near the southern coast of Iceland, where a large number of residents are concentrated, 80% of the volcanic islands are mixed with glaciers, lakes, cave lava, and are overgrown with weeds. It seems that it will never be possible to get out.

Main cities

The main cities in Iceland include the capital Reykjavik, Akureyri, Hafnarfjordur, Keflavik and Kopavo. you.