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Cars 4 Rental Information on Iceland

General

Area: 103,000 sq km (39,769 sq miles).

Population: 288,471 (2002).

Population Density: 2.8 per sq km.

Capital: Reykjavk. Population: 112,554 (2002).

GEOGRAPHY: Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic close to the Arctic Circle and includes islands to the north and south. The landscape is wild, rugged and colourful, with black lava, red sulphur, hot blue geysers, grey and white rivers with waterfalls and green valleys, its coastline richly indented with bays and fjords. The whole of the central highland plateau of the island is a beautiful but barren and uninhabitable moonscape - so much so that the first American astronauts were sent there for pre-mission training. Five-sixths of Iceland is uninhabited, the population being concentrated on the coast, in the valleys and in the plains of the southwest and southeast of the country. More than half the population live in or around Reykjavk, the capital. Iceland is one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Hekla, in the south of Iceland, is the most famous and magnificent volcano of them all. It has erupted no fewer than 16 times since Iceland was settled, and throughout the Middle Ages was considered by European clergymen as one of the gateways to Hell itself. Another volcano, Snfellsnes, fired Jules Verne’s imagination to use its crater as the point of entry for his epic tale, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Iceland’s highest and most extensive glacier is Vatnajkull; at 8500 sq km (3280 sq miles), it is the largest in Europe, although it is now reported to be melting.

Government: Republic. Gained full independence from Denmark in 1944. Head of State: President lafur Ragnar Grimsson since 1996. Head of Government: Prime Minister Halldr sgrmsson since 2004. Iceland’s Parliament (the Alingi or Althing) is the oldest in the world.

Language: The official language is Icelandic, which has remained virtually unchanged since the Vikings settled Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries. The Icelandic language refuses to accept foreign words, preferring instead to coin new words from ancient Viking roots. The word for computer thus becomes tlva, a hybrid made up of the old words for ‘number’ and ‘prophetess’. English (which is taught in schools) and Danish are widely spoken.

Religion: Lutheran, with a Catholic minority.

Time: GMT.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plug fittings are normally two-pin with round section pins 4mm in diameter with centres 2cm apart. Lamp fittings are screw-type. Almost all the power is generated by thermal hydroelectric stations.

Communications:

Telephone

Full IDD service is available. Country code: 354. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone

GSM 900 and 1800 networks exist, serving Reykjavk and coastal towns. Network operators include Iceland Telecom (website: www.simi.is), Og Vodaphone (website: www.ogvodafone.is) and Viking Wireless.

Fax

Public facilities are available at the main telephone headquarters in Austurvoll Square and in most hotels and offices.

Internet

Internet cafes provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. ISPs include Hringidan/Vortex Inc (website: www.vortex.is) and Vodafone (website: www.itn.is).

Telegram

There is a 24-hour telegram service from the Telegraph Office in Reykjavk.

Post

There is an efficient airmail service to Europe. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630. The post office at Austurstrti is also open Sat 1000-1400 from June to September.

Press

The most popular newspapers are DV, Frttablai and Morgunblai. International English-language newspapers and magazines are available.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Money

Currency: Icelandic Krona (Ikr) = 100 aurar. Notes are in denominations of Ikr5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of IKr100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

Currency exchange: Foreign currencies can be exchanged in all major banks, some of which (such as the Landesbank at Keflavik airport) are open 24 hours. Most hotels also provide their guests with exchange services. Exchange services are also available from The Change Group, which has offices at Keflavik airport, the Tourist Information Centre and in central Reykjavk. ATMs are also available throughout the country, especially Reykjavk.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Europay, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Widely used. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of local currency is limited to Ikr8000; the import of foreign currency is unlimited and the export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Krona against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date Nov ’03 Feb ’04 May ’04 Aug ’04
£1.00= 129.55 126.52 132.02 129.82
$1.00= 76.34 69.50 73.92 70.46

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0915-1600.

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Health

Special Precautions Certificate Required
Yellow Fever No No
Cholera No No
Typhoid and Polio No N/A
Malaria No N/A

Other risks: Care should be taken as hypothermia is a real risk.

