Editing Iceland (section)

==Geography==
{{Further|Geography of Iceland}}
[[File:Map of Iceland.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|General topographic map]]

Iceland is at the juncture of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The main island is entirely south of the [[Arctic Circle]], which passes through the small Icelandic island of [[Grímsey]] off the main island's northern coast. The country lies between latitudes [[63rd parallel north|63]] and [[68th parallel north|68°N]], and longitudes [[25th meridian west|25]] and [[13th meridian west|13°W]].

Iceland is closer to [[continental Europe]] than to mainland North America, although it is closest to [[Greenland]] ({{convert|290|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=off|disp=semicolon}}), an island of North America. Iceland is generally included in Europe for geographical, historical, political, cultural, linguistic and practical reasons.<ref name="Ingebritsen2000">{{cite book|author=Christine Ingebritsen|title=The Nordic States and European Unity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NU0pOfTUdvEC&pg=PAPA129|year=2000|publisher=Cornell University Press|isbn=978-0-8014-8659-3|page=129|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610033223/https://books.google.com/books?id=NU0pOfTUdvEC&pg=PAPA129#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LehtiSmith2003">{{cite book|author1=Pertti Joenniemi|author2=Marko Lehti|editor=Marko Lehti, David James Smith|title=Post-Cold War Identity Politics: Northern and Baltic Experiences|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wnO5AMBP01oC&pg=PAPA135|year=2003|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-7146-5428-7|page=135|chapter=On the Encounter Between the Nordic and the Northern: Torn Apart But Meeting Again?|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610033224/https://books.google.com/books?id=wnO5AMBP01oC&pg=PAPA135#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Miles2005">{{cite book|author=Gunnar Helgi Kristinsson|editor=Lee Miles|title=The European Union and the Nordic Countries|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uHmJAgAAQBAJ&pg=PAPA150|date=28 June 2005|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-80405-4|page=150|chapter=Iceland and the European Union|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610033227/https://books.google.com/books?id=uHmJAgAAQBAJ&pg=PAPA150#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dhondt2011">{{cite book|author=Pieter Dhondt|title=National, Nordic Or European?: Nineteenth-Century University Jubilees and Nordic Cooperation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gwz-wPTpeiwC&pg=PAPA7|date=25 November 2011|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-21694-5|page=7|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610033230/https://books.google.com/books?id=gwz-wPTpeiwC&pg=PAPA7#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Geologically, the island includes parts of both continental plates. The closest bodies of land in Europe are the [[Faroe Islands]] ({{convert|420|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}); [[Jan Mayen]] Island ({{convert|570|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}}); [[Shetland]] and the [[Outer Hebrides]], both about {{convert|740|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=on}}; and the Scottish mainland and [[Orkney]], both about {{convert|750|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=on}}. The nearest part of Continental Europe is mainland Norway, about {{convert|970|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=on}} away, while mainland North America is {{convert|2070|km|nmi|round=5|abbr=on}} away, at the northern tip of [[Labrador]].

[[File:Icelandic landscapes.jpg|thumb|left|Three typical Icelandic landscapes]]
Iceland is the [[List of islands by area|world's 18th-largest island]], and Europe's second-largest island after Great Britain and before Ireland. The main island covers {{convert|101826|km²|0|abbr=on}}, but the entire country is {{convert|103000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in size, of which 62.7% is [[tundra]]. Iceland contains about 30 minor islands, including the lightly populated Grímsey and the [[Vestmannaeyjar]] archipelago. Lakes and glaciers cover 14.3% of its surface; only 23% is vegetated.<ref name="NLS">{{cite web|title=Iceland in statistics |publisher=Landmælingar Íslands [National Land Survey of Iceland] |url=http://www.lmi.is/english/iceland-in-statistics/ |access-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406053831/http://www.lmi.is/english/iceland-in-statistics/ |archive-date=6 April 2010 }}</ref> The largest lakes are [[Þórisvatn]] reservoir: {{convert|83|–|88|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} and [[Þingvallavatn]]: {{convert|82|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}; other important lakes include [[Lagarfljót]] and [[Mývatn]]. [[Jökulsárlón]] is the deepest lake, at {{convert|248|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iceland.is/country-and-nature/nature/RiversandLakes/ |title=Rivers and Lakes |publisher=Iceland.is |access-date=19 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217073705/http://www.iceland.is/country-and-nature/nature/RiversandLakes/ |archive-date=17 February 2010 }}</ref>

