Geografia economica a resurselor naturale- ISLANDA

1Universitatea Al. I. Cuza din Iai

Facultatea de Geografie i Geologie

TURISMUL N ISLANDA

Student: Pascaru Denis

Grupa: GT12

Iai

- 2014 -

2Fig. 1: Islanda, n colul din dreapta de jos, poziia Islandei fa de Europa

Sintez

Islanda este un stat ce face parte din Europa de Nord, care este alctuit din insula propriuzis i restul de insulie periferice care se gsesc n nordul Oceanului Atlantic gsindu-se ntreEuropa i Groenlanda. Islanda este cel mai mic stat nordic dup numrul de locuitori, avndaproximativ 313.000 de locuitori i deine o suprafa de circa 103.000 km. Capitala statuluiIslandez este Reykjavk, find i cel mai mare ora de pe insul. Limba oficial ce se vorbete nacest 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. Sectorulsecundar se bazeaz pe industrie care are n componen ramuri industriale ca i: pescuitul, fiindsituat pe locul 1 pe Glob, industria metalurgic, industria energetic care se folosete de resursenaturale (centrale geotermice, hidrocentrale). Ultimul sector, sectorul teriar, este alctuit dintransporturi i turism. Transporturile din Islanda sunt alctuite din transporturile rutiere,transporturile aeriene, transporturile navale iar cile ferate lipsesc din aceast ar. n ceea ceprivete turismul din Islanda putem meniona c aceasta este o ramur esenial n economia statuluiIslandez deoarece reprezint aproximativ o treime din produsul intern brut al acestei ri. Turismuln Islanda este determinat de un potenial turistic, acest potenial nsumeaz totalitatea lucrurilor cedetermin atracia ce avizeaz n mod direct pe turiti. Acest potenial este mprit n doucategorii: potenialul natural i potenialul antropic. Potenialul natural n Islanda este determinat devulcanismul pe care acesta l deine, vulcanismul acestei ri a aprut datorit poziiei geografice astatului care este aezat pe dorsala Atlantic, astfel jumate din Islanda se afl pe placa NordAmerican i cealalt pe placa EuroAsiatic. Islanda are aproximativ 130 de vulcani, un vulcancunoscut din stat este vulcanul Laki deoarece este singurul vulcan care a avut cea mai lung icontinu fntn de lav observat vreodat astfel fisura a fost de 25 kilometri. Al doilea factor cealctuiete potenialul natural al Islandei sunt gheizerele, care reprezint izvoare vulcanice ce aruncla intervale de timp nite jeturi de ap fierbini, n ar exist circa 100 de gheizere. Pe lng acetiadoi 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 pentruvulcani apare turismul de aventur, pentru gheizere, exist turismul de agreement, iar apelegeotermale i mofetele determin apariia turismului balnear, unde mofeta reprezint un gaz ce afost emanat prin crpturile ce apar la nivelul scoarei pmnteti din cauza unor activitivulcanice, astfel acesta este folosit ca i gaz terapeutic n turismul balnear. Al doilea potenial nstatul Islandez l reprezint potenialul antropic ce este alctuit dintr-un patrimoniu ce este compusdin: monumente, locuri istorice, muzee, parcuri tematice, parcuri de distracie, obiective etnograficei de folclor, astfel tragem concluzia c apare o nou form de turism practicat, i anume turismulcultural. De obicei cele dou feluri de potenial, adic potenialul natural ct i potenialul antropicse unesc armonios n anumite arii, unde rezult c turismul este o ramur - cheie a economiei ncadrul serviciilor din sectorul teriar. Trebuie amintit faptul c aceste forme de turism suntinfluenate de nite factori, dintre care amintim de: mediul economic este cel mai semnificativfactor, care influeneaz n mod direct industria turismului n Islanda din cele dou puncte de vederecare fac referin la cerere i la ofert, factorii economici care ne descrie care sunt veniturilepopulaiei Islandeze, preurile i oferta turistic a Islandei, factorii tehnici prezint performanelemijloacelor 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 dinpunct 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 itemperamentul. Iar ultimii factori ce intervin n apariia, evoluia anumitor forme de turism sunt

