Universitatea Al. I.

Cuza din Iai

Facultatea de Geografie i Geologie

TURISMUL N ISLANDA

Student: Pascaru Denis

Grupa: GT12

Iai
- 2014 -

Fig. 1: Islanda, n colul din dreapta de jos, poziia Islandei fa de Europa

2

Sintez
Islanda este un stat ce face parte din Europa de Nord, care este alctuit din insula propriu
zis i restul de insulie periferice care se gsesc n nordul Oceanului Atlantic gsindu-se ntre
Europa i Groenlanda. Islanda este cel mai mic stat nordic dup numrul de locuitori, avnd
aproximativ 313.000 de locuitori i deine o suprafa de circa 103.000 km. Capitala statului
Islandez este Reykjavk, find i cel mai mare ora de pe insul. Limba oficial ce se vorbete n
acest stat se cheam limba islandez.
La fel ca i orice ar, Islanda are cele trei sectoare economice. n sectorul primar,
agricultura este fundamentat pe creterea animalelor, legumicultura n sere i vnatul. Sectorul
secundar se bazeaz pe industrie care are n componen ramuri industriale ca i: pescuitul, fiind
situat pe locul 1 pe Glob, industria metalurgic, industria energetic care se folosete de resurse
naturale (centrale geotermice, hidrocentrale). Ultimul sector, sectorul teriar, este alctuit din
transporturi i turism. Transporturile din Islanda sunt alctuite din transporturile rutiere,
transporturile aeriene, transporturile navale iar cile ferate lipsesc din aceast ar. n ceea ce
privete turismul din Islanda putem meniona c aceasta este o ramur esenial n economia statului
Islandez deoarece reprezint aproximativ o treime din produsul intern brut al acestei ri. Turismul
n Islanda este determinat de un potenial turistic, acest potenial nsumeaz totalitatea lucrurilor ce
determin atracia ce avizeaz n mod direct pe turiti. Acest potenial este mprit n dou
categorii: potenialul natural i potenialul antropic. Potenialul natural n Islanda este determinat de
vulcanismul pe care acesta l deine, vulcanismul acestei ri a aprut datorit poziiei geografice a
statului care este aezat pe dorsala Atlantic, astfel jumate din Islanda se afl pe placa Nord
American i cealalt pe placa EuroAsiatic. Islanda are aproximativ 130 de vulcani, un vulcan
cunoscut din stat este vulcanul Laki deoarece este singurul vulcan care a avut cea mai lung i
continu fntn de lav observat vreodat astfel fisura a fost de 25 kilometri. Al doilea factor ce
alctuiete potenialul natural al Islandei sunt gheizerele, care reprezint izvoare vulcanice ce arunc
la intervale de timp nite jeturi de ap fierbini, n ar exist circa 100 de gheizere. Pe lng acetia
doi factori ce determin potenialul natural, mai putem aduga ghearii, care exist datorit climei,
apele geotermale i mofetele. Toi aceti factori determin diferite tipuri de turism, astfel pentru
vulcani apare turismul de aventur, pentru gheizere, exist turismul de agreement, iar apele
geotermale i mofetele determin apariia turismului balnear, unde mofeta reprezint un gaz ce a
fost emanat prin crpturile ce apar la nivelul scoarei pmnteti din cauza unor activiti
vulcanice, astfel acesta este folosit ca i gaz terapeutic n turismul balnear. Al doilea potenial n
statul Islandez l reprezint potenialul antropic ce este alctuit dintr-un patrimoniu ce este compus
din: monumente, locuri istorice, muzee, parcuri tematice, parcuri de distracie, obiective etnografice
i de folclor, astfel tragem concluzia c apare o nou form de turism practicat, i anume turismul
cultural. De obicei cele dou feluri de potenial, adic potenialul natural ct i potenialul antropic
se unesc armonios n anumite arii, unde rezult c turismul este o ramur - cheie a economiei n
cadrul serviciilor din sectorul teriar. Trebuie amintit faptul c aceste forme de turism sunt
influenate de nite factori, dintre care amintim de: mediul economic este cel mai semnificativ
factor, care influeneaz n mod direct industria turismului n Islanda din cele dou puncte de vedere
care fac referin la cerere i la ofert, factorii economici care ne descrie care sunt veniturile
populaiei Islandeze, preurile i oferta turistic a Islandei, factorii tehnici prezint performanele
mijloacelor de transport utilizate, tehnologiile. Factorii sociali reprezint urbanizarea i timpul liber,
o alt categorie de factori sunt factorii demografici ce ne prezint evoluia populaiei Islandeze din
punct de vedere numeric, durata medie a vieii n Islanda, structura pe sexe (brbai i femei) ,
penultimii factori ce intervin n turism i reprezint factorii psihologici, educativi i ai civilizaiei,
care prezint nivelul de intruire, aspiraiile individului, caracterul individului, moda i
temperamentul. Iar ultimii factori ce intervin n apariia, evoluia anumitor forme de turism sunt
3

factorii organizatorici ce ne sugereaz formalitile de la frontiere. Veniturile populaiei Islandeze

provin majoritatea din pescuit, locul 1 pe Glob, la care se adaug treimea ce provine din servicii
adica din turism. Preurile i oferta turistic dovedete c sunt destuli de mari, un exemplu este c
pentru un sejur de 5 zile n Islanda o persoan trebuie s scoat circa 500 de euro din buzunar.
Urbanizarea ne spune c 90% din populaie triete n mediul urban, majoritatea fiind concentrai n
capitala Islandei. Demografia este determinat de populaia statului care este foarte mic, avnd
313.000 de locuitori, cu toate acestea Islanda reuete aproape s atrag turiti aproape triplu fa de
populaia rii, ultimele cifre artnd 863.000 de turiti sosii n Islanda. Situaia economic n statul
Islandez a fost afectat n mod direct de ctre criza economico-financiar, care a avut consecine
grave care a dus la prbuirea sistemului bancar Islandez i devalorizarea coroanei islandeze care
este moneda naional acestui stat. Rata omajului ce se nregistreaz n Islanda este de 5,5% ,
aceast rat s-a nregistrat la data de 31 ianuarie 2014, aceast rat mic se datoreaz faptului c
Islanda avnd locuitori puini, nu sunt acoperite locurile de munc totale, la care se adaug faptul c
turismul este un sector al serviciilor ce creeaz noi locuri de munc pentru populaia Islandez.
Statistic vorbind, formele de turism ce apar n Islanda apar pe motivul pentru care turistul alege ara
respectiv, astfel n Islanda rezultatele din statistic ne spune c turiti vin pentru bile n piscine
sau n natur pe timp de var n proporie de 70,5%, fapt care arat prezena turismului balnear, iar
pe timp de iarn turiti vin n proporie de 54,5% pentru excursii, drumeii ce vizeaz vulcanii,
balenele, .a. , de unde rezult turismul de aventur. Din punct de vedere administrativ Islanda este
mprit n 23 de comitate i mai este alctuit din 14 orae independente. Se tie c Islanda face
parte din diferite organizaii internaionale din care trebuie menionat, organizaia U.N.E.S.C.O. ,
aceasta are n patrimoniul ei, Parcul National Thingvellir , acesta se afl la 23 de kilometri fa de
capitala insulei, Reykjavik. Acesta a intrat n patrimoniul U.N.E.S.C.O. din anul 2004, astfel parcul
dezvolt turism cultural, fiind un parc tematic. Majoritatea turitilor ce sosesc n Islanda, vin s
viziteze zona capitalei Islandeze, deoarece tot n zon se afl i parcul din patrimoniul U.N.E.S.C.O.
, iar ca i procentaj vizitele turitilor reprezint un procent de 94 95% din totalul de turiti ce vin
s viziteze aceast zon a statului insular. Vrsta ce o au majoritatea turitilor este cuprins ntre 18
i 39 de ani, iar n general turiti vin n Islanda pentru un sejur n medie de dou sptmni i
reprezint un procent de 26,6%. Cele mai vizitate regiuni de ctre turiti sunt regiunile din nordul
Islandei i sudul acesteia. Ca i provenien, majoritatea turitilor provin din ri ca: Marea Britanie
i Germania, dar pe lng aceste ri mai putem aduga i ri ca: Norvegia, Suedia, Danemarca,
aceste find ri scandinave, dar vin i de pe continentul american, mai exact din Statele Unite ale
Americii, astfel toate aceste ri ne indic fluxurile de turiti, care ne arat de unde provin. Unitile
de cazare n Islanda variaz, n statistici, apar uniti de cazare de tip hotel, pensiuni, camping-uri,
rulote, case mobile, case de vacane, cabane n pustiu, case private. Cele mai des folosite ca i
uniti de cazare sunt hotelurile i pensiunile, mai putem preciza faptul c turiti strini ce se
cazeaz la hoteluri i pensiuni islandeze este ntr-o continu cretere, cu excepie find perioada
anilor 2009 2010 unde nregistrarea a artat un mic declin. n ceea ce privete locurile de munc
ce aparin de turism n anul 2013 se nregistrat 38.000 de locuri de munc care reprezint un procent
de 22% din totalurile de locuri de munc pe care le deine Islanda. n prezent locurile de munc au
mai crescut cu un procent de 2,6%, astfel s-au creat nc 1.000 de noi locuri de munc. O
preconizare ne sugereaz c Islanda peste 10 ani, adic n anul 2024, locurile de munc se vor
nmuli, astfel ajungndu-se la aproximativ 47.000 de locuri de munc n total n cadrul turismului,
astfel statistica v-a arta ca proporia de 25% v-a fi locurile de munc din cadrul turismului din
totalul din locurile de munc pe care le deine guvernul Islandez, ns nu trebuie uitat faptul c
aceste locuri de munc depind n proporii mari de gradul de alfabetizare pe care o are ara
Islandez. Toate aceste date fiind furnizate de ctre statisticienii islandezi ctre Consiliul Mondial al
Cltoriilor i a Turismului (W.T.T.C.).
Concluzia pe care trebuie tras din aspectul cu privire la turismul din statul Islanda este c
acesta deine potenial natural (vulcani, gheizere, gheari), dar i potenial antropic (Parcul National)
4

