Iceland is a North Atlantic island nation where active volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and black-sand beaches sit side by side, and Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state.
Geography & landscape
Iceland sits in Northern Europe, in the northern hemisphere of Europe. With an area of approximately 103,000 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the cold-temperate climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Reykjavik, lies near coordinates 65°, -18°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Europe, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Northern Europe region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Iceland.
People & society
The population of Iceland is around 380K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Icelandic, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Iceland is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Reykjavik, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Reykjavik and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Iceland shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Iceland through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Reykjavik, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +354, and clocks are set to the GMT (UTC+0) time zone. ISO standards identify Iceland as IS (alpha-2) and ISL (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇮🇸, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Reykjavik | — |
| Continent | Europe | — |
| Sub-region | Northern Europe | — |
| Population | 380K | people |
| Area | 103,000 | km² |
| Currency | Icelandic Krona (ISK) | — |
| Calling code | +354 | international dialling |
| Time zone | GMT (UTC+0) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | IS | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | ISL | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 65 | degrees |
| Longitude | -18 | degrees |
Did you know?
Iceland's parliament, the Althing, was founded in 930 CE — making it the oldest continuously functioning legislature in the world.