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factorii organizatorici ce ne sugereaz formalitile de la frontiere. Veniturile populaiei Islandezeprovin majoritatea din pescuit, locul 1 pe Glob, la care se adaug treimea ce provine din serviciiadica din turism. Preurile i oferta turistic dovedete c sunt destuli de mari, un exemplu este cpentru 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 ncapitala Islandei. Demografia este determinat de populaia statului care este foarte mic, avnd313.000 de locuitori, cu toate acestea Islanda reuete aproape s atrag turiti aproape triplu fa depopulaia rii, ultimele cifre artnd 863.000 de turiti sosii n Islanda. Situaia economic n statulIslandez a fost afectat n mod direct de ctre criza economico-financiar, care a avut consecinegrave care a dus la prbuirea sistemului bancar Islandez i devalorizarea coroanei islandeze careeste 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 cIslanda avnd locuitori puini, nu sunt acoperite locurile de munc totale, la care se adaug faptul cturismul 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 ararespectiv, astfel n Islanda rezultatele din statistic ne spune c turiti vin pentru bile n piscinesau n natur pe timp de var n proporie de 70,5%, fapt care arat prezena turismului balnear, iarpe 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 estemprit n 23 de comitate i mai este alctuit din 14 orae independente. Se tie c Islanda faceparte 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 decapitala insulei, Reykjavik. Acesta a intrat n patrimoniul U.N.E.S.C.O. din anul 2004, astfel parculdezvolt turism cultural, fiind un parc tematic. Majoritatea turitilor ce sosesc n Islanda, vin sviziteze 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 vins viziteze aceast zon a statului insular. Vrsta ce o au majoritatea turitilor este cuprins ntre 18i 39 de ani, iar n general turiti vin n Islanda pentru un sejur n medie de dou sptmni ireprezint un procent de 26,6%. Cele mai vizitate regiuni de ctre turiti sunt regiunile din nordulIslandei i sudul acesteia. Ca i provenien, majoritatea turitilor provin din ri ca: Marea Britaniei 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 aleAmericii, astfel toate aceste ri ne indic fluxurile de turiti, care ne arat de unde provin. Unitilede 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 iuniti de cazare sunt hotelurile i pensiunile, mai putem preciza faptul c turiti strini ce secazeaz la hoteluri i pensiuni islandeze este ntr-o continu cretere, cu excepie find perioadaanilor 2009 2010 unde nregistrarea a artat un mic declin. n ceea ce privete locurile de muncce aparin de turism n anul 2013 se nregistrat 38.000 de locuri de munc care reprezint un procentde 22% din totalurile de locuri de munc pe care le deine Islanda. n prezent locurile de munc aumai crescut cu un procent de 2,6%, astfel s-au creat nc 1.000 de noi locuri de munc. Opreconizare ne sugereaz c Islanda peste 10 ani, adic n anul 2024, locurile de munc se vornmuli, 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 dintotalul din locurile de munc pe care le deine guvernul Islandez, ns nu trebuie uitat faptul caceste locuri de munc depind n proporii mari de gradul de alfabetizare pe care o are araIslandez. Toate aceste date fiind furnizate de ctre statisticienii islandezi ctre Consiliul Mondial alCltoriilor i a Turismului (W.T.T.C.).

Concluzia pe care trebuie tras din aspectul cu privire la turismul din statul Islanda este cacesta deine potenial natural (vulcani, gheizere, gheari), dar i potenial antropic (Parcul National)

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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#8185. Ministerul Afacerilor Externe - http://www.mae.ro/travel-conditions/37096. Long-term strategy for the Icelandic tourism industry -

http://www.invest.is/files/skjol/pdff/pkf_tourism_strategy_report_extract.pdf7. World Travel & Tourism Council -

http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/downloads/iceland2014.pdf8. Nordic Statistical Yearbook - http://www.norden.org/is/utgafa/utgefid-efni/2013-

001/at_download/publicationfile9. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development - http://www.oecd-

ilibrary.org/search?option1=titleAbstract&option2=&value2=&option3=&value3=&option4=&value4=&option5=&value5=&option6=&value6=&option7=&value7=&option8=&value8=&option9=&value9=&option10=&value10=&option11=&value11=&option12=&value12=&option13=&value13=&option14=&value14=&option15=&value15=&option16=&value16=&option17=&value17=&option22=excludeKeyTableEditions&value22=true&option18=sort&value18=&form_name=quick&discontin=factbooks&option23=excludeImprintType&value23=http%3A%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-a66d-70cf302e4385

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

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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 numrde 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 ISKPrefix telefonic internaional: + 354Scurt istoric: Insula a fost descoperit de exploratori irlandezi n jurul secolului IX. Cei dinticoloniti 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 Islandapentru omor, a pornit pe mare i a descoperit Groenlanda, unde a nfiinat o colonie. Fiul su, LeifEriksson a fost unul dintre conductorii expediiilor vikinge care a ajuns, n jurul anului 1000, pnpe coasta continentului nord-american.n anul 1000, misionari itinerani, susinui de regele cretin al Norvegiei, au impus cretinismuldrept nou religie.Perioada iniial de independen a Islandei (pn n secolul XIII, cnd a trecut sub stpnirenorvegian), 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 trecutsub autoritatea Coroanei Daneze. ntre secolele XV XVIII, molimele, exploatarea comercial icatastrofele naturale au redus populaia Islandei la mai puin de 40.000 de locuitori. Abia secolulXIX, dei dramatic n evoluia lui, a adus revigorarea naiunii islandeze. ntrerupte de regele danezla 1800, ntrunirile Althingi-ului au fost reluate n 1843, odat cu renaterea naionalismuluiislandez. n 1874, Islanda a adoptat o constituie proprie.La 1 decembrie 1918, Danemarca a recunoscut Islanda ca stat suveran. Islanda i-a declarat deplinaindependen la 17 iunie 1944, la Tingvellir.

Informaii politiceForma de guvernmnt: republic parlamentareful statului: lafur Ragnar Grmsson (ales prima dat n 1996, reales n 2000, 2004, 2008 i2012). Ultimele alegeri prezideniale au avut loc n ziua de 30 iunie 2012. Primul ministru: Sigmundur Dav Gunnlaugsson (n urma alegerilor legislative de la 27 aprilie2013).Ministrul afacerilor externe: Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson (n urma alegerilor legislative de la 27 aprilie

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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 votproporional. Preedintele Parlamentului: Einar K. Gufinnsson (din 2013), membru al PartiduluiIndependenei. 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 oficialePortal oficial: http://www.iceland.isGuvernul: http://www.government.isMinisterul afacerilor externe: http://www.mfa.isParlamentul: http://www.althingi.is

Profil socio-economicSituaia economic: Islanda a fost serios afectat de criza economico-financiar, care a dus laprbuirea sistemului bancar i devalorizarea monedei naionale. Programul de recuperareeconomic ncheiat de Islanda cu FMI a fost finalizat cu succes n 2011.Produsul Intern Brut: 14.093 mld USDInflaie: 4,1 % (la finalul anului 2013)omaj: 5,5% ( la 31 ianuarie 2014)Principalele ramuri industriale: industria pescuitului, industria de aluminium, producia de energiedin surse geotermale.Principalii parteneri comerciali: UE, EFTA, SUA, Japonia.

Aderarea Islandei la UELa 16 iulie 2009, Islanda a adresat Preediniei suedeze cererea de aderare la UE, argumentndu-isolicitarea prin apartenena sa la continentul european, necesitatea extinderii securitii rii iasigurarea stabilitii economice pe termen lung. Criza financiar a fost si ea un catalizator puternicpentru aspiraiile Islandei de a deveni membru al UE. Dup prbuirea sistemului bancar idevalorizarea monedei naionale, apartenena la UE i integrarea ulterioar n zona euro au fostincluse n strategia pe termen lung a Islandei de asigurare a stabilitii economice. n procesul denegocieri, printre cele mai problematice capitolele sunt pescuitul (avnd n vedere ponderea foartemare a acestui sector n economia islandez) i agricultura.n anul 2013, negocierile de aderare au fost temporizate i, ulterior, suspendate, n contextulalegerilor de la 27 aprilie 2013.

Relaii internaionale

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Politica extern a Islandei este determinat de statutul de ar insular, de dimensiuni mici, desituarea geografic n regiunea arctic i de precaritatea resurselor interne. Toate acesteaargumenteaz preocuparea Islandei pentru dreptul maritim internaional, predilecia pentrucooperarea 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 aufinalizat negocierile cu UE i au format Spaiul Economic European (SEE). Islanda este, deasemenea, membr a Consiliului Europei, a OSCE i membru asociat al spaiului Schengen din2000.Islanda este activ n cadrul ONU, afirmnd necesitatea de reform a organizaiei. Este un furnizorimportant de asisten tehnic i financiar, att n plan multilateral, ct i bilateral. Dou programeale 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 disputelorsunt, de asemenea, elemente de baz ale politicii externe islandeze, cu aplicabilitate n dosareprecum Irak, Afganistan, Orientul Mijlociu, Balcanii de Vest.Noul context de securitate a readus n actualitate necesitatea creterii participrii Islandei lamisiunile NATO, mai ales prin dezvoltarea Icelandic Crisis Response Unit. Islanda este nmsur, n acest moment, s participe la misiuni internaionale de meninere a pcii i dereconstrucie (Afganistan, Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Bosnia i Hertegovina). n viziunea islandez, NATOcontinu s dein un rol major n asigurarea securitii globale. Islanda susine sporireacapacitilor militare ale UE, ca parte a contribuiei acesteia la asigurarea securitii pe continent.

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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, nanul 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 aezarealocuitorilor 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.

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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 mineralfolosit 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.

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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 dedou ori mai mare dect propria populaie.