Bibliografie
1. GROZA, Octavian, URCNAU, George, RUSU, Alexandru (2005) Geografie
economic mondial, Iai, Editura Universitii Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
2. MUNTELE, Ionel, IAU, Corneliu, (2006) Geografia turismului. Concepte, metode i
forme de manifestare spaio-temporal, Iai, Editura Secom Libris.
3. UNGUREANU, Alexandru (2000) Geografia resurselor naturale, Iai, Editura
Universitii Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
4. Ministerul Afacerilor Externe - http://www.mae.ro/bilateral-relations/1668#818
5. Ministerul Afacerilor Externe - http://www.mae.ro/travel-conditions/3709
6. Long-term strategy for the Icelandic tourism industry http://www.invest.is/files/skjol/pdff/pkf_tourism_strategy_report_extract.pdf
7. World Travel & Tourism Council http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/downloads/iceland2014.pdf
8. Nordic Statistical Yearbook - http://www.norden.org/is/utgafa/utgefid-efni/2013001/at_download/publicationfile
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5=&value5=&option6=&value6=&option7=&value7=&option8=&value8=&option9=&val
ue9=&option10=&value10=&option11=&value11=&option12=&value12=&option13=&val
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alue17=&option22=excludeKeyTableEditions&value22=true&option18=sort&value18=&fo
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%2F%2Foecd.metastore.ingenta.com%2Fns
%2FIGO&option21=discontinued&value21=true&value1=iceland
10. Statistics Iceland - http://www.statice.is/?pageid=452&itemid=175c3d22-cc54-4d95-a66d70cf302e4385
11. Ministry for Foreign Affairs - http://www.mfa.is/media/utn-pdf-skjol/Fact-Sheet---No-1,2014.pdf
12. U.N.E.S.C.O - .http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1152

http://www.mae.ro/bilateral-relations/1668#818
Republica ISLANDA
Denumire oficial: Republica Islanda (Lveldi sland), forma scurt Islanda (sland).
Capitala i principalele orae: Reykjavik (capitala), Hafnafjordur, Kopavogur.
Suprafa: 103,000 km. 80% din teritoriu este reprezentat de lacuri glaciale. Exist un mare numr
de vulcani activi, gheizere, largi suprafee nzpezite i gheari.
Populaia: 318.452 de locuitori de locuitori, n 2011.
Limba oficial: islandeza, derivat din norvegiana veche.
Ziua naional: 17 iunie data la care Islanda a fost proclamat republic.
Religie: 73%, religia evanghelic luteran (de stat) i, pn la 84%, alte biserici luterane.
Moneda naional: coroana islandez ISK
Prefix telefonic internaional: + 354
Scurt istoric: Insula a fost descoperit de exploratori irlandezi n jurul secolului IX. Cei dinti
coloniti au fost celii, crora le-au urmat vikingii, n anul 874.
La scurt vreme, n anul 930, a fost nfiinat cel mai vechi sistem parlamentar al Europei (Althingi),
marcnd sfritul perioadei de colonizare. n anul 982, Eric cel Rou, exilat de Althingi din Islanda
pentru omor, a pornit pe mare i a descoperit Groenlanda, unde a nfiinat o colonie. Fiul su, Leif
Eriksson a fost unul dintre conductorii expediiilor vikinge care a ajuns, n jurul anului 1000, pn
pe coasta continentului nord-american.
n anul 1000, misionari itinerani, susinui de regele cretin al Norvegiei, au impus cretinismul
drept nou religie.
Perioada iniial de independen a Islandei (pn n secolul XIII, cnd a trecut sub stpnire
norvegian), a fost cea mai rodnic din punct de vedere cultural i spiritual.
n anul 1262, slbit de lupte interne, Islanda a trecut sub stpnire norvegian, pstrndu-i, totui,
o larg autonomie. Un secol i un sfert mai trziu, n 1397, prin Uniunea Kalmar, Islanda a trecut
sub autoritatea Coroanei Daneze. ntre secolele XV XVIII, molimele, exploatarea comercial i
catastrofele naturale au redus populaia Islandei la mai puin de 40.000 de locuitori. Abia secolul
XIX, dei dramatic n evoluia lui, a adus revigorarea naiunii islandeze. ntrerupte de regele danez
la 1800, ntrunirile Althingi-ului au fost reluate n 1843, odat cu renaterea naionalismului
islandez. n 1874, Islanda a adoptat o constituie proprie.
La 1 decembrie 1918, Danemarca a recunoscut Islanda ca stat suveran. Islanda i-a declarat deplina
independen la 17 iunie 1944, la Tingvellir.
Informaii politice
Forma de guvernmnt: republic parlamentar
eful statului: lafur Ragnar Grmsson (ales prima dat n 1996, reales n 2000, 2004, 2008 i
2012). Ultimele alegeri prezideniale au avut loc n ziua de 30 iunie 2012.
Primul ministru: Sigmundur Dav Gunnlaugsson (n urma alegerilor legislative de la 27 aprilie
2013).
Ministrul afacerilor externe: Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (n urma alegerilor legislative de la 27 aprilie
6

http://www.mae.ro/bilateral-relations/1668#818
2013).
Situaia politic intern: Islanda este condus (n urma alegerilor legislative de la 27 aprilie 2013)
de un executiv de centru-dreapta, alctuit din reprezentani ai Partidului Independenei i Partidului
Progresist.
Parlamentul: unicameral, numrul parlamentarilor fiind 63, alei printr-un sistem de vot
proporional. Preedintele Parlamentului: Einar K. Gufinnsson (din 2013), membru al Partidului
Independenei. Componena actual a parlamentului este: Partidul Independenei 19 locuri,
Partidul Progresist 19 locuri, Aliana Social Democrat 9 locuri, Micarea Stnga Ecologist
7 locuri, Viitor Luminos 6 locuri, Partidul Pirailor 3 locuri.
Legturi ctre principalele site-uri oficiale
Portal oficial: http://www.iceland.is
Guvernul: http://www.government.is
Ministerul afacerilor externe: http://www.mfa.is
Parlamentul: http://www.althingi.is
Profil socio-economic
Situaia economic: Islanda a fost serios afectat de criza economico-financiar, care a dus la
prbuirea sistemului bancar i devalorizarea monedei naionale. Programul de recuperare
economic ncheiat de Islanda cu FMI a fost finalizat cu succes n 2011.
Produsul Intern Brut: 14.093 mld USD
Inflaie: 4,1 % (la finalul anului 2013)
omaj: 5,5% ( la 31 ianuarie 2014)
Principalele ramuri industriale: industria pescuitului, industria de aluminium, producia de energie
din surse geotermale.
Principalii parteneri comerciali: UE, EFTA, SUA, Japonia.
Aderarea Islandei la UE
La 16 iulie 2009, Islanda a adresat Preediniei suedeze cererea de aderare la UE, argumentndu-i
solicitarea prin apartenena sa la continentul european, necesitatea extinderii securitii rii i
asigurarea stabilitii economice pe termen lung. Criza financiar a fost si ea un catalizator puternic
pentru aspiraiile Islandei de a deveni membru al UE. Dup prbuirea sistemului bancar i
devalorizarea monedei naionale, apartenena la UE i integrarea ulterioar n zona euro au fost
incluse n strategia pe termen lung a Islandei de asigurare a stabilitii economice. n procesul de
negocieri, printre cele mai problematice capitolele sunt pescuitul (avnd n vedere ponderea foarte
mare a acestui sector n economia islandez) i agricultura.
n anul 2013, negocierile de aderare au fost temporizate i, ulterior, suspendate, n contextul
alegerilor de la 27 aprilie 2013.
Relaii internaionale

