Iceland
Iceland is a nation located in Europe, spanning a total area of 103,000 square kilometers—of which 100,250 square kilometers are land and 2,750 square kilometers are covered by water. This positions Iceland as the 108th largest country in the world by area. Notably, it does not share any land borders with other nations. Reykjavik, the capital city, serves as the political and administrative center of Iceland, situated at a latitude of 64.14° N and a longitude of 21.9° W.
As an island nation, Iceland is situated within the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It lies in proximity to Greenland, the Danish territory of the Faroe Islands, Norway, and Scotland. Much of Iceland’s terrain is characterized by tundra, with significant portions being cold and inhospitable for habitation.
Population of Iceland
According to the latest estimates from the United Nations, Iceland’s population stands at approximately 339,217 as of January 6, 2019. This places Iceland at 180th in the global population ranking. The average life expectancy in the country is around 36 years.
Climate of Iceland
The climate of Iceland is influenced by various air currents due to its geographical positioning. It experiences both polar and tropical airflows, as well as the convergence of two marine currents: the Gulf Stream near the equator and the East Greenland Current. Occasionally, these currents transport Arctic ice to Iceland’s northern and eastern shores.
The average annual temperature in Reykjavik is approximately 4 degrees Celsius. In January, it averages around -0.5 degrees Celsius, while in July, it reaches about 11 degrees Celsius. Regarding precipitation, annual rainfall varies significantly, ranging from approximately 410 millimeters on some northern elevated plateaus to over 4,100 millimeters on the southern slopes of snow-capped mountains.