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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 majoritateabrbailor 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

Introduction2.1 The purpose of the long-term strategy for the Icelandic tourism industry is to create aframework for the next ten years so that Iceland can capitalise on its future growth potentialas a tourism destination that offers an authentic and unique visitor experience. This willenable Iceland to maximise the economic contribution of the tourism sector by creating anenabling 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 thefollowing: 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 context2.3 As a result of the on-going global economic crisis, governments are increasingly recognisingthe tourism sector.s potential as a means to diversifying and stimulating economic growthand 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 economicgrowth, provided that the sector is given adequate government support and regulated whereneeded.2.4 Promote Iceland has an important role to play in terms of developing an attractive image ofIceland, whether the goal is to attract tourists, businesses or FDI. The formulation of a longtermstrategy is considered key to enhancing Iceland.s international competitiveness andmarket position. However, Promote Iceland must collaborate with both public and privatesector partners, as the achievement of destination success is a shared responsibility.Introduction 3Promote IcelandJanuary 20132.5 Currently the responsibility for tourism, in its widest sense, including at national level, is veryfragmented. In order for the tourism sector to continue to flourish there is a need to adopt acoherent and integrated approach to the sector, in order to ensure that this complex industryis represented fairly across all stakeholders.2.6 As tourism is an .open. industry it is subject to political, social, environmental andtechnological changes and trends to which it must respond. In the case of Iceland, the fallout from the financial crisis in 2008 and 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajkull are poignantreminders 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 successstory and combined with the award-winning .Inspired by Iceland. campaign, this has had apositive impact on the tourism industry. Together they have raised awareness of the countryand stimulated people.s appetite to visit the destination and the increase in visitor numbershas 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 theproduct and culture.2.8 The tourism industry has a complex nature and as such it requires co-ordination ofgovernment, at both national and regional level, as well as private sector businesses thatboth compete and co-operate with one another. Currently, in Iceland, the vast majority oftourism services are provided by micro suppliers in stark contrast to, for example, aviationwhich is dominated by a large company.2.9 Governments are involved in tourism in a variety of capacities including the provision ofborder security, the regulation of markets such as aviation, controlling or managing tourismattractions such as national parks, land planning and funding the development of roads andother infrastructure. The private sector would then ideally provide end user services thatwould enable sustainable product delivery. Unless industry and government policymakerswork 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 thecountry as a destination, this is therefore an opportune time for key stakeholders to formulatea clear and integrated long-term strategy with a view to maximising the economiccontribution of the Icelandic tourism industry and create an enabling environment forinvestment.Promote IcelandJanuary 20133 A summary of tourism trends in Iceland3.1 In this section we present a summary of current tourism trends in Iceland together with theresults of our visitor and international tour operator surveys. This builds and completes ourobservations of existing trends presented in our capsule situation analysis document andforms part of the background towards formulation of the long-term strategy.BackgroundEconomic contribution of tourism sector in Iceland3.2 In recent years it is clear that tourism has become an increasingly important sector of theIcelandic economy as may be seen from Figure 3.1Figure 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 totalexports when including the activities of Icelandic tourism companies outside Iceland. In2011, 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 around40% was consumed by Icelandic households and companies. During this year the number ofpeople employed in the tourism sector exceeded 8,500, equivalent to 5.2% of the workingpopulation, clearly demonstrating its importance.This all underpins the sector.s growing importance to the country.s overall diversification andsustainability.Visitor arrivals3.5 The successful evolution of the tourism sector in Iceland is in large part due to the successof the .hub and spoke. model which was introduced by Icelandair in 1998 using Keflavikairport as its main hub. This has allowed Iceland to attract international visitors from anumber of key geographic source markets by offering direct flights to an increasing numberof destinations. However, this was also facilitated by a number of other factors includingcurrency devaluation, improved border controls and heightened marketing.3.6 In Figure 3.2 we illustrate the evolution in total air passenger movements between 2002 and2011.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 Airportacting 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 thedestination including easyJet, Norwegian, Air Berlin and Icelandic airline WOW (whichIceland Express recently became part of). However, current load factors between 79% and85% suggest there is an opportunity to increase the frequency of flights and attract newairlines in order to further stimulate competition.3.10 Seasonality remains high and this is reflected in passenger movements.Visitor survey trends3.25 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 shouldtherefore 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 summersurvey 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 visitingfriends and relatives (VFR) at 6.2%. The winter pattern was similar apart from a slightincrease 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 summer79.6% 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 winterthe 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% wereclassified as having a high average household income. In winter the average age of therespondents was 40.5 years. 47.5% of winter respondents were classified as having a highaverage household income.