http://www.mae.ro/bilateral-relations/1668#818
Politica extern a Islandei este determinat de statutul de ar insular, de dimensiuni mici, de
situarea geografic n regiunea arctic i de precaritatea resurselor interne. Toate acestea
argumenteaz preocuparea Islandei pentru dreptul maritim internaional, predilecia pentru
cooperarea cu statele scandinave, SUA, Canada i Rusia n diferite formate de cooperare regional,
acoperind domeniile: economie, ecologie, securitate, valorificarea resurselor vii ale mrii i
ecologia marin.
Alturndu-se Naiunilor Unite n 1946, Islanda este i unul dintre fondatorii NATO, n 1949. n
1970, Islanda a fost primit n EFTA. n octombrie 1991, Islanda i ceilali membri EFTA au
finalizat negocierile cu UE i au format Spaiul Economic European (SEE). Islanda este, de
asemenea, membr a Consiliului Europei, a OSCE i membru asociat al spaiului Schengen din
2000.
Islanda este activ n cadrul ONU, afirmnd necesitatea de reform a organizaiei. Este un furnizor
important de asisten tehnic i financiar, att n plan multilateral, ct i bilateral. Dou programe
ale Universitii Naiunilor Unite sunt n derulare n Islanda: de pregtire n domeniul geotermal,
respectiv n cel al pescuitului.
Cooperarea internaional pentru dezvoltarea durabil i accentul pe rezolvarea panic a disputelor
sunt, de asemenea, elemente de baz ale politicii externe islandeze, cu aplicabilitate n dosare
precum Irak, Afganistan, Orientul Mijlociu, Balcanii de Vest.
Noul context de securitate a readus n actualitate necesitatea creterii participrii Islandei la
misiunile NATO, mai ales prin dezvoltarea Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. Islanda este n
msur, n acest moment, s participe la misiuni internaionale de meninere a pcii i de
reconstrucie (Afganistan, Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Bosnia i Hertegovina). n viziunea islandez, NATO
continu s dein un rol major n asigurarea securitii globale. Islanda susine sporirea
capacitilor militare ale UE, ca parte a contribuiei acesteia la asigurarea securitii pe continent.

http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islanda
Istorie
Islanda a fost colonizat n secolele al IX-lea i al X-lea de scandinavi, celi, irlandezi i scoieni.
slendingabk (Libellus Islandorum sau Cartea Islandezilor), scris n 1122-1133 pretinde c
norvegianul Inglfur Arnarson a fost primul localnic (colonist, ocupant) al Islandei, n Reykjavk, n
anul 870. Familiile au fost nsoite de servitori i sclavi, o parte din ei
fiind celi sau pici din Scoia i Irlanda (cunoscui de ctre nordici i drept Oamenii din Vest Norse). Conform anumitor scrieri literare, clugrii irlandezi ar fi trit n Islanda nainte de aezarea
locuitorilor nordici, dar nu s-a descoperit nicio dovad arheologic. Erik cel Rou, sau Eirikur
orvaldson, a fost exilat pentru crim n 980, i a nceput explorarea dincolo de partea de vest a
insulei. El a format prima aezare n Groenlanda, n jurul acestei perioade, numind zona, conform
legendei, pentru a atrage noi colonizatori. Fiul lui Erik, Leifr Eiriksson, pune piciorul n America n
cele din urm, n jurul anului 1000. Cu toate c se spune c a fost deviat de la ruta stabilit, mult
mai probabil este c era n cutarea teritoriului indicat (descoperit) de Bjarni Herjlfsson cu civa
ani mai devreme. Se consider c el a ntemeiat o colonie la L'Anse aux
Meadows n Newfoundland, care a supravieuit doar timp de un an. Alte dou tentative de
colonizare ntreprinse de ctre fratele su s-au finalizat cu eec.
Islandezii sunt foarte mndri de parlamentul lor, care este, de altfel, primul din lume. Acest
parlament, pe care l-au numit Althing, a fost nfiinat n anul 930.
Islanda a rmas independent timp de 300 de ani, dup care a intrat succesiv sub
suzeranitatea Norvegiei, apoi aDanemarcei.
Islanda a redevenit independent n 1944, dup ce Regatul Islandei, n uniune personal cu
Danemarca, a devenit republic.
n 2008 banca central a rii este naionalizat i ara intr n faliment. Cetenii protesteaz n faa
Parlamentului cernd demisia guvernului i organizarea unor noi alegeri. Printr-un referendum
naional, 93% dintre participani refuz plata datoriei de 3,5 miliarde de euro ctre Olanda i Marea
Britanie. Cetenii dau jos conducerea rii i 25 de ceteni apolitici sunt alei din 522 candidai.
Poporul scrie o nou Constituie.
Geografie
Teritoriul rii reprezint un podi de bazalt (alt. 640-760 m), din care se ridic circa 100
de conuri vulcanice, dintre care multe sunt active, aproximativ 130 (Hekla, Laki, Vatnajkull 2000
m (ghearul cu cel mai mare volum de ghea din Europa, 900 m ptur groas), Hofsjkull, 1765
m, Mrdalsjkull, 1450 m); gheizere i izvoare fierbini, gheari masivi. Cmpiile ocup zonele
restrnse de litoral. Ruri: Blanda, Jkuls, Skjlfandafljt, jrs, Hvt. Lacuri
glaciare: ingvellir, Thoris.Clima maritim blnd. Vegetatie de tundr, plantaii de
conifere. Fauna: diverse specii de psri, peti, balene.

http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islanda
Politic
Politica Islandei este una executat de un sistem parlamentar al unei republici practicnd o
democraie reprezentativ cu partide multiple, avnd puterea divizat (ca n majoritatea republicilor
moderne) n trei entiti, puterea executiv, puterea legislativ i puterea juridic.
Puterea executiv este exercitat de un prim-ministru, care este liderul guvernului ntr-un sistem
politic multi-partid. Puterea legislativ este exercitat primordial de ctre parlamentul Islandei,
Althing, respectiv n parte de ctre guvern. n timp ce puterea legislativ este parial mprit n
republica insular, puterea juridic este total independent de executiv i legislativ.
Economie
Principalele ramuri industriale sunt: pescuitul (locul 1 pe glob la cantitatea de pete pescuit/loc.) i
prelucrarea petelui, industria metalurgic (pentru neferoase),industria energetic (bazat pe resurse
naturale: hidrocentrale, centrale geotermice). Produce: nave, ciment, conserve, ulei de balen,
confecii, echipamente electrice, ngrminte i produse alimentare.
Aproape 20% din fora de munc este ocupat n domeniul pescuitului sau al procesrii petelui.
Pescadoarele folosesc plase foarte mari pentru a pescui petele de pe fundul oceanului. Brcile cu
motor, mai mici, folosesc deseori undie lungi pentru pescuit. Unele au firul lung de pn la 16 km,
avnd circa 20.000 de crlige. Principalele specii de pete pescuite sunt codul i heringul.
Industria cea mai important a Islandei este cea procesatoare de pete. Mici fabrici de procesare se
gsesc de-a lungul coastei, iar n Reykjavik i Siglufjrur exist refrigeratoare mari. Majoritatea
petelui este uscat, srat sau ngheat pentru a fi exportat. O parte din petele proaspt este pus la
ghea i trimis n Marea Britanie i Germania.
Alte industrii produc: ciment, confecii, echipamente electrice, ngraminte i produse alimentare.
Aproape o treime din lucrtorii industriali sunt femei. Guvernul islandez i dezvolt industria cu
ajutorul celorlalte ri. n 1968, o companie american a construit o fabric de diatomit (un mineral
folosit n filtrele industriale). O fabric de aluminiu construit de suedezi a intrat n producie la
nceputul anilor 1970.
Islanda are afaceri prospere i n domeniul editorial. Islanda are patru ziare: cel mai
mare, Morgunbladid, a fost fondat n 1913.
Ramuri principale: creterea animalelor (pentru carne i lapte), legumicultura n sere, vnatul.
Aproximativ 15% din populaie sunt fermieri. Islanda are cam 5.300 de ferme mpratiate n
regiunile de cmpie. Majoritatea fermierilor cresc oi (pentru ln, carne i piei) i vite (pentru
produse din lapte). Cresc de asemenea mici cai islandezi. Principala recolt este fnul, pe care
fermierii l folosesc pentru a hrni animalele. Fermierii pot strnge dou sau trei recolte de fn,
datorit ploilor abundente i zilelor lungi din timpul verii. Fermierii mai cultiv i rdcinoase, ca
guliile i cartofii. Din 1930, fermierii i-au construit sere lng izvoarele termale. Apele termale
ncalzesc serele, i astfel fermierii pot cultiva roii i alte legume, flori, vi de vie i chiar banane.
10

