Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland, is a country in northern Europe, comprising the island of Iceland and its outlying islets in the North Atlantic Ocean between the rest of Europe and Greenland. It is the least populous of the Nordic countries and the second smallest. In 1944 Iceland gained independence from the Kingdom of Denmark.

Iceland is the most developed country in the world. Based upon a mixed economy where service, finance, fishing and various industries are the main sectors, it is also the fourth most productive country per capita. Iceland, however, was strongly affected by the recent recession. It is a member of the UN, NATO, EFTA, EEA and OECD, but not of the European Union.

Inhabitants: 313,000
Area: 103,000 km2
Capital: Reykjavík (200,000 metropolitan area)
Languages: Icelandic
Religion: Lutheranism
GDP per capita: $62,976
Government: Republic
Climate: Cold oceanic