Geologically, Iceland is part of the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]], a ridge along which the [[oceanic crust]] spreads and forms new crust. This part of the mid-ocean ridge is located above a mantle plume, causing Iceland to be [[subaerial]] (above the surface of the sea). The ridge marks the boundary between the [[Eurasian Plate|Eurasian]] and [[North American Plate]]s, and Iceland was created by [[rift]]ing and [[accretion (geology)|accretion]] through volcanism along the ridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iceland.is/country-and-nature/nature/Geology/ |title=Geology of Iceland |publisher=Iceland.is |access-date=10 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414113144/http://www.iceland.is/country-and-nature/nature/Geology/ |archive-date=14 April 2009 }}</ref>

Many [[fjord]]s punctuate Iceland's {{convert|4,970|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} coastline, which is also where most settlements are situated. The island's interior, the [[Highlands of Iceland]], is a cold and uninhabitable combination of sand, mountains, and [[lava field]]s. The major towns are the capital city of [[Reykjavík]], along with its outlying towns of [[Kópavogur]], [[Hafnarfjörður]], and [[Garðabær]], nearby [[Reykjanesbær]] where the international airport is located, and the town of [[Akureyri]] in northern Iceland. The island of Grímsey on the Arctic Circle contains the northernmost habitation of Iceland, whereas [[Kolbeinsey]] contains the northernmost point of Iceland.<ref name="CIA Govt">{{cite web |title=Iceland |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |work=[[The World Factbook]] |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iceland/ |access-date=6 August 2006 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523194636/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/iceland/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Iceland has [[list of national parks of Iceland|three national parks]]: [[Vatnajökull National Park]], [[Snæfellsjökull|Snæfellsjökull National Park]], and [[Þingvellir|Þingvellir National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/national-parks-in-Iceland |title=National Parks |publisher=Visit Iceland |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609033820/http://www.visiticeland.com/things-to-do/national-parks-in-Iceland |archive-date=9 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The country is considered a "strong performer" in environmental protection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://epi.yale.edu/sites/default/files/2012_epi_summary_for_policymakers.pdf |title=2012 EPI summary for policymakers |work=Environmental Performance Index |publisher=[[Yale University]] |page=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722023419/http://epi.yale.edu/sites/default/files/2012_epi_summary_for_policymakers.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2016 }}</ref>