http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islanda
Export pete i produse din pete, carne, produse lactate, piei, ln, aluminiu.
Import maini, echipamente i utilaje industriale, combustibili, produse alimentare. Comer
exterior cu: Marea Britanie, Frana, Germania, SUA, Danemarca, Olanda,Japonia .a.
Islanda are foarte puine resurse naturale, i doar 1% din suprafaa sa poate fi cultivat. Dar apele
teritoariale sunt bogate n pete. Islanda depinde foarte mult de vnzrile de pete i de produse din
pete pentru a importa aparatur electrocasnic, fructe i legume, echipamente industriale i materii
prime. Partenerii si comerciali sunt: Danemarca,Germania, Marea
Britanie, Norvegia, Suedia i Statele Unite ale Americii. Islanda a devenit membr EFTA
(European Free Trade Association) n 1970.
Transporturi i comunicaii
Ci ferate: n Islanda nu exist ci ferate. Se circul mai mult cu autobuze, automobile i avioane.
Transporturi rutiere: n Islanda exist 12.500 km de ci rutiere i, n medie, o main la dou
persoane. Exceptnd strzile principale din orae, drumurile sunt acoperite cu pietri. Circulaia
auto se efectueaz pe partea dreapt a drumului. Starea general a drumurilor i infrastructurii este
foarte bun. Limitele de vitez admise: 50 km/h n interiorul localitilor i 90 km/h, n afara
localitilor.
Transporturi aeriene: Icelandair, compania aerian naional, asigur zboruri regulate europene i
transatlantice. Exist dou aeroporturi internaionale, la Reykjavik i Keflavik.
Transporturi navale: Principalele porturi islandeze sunt: Akranes, Akureyri, Hafnarfjrur,
Keflavik, Reykjavik i Siglufjrur.
Comunicaii: Majoritatea gospodriilor din Islanda dispun de un telefon, un televizor i, cel puin,
un radio. Comunicaiile Islandei cu restul lumii se realizeaz prin cablu telegrafic i prin
radiotelefonie.
Turism
Turismul este o parte important a economiei islandeze, genernd circa o treime din PIB. Cei mai
muli turiti provin din Marea Britanie i Germania, dar i din rile scandinave i S.U.A. Turitii
sunt atrai de atraciile naturale ale Islandei (gheari, gheizere, ape geotermale), dar i de activitile
care sunt puse la dispoziia turitilor : petreceri tematice, excursii asistate pe gheari sau n zonele
slbatice din interiorul rii, precum i de diferitele festivaluri, cum ar fi "zilele nopilor albe" (n
luna iulie), cnd soarele nu apune deloc, sau zilele nopilor arctice, cnd soarele nu rsare deloc (n
luna februarie). Printr-un sistem foarte bine pus la punct, Islanda atrage anual un numr de turiti de
dou ori mai mare dect propria populaie.

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http://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islanda
Demografie

Populaia iniial a Islandei era de origine nordic i celtic. Acest lucru este evident din dovezile
literare care dateaz din perioada colonizrii, precum i din studii tiinifice ulterioare, cum ar fi
analizele genetice sau cele ale grupelor de snge. Un astfel de studiu genetic a indicat c majoritatea
brbailor care au imigrat la nceput erau de origine nordic, n vreme ce majoritatea femeilor erau
de origine celtic.

Muzic
Dei Islanda este o ar mic, a produs civa artiti de renume internaional, cei mai cunoscui
fiind Bjrk i Sigur Rs.
Patrimoniu mondial
Pe lista patrimoniului mondial UNESCO este nscris urmtorul obiectiv din Islanda:
Parcul naional Thingvellir (2004)

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http://www.invest.is/files/skjol/pdff/pkf_tourism_strategy_report_extract.pdf
Introduction
2.1 The purpose of the long-term strategy for the Icelandic tourism industry is to create a
framework for the next ten years so that Iceland can capitalise on its future growth potential
as a tourism destination that offers an authentic and unique visitor experience. This will
enable Iceland to maximise the economic contribution of the tourism sector by creating an
enabling environment for investment and in turn, attract FDI.
2.2 In order to prepare the long-term strategy for the Icelandic tourism industry we undertook the
following:
Preparation and presentation of a capsule situation analysis to a group of key tourism
industry stakeholders;
Conducted a limited international tour operator survey to build on existing travel surveys;
Evaluated the key geographic source markets and segments identifying potential
opportunities;
Formulated a strategic mission, vision, objectives and targets for the next ten years;
Recommended a future positioning and promotional model;
Specified the institutional framework and tourism policy requirements;
Prepared a detailed annual action plan matrix for the next ten years;
Prepared an annual monitoring and evaluation grid to enable the Icelandic tourism
industry to monitor the progress of the implementation of the long-term strategy; and
Prepared an indicative annual budget to facilitate the above.
Master mapping project context
2.3 As a result of the on-going global economic crisis, governments are increasingly recognising
the tourism sector.s potential as a means to diversifying and stimulating economic growth
and social contribution. It is widely understood that tourism has the ability to create jobs,
attract FDI, earn foreign currency and stimulate national, regional and local economic
growth, provided that the sector is given adequate government support and regulated where
needed.
2.4 Promote Iceland has an important role to play in terms of developing an attractive image of
Iceland, whether the goal is to attract tourists, businesses or FDI. The formulation of a longterm
strategy is considered key to enhancing Iceland.s international competitiveness and
market position. However, Promote Iceland must collaborate with both public and private
sector partners, as the achievement of destination success is a shared responsibility.
Introduction 3
Promote Iceland
January 2013
2.5 Currently the responsibility for tourism, in its widest sense, including at national level, is very
fragmented. In order for the tourism sector to continue to flourish there is a need to adopt a
coherent and integrated approach to the sector, in order to ensure that this complex industry
is represented fairly across all stakeholders.
2.6 As tourism is an .open. industry it is subject to political, social, environmental and
technological changes and trends to which it must respond. In the case of Iceland, the fall
out from the financial crisis in 2008 and 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajkull are poignant
reminders of some of the recent challenges facing the tourism sector.
2.7 Interestingly, Iceland has been able to turn these negative events into a relative success
story and combined with the award-winning .Inspired by Iceland. campaign, this has had a
positive impact on the tourism industry. Together they have raised awareness of the country
and stimulated people.s appetite to visit the destination and the increase in visitor numbers
has also been underpinned by Icelandair.s aggressive growth strategy through a .hub and
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spoke. model. This has led to a dramatic increase in visitation to the country in recent years.
The country is therefore now at crossroads on how to balance economic growth underpinned
by tourism, with a need for sustained responsibility in regard to the preservation of the
product and culture.
2.8 The tourism industry has a complex nature and as such it requires co-ordination of
government, at both national and regional level, as well as private sector businesses that
both compete and co-operate with one another. Currently, in Iceland, the vast majority of
tourism services are provided by micro suppliers in stark contrast to, for example, aviation
which is dominated by a large company.
2.9 Governments are involved in tourism in a variety of capacities including the provision of
border security, the regulation of markets such as aviation, controlling or managing tourism
attractions such as national parks, land planning and funding the development of roads and
other infrastructure. The private sector would then ideally provide end user services that
would enable sustainable product delivery. Unless industry and government policymakers
work together effectively, this complex system may therefore not function optimally.
2.10 Given the recent growth in visitor numbers to Iceland and increasing awareness of the
country as a destination, this is therefore an opportune time for key stakeholders to formulate
a clear and integrated long-term strategy with a view to maximising the economic
contribution of the Icelandic tourism industry and create an enabling environment for
investment.
Promote Iceland
January 2013
3 A summary of tourism trends in Iceland
3.1 In this section we present a summary of current tourism trends in Iceland together with the
results of our visitor and international tour operator surveys. This builds and completes our
observations of existing trends presented in our capsule situation analysis document and
forms part of the background towards formulation of the long-term strategy.
Background
Economic contribution of tourism sector in Iceland
3.2 In recent years it is clear that tourism has become an increasingly important sector of the
Icelandic economy as may be seen from Figure 3.1
Figure 3.1 International tourism receipts (1998 . 2011)

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3.3 Since 2008, the export value of tourism has been around 14% increasing to 19% of total
exports when including the activities of Icelandic tourism companies outside Iceland. In
2011, tourism.s share of GDP was 5.9% compared with 5.1% in 2001. This is in line with
tourism.s average contribution to a nation.s GDP, globally.
3.4 In 2009 (latest available data), total travel consumption reached ISK184bn of which around
40% was consumed by Icelandic households and companies. During this year the number of
people employed in the tourism sector exceeded 8,500, equivalent to 5.2% of the working
population, clearly demonstrating its importance.
This all underpins the sector.s growing importance to the country.s overall diversification and
sustainability.
Visitor arrivals
3.5 The successful evolution of the tourism sector in Iceland is in large part due to the success
of the .hub and spoke. model which was introduced by Icelandair in 1998 using Keflavik
airport as its main hub. This has allowed Iceland to attract international visitors from a
number of key geographic source markets by offering direct flights to an increasing number
of destinations. However, this was also facilitated by a number of other factors including
currency devaluation, improved border controls and heightened marketing.
3.6 In Figure 3.2 we illustrate the evolution in total air passenger movements between 2002 and
2011.
Figure 3.2 Total air passenger movements (2002 . 2011)

