Agriculture of Iceland
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| http://www.matrixfiles.com/CB/the-hallmarks-of-an-israeli-operationhtml.html |
About 78% of Iceland is agriculturally unproductive, and only about 1% of the land area is actually used for cultivation. Of this amount, 99% is used to cultivate hay and other fodder crops, with the remaining 1% used for potato and fodder root production. There were about 4,000 full-time farmers in the 1990s, with about 75% living on their own land; some holdings have been in the same family for centuries. In the 19th century and earlier, agriculture was the chief occupation, but by 1930, fewer than 36% of the people devoted their energies to farming, and the proportion has continued to fall.
Hay is the principal crop; other crops are potatoes, turnips, oats, and garden vegetables. In hot-spring areas, vegetables, flowers and even tropical fruits are cultivated for domestic consumption in green houses heated with hot water from the springs. Besides hay and other fodder crops, about 9,000 tons of potatoes were made in 1999. There are agricultural institutions in Borgarfjörur, Hjaltadalur, Hvanneyri, and Reykir; between 15–20% of all farmers have finished an agricultural degree program
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Iceland-AGRICULTURE.html
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Iceland-AGRICULTURE.html
The farmers shown in the images above are volunteers of the SEEDS program of Iceland. They work on an organic farm located in the eastern part of Iceland harvesting different types of vegetables by hand such as : potatoes, beets, and lettuce. the farmers then use these vegetables to povide fresh and organic food for the people near by. this organization invites people from all around the world to join them and help with the farm. there are even rooms available for people interested wh would be visiting internationally.
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| www.savingiceland.org |
Currently in Iceland there is much debate over the massive aluminum smelter located on the harbor. The factory was good for exporting good around the world and bringing in money that way. The plant produced nearly 300,000 tons of aluminum a year, to be shipped to customers around the world.
When Iceland's economy collapsed in 2008, pushing the country to the brink of bankruptcy, production at the smelters continued, which helped keep exports alive through two years of recession. Now a budding economic recovery is underway, and Iceland is on track for a faster return to sustained growth than other debt-ridden nations in Europe, such as Greece or Ireland. But that has only stoked a fierce debate over how big a role aluminum production should play in the future of this sparsely populated island. The metal already accounts for about one-seventh of Iceland's entire economic output.
Manufacturing and Service Industries
Iceland's Scandinavian-type social-market economy combines a capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive welfare system. Prior to the 2008 crisis, Iceland had achieved high growth, low unemployment, and a remarkably even distribution of income. The economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 40% of export earnings, more than 12% of GDP, and employs nearly 5% of the work force. It remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon.
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| outdooruae.com |
While a small country, Iceland has a strong industrial sector that accounts for 21 percent of its GDP. Like its 2 other main economic sectors, industry in Iceland is centered on its natural resources. Fish processing, aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, and geothermal power are its main industries
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/Iceland.html#ixzz3t20wPRbi
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/Iceland.html#ixzz3t20wPRbi
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| Aluminum smelter: Iceland. www.savingiceland.org |
Many groups of people are coming together in the hopes of getting rid of aluminum smelters, and not adding anymore to the coasts of Iceland. While carbon emissions, Fluoride pollution, indigenous destruction, and weapons manufacture associated with aluminium production continue to rise those are just a few of the harmful reasons why aluminum smelting is controversial. This is a current debate that continues to be discussed in Iceland today.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
Chu, Henry. "Iceland Divided over Aluminum's Role in Its Future." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
"ICELAND." Iceland. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
"Saving Iceland." Saving Iceland. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
SEEDS 72. Fljótsdalshérað - Icelandic North-east." SEEDS. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