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3.29 The average length of stay in the country during the summer was recorded at 10.2 nightswith almost half of all visitors staying seven nights or less whereas during the winter it wasonly 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 longstaydestination there is a growing short-stay trend especially during the winter months. Thiscan be mainly attributed to the introduction of stay-over packages being offered by Icelandairand other local tour operators. Further analysis suggests, unsurprisingly, that it is MICE andcorporate visitors that tend to have a shorter propensity to stay when compared to leisuretravellers.3.31 As evidenced previously, most visits tend to be centred in the Capital and South, with theformer acting as a central hub. This trend is even more pronounced during the winter monthswhen the average length of stay is shorter and access to some of the more remote areasmore 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 thecurrent market positioning of Iceland, which is to a large degree, volume driven. As withcruises, coach and similar group business can have a large impact on a destination in thelong run. However, they are necessary especially as a destination matures and during lowperiods of demand. During the summer, rented cars remain the far the most popular choiceand 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 clearlywhat is currently marketed by most of the tourism campaigns. Interestingly, we note thatIcelandic culture and history scores highly as a factor influencing a visit, with spa andwellness very low during the summer. Attractive offers are appealing particularly during thewinter 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 22visitors 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 acomprehensive analysis.3.35 Despite the small sample size, the results were not dissimilar to those of the 2011 summersurvey discussed above. Our survey did, however, highlight useful .micro. trends.3.36 Most respondents only considered visiting Iceland for that specific trip. However, given achoice, the most popular alternatives considered were Greenland, Alaska and the FaroeIslands. Apart from those on around-the-world trips, Iceland was the only destination visitedon the trip. We consider Greenland and the Faroe Islands as complementary rather thancompetitive destinations, whereas Alaska can be considered one of Iceland.s keycompetitors. We discuss Iceland.s key competitors in Section 4 of this report.

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http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/downloads/iceland2014.pdf

Travel & Tourism generated 9,500 jobs directly in 2013 (5.5% of total employment) and this is forecast to grow by4.4% 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 industriesdirectly 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 supplychain and induced income impacts, see page 2) was 38,000 jobs in 2013 (21.9% of total employment). This isforecast 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 isexpected to attract 814,000 international tourist arrivals.By 2024, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total 1,151,000, generating expenditure of ISK228.4bn, anincrease 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

21


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 GDPin 2013 (ISK215.1bn) compared with 15.0% forbusiness travel spending (ISK37.9bn).

Business travel spending is expected to grow by3.7% in 2014 to ISK39.3bn, and rise by 1.4% pa toISK45.2bn in 2024.

Leisure travel spending is expected to grow by4.3% in 2014 to ISK224.3bn, and rise by 3.5% pato ISK315.3bn in 2024.

Domestic travel spending generated 29.9% ofdirect Travel & Tourism GDP in 2013 comparedwith 70.1% for visitor exports (ie foreign visitorspending or international tourism receipts).

Domestic travel spending is expected to grow by10.9% in 2014 to ISK83.8bn, and rise by 4.7% pato ISK132.1bn in 2024.

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Visitor exports are expected to grow by 1.4% in2014 to ISK179.8bn, and rise by 2.4% pa toISK228.4bn in 2024.

The total contribution of Travel & Tourism toGDP is three times greater than its directcontribution.

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Travel & Tourism's Direct 2014Contribution to GDP % growth

38Russian Federation 7.046Finland 6.588Canada 4.5

World 4.3103Iceland 4.2

Europe 3.4141Germany 2.9146United Kingdom 2.8147Sweden 2.7151France 2.6160Denmark 2.1176Norway 0.7

Travel & Tourism's Direct 2014Contribution to Employment % growth

28Finland 5.753 Iceland 4.487Canada 3.0

Europe 2.4 World 2.2

125France 1.9126Germany 1.9134Russian Federation 1.6140United Kingdom 1.2142Sweden 1.0157Denmark 0.1172Norway -1.7

Travel & Tourism 2014Investment % growth

55Germany 7.375Denmark 5.7

World 5.781United Kingdom 5.485Sweden 5.2

100Norway 4.4 Europe 3.8

122Canada 3.4135France 2.7142Russian Federation 2.4169Finland 0.2183Iceland -4.0

Travel & Tourism's Total 2014Contribution to GDP % growth

56 Russian Federation 5.772 Finland 5.1

World 4.3109 Canada 3.9137 Iceland 2.9

Europe 2.8146 Denmark 2.6150 United Kingdom 2.5151 Sweden 2.5156 France 2.2165 Germany 1.9

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177 Norway 1.0 http://www.wttc.org/site_media/uploads/downloads/iceland2014.pdf Travel & Tourism's Total 2014Contribution to Employment % growth