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3.7 Significantly more than 80% of air services are provided by Icelandair with Keflavik Airport
acting as the main gateway to Iceland.
3.8 Between 2001 and 2011 arrivals at Keflavik grew by a compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 5.2% increasing from 519k to 865k while peaking at 946k in 2007.
3.9 Due to Iceland.s rapid growth in tourism a number of new airlines have started flying to the
destination including easyJet, Norwegian, Air Berlin and Icelandic airline WOW (which
Iceland Express recently became part of). However, current load factors between 79% and
85% suggest there is an opportunity to increase the frequency of flights and attract new
airlines in order to further stimulate competition.
3.10 Seasonality remains high and this is reflected in passenger movements.
Visitor survey trends
3.25 Visitor surveys are an important tool used to assess the reception of a destination by visitors.
It enables an understanding of what is being done right and what is not and can and should
therefore influence policy.
3.26 The Icelandic Tourist Board carried out a survey with 2,359 visitors during summer 2011 and
with 2,181 visitors during the 2011/12 winter season. In summary, the results of the summer
survey suggested that the main purpose of visit recorded was vacation/holidays at 86.3%
followed by meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) at 13.3% and visiting
friends and relatives (VFR) at 6.2%. The winter pattern was similar apart from a slight
increase in the number of MICE visitors at 16.5% and business visitors at 4.5%.
3.27 There was a high number of returning visitors both during the summer and winter. In summer
79.6% of those interviewed came on an individually arranged trip compared with 67.8%
during the winter. During the summer 10.2% were part of a package tour whereas in winter
the figure was slightly higher at 17.6%. The remaining 10.2% (summer) and 14.6% (winter)
were a mixture of packaged tours and individually organised trips.
3.28 The average age of the respondents during the summer was 39.6 years and 46.8% were
classified as having a high average household income. In winter the average age of the
respondents was 40.5 years. 47.5% of winter respondents were classified as having a high
average household income.
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3.29 The average length of stay in the country during the summer was recorded at 10.2 nights
with almost half of all visitors staying seven nights or less whereas during the winter it was
only 6.6% with only 16.7% staying longer than eight nights.
Figure 3.7 Average length of stay summer (2011)

3.30 The summer trends above suggest that whilst the country still is widely perceived as a longstay
destination there is a growing short-stay trend especially during the winter months. This
can be mainly attributed to the introduction of stay-over packages being offered by Icelandair
and other local tour operators. Further analysis suggests, unsurprisingly, that it is MICE and
corporate visitors that tend to have a shorter propensity to stay when compared to leisure
travellers.
3.31 As evidenced previously, most visits tend to be centred in the Capital and South, with the
former acting as a central hub. This trend is even more pronounced during the winter months
when the average length of stay is shorter and access to some of the more remote areas
more difficult.
Figure 3.8 Regions visited in Iceland (2011)

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3.32 The most popular mode of transport used in Iceland is coaches and this largely reflects the
current market positioning of Iceland, which is to a large degree, volume driven. As with
cruises, coach and similar group business can have a large impact on a destination in the
long run. However, they are necessary especially as a destination matures and during low
periods of demand. During the summer, rented cars remain the far the most popular choice
and illustrate the ease of accessibility around the country.
Figure 3.9 Modes of Transport in Iceland (2011/2012)

3.33 Unsurprisingly most visits to Iceland were influenced by its natural appeal and this is clearly
what is currently marketed by most of the tourism campaigns. Interestingly, we note that
Icelandic culture and history scores highly as a factor influencing a visit, with spa and
wellness very low during the summer. Attractive offers are appealing particularly during the
winter season.
Figure 3.10 Factors influencing decision to visit

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During our visit to Iceland in June/July 2012 we conducted a limited visitor survey with 22
visitors from the UK, USA, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Austria,
Japan and Switzerland. The survey was conducted by the PKF team in order to engage with,
and understand visitor experiences and perceptions first-hand, rather than to undertake a
comprehensive analysis.
3.35 Despite the small sample size, the results were not dissimilar to those of the 2011 summer
survey discussed above. Our survey did, however, highlight useful .micro. trends.
3.36 Most respondents only considered visiting Iceland for that specific trip. However, given a
choice, the most popular alternatives considered were Greenland, Alaska and the Faroe
Islands. Apart from those on around-the-world trips, Iceland was the only destination visited
on the trip. We consider Greenland and the Faroe Islands as complementary rather than
competitive destinations, whereas Alaska can be considered one of Iceland.s key
competitors. We discuss Iceland.s key competitors in Section 4 of this report.

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Travel & Tourism generated 9,500 jobs directly in 2013 (5.5% of total employment) and this is
forecast to grow by
4.4% in 2014 to 10,000 (5.7% of total employment).
This includes employment by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other passenger transportation
services
(excluding commuter services). It also includes, for example, the activities of the restaurant and
leisure industries
directly supported by tourists.
By 2024, Travel & Tourism will account for 13,000 jobs directly, an increase of 2.5% pa over the
next ten years.
ICELAND: DIRECT CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM TO EMPLOYMENT

The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to employment (including wider effects from
investment, the supply
chain and induced income impacts, see page 2) was 38,000 jobs in 2013 (21.9% of total
employment). This is
forecast to rise by 2.6% in 2014 to 39,000 jobs (22.1% of total employment).
By 2024, Travel & Tourism is forecast to support 47,000 jobs (24.9% of total employment), an
increase of 1.9%
pa over the period.
ICELAND: TOTAL CONTRIBUTION OF TRAVEL & TOURISM TO GDP

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VISITOR EXPORTS
Visitor exports are a key component of the direct contribution of Travel & Tourism. In 2013,
Iceland generated ISK177.4bn in visitor exports. In 2014, this is expected to grow by 1.4%, and the
country is
expected to attract 814,000 international tourist arrivals.
By 2024, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 1,151,000, generating expenditure of
ISK228.4bn, an
increase of 2.4% pa.
ICELAND: VISITOR EXPORTS AND INTERNATIONAL TOURIST ARRIVALS

INVESTMENT
Travel & Tourism is expected to have attracted capital investment of ISK39.6bn in 2013. This
is expected to fall
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by 4.0% in 2014, and rise by 3.0% pa over the next ten years to ISK51.3bn in 2024.
Travel & Tourisms share of total national investment will fall from 13.3% in 2014 to 12.6% in
2024.
ICELAND: CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN TRAVEL & TOURISM

Leisure travel spending (inbound and domestic)

generated 85.0% of direct Travel & Tourism GDP
in 2013 (ISK215.1bn) compared with 15.0% for
business travel spending (ISK37.9bn).
Business travel spending is expected to grow by
3.7% in 2014 to ISK39.3bn, and rise by 1.4% pa to
ISK45.2bn in 2024.
Leisure travel spending is expected to grow by
4.3% in 2014 to ISK224.3bn, and rise by 3.5% pa
to ISK315.3bn in 2024.
Domestic travel spending generated 29.9% of
direct Travel & Tourism GDP in 2013 compared
with 70.1% for visitor exports (ie foreign visitor
spending or international tourism receipts).
Domestic travel spending is expected to grow by
10.9% in 2014 to ISK83.8bn, and rise by 4.7% pa
to ISK132.1bn in 2024.

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Visitor exports are expected to grow by 1.4% in
2014 to ISK179.8bn, and rise by 2.4% pa to
ISK228.4bn in 2024.
The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to
GDP is three times greater than its direct
contribution.

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Travel & Tourism's Direct
Contribution to GDP

2014
% growth

38 Russian Federation
46 Finland
88 Canada
World
103 Iceland
Europe
141 Germany
146 United Kingdom
147 Sweden
151 France
160 Denmark
176 Norway
Travel & Tourism's Direct
Contribution to Employment

7.0
6.5
4.5
4.3
4.2
3.4
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.6
2.1
0.7
2014
% growth

28 Finland
53 Iceland
87 Canada
Europe

5.7
4.4
3.0
2.4

World
125 France
126 Germany
134 Russian Federation
140 United Kingdom
142 Sweden
157 Denmark
172 Norway
Travel & Tourism
Investment

2.2
1.9
1.9
1.6
1.2
1.0
0.1
-1.7
2014
% growth

55 Germany
75 Denmark
World
81 United Kingdom
85 Sweden
100 Norway
Europe
122 Canada
135 France
142 Russian Federation
169 Finland
183 Iceland

Travel & Tourism's Total

Contribution to GDP
56 Russian Federation
72 Finland

7.3
5.7
5.7
5.4
5.2
4.4
3.8
3.4
2.7
2.4
0.2
-4.0

2014
% growth
5.7
5.1

World
109 Canada
137 Iceland

4.3
3.9
2.9

Europe
146 Denmark
150 United Kingdom
151 Sweden
156 France
165 Germany

2.8
2.6
2.5
2.5
2.2
1.9

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177 Norway

1.0

http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/dow
nloads/iceland2014.pdf
Travel & Tourism's Total
Contribution to Employment

2014
% growth

58 Finland
93 Iceland

4.0
2.6

World
112 Canada

2.5
2.1

Europe
128 France
130 Sweden
145 Germany
146 Russian Federation
149 United Kingdom
157 Denmark
173 Norway

1.6
1.4
1.3
0.9
0.8
0.6
0.2
-1.2

Visitor
Exports
12
19
58
74

2014
% growth
Norway
Russian Federation
Germany
Finland

Europe
85 Canada
87 Sweden
World
97 France
120 United Kingdom
153 Iceland
160 Denmark

10.8
9.7
6.8
5.9
5.8
5.3
5.2
4.8
4.6
3.3
1.4
0.8

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Iceland
(ISKbn, real 2013 prices)

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014E

2024F

1.