===Geology===
{{main|Geology of Iceland}}
{{see also|Iceland hotspot}}
[[File:Erupting geysir.jpg|thumb|The erupting [[Geysir]] in [[Haukadalur]] valley, the oldest known [[geyser]] in the world]]
[[File:Iceland - 2017-02-22 - Gullfoss - 3677.jpg|thumb|[[Gullfoss]], an iconic waterfall of Iceland]]
A geologically young land at 16 to 18 million years old, Iceland is the surface expression of the [[Iceland Plateau]], a [[large igneous province]] forming as a result of volcanism from the [[Iceland hotspot]] and along the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]], the latter of which runs right through it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tobias-weisenberger.de/6Iceland.html |title=Introduction to the geology of Iceland |author=Tobias Weisenberger |year=2013 |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626040533/http://www.tobias-weisenberger.de/6Iceland.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Bott|first1=Martin H. P.|last2=Saxov|first2=Svend|last3=Talwani|first3=Manik|last4=Thiede|first4=Jörn|title=Structure and Development of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge: New Methods and Concepts|publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media]]|year=1983|page=464|isbn=978-1-4613-3487-3}}</ref> This means that the island is highly geologically active with many volcanoes including [[Hekla]], [[Eldgjá]], [[Herðubreið]], and [[Eldfell]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Simmonds |first=Jane |year=1999 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4-puvJH_lykC&pg=PAPA100 |title=Iceland |publisher=[[Langenscheidt]] |page=100 |isbn=978-0-88729-176-0 |access-date=30 November 2018 |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610033235/https://books.google.com/books?id=4-puvJH_lykC&pg=PAPA100#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> The volcanic eruption of [[Laki]] in 1783–1784 caused a famine that killed nearly a quarter of the island's population.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/ice/lec19/holocene.htm |title=Late Holocene climate |author=James S. Aber |publisher=[[Emporia State University]], Kansas |year=2015 |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613164351/http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/ice/lec19/holocene.htm |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, the eruption caused dust clouds and haze to appear over most of Europe and parts of Asia and Africa for several months afterwards, and affected climates in other areas.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/30/09/86/PDF/acpd-3-1599-2003.pdf |title=Atmospheric impact of the 1783–1784 Laki Eruption: Part II Climatic effect of sulphate aerosol |journal=Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=1599 |author1=Highwood, E. J. |author2=Stevenson, D. S. |year=2003 |access-date=10 February 2010 |bibcode=2003ACP.....3.1177H |doi=10.5194/acpd-3-1599-2003 |doi-access=free |archive-date=24 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130924101652/http://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/30/09/86/PDF/acpd-3-1599-2003.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Iceland has many [[geyser]]s, including [[Geysir]], from which the English word is derived, and the famous [[Strokkur]], which erupts every 8–10&nbsp;minutes. After a phase of inactivity, Geysir started erupting again after a [[2000 Iceland earthquakes|series of earthquakes in 2000]]. Geysir has since grown quieter and does not erupt often.<ref>[http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/nature_and_travel/2016/02/21/rare_eruption_of_iceland_s_most_famous_hot_spring_g/ Rare eruption of Iceland's most famous hot spring] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519160000/http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/nature_and_travel/2016/02/21/rare_eruption_of_iceland_s_most_famous_hot_spring_g/ |date=19 May 2017 }}. Iceland monitor</ref>

With the widespread availability of [[geothermal power]] and the harnessing of many rivers and waterfalls for [[hydroelectricity]], most residents have access to inexpensive hot water, heating, and electricity. The island is composed primarily of [[basalt]], a low-[[silica]] lava associated with [[effusive eruption|effusive volcanism]] as has occurred also in [[Hawaii]]. Iceland, however, has a variety of volcanic types (composite and fissure), many producing more evolved lavas such as [[rhyolite]] and [[andesite]]. Iceland has hundreds of volcanoes with about 30 active volcanic systems.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Carmichael, I.S.E. |year=1964 |title=The Petrology of Thingmuli, a Tertiary Volcano in Eastern Iceland |journal=Journal of Petrology |url=http://wiki.web.ru/images/7/78/Carmichael64.pdf |doi=10.1093/petrology/5.3.435 |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=435–460 |bibcode=1964JPet....5..435C |access-date=28 April 2012 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014090840/http://wiki.web.ru/images/7/78/Carmichael64.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Surtsey]], one of the youngest islands in the world, is part of Iceland. Named after [[Surtr]], it rose above the ocean in a series of volcanic eruptions between 8 November 1963 and 5 June 1968.<ref name="CIA Govt"/> Only scientists researching the growth of new life are allowed to visit the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iceland.vefur.is/iceland_nature/Volcanoes_in_Iceland/surtsey.htm |title=Surtsey volcano |publisher=Iceland.vefur.is |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091208114622/http://iceland.vefur.is/iceland_nature/Volcanoes_in_Iceland/surtsey.htm |archive-date=8 December 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The country has around 30 [[volcanism in Iceland|active volcanic]] systems. Within each are volcano-tectonic fissure systems and many, but not all of them, also have at least one [[central volcano]] (mostly in the form of a [[stratovolcano]], sometimes of a [[shield volcano]] with a [[magma chamber]] underneath). Several classifications of the systems exist, for example there is one of 30 systems,<ref name=Andrews2008>{{cite thesis|url=http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=991146220&dok_var=d1&dok_ext=pdf&filename=991146220.pdf |title=PhD Dissertation: Volcanotectonic Evolution and Characteristic Volcanism of the Neovolcanic Zone of Iceland |access-date=2011-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309212602/http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=991146220&dok_var=d1&dok_ext=pdf&filename=991146220.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-09 |publisher =Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen|first1 = R. E. B.|last1= Andrew|year =2008|pages=1–122}}</ref>{{rp|10}} and one of 34 systems, with the later currently being used in Iceland itself.<ref name=EIV>{{cite web|url =https://icelandicvolcanoes.is|title =Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes|access-date =13 January 2024| publisher =Icelandic Meteorological Office, Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, Civil Protection Department of the National Commissioner of the Iceland Police|year=2019}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{main|Climate of Iceland|Tornadoes in Iceland}}

