Iceland: Geography#
| Location | Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Geographic Coordinates | 65 00 N, 18 00 W 65.0,-18.0 |
| Area | total: 103,000 sq km land: 100,250 sq km water: 2,750 sq km [Verified in 8 databases] |
| Land boundaries | 0 km |
| Coastline | 4,970 km |
| Elevation Extremes | lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier) |
| Highest Mountains | Hvannadalshnukur 2119 m [Verified] Attempted Explanation: Please help us to try to explain the discrepancies by sending us helpful information to office nospam@TUGraz.at @global-geography.org Important Mountains |
| Terrain | mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords |
| Natural Hazards | earthquakes and volcanic activity volcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (elev. 1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (elev. 1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air traffic; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar |
| Natural Resource | fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite |
| Land Use | arable land: 1.19% permanent crops: 0% other: 98.81% (2011) |
| Climate | temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers |
| Irrigated Land | NA |
| Renewable Water Resources | 170 cu km (2011) |
| Environment_CurrentIssues | water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation |
| Large Cities | Reykjavik; Kopavogur; Hafnarfjordhur; Akureyri; Gardhabaer [Verified] Important Cities |
| Geography-note | strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe Important Lakes |