Geography
Location:
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Geographic coordinates:
65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references:
Arctic Region
Area:
total area:
103,000 sq km
land area:
100,250 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Kentucky
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
4,988 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)
Climate:
temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain:
mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Natural resources:
fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
1%
other:
78%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
natural hazards:
earthquakes and volcanic activity
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation
Geographic note:
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