58 Finland 4.093 Iceland 2.6

World 2.5112 Canada 2.1

Europe 1.6128 France 1.4130 Sweden 1.3145 Germany 0.9146 Russian Federation 0.8149 United Kingdom 0.6157 Denmark 0.2173 Norway -1.2

Visitor 2014Exports % growth

12 Norway 10.819 Russian Federation 9.758 Germany 6.874 Finland 5.9

Europe 5.885 Canada 5.387 Sweden 5.2

World 4.897 France 4.6

120 United Kingdom 3.3153 Iceland 1.4160 Denmark 0.8

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Iceland (ISKbn, real 2013 prices) 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014E 2024F 1. Visitor exports 98.9 115.8 112.7 133.4 158.7 177.4 179.8 228.4

2.

Domestic expenditure

97.8 85.3 71.7 67.8 71.7 75.6 83.8 132.1

(includes government individual spending)

3. Internal tourism consumption

196.7 201.0 184.4 201.3 230.4 252.9 263.6 360.5

(= 1 + 2 )

4. Purchases by tourism providers,

including imported goods

-118.1 -105.0 -95.8 -104.8 -119.9 -131.5 -137.0 -187.5 (supply chain)

5. Direct contribution of78.6 96.1 88.7 96.5 110.6 121.5 126.6 173.0

Travel & Tourism to GDP (= 3 + 4) Other final impacts

(indirect & induced)113.7 101.6 93.8 102.1 116.9 128.4 133.8 182.9

6. Domestic supply chain 7. Capital investment 47.6 13.9 66.7 41.4 38.5 39.6 38.0 51.3 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 10. Induced 59.7 56.5 64.1 59.9 62.8 70.1 71.9 95.0 11. Total contribution of

329.1 303.2 348.0 333.1 353.6 389.1 400.3 542.4

Travel & Tourism to GDP (= 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10) Employment impacts ('000)

12.Direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to

8.3 7.8 7.3 7.9 8.9 9.6 10.0 12.8

employment 13.

Total contribution of Travel & Tourism 34.0 30.4 36.0 33.4 34.6 37.9 38.9 46.9

to employment Other indicators

104.6 78.5 81.7 93.3 103.5 103.8 99.2 112.5

14. Expenditure on outbound travel

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http://www.norden.org/is/utgafa/utgefid-efni/2013-001/at_download/publicationfile

Iceland

Total area 103 440 sq kmLakes and streams 2 386 sq kmLand area 90 154 sq kmIcecap and glaciers 10 800 sq kmArable land and gardens 1 865 sq kmForests 1 212 sq kmLargest lake ingvallavatn 82 sq kmHighest point Hvannadalshnkur 2 110 mCoastline, mainland 6 088 kmPopulation 1 January 2013 321 857Population per square km ice-freeland area, 1 January 2013 3.6Capital area population 205 675 (Reykjavik incl. suburbs)1National holiday 17 June (Independence Day 17 June 1944)Form of Government RepublicParliament Alingi or Althingi (63 seats)Membership of EU No, but member of EEA from 1 Jan. 1994Membership of NATO Yes, from 4 April 1949Head of state lafur Ragnar GrmssonHead of government Prime Minister Sigmundur DavGunnlaugsson (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 measuredin 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, andgas. 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 aremajor sources of energy in the Nordic countries, as compared to theEU countries. Particularly in Iceland and Norway, hydro and geothermalpower constitute a major share of the overall energy supply.Denmark depends almost entirely on thermal power generatedfrom coal, oil and gas. Iceland obtains a substantial part of its energyfor heating from geothermal energy and depends almost entirelyupon hydropower resources for its production of electricity.

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CultureKulturCulture is one of the main components of co-operation between theNordic countries, and has long acted as a bridge, improving understandingof the neighbouring peoples and the shared values.The policies of the Nordic countries with respect to culturallife, 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 institutionswith roots in the traditions of the royal courts. In these countries,national institutions formed the foundation of cultural lifeat an early stage while, in Norway, cultural institutions began to

form later.

Government expenditure on cultureIceland is the Nordic country that has the highest governmentexpenditure on culture a total of 3.3 per cent of GDP. Denmarkcomes second with a total of 1.6 per cent of GDP. Swedenspends the least with 1.1 per cent. Looking at per capita expenditureIceland again has the highest expenditure but with Norwaycoming second. Greenland spends the third highest amount onculture and leisure per capita.In Iceland and Norway, expenditures have more than doubledsince 2000. In the other Nordic countries, expenditures haveonly gone up between 40 and 50 per cent in the same period.

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33

Fig. 2: Cheltuielile statelor nordice n cultur


MuseumsDenmark has the most museums, a total of 274, but museums inland and Iceland have the most visitors an average of 4 and 5visits per inhabitant.

TheatresMany theatres in the Nordic countries receive public funding.Theatre funding constitutes a major share of allocations withinthe cultural area in all the countries. All countries have nationaltheatres, where plays, ballets and operas are performed. Inaddition to the national theatres, there are professional regionaltheatres, which are also supported by the state, counties ormunicipalities. Most countries also have a few private theatresand many amateur ensembles, which may be supported, at leastpartially, by municipalities, primarily.

The over-arching objectives for Nordic co-operation are stableand sustainable economic growth; development of the Nordicwelfare model; economic integration in the Nordic region, theBaltic Sea region and Europe; and the promotion of joint Nordicinterests at international level.2007 marked the beginning of the financial crisis throughoutthe world. All the Nordic countries have been affected by theglobal crisis though to varying degrees. GDP growth was negative

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in all of the Nordic countries in 2008 and 2009. From 2009most of the Nordic countries experienced growth again.

The Nordic economies are among the countries in the WesternWorld with the best macroeconomic performance in the recentten years. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have forexample experienced constant and large excess exports inrecent years. Iceland is the only country which has balance ofpayments deficits (2011). At the same time, unemploymentislow in most of the Nordic countries compared with the rest ofEurope. As a result of the cyclical down-turn, the public balanceis now in deficit, except for Norway.

Economic growthOver the past ten years, the Nordic countries had a noticeablylarger increase in their gross domestic product (GDP)than the euro area. The only exceptions are Denmark andland which had a lower growth. However, from 2007 to2009, the Nordic countries and the EA17 all had a markednegative growth due to the global financial crisis. Since 2009most countries have experienced growth again.Measured by GDP per capita, the Nordic countries have ahigher income than the EA17. Norways GDP per capita isas high as 80 per cent above the EA17 average, and Norwayis actually one of the countries with the highest standard ofliving.

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36

37

Fig. 3: Date generale din economia rilor nordice

http://www.mfa.is/media/utn-pdf-skjol/Fact-Sheet---No-1,-2014.pdf

ICELANDEconomic growth was considerably more robust than expected in 2013, reflecting strong exportsand buoyant tourist spending. Significant employment gains and policy decisions to reduce householddebt will stimulate private consumption and further fuel the recovery in 2014. As a result, unusedproduction 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 benecessary to raise nominal interest rates as spare capacity in the economy disappears. Reforms to raiseoutput potential, notably by stimulating investment, would ease supply constraints, thereby weakeninginflationary pressures. In particular, lifting capital controls would send a positive signal to foreigninvestors.

GDP growth was surprisingly strong in 2013, mainly due to exportsand tourism earnings. Gross fixed capital formation (excluding volatileitems, such as ships and aircraft) also increased strongly, while privateconsumption and government spending grew at slower rates. Buoyantexports, weak imports and a much lower deficit in primary income fromabroad all contributed to a large current account surplus of over 5% of GDPin adjusted terms (i.e. excluding the transactions of banks being woundup), among the highest surpluses recorded since the compilation ofnational accounts started in Iceland in 1945. Employment benefitted fromthe dynamism of activity and the unemployment rate declined further.Long-term unemployment has improved, but youth unemploymentremains high.Fiscal policy remains on a trajectory of gradual deficit reduction. Thegeneral government deficit declined to 2.1% of GDP in 2013, through acombination of strong tax revenues and spending restraint.

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government aims to reduce the deficit further to about 1% of GDP in 2014-15. Significant tax policy changes are introduced in the 2014 budget. Thetax levied on the total debt of credit institutions will be raised further,while the tax pressure on middle-income and low-income householdswill be lightened through a combination of a lower tax rate and a higherbasic income deduction. On the spending side, the government decided tocancel 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 costsrising, inflation is projected to gain pace, especially in 2015. Higherinterest rates are thus assumed as the economic situation normalises.Economic activity is projected to remain on a path of strongexpansion in 2014-15, although with different drivers than recently.Exports are expected to slow towards a pace more consistent withIcelands external market growth and level of competitiveness. Bycontrast, private consumption will be supported by the governmentshousehold debt relief programme. Business investment will benefit fromthe 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 underlyingbasis) and reduce imbalances in the economy.Icelands economic prospects are subject to various uncertainties.Large FDI inflows in manufacturing and energy sectors are difficult topredict because impending projects appear to have been hampered by theweakening global demand for aluminium. Downside risks relate to theprocess of lifting capital controls, which could disrupt financialconditions. Ongoing legal disputes with international claimants (Icesave,frozen assets, etc.) are also sources of risk.