98.9

115.8

112.7

133.4

158.7

177.4

179.8

228.4

97.8

85.3

71.7

67.8

71.7

75.6

83.8

132.1

196.7

201.0

184.4

201.3

230.4

252.9

263.6

360.5

-118.1

-105.0

-95.8

-104.8

-119.9

-131.5

-137.0

-187.5

78.6

96.1

88.7

96.5

110.6

121.5

126.6

173.0

113.7

101.6

93.8

102.1

116.9

128.4

133.8

182.9

47.6

13.9

66.7

41.4

38.5

39.6

38.0

51.3

Visitor exports
Domestic expenditure

2.
(includes government individual spending)

3.

Internal tourism consumption

(= 1 + 2 )

4.

Purchases by tourism providers,

including imported goods
(supply chain)

5.

Direct contribution of
Travel & Tourism to GDP
(= 3 + 4)

Other final impacts

(indirect & induced)
6.

Domestic supply chain

7.

Capital investment

8.

Government collective spending

45.4

47.7

44.3

42.9

42.5

42.7

43.3

55.7

9.

Imported goods from indirect spending

-15.9

-12.5

-9.5

-9.5

-17.7

-13.2

-13.3

-15.5

59.7

56.5

64.1

59.9

62.8

70.1

71.9

95.0

329.1

303.2

348.0

333.1

353.6

389.1

400.3

542.4

8.3

7.8

7.3

7.9

8.9

9.6

10.0

12.8

34.0

30.4

36.0

33.4

34.6

37.9

38.9

46.9

104.6

78.5

81.7

93.3

103.5

103.8

99.2

112.5

10. Induced
11. Total contribution of
Travel & Tourism to GDP
(= 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10)

Employment impacts ('000)

Direct contribution of Travel & Tourism
12. to
employment
Total contribution of Travel &
13. Tourism
to employment
Other indicators
14. Expenditure on outbound travel

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Iceland

Total area 103 440 sq km

Lakes and streams 2 386 sq km
Land area 90 154 sq km
Icecap and glaciers 10 800 sq km
Arable land and gardens 1 865 sq km
Forests 1 212 sq km
Largest lake ingvallavatn 82 sq km
Highest point Hvannadalshnkur 2 110 m
Coastline, mainland 6 088 km
Population 1 January 2013 321 857
Population per square km ice-free
land area, 1 January 2013 3.6
Capital area population 205 675 (Reykjavik incl. suburbs)1
National holiday 17 June (Independence Day 17 June 1944)
Form of Government Republic
Parliament Alingi or Althingi (63 seats)
Membership of EU No, but member of EEA from 1 Jan. 1994
Membership of NATO Yes, from 4 April 1949
Head of state lafur Ragnar Grmsson
Head of government Prime Minister Sigmundur Dav
Gunnlaugsson (The Progressive Party)
Currency Icelandic krona (ISK)
Official website www.iceland.is

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Energy sources
The most important energy sources in the Nordic countries measured
in terms of energy supply in million toe (tonnes oil equivalent)
are in order of importance: oil, solid fuels (e.g. coal and wood),
nuclear power, hydro and geothermal power and solar energy, and
gas. In the EU the most important source of energy is also oil, but
here gas comes in second.
Hydro and geothermal power and other renewable sources are
major sources of energy in the Nordic countries, as compared to the
EU countries. Particularly in Iceland and Norway, hydro and geothermal
power constitute a major share of the overall energy supply.
Denmark depends almost entirely on thermal power generated
from coal, oil and gas. Iceland obtains a substantial part of its energy
for heating from geothermal energy and depends almost entirely
upon hydropower resources for its production of electricity.

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Culture
Kultur
Culture is one of the main components of co-operation between the
Nordic countries, and has long acted as a bridge, improving understanding
of the neighbouring peoples and the shared values.
The policies of the Nordic countries with respect to cultural
life, mass media and religion have many features in common.
However, some differences may be pointed out for instance,
cultural institutions arising from historical circumstances.
In both Denmark and Sweden, there are cultural institutions
with roots in the traditions of the royal courts. In these countries,
national institutions formed the foundation of cultural life
at an early stage while, in Norway, cultural institutions began to
form later.
Government expenditure on culture
Iceland is the Nordic country that has the highest government
expenditure on culture a total of 3.3 per cent of GDP. Denmark
comes second with a total of 1.6 per cent of GDP. Sweden
spends the least with 1.1 per cent. Looking at per capita expenditure
Iceland again has the highest expenditure but with Norway
coming second. Greenland spends the third highest amount on
culture and leisure per capita.
In Iceland and Norway, expenditures have more than doubled
since 2000. In the other Nordic countries, expenditures have
only gone up between 40 and 50 per cent in the same period.

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Fig. 2: Cheltuielile statelor

nordice n cultur

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Museums
Denmark has the most museums, a total of 274, but museums in
land and Iceland have the most visitors an average of 4 and 5
visits per inhabitant.
Theatres
Many theatres in the Nordic countries receive public funding.
Theatre funding constitutes a major share of allocations within
the cultural area in all the countries. All countries have national
theatres, where plays, ballets and operas are performed. In
addition to the national theatres, there are professional regional
theatres, which are also supported by the state, counties or
municipalities. Most countries also have a few private theatres
and many amateur ensembles, which may be supported, at least
partially, by municipalities, primarily.

The over-arching objectives for Nordic co-operation are stable

and sustainable economic growth; development of the Nordic
welfare model; economic integration in the Nordic region, the
Baltic Sea region and Europe; and the promotion of joint Nordic
interests at international level.
2007 marked the beginning of the financial crisis throughout
the world. All the Nordic countries have been affected by the
global crisis though to varying degrees. GDP growth was negative
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in all of the Nordic countries in 2008 and 2009. From 2009
most of the Nordic countries experienced growth again.
The Nordic economies are among the countries in the Western
World with the best macroeconomic performance in the recent
ten years. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have for
example experienced constant and large excess exports in
recent years. Iceland is the only country which has balance of
payments deficits (2011). At the same time, unemployment
is
low in most of the Nordic countries compared with the rest of
Europe. As a result of the cyclical down-turn, the public balance
is now in deficit, except for Norway.
Economic growth
Over the past ten years, the Nordic countries had a noticeably
larger increase in their gross domestic product (GDP)
than the euro area. The only exceptions are Denmark and
land which had a lower growth. However, from 2007 to
2009, the Nordic countries and the EA17 all had a marked
negative growth due to the global financial crisis. Since 2009
most countries have experienced growth again.
Measured by GDP per capita, the Nordic countries have a
higher income than the EA17. Norways GDP per capita is
as high as 80 per cent above the EA17 average, and Norway
is actually one of the countries with the highest standard of
living.

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Fig. 3: Date generale din

economia rilor nordice
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http://www.mfa.is/media/utn-pdf-skjol/Fact-Sheet---No-1,-2014.pdf
ICELAND
Economic growth was considerably more robust than expected in 2013, reflecting strong exports
and buoyant tourist spending. Significant employment gains and policy decisions to reduce
household
debt will stimulate private consumption and further fuel the recovery in 2014. As a result, unused
production capacity will disappear in the course of 2015.
Fiscal consolidation will continue in 2014. The household debt relief plan will increase spending,
but this will be financed by revenue measures, mainly a higher tax on banks total debt. It will be
necessary to raise nominal interest rates as spare capacity in the economy disappears. Reforms to
raise
output potential, notably by stimulating investment, would ease supply constraints, thereby
weakening
inflationary pressures. In particular, lifting capital controls would send a positive signal to foreign
investors.
GDP growth was surprisingly strong in 2013, mainly due to exports
and tourism earnings. Gross fixed capital formation (excluding volatile
items, such as ships and aircraft) also increased strongly, while private
consumption and government spending grew at slower rates. Buoyant
exports, weak imports and a much lower deficit in primary income from
abroad all contributed to a large current account surplus of over 5% of GDP
in adjusted terms (i.e. excluding the transactions of banks being wound
up), among the highest surpluses recorded since the compilation of
national accounts started in Iceland in 1945. Employment benefitted from
the dynamism of activity and the unemployment rate declined further.
Long-term unemployment has improved, but youth unemployment
remains high.
Fiscal policy remains on a trajectory of gradual deficit reduction. The
general government deficit declined to 2.1% of GDP in 2013, through a
combination of strong tax revenues and spending restraint.

