Iceland

Reykjavík · Northern Europe

Iceland is a country in Europe. Its capital city is Reykjavík, the official currency is the Icelandic Króna, and the main language is Icelandic.

With a population of roughly 380,000 people spread over 103,000 km², Iceland is the 172nd most populous country in the world and the 106th largest by area. That works out at about 4 people per square kilometre.

Iceland has no land borders with any other country. Its largest urban centres are Reykjavík, Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður. The highest point in the country is Hvannadalshnúkur, at 2,110 metres.

For scale, it covers almost exactly the same area as South Korea, while its population is closest to that of Bahamas.

Capital
Reykjavík
Region
Northern Europe
Population
380,000
Area
103,000 km²
Currency
Icelandic Króna
Main language
Icelandic
Highest point
Hvannadalshnúkur
2,110 m
Land borders
0

Iceland: things worth knowing

  • Iceland sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, so the island is slowly being pulled apart between two tectonic plates.
  • Almost all of its electricity and heating comes from hydro and geothermal sources.
  • The Althing, founded around 930, is often described as the oldest surviving parliament in the world.

Iceland in context

Europe has 44 sovereign countries in total. Iceland ranks 39th among them by population.

See the full list of Europe countries, or browse all 195 countries.

Other countries in Europe