[[File:Iceland Köppen.svg|thumb|left|[[Köppen climate classification]] types of Iceland]]

The climate of Iceland's coast is [[subarctic climate|subarctic]]. The warm [[North Atlantic Current]] ensures generally higher annual temperatures than in most places of similar latitude in the world. Regions in the world with similar climates include the [[Aleutian Islands]], the [[Alaska Peninsula]], and [[Tierra del Fuego]], although these regions are closer to the equator. Despite its proximity to the Arctic, the island's coasts remain ice-free through the winter. Ice incursions are rare, with the last having occurred on the north coast in 1969.<ref>{{cite book |author=Lamb H. |year=1995 |title=Climate, History and the Modern World |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0415127356 }}</ref>

The climate varies between different parts of the island. Generally speaking, the south coast is warmer, wetter, and windier than the north. The Central Highlands are the coldest part of the country. Low-lying inland areas in the north are the aridest. Snowfall in winter is more common in the north than in the south.

The highest air temperature recorded was {{convert|30.5|°C|°F}} on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn on the southeastern coast. The lowest was {{convert|-38|°C|°F|1}} on 22 January 1918 at Grímsstaðir and Möðrudalur in the northeastern hinterland. The temperature records for Reykjavík are {{convert|26.2|°C|°F}} on 30 July 2008, and {{convert|-24.5|°C|°F|1}} on 21 January 1918.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Due to [[climate change]], Iceland is experiencing faster [[glacial retreat]], changing vegetation patterns and shifting marine ecosystems.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ministry for the Environment in Iceland |date=March 2006 |title=Iceland's Fourth National Communication on Climate Change Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Iceland's Report on Demonstrable Progress Under the Kyoto Protocol |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227146843 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023132930/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227146843_Recent_Climate_Change_Projected_Impacts_and_Adaptation_Capacity_in_Iceland |archive-date=23 October 2021 |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=ResearchGate |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Iceland's retreating glaciers have global and local consequences. Melting of Iceland's glaciers could raise sea levels by a centimeter,<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Vatnajokull National |title=Consequences of retreating glaciers |url=https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/areas/melting-glaciers/glaciers-and-climate-change/consequences-of-retreating-glaciers |access-date=2022-10-05 |website=Vatnajokull National Park |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201100023/https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/areas/melting-glaciers/glaciers-and-climate-change/consequences-of-retreating-glaciers |url-status=dead }}</ref> which could lead to erosion and flooding worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sea-Level Rise & Global Climate Change: A Review of Impacts to U.S. Coasts |url=https://www.c2es.org/document/sea-level-rise-global-climate-change-a-review-of-impacts-to-u-s-coasts/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Center for Climate and Energy Solutions}}</ref>

===Wildlife===
{{main||Wildlife of Iceland}}
The entire country is in a single [[ecoregion]], the [[Iceland boreal birch forests and alpine tundra]]. Some areas are covered by [[glacier]]s.

====Plants====
[[Phytogeographically]], Iceland belongs to the Arctic province of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. Plantlife consists mainly of grassland, which is regularly grazed by livestock. The most common tree native to Iceland is the northern birch (''[[Betula pubescens]]''), which formerly formed forests over much of Iceland, along with aspens (''[[Populus tremula]]''), rowans (''[[Sorbus aucuparia]]''), common junipers (''[[Juniperus communis]]''), and other smaller trees, mainly willows.

When the island was first settled, it was extensively forested, with around 30% of the land covered in trees. In the late 12th century, [[Ari the Wise]] described it in the [[Íslendingabók]] as "forested from mountain to sea shore".<ref name="Dirt">{{cite book |author=David R. Montgomery |title=Dirt: The Erosion of Civilisations |publisher=University of California Press |year=2007 |pages=224–225 }}</ref> Permanent human settlement greatly disturbed the isolated ecosystem of thin, volcanic soils and limited [[species richness|species diversity]]. The forests were heavily exploited over the centuries for firewood and timber.<ref name="wildlife"/> [[Deforestation]], climatic deterioration during the [[Little Ice Age]], and overgrazing by sheep imported by settlers caused a loss of critical topsoil due to [[erosion]]. Today, many farms have been abandoned. Three-quarters of Iceland's {{convert|100,000|km2|mi2}} is affected by soil erosion; {{convert|18000|km2|abbr=on}} is affected to a degree serious enough to make the land useless.<ref name="Dirt"/> Only a few small birch stands now exist in isolated reserves. The Icelandic Forest Service and other forestry groups promote large-scale reforestation in the country. Due to the reforestation efforts, the forest cover of Iceland increased six-fold since the 1990s. This helps to offset carbon emissions, prevent sand storms and increase the productivity of farms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Todd |first1=Sarah |title=Iceland is bringing back the forests razed by Vikings |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/iceland-forests-vikings-trees |website=World Economic Forum |access-date=26 July 2022 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726062432/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/iceland-forests-vikings-trees |url-status=live }}</ref> The planting of new forests has increased the number of trees, but the result does not compare to the original forests. Some of the planted forests include [[introduced species]].<ref name="wildlife" /> The tallest tree in Iceland is a [[sitka spruce]] planted in 1949 in [[Kirkjubæjarklaustur]]; it was measured at {{convert|25.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skogur.is/um-skograekt-rikisins/frettir/nr/1882 |title=Fyrsta tréð á Íslandi til að rjúfa 25 metra múrinn |language=is |trans-title=The first tree in Iceland to break the 25 meter barrier |author=Pure Oskarsson |date=26 February 2013 |publisher=Iceland forest service |access-date=25 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304121114/http://www.skogur.is/um-skograekt-rikisins/frettir/nr/1882 |archive-date=4 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Algae such as ''[[Chondrus crispus]]'', ''[[Phyllphora truncata]]'' and ''Phyllophora crispa'' and others have been recorded from Iceland.<ref>Dixon, P.S. and Irvine, L.M. 1977 ''Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 1 Introduction, Nemaliales, Gigartinales''. British Museum (Natural History){{ISBN|0 565 00781 5}}</ref>

====Animals====
[[File:Alopex lagopus IMG 9019.JPG|right|thumb|The [[Arctic fox]] was the only land mammal in Iceland before the arrival of humans.]]