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government aims to reduce the deficit further to about 1% of GDP in 201415. Significant tax policy changes are introduced in the 2014 budget. The
tax levied on the total debt of credit institutions will be raised further,
while the tax pressure on middle-income and low-income households
will be lightened through a combination of a lower tax rate and a higher
basic income deduction. On the spending side, the government decided to
cancel various investment projects and new entitlement programmes,
and introduced an across-the-board cap of 1.5% on spending growth.
With economic slack being quickly taken up and unit labour costs
rising, inflation is projected to gain pace, especially in 2015. Higher
interest rates are thus assumed as the economic situation normalises.
Economic activity is projected to remain on a path of strong
expansion in 2014-15, although with different drivers than recently.
Exports are expected to slow towards a pace more consistent with
Icelands external market growth and level of competitiveness. By
contrast, private consumption will be supported by the governments
household debt relief programme. Business investment will benefit from
the realisation of projects in the pharmaceutical and tourism sectors
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(several hotels are planned). This more domestically-driven pattern of growth will help eliminate
the current account surplus (on an underlying
basis) and reduce imbalances in the economy.
Icelands economic prospects are subject to various uncertainties.
Large FDI inflows in manufacturing and energy sectors are difficult to
predict because impending projects appear to have been hampered by the
weakening global demand for aluminium. Downside risks relate to the
process of lifting capital controls, which could disrupt financial
conditions. Ongoing legal disputes with international claimants (Icesave,
frozen assets, etc.) are also sources of risk.

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ingvellir National Park

ingvellir (Thingvellir) is the National Park where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the
whole of Iceland, was established in 930 and continued to meet until 1798. Over two weeks a year, the
assembly set laws - seen as a covenant between free men - and settled disputes. The Althing has deep
historical and symbolic associations for the people of Iceland. The property includes the ingvellir
National Park and the remains of the Althing itself: fragments of around 50 booths built from turf and
stone. Remains from the 10th century are thought to be buried underground. The site also includes
remains of agricultural use from the 18th and 19th centuries. The park shows evidence of the way the
landscape was husbanded over 1,000 years.

Justification for Inscription

Criterion (iii): The Althing and its hinterland, the ingvellir National Park, represent, through the remains
of the assembly ground, the booths for those who attended, and through landscape evidence of
settlement extending back possibly to the time the assembly was established, a unique reflection of
mediaeval Norse/Germanic culture and one that persisted in essence from its foundation in 980 AD until
the 18th century.
Criterion (vi): Pride in the strong association of the Althing to mediaeval Germanic/Norse governance,
known through the 12th century Icelandic sagas, and reinforced during the fight for independence in the
19th century, have, together with the powerful natural setting of the assembly grounds, given the site

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iconic status as a shrine for the national.

Long Description
The Althing and its hinterland, ingvellir National Park, represent, through the remains of the assembly
ground, the booths for those who attended, and through landscape evidence of settlement extending
back possibly to the time the assembly was established, a unique reflection of medieval
Norse/Germanic culture and one that persisted from its foundation in 980 AD until the 18th century.
Pride in the strong association of the Althing to medieval Germanic/Norse governance, known through
the 12th-century Icelandic sagas, and reinforced during the fight for independence in the 19th century,
have, together with the powerful natural setting of the assembly grounds, given the site iconic status as
a shrine for the nation.
ingvellir (Thingvellir) is where the Althing - an open-air assembly that represented the whole of Iceland
- was established in 930 and continued to meet until 1798. Over two weeks a year, the assembly set
laws, seen as a covenant between free men, and settled disputes. The Althing has deep historical and
symbolic associations for the people of Iceland. Located on an active volcanic site, the World Heritage
site includes the ingvellir National Park and the remains of the Althing itself: fragments of around 50
booths built from turf and stone. Remains from the 10th century are thought to be buried underground.
The site also includes remains of agricultural use from 18th and 19th centuries, the Thingvellir Church
and adjacent farm, and the population of arctic char in Lake Thingvallavatn. The park shows evidence
of the way the landscape was husbanded over 1,000 years.
The assembly had several institutions: the Law Council, five courts and the Lawspeaker. The principal
task of the Council was to 'frame the law'. The 12th-century chronicles, the Book of Icelanders
(Islendlingabok ) describes the search for a suitable assembly site, convenient for the routes across the
island. The site chosen, although towards the south of the island formed a suitable focus for the
greatest concentration of the farming population. Remains at Thingvellir include fragments of around 50
attenders' booths. These booths, built from turf and stone with a canvas roof, provided temporary
accommodation for those attending the assembly. They were frequently repaired or rebuilt on the same
site. Those remaining seem to date from the 17th and 18th centuries (the final flourishing of the
Assembly) and to have been built on top of earlier remains.
The hinterland of the Althing was agricultural land on which the prosperity of the island depended. No
one now lives in what is now the National Park; three farms in the area when the park was established
were bought out and the houses and buildings gradually abandoned. The last residents left in the
1960s. The park landscape contains abundant remains of structures associated with earlier agricultural
use of the land, such as houses, outhouses and sheep pens, surrounded by their small subsistence
home fields for arable crops and perhaps hay, and a network of tracks linking the farms to each other
and to the Assembly site on which they converged. The vast open expanses of land around the
enclosed fields was grazing land - for the sheep and cattle of the farms but also to be used by the
horses of those attending the Assemblies. There are the remains of six farms, a summer farm or
sheiling, a chapel and a brew-house. It is surmised that most of the remains date from the 18th and
19th centuries, although documentary evidence for specific settlements such as the Grimsstadir farm
goes back to the 10th century.
The present Thingvellir Church, a protected building, dates from the 1850s, but it is on the site of a
much larger church dating from the early 11th century. The neighbouring Thingvellir Farm is a relatively
modern building in classic Icelandic form, which now serves as a country residence for the President of
Iceland.

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Historical Description
[in French only]
L'Islande semble avoir t inhabite l'poque o les peuples nordiques arrivrent au IXe sicle - dans
le cadre d'une migration massive en direction de l'ouest venue de Scandinavie, de Grande-Bretagne et
d'Irlande. Le peuplement a commenc aux alentours de 870 et l'Islande est considre comme ayant
t entirement colonise aux environs de 930, l'intervalle entre ces deux dates tant connu comme
le temps de la colonisation .
peu prs la mme poque, la migration nordique a atteint les les Fro et le Groenland. Dans ces
trois lieux, des assembles nationales d'hommes arms et libres ont t tablies dans la tradition
germanique mais, contrairement ce qu'on a pu constater dans les pays dj peupls, on n'instaura
pas de chefs nationaux ou rois capables de mener la bataille en temps de guerre, essentiellement
parce que les les semblaient offrir une protection stratgique.
En Islande, l'Althing, ou Assemble plnire, durait l'origine deux semaines par an et se tenait,
comme dans toutes les socits germaniques, en plein air. Il avait pour rle de fixer et de maintenir les
lois et de trancher les diffrends au sein des textes de loi eux-mmes. Les lois taient vues comme un
accord entre hommes libres, une sorte de contrat social. Elles furent consignes par crit en 1117-1118
et ont t prserves sous la forme de manuscrits du XIIe sicle.
Le Commonwealth, nom de cette socit primitive, tait une association libre des principaux chefs du
pays. Il n'existait pas de pouvoir centralis - les institutions gouvernantes dfinissaient les droits du
peuple, mais ne les faisaient pas appliquer. Ses idaux en matire de lois et de pouvoir - un pouvoir
limit par nature et des lois qui, pour le dfinir, mergeaient au fil des gnrations, par accord mutuel taient chants dans les sagas islandaises crites entre le XIIe et le XIIIe sicle.
Au dbut du XIIIe sicle, la structure administrative commena se dsintgrer, face aux conflits entre
les chefs les plus puissants du pays.
l'poque de l'exode de Norvge et d'autres rgions d'Europe, le pouvoir royal dans ces pays restait
assez faible. Dans les trois sicles qui suivirent, il grandit jusqu' devenir beaucoup plus efficace, tant
et si bien que, au XIIIe sicle, la force d'un pays tait synonyme de contrle d'un monarque fort.
L'Islande choisit de s'aligner sur la monarchie norvgienne en 1262-1264, les chefs conservant
largement leur indpendance.
Entre 1262 et 1319, la structure administrative fut amende pour donner au roi et ses officiels le droit
de faire appliquer les lois et pour permettre au roi de nommer le conseil lgislatif. Toutefois, il conserva
son droit de lgifrer.
En 1662, l' absolutisme (c'est--dire le pouvoir absolu du monarque) fut introduit en Islande, d'o
une diminution non ngligeable du rle du conseil lgislatif, qui continua pourtant d'adopter des lois
jusqu'en 1700, mais dans certains domaines seulement. Cependant, dans les cinquante ans qui
suivirent, les pouvoirs lgislatifs de l'Althing finirent par disparatre et, la fin du XVIIIe sicle, les
runions de l'Assemble n'taient plus que l'ombre de ce qu'elles avaient jadis t. En 1789, aprs un
tremblement de terre qui endommagea le site, l'Althing fut transfr Reykjavik, o il se runit jusqu'
son abolition en 1800.
Les idaux du Commonwealth des dbuts, exprims dans les sagas, ont grandement influenc ceux
qui, au XIXe sicle, commencrent faire campagne pour une Islande libre et souveraine. Les potes
et les auteurs qui reprirent ce thme voyaient Thingvellir comme le lieu abritant l' me et l' esprit
de la nation islandaise. De mme, les artistes taient inspirs non seulement par le paysage, mais par
les vocations des nobles systmes de justice qui y taient associs.

