dharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*,
Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*,
Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla,
Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*,
Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*,
Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla,
Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla,
Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla,
Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla

Independence: 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Establishment of the
Republic, 17 June (1944)

Constitution: 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944

Legal system: civil law system based on Danish law; does not
accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August
1980) was elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 29 June 1988 (next to be held June 1996); results
- there was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR
was unopposed
head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April
1991) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Althing): elections last held on 8 April 1995 (next to
be held by April 1999); results - Independence Party 37.1%,
Progressive Party 23.3%, Social Democratic Party 11.4%, Socialists
14.3%, People's Movement 7.2%, Women's Party 4.9%; seats - (63
total) Independence 25, Progressive 15, Social Democratic 7,
Socialists 9, People's Movement 4, Women's Party 3

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Haestirettur), justices are
appointed for life by the president

Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative),
David ODDSSON; Progressive Party (liberal), Halldor ASGRIMSSON;
Social Democratic Party, Jon Baldvin HANNIBALSSON; People's Alliance
(left socialist), Margret FRIMANNSDOTTIR; Women's Party, Kristin
ASTGEIRSDOTTIR; People's Movement (centrist); National Awakening
(People's Revival Party), Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR

International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAC