Iceland/Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland
conventional short form: Iceland
local long form: Lyoveldio Island
local short form: Island

Data code: IC

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital: Reykjavik

Administrative divisions: 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes?*, Akureyri?*, Arnessysla?, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla?, Austur-Hunavatnssysla?, Austur-Skaftafellssysla?, Borgarfjardharsysla?, Dalasysla?, Eyjafjardharsysla?, 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 Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2000); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; percent of vote - 41.4%

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Althing? (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

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

Political parties and leaders: Independence Party (conservative) or IP [David ODDSSON]; National Awakening (People's Revival Party) or PR [Johanna SIGURDARDOTTIR]; People's Alliance (left socialist) or PA [Margret FRIMANNSDOTTIR]; People's Movement (centrist) [leader NA]; Progressive Party (liberal) or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's Party or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR]

International organization participation: [Australia Group]?, BIS?, CBSS?, CCC?, CE, EAPC?, EBRD?, ECE?, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD?, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU?, ICRM?, IDA?, IEA? (observer), IFC?, IFRCS?, IHO?, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat?, Intelsat?, Interpol?, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC?, NEA?, NIB?, OECD, OPCW?, OSCE?, PCA?, UN, UNCTAD?, UNESCO, UNMIBH?, UNMIK?, UNU?, UPU, WEU? (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jon-Baldvin HANNIBALSSON
chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653
FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barbara GRIFFITHS
embassy: Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik
mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340
telephone: [354] 5629100
FAX: [354] 5629118

Flag description: 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)