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Cet veil nationaliste concidait avec une vague similaire en Europe, et une prise de conscience
croissante de la valeur spirituelle du paysage. Les sagas islandaises furent traduites et gagnrent en
popularit dans d'autres pays d'Europe. L'Islande commena tre considre comme dpositaire de
la culture nordique, et de plus en plus de touristes commencrent se rendre en plerinage
Thingvellir.
En 1930, pour concider avec les clbrations du millnaire de l'tablissement de l'Althing, le
gouvernement islandais a officiellement reconnu l'importance de Thingvellir en en faisant un parc
national, l'un des premiers en Europe.
Surtsey

Surtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed
by volcanic eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. It is all the more outstanding for having been
protected since its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human
interference, Surtsey has been producing unique long-term information on the colonisation process of
new land by plant and animal life. Since they began studying the island in 1964, scientists have
observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the appearance of moulds, bacteria and fungi,
followed in 1965 by the first vascular plant, of which there were 10 species by the end of the first
decade. By 2004, they numbered 60 together with 75 bryophytes, 71 lichens and 24 fungi. Eighty-nine
species of birds have been recorded on Surtsey, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland. The 141 ha
island is also home to 335 species of invertebrates.

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Outstanding Universal Value

Surtsey is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions in 1963-67. It has been legally protected from its
birth and provides the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, Surtsey
has produced long-term information on the colonisation process of new land by plant and animal life.
Criterion (ix): Ongoing biological and ecological processes: Surtsey was born as a new volcanic island
in 1963-67 and since that time has played a major role in studies of succession and colonisation. It has
been the site of one of the few long term studies worldwide on primary succession, providing a unique
scientific record of the process of colonisation of land by plants, animals and marine organisms. Not
only is it geographically isolated, but it has been legally protected from its birth, providing the world with
a pristine natural laboratory, free from human interference. Above all, because of its continuing
protection, Surtsey will continue to provide invaluable data on biological colonisation long into the
future.
Integrity
The property includes the whole island and an adequate surrounding marine area, and thus all the
areas that are essential for the long term conservation of the ecological processes on Surtsey. There is
also a relatively small but functional marine buffer zone that is not part of the inscribed property. It is
noted that part of the evolution of Surtsey is the process of coastal erosion which has already halved
the area of the island and over time is predicted to remove another two thirds leaving only the most
resistant core.
Protection and management requirements
Surtsey is a highly controlled, isolated environment and so threats are very limited. The purpose of
strictly prohibiting visits to Surtsey is to ensure that colonisation by plants and animals, biotic
succession and the shaping of geological formations will be as natural as possible and that human
disruption will be minimised. It is prohibited to go ashore or dive by the island, to disturb the natural
features, introduce organisms, minerals and soils or leave waste on the island. Nearby construction is
also strictly controlled. The most significant management issue will be to retain the level of control and
protection from human influence that has characterised the protective history of Surtsey. It is noted that,
as an island ecosystem, there is the potential for human disturbance and pollution from a very wide
area. Contingency planning, for example for oil spills, is required for the property and its wider
surroundings. Given the lack of access a creative and positive approach to presenting the property will
be required to ensure that visitors are able to appreciate, but not disturb, its values.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Definition of the Arctic
The participants noted that different definitions of the Arctic region exist and that for working
purposes under the World Heritage Convention the definition of the Arctic as north of the Arctic
Circle may be too restrictive, and that the southernmost border used by the Arctic Council may be
preferable.
2. Legal Protection
The participants encouraged the States Parties of the Arctic region, where required, to review
national legislation and designation of protected areas and cultural places to enhance provisions to
protect and conserve this often fragile and vulnerable heritage for future generations.
3. Tentative Lists
The participants noted that a number of Tentative Lists require updating and harmonization among
the Arctic States Parties and urged the authorities to use best practice models available for their
revision.
The participants encouraged the Arctic States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to review
the outstanding heritage of the Arctic region, and consider including additional cultural and natural
sites into national Tentative Lists (e.g. archaeological sites, sacred sites, scientific heritage/heritage
of scientific exploration, biodiversity and geological/geomorphological processes).
4. Nominations
The participants encouraged Arctic States Parties and stakeholders to share experiences about the
preparation of nominations.
The participants discussed projects for serial and transnational World Heritage nominations
covering Arctic sites, such as the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the Viking Culture and Saami cultural heritage
and emphasized that sound scientific frameworks are required.
The participants noted the results of the Nordic World Heritage meeting (Copenhagen 2006) and
its recommendation to examine the possibilities for a joint nomination of Saami cultural heritage.
Such a nomination should be jointly prepared by the four Arctic countries (Finland, Norway,
Sweden, Russian Federation) with active participation of the Saami Assemblies/Saami
Parliamentarian Council and should cover areas best representing the whole range of values
(sacred sites, burial grounds, archaeological evidence and cultural landscapes reflecting traditional
use and practices such as reindeer herding). The Saami Council is encouraged to initiate such a
transnational project.
The participants also noted that societies over the whole span of humanity have lived herding
animals and hunting traditions for wild animals for subsistence and recalled that two Arctic States
Parties have included this phenomenon on their Tentative Lists. The participants encouraged a
joint reflection on the topic to best cover the theme through a global perspective and select the
most representative Arctic sites for a future serial and transnational nomination.
The participants encouraged Arctic States Parties to use an integrated approach in preparing
nominations considering both natural and cultural values and to cover wherever possible the

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important interaction between people and their Arctic environment.

5. Management
The participants welcomed the excellent case study on the transboundary management
cooperation presented on Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek and
recommended the concept of shared management guidelines be adopted for other transboundary
properties. Indigenous peoples traditional access should be taken into account in all management
provisions.
The participants noted the Draft Resource Manual on the Preparation of Management Plans for
Natural Properties which is available at the IUCN/WCPA web page 1 and encouraged all
stakeholders to use it to the extent possible.
The participants urged all site managers, local and national authorities jointly with stakeholders to
use best practice tourism management for fragile Arctic sites and encouraged all working on the
preparation of management plans/management systems to include focused tourism and land use
plans. The example of the tourism management system at Svalbard (Norway) was mentioned as a
best practice example which may benefit other sites.
6. International collaboration and networking
The participants welcomed the involvement of local communities in the Arctic World Heritage
conservation and nomination processes, commended the representation of indigenous peoples in
the management of a number of Arctic World Heritage sites, and encouraged further partnerships.
The participants requested the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to regularly update its web-site
concerning World Heritage and the Arctic, and to include links to relevant events and publications.
The participants suggested organizing a small follow-up side meeting during the World Heritage
Committee meeting in Quebec, Canada, in July 2008 in particular to inform Delegations on the
outcomes of this expert meeting.
The participants requested UNESCO World Heritage Centre to continue the collaboration
with multilateral environmental agreements and enhance exchange with UNEP/GRID
Arendal with regard to Arctic issues. They noted that a first meeting of all environmental
multilateral agreements and the Arctic took place in September 2006 at UNEP/Grid Arendal
and that the results are included on its web-site www.grida.no.
The indigenous peoples organizations present recommended that UNESCO consider requesting
Observer status at the Arctic Council. They further encouraged collaboration with the Arctic Council
concerning the development of project proposals on World Heritage and potential sites.
The participants specifically requested that these recommendations be shared with relevant bodies
concerned by the Arctic, as well as channeled by UNEP to its Governing Council/Global Ministerial
Environment Forum (GMEF) meeting in February 2008 in close coordination with the host country
Monaco.
The participants welcomed the momentum created by the International Polar Year and the Year of
Planet Earth and requested that these recommendations be shared with their secretariats for
further dissemination.
1 http://www.iucn.org/themes/wcpa/pubs/Worldheritage.htm

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7. Scientific research, exchange and comparative studies

The participants encouraged the governments of the Arctic States Parties to the World Heritage
Convention to make best use of scientific information available and enhance scientific information
exchange in the identification, preservation and management of outstanding Arctic heritage.
The participants suggested that States Parties share information concerning comparative analysis
of Arctic sites in order to contribute to baseline information in the preparation of serial and
transnational cultural and natural properties.
The participants noted the proposal by IUCN to prepare a thematic study on natural heritage in the
Arctic region. The participants also noted the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) being
conducted by CAFF which has been endorsed by the Arctic Council and which is now in the
planning phase. The participants encouraged ICOMOS to consider the preparation of a thematic
study of the cultural heritage of the Arctic and that this be coordinated with the IUCN study.
8. Funding
The participants welcomed the funding by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for the
Environment and the support by the Nordic World Heritage Foundation for the first international
Expert Meeting on World Heritage and the Arctic, and encouraged them and other organizations
and foundations to continue their interest and financial support in identification, preservation and
safeguarding World Heritage in the region.

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