THE GEOGRAPHY OF ICELAND

Chapter:

   I. Introduction:

      Size and Location
      Iceland's Strategic Importance
      Halfway between New York and Moscow on the Great Circle*
      Occupation by British and American Forces During WW II
      (History of) "Iceland" vs. "Greenland" Lore
      Country of Contrasts, Superlatives, Uniqueness
      Geologically Young, Historically Young, Politically Old
      Dominant Quality of Geography is Physical (Compare:)

  II. History:

      Antiquity: Ultima Thule
      Irish: Papar - Monks (Papey Island)
      The Vikings: Age of Settlement, 870-930 (Landnám)
      The Commonwealth Free State, 930 - 1262 
          The First American Republic
          Frón
          Introduction of Christianity, 1000
      Union with Norway, 1262 - 1380
          Sturlung Age, Early 13th - Early 15th Centuries
          Hekla Eruptions: 1300, 1341, 1389
          Black Death
      Danish Rule, 1380 - 1944
          Steps to Independence: 1874, 1918, 1944
      World War II and The Republic of Iceland, 1944 -
          North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 

 III. Natural Regions of Iceland: 

      Reykjanes and the Capital Region
      South Iceland - Largest Plains and Agricultural Area
      The Eastern Fjords - Wilderness Destroyed?
      The Northern Fjords - Akureyri
      The Western Fjords - Ísafjördur
      West Iceland - Saga Country
      The Interior Highlands: Desolate, Uninhabited, Uninhabitable

  IV. Physical Geography:
      
      Size, General Configuration, Terrain
      Basic Geology: History, Location, Rocks and Minerals
      Endogenous Forces:
          Plate Tectonics
              Divergent Plates
              Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Extensions
              Reykjanes Peninsula
              South Iceland Seismic Zone
              Tjörnes Fracture Zone
          Seismic Activity and Earthquakes
              Pseudocraters (Gervigígar)
              Volcanism (25 percent of area)
                  Mantle Plume, Hot Spot
          Energy resources
              Clean Air
      Rocks and Minerals
      Gradation
          Glaciation (16 percent of area,
                                    13 Ice Caps of Significance;
                                    Innumerable Alpine Glaciers)
          Fjords
              Skeidarasandur 
              Jökulhlaups 
          Continental Shelves 
      Climate
          Maritime: Influence of Ocean Currents
              Irmiter Current (Warm)
              East Iceland Current (Cold)
          Icelandic Low
          Comparative Temperatures
      Vegetation
          History
              At Settlement: 25 percent forested
          Now approximately 1 percent forested
              Types of Vegetation:
                 Aspen, Birch
                 540 Vascular Plants**
          Moss, Lichens
          Efforts at Reforestation
      Fauna
      Soil
          Formation
          Soil covers approximately 25 percent of area**
          Soil Erosion
          Use of Blue Lupin, Aspen, Lymegrass to control erosion
      Environmental Problems, Activities
          Decline of Air Quality
          Industrialization and the Landscape
          Movement to a Hydrogen Society

   V. Population Geography:

      Basic Traits: Celtic + Norse Origins; Homogeneity
          Controversy of Origins
      Peripheral Distribution - Concentration in Southwest
      Cataclysms and Population Change (Migration, Natural)
          Founding of New Iceland, Canada
          Icing Prompted Consideration of Total Evacuation
      Current Migration Patterns
          Domestic
          International
          Contributions to Population Total
      Longevity
          Sex Ratios

  VI. Political Geography:

      Iconography (colors and coat of arms)
      Strategic Position
      Nation-State Idea
      Shape: Compactness and Length of Coastline
      Unitary State
      Division into Electoral Regions, Counties, Municipalities, and Towns
      Hierarchy of Political Organization
          6 Provinces/Kjördaemi/Electoral Districts  (First Order) 
          27 Counties - Sýsla, Sýslar (28)  (Second order)
          14 Independent Towns - Kaupstaður/Kaupstaðar)  (Third Order)
          124 Municipalities/Hreppar  (Fourth Order)
      Mergers, e.g., Árborg and Reykjanesbær
      Influence and Impact of the NATO Base
      Maritime Law and the EEZ
          Straight Baselines
          Cod Wars
          Importance of Country in Formulating Law of the Sea
      Rockall

 VII. Economic Geography:

      Distribution
          Employment Sectors
          Income Sources
      Natural Resources
      Fishing and Livelihoods
          Foreign Exchange
          ITQ
      Agriculture
          Limitations
          Growing Season
          Soils
          Arable Land (1 Percent)
      Animal Husbandry
      Minerals
          Sulphur (US, Sicily, King, War)
          Peat
          Gold
          Calcite
          Salt
          Pumice
          (Cement)
      Energy
          Geothermal (heating)
          Hydroelectricity (power)
          Cogeneration Plants
      Use of Fossil Fuels (transport, backup)
      Power Generation and Exports
          Possibility of Export of Energy to Europe
      Manufacturing and Industry (Energy Intensive)
          Diatomite
          Alusuisse ÍSAL Plant at Straumsvík
          US Norðurá1l Plant at Grundartangi
          Icelandic Alloys Járnblendiverksmidgan Grundar
          Reyðarfjördur Project - Power and Aluminum Processing
      Service Orientation
      Tourism (3rd largest earnings sector)
          Sources:
      Trade

VIII. Language and Religion:

      Introduction
      Language
          Origins in Old Norse
          Date and basis of modern Icelandic
          Conservatism of Icelandic vis-a-vis Norwegian
          Regionalism in Language (North/South)/Speech Patterns
          Committee on Lexicon
      Religion
          State Religion
          Poll
          Other Religions
          Resurgence of Ásatrú 

  IX. Transportation Patterns: 

      Peripheral
      Underdeveloped Highway System (Poorest in Europe)
          Classification System
          Technology and Signage (including F Roads)
      Ports
      Airports, Airlines, Air Traffic Control
      Use of Tunnels, Ferry Services
      Other: Railroad, International/Local Air Service

   X. Settlement Patterns:
      
      Importance of Physical Enviornment in Placenames
      Classification of Cities
          14 Independent Places (Hreppar)
          124 Municipalities in Iceland  (Kaupstaðar)
          Primate City: Reykjavík
      Peripheral Distribution
          All Coastal Cities Fishing (Except Borgarnes)
          Few Inland Urban Places, e.g., Selfoss
      Rural Pattern: Dispersed (4700 Farming Units)
          Summer Residential Huts and Huts for Other Purposes, e.g., Emergency

   Bibliography:
      
      Texts
      Popular Literature
      Periodical Literature
      Electronic Resources

   Appendices

   Index


* See maps in new Bank of Iceland book 
**Around Iceland 91, p. 143