Health care: All hospitals have excellent standards of medical service. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. On presentation of a UK passport or NHS card, all in-patient treatment at hospitals and emergency dental treatment for children aged six to 15 is free. Citizens of EU countries, Liechtenstein and Norway get free medical treatment in hospital on presentation of an E-111 form. For others, medical and dental treatment, prescribed medicines and travel by ambulance must be paid for. If wrongly charged, one can apply for a refund by presenting any receipts to the State Social Security Institute, Laugavegur 114, 150 Reykjavk (tel: 560 4400). There are medical centres and hospitals in all major towns and cities. The emergency number for medical assistance is 112 (open 24 hours).

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Climate

Iceland’s climate is tempered by the Gulf Stream. Summers are mild and winters rather cold. The colourful Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) appear from the end of August. From the end of May to the beginning of August, there are nearly 24 hours of perpetual daylight in Reykjavk, while in the northern part of the country the sun barely sets at all. Winds can be strong and gusty at times and there is the occasional dust storm in the interior. Snow is not as common as the name of the country would seem to suggest and, in any case, does not lie for long in Reykjavk; it is only in northern Iceland that skiing conditions are reasonably certain. However, the weather is very changeable at all times of the year, and in Reykjavk there may be rain, sunshine, drizzle and snow in the same day. The air is clean and free of pollution.

Required clothing: Lightweights in warmer months, with extra woollens for walking and the cooler evenings. Medium- to heavyweights are advised in winter. Waterproofing is recommended throughout the year.

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Passport

Passport Required Visa Required Return Ticket Required
British Yes No No
Australian Yes No Yes
Canadian Yes No Yes
USA Yes No Yes
OtherEU Yes/1 No No
Japanese Yes No Yes

Note: Iceland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. For further details about passport/visa regulations within the Schengen area, see the introductory section How to Use this Guide.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 3 months after intended date of departure required by all. Certain nationals may be permitted to enter Iceland with a travel document valid for at least 6 months after intended date of departure; please consult the nearest Danish embassy for further details.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for stays of up to 3 months:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, British Overseas Territories, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.

Note: (a) Nationals of the following countries require an airport transit visa (holders of travel documents issued by these countries are also subject to such requirements): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka. (b) Indian nationals do not require an airport transit visa if they hold a valid visa for an EU or EEA country, USA or Canada.

Types of visa and cost: £7-£33. A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. Transit/Airport Transit: £7.
Note: (a) Visa fees are payable in cash (exact money only) or cheque supported by a cheque guarantee card. Visa fees are non-refundable and payable on submission of the visa application. (b)Visas are issued free of charge to spouses of EU or EEA nationals, or persons related in direct line of ascent or descent to such nationals or their spouses, if they are supported by the national in question and if they have legal residence in the UK. Relevant documentation must be produced in such cases, including an original marriage certificate, the passport of the EU citizen and the EU citizen’s residence permit and evidence of an EEA residence permit in the UK, plus proof of joint household. Further documentation may be requested in addition to this.

Validity: Up to 3 months. For extensions, apply to the Immigration authority in Iceland.

Application to: Royal Danish Embassy; see Denmark section. Applications cannot be made by post. Appointments must be made in advance by calling (09065) 540 7555 (automated; 24-hour). Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the country they will enter first (if they have no main destination).

Application requirements: (a) Completed visa application form. (b) One colour passport-size photo on a light background. (c) Valid passport or travel document, if applicable, with a blank page to affix the visa. (d) Fee, payable by cash or cheque (non-refundable). (e) Proof of purpose of visit such as a letter of invitation and evidence of accommodation. (f) Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the duration of stay. (g) A pre-paid self-addressed envelope for registered post, if you would like your visa to be sent to your home address. (h) For business visits, a letter of invitation from a business contact in Iceland stating nature and duration of stay, type of visa and accommodation. (i) Evidence of occupation/student status, eg an original letter from an employer or solicitor; if unemployed, a social benefit booklet; if a student, an original letter from the appropriate school/university.

Working days required: Varies according to nationality, may take several weeks.

Temporary residence: Enquire at Embassy of the Republic of Iceland.

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