:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
President:
last held on 29 June 1988 (next scheduled for June 1996); results - there
was no election in 1992 as President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR was unopposed
Althing:
last held on 20 April 1991 (next to be held by April 1995); results -
Independence Party 38.6%, Progressive Party 18.9%, Social Democratic Party
15.5%, People's Alliance 14.4%, Womens List 8.3%, Liberals 1.2%, other 3.1%;
seats - (63 total) Independence 26, Progressive 13, Social Democratic 10,
People's Alliance 9, Womens List 5
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (Althing)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Haestirettur)

*Iceland, Government

Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR (since 1 August 1980)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)
Member of:
Australian Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, GATT, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NC, NEA,
NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
chancery:
2022 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-6653 through 6655
FAX:
(202) 265-6656
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jon GUNDERSEN
embassy:
Laufasvegur 21, Box 40, Reykjavik
mailing address:
USEMB, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340
telephone:
[354] (1) 29100
FAX: [354] (1) 29139
Flag:
blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the
flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the
style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

*Iceland, Economy

Overview:
Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, but with an
extensive welfare system, relatively low unemployment, and comparatively
even distribution of income. The economy is heavily dependent on the fishing
industry, which provides nearly 75% of export earnings and employs 12% of
the workforce. In the absence of other natural resources - except energy -
Iceland's economy is vulnerable to changing world fish prices. Iceland's
economy has been in recession since 1988. The recession deepened in 199