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http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1152

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 deephistorical 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 remainsof 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 untilthe 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 the19th 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 DescriptionThe 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 theisland. 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 50attenders' 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 - dansle 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 islandin 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.IntegrityThe 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 requirementsSurtsey 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 workingpurposes under the World Heritage Convention the definition of the Arctic as north of the ArcticCircle may be too restrictive, and that the southernmost border used by the Arctic Council may bepreferable.

2. Legal Protection

The participants encouraged the States Parties of the Arctic region, where required, to reviewnational legislation and designation of protected areas and cultural places to enhance provisions toprotect 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 amongthe Arctic States Parties and urged the authorities to use best practice models available for theirrevision.

The participants encouraged the Arctic States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to reviewthe outstanding heritage of the Arctic region, and consider including additional cultural and naturalsites into national Tentative Lists (e.g. archaeological sites, sacred sites, scientific heritage/heritageof scientific exploration, biodiversity and geological/geomorphological processes).

4. Nominations

The participants encouraged Arctic States Parties and stakeholders to share experiences about thepreparation of nominations.

The participants discussed projects for serial and transnational World Heritage nominationscovering Arctic sites, such as the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the Viking Culture and Saami cultural heritageand emphasized that sound scientific frameworks are required.

The participants noted the results of the Nordic World Heritage meeting (Copenhagen 2006) andits 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/SaamiParliamentarian Council and should cover areas best representing the whole range of values(sacred sites, burial grounds, archaeological evidence and cultural landscapes reflecting traditionaluse and practices such as reindeer herding). The Saami Council is encouraged to initiate such atransnational project.

The participants also noted that societies over the whole span of humanity have lived herdinganimals and hunting traditions for wild animals for subsistence and recalled that two Arctic StatesParties have included this phenomenon on their Tentative Lists. The participants encouraged ajoint reflection on the topic to best cover the theme through a global perspective and select themost representative Arctic sites for a future serial and transnational nomination.

The participants encouraged Arctic States Parties to use an integrated approach in preparingnominations 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 managementcooperation presented on Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek andrecommended the concept of shared management guidelines be adopted for other transboundaryproperties. Indigenous peoples traditional access should be taken into account in all managementprovisions.

The participants noted the Draft Resource Manual on the Preparation of Management Plans forNatural Properties which is available at the IUCN/WCPA web page1 and encouraged allstakeholders to use it to the extent possible.

The participants urged all site managers, local and national authorities jointly with stakeholders touse best practice tourism management for fragile Arctic sites and encouraged all working on thepreparation of management plans/management systems to include focused tourism and land useplans. The example of the tourism management system at Svalbard (Norway) was mentioned as abest practice example which may benefit other sites.

6. International collaboration and networking

The participants welcomed the involvement of local communities in the Arctic World Heritageconservation and nomination processes, commended the representation of indigenous peoples inthe 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-siteconcerning 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 HeritageCommittee meeting in Quebec, Canada, in July 2008 in particular to inform Delegations on theoutcomes 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 requestingObserver status at the Arctic Council. They further encouraged collaboration with the Arctic Councilconcerning the development of project proposals on World Heritage and potential sites.

The participants specifically requested that these recommendations be shared with relevant bodiesconcerned by the Arctic, as well as channeled by UNEP to its Governing Council/Global MinisterialEnvironment Forum (GMEF) meeting in February 2008 in close coordination with the host countryMonaco.

The participants welcomed the momentum created by the International Polar Year and the Year ofPlanet Earth and requested that these recommendations be shared with their secretariats forfurther 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 HeritageConvention to make best use of scientific information available and enhance scientific informationexchange in the identification, preservation and management of outstanding Arctic heritage.

The participants suggested that States Parties share information concerning comparative analysisof Arctic sites in order to contribute to baseline information in the preparation of serial andtransnational cultural and natural properties.

The participants noted the proposal by IUCN to prepare a thematic study on natural heritage in theArctic region. The participants also noted the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA) beingconducted by CAFF which has been endorsed by the Arctic Council and which is now in theplanning phase. The participants encouraged ICOMOS to consider the preparation of a thematicstudy 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 theEnvironment and the support by the Nordic World Heritage Foundation for the first internationalExpert Meeting on World Heritage and the Arctic, and encouraged them and other organizationsand foundations to continue their interest and financial support in identification, preservation andsafeguarding World Heritage in the region.

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IstoriePoliticEconomieTransporturi i comunicaiiTurism

DemografieMuzic

Patrimoniu mondialingvellir National ParkJustification for InscriptionLong DescriptionHistorical DescriptionSurtsey

Outstanding Universal Value

Documents

Geografia economica a resurselor naturale- ISLANDA