The only native land mammal when humans arrived was the [[Arctic fox]],<ref name="wildlife">{{cite web|url=http://www.iww.is/pages/alife/biglf.html |title=Wildlife |year=2000 |work=Iceland Worldwide |publisher=Iceland Whale Watching |access-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414112114/http://www.iww.is/pages/alife/biglf.html |archive-date=14 April 2010 }}</ref> which came to the island at the end of the ice age, walking over the frozen sea. On rare occasions, bats have been carried to the island with the winds, but they are not able to breed there. No native or free-living reptiles or amphibians are on the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nat.is/Spendyr/wild_mammals.htm |title=Wild Mammals in Iceland |publisher=Nordic Adventure Travel |access-date=7 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616093010/http://www.nat.is/Spendyr/wild_mammals.htm |archive-date=16 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The animals of Iceland include the [[Icelandic sheep]], [[Icelandic cattle|cattle]], [[Icelandic chicken|chickens]], [[Icelandic goat|goats]], the sturdy [[Icelandic horse]], and the [[Icelandic Sheepdog]], all descendants of animals imported by Europeans. Wild mammals include the Arctic fox, [[mink]], mice, rats, rabbits, and [[reindeer]]. [[Polar bears]] occasionally visit the island, travelling from [[Greenland]] on icebergs, but no Icelandic populations exist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nat.is/Spendyr/polar_bear.htm |title=Polar bears |publisher=Nordic Adventure Travel |access-date=7 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616092940/http://www.nat.is/Spendyr/polar_bear.htm |archive-date=16 June 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2008, two polar bears arrived in the same month.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/06/17/second-polar-bear-killed-in-iceland/ |title=Second polar bear killed in Iceland |date=17 June 2008 |publisher=IceNews |access-date=3 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100927220213/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/06/17/second-polar-bear-killed-in-iceland/ |archive-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Marine mammals]] include the [[grey seal]] (''Halichoerus grypus'') and [[harbour seal]] (''Phoca vitulina'').

Many species of fish live in the ocean waters surrounding Iceland, and the [[fishing industry]] is a major part of Iceland's economy, accounting for roughly half of the country's total exports. Birds, especially seabirds, are an important part of Iceland's animal life. [[Atlantic puffin]]s, [[skua]]s, and [[black-legged kittiwake]]s nest on its sea cliffs.<ref>[[#Wilcox|Wilcox and Latif]], pp. 14–15</ref>

[[Commercial whaling]] is practised intermittently<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amx.is/vidskipti/4381 |title=Hvalveiðiákvörðun stendur í ár |trans-title=Whaling decision stands in years |language=is |publisher=Amx.is |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221071915/http://www.amx.is/vidskipti/4381 |archive-date=21 February 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://skip.vb.is/frettir/nr/12499 |title=Hvalveiðarnar hefjast í júníbyrjun |trans-title=Whaling to begin in June |date=12 March 2009 |publisher=Fiskifréttir |language=is |access-date=22 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722022653/http://skip.vb.is/frettir/nr/12499%3Bjsessionid%3DA52268B9503F643AC74B0BC6C206258E |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> along with scientific whale hunts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hafro.is/undir_eng.php?ID=15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523085642/http://www.hafro.is/undir_eng.php?ID=15 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 May 2019 |title=Cetaceans |publisher=Marine Research Institute, Iceland }}</ref> Whale watching has become an important part of Iceland's economy since 1997.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2012/02/whaling-nations-could-trade-eco-warriors-for-eco-tourists |title=Whaling nations could trade eco warriors for eco tourists |publisher=[[University of Technology, Sydney]] |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407165122/http://newsroom.uts.edu.au/news/2012/02/whaling-nations-could-trade-eco-warriors-for-eco-tourists |archive-date=7 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Around 1,300 species of insects are known in Iceland. This is low compared with other countries (over one million species have been described worldwide). Iceland is essentially free of [[mosquitoes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://visindavefur.hi.is/svar.php?id=2166 |title=Vísindavefurinn: Af hverju lifa ekki moskítóflugur á Íslandi, fyrst þær geta lifað báðum megin á Grænlandi? |language=Is |publisher=Visindavefur.hi.is |access-date=15 October 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130802162121/http://visindavefur.hi.is/svar.php?id=2166 |archive-date=2 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>