Iceland 2002

In 2002, Iceland was a prosperous country with a strong economy. The country’s main industries were fishing and tourism, though the service sector had begun to play an increasingly important role in the economy. According to computerannals, Iceland had also become a hub for international banking and finance. In 2002, Iceland had a population of approximately 280,000 people with an estimated GDP per capita of $26,000 USD. Despite its small size, Iceland was relatively wealthy and had one of the highest standards of living in Europe. The country also boasted excellent healthcare services and education systems as well as low levels of crime and corruption. Additionally, Iceland was home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders such as glaciers, geothermal pools and volcanoes which attracted tourists from around the world. All in all, Iceland seemed to be on track for continued prosperity in 2002.

Yearbook 2002

Iceland. At the beginning of the year, Iceland’s Nature Conservation Association sued the Minister of the Environment for approving a large power plant construction, which threatens untouched nature in eastern Iceland. The Kárahnjúkar power plant is intended to supply electricity to Europe’s largest aluminum smelter, planned by Norsk Hydro. However, the Norwegian company withdrew from the project during the year and new investors became the US aluminum giant Alcoa. The opposition party Left-The Greens harshly criticized the government’s agreement with Alcoa. When Allting opened for the fall, several hundred Icelanders demonstrated against the start of the power plant construction.

In the municipal elections in May, Prime Minister Davíð Oddsson’s Independence Party returned. In Reykjavík, the center – left-winged Reykjavík Party (R-list) gained its own majority. When President of China Jiang Zemin visited Iceland in June, he was met by major demonstrations against the oppression of human rights in China. Prior to Jiang’s visit, Icelandic authorities refused entry for some foreign followers of the Falun Gong meditation movement, which is banned in China.

During the year, NATO held a historic Foreign Minister’s meeting in Reykjavík, inviting Russia to cooperate more closely through the new so-called NATO-Russia Council.

According to Countryaah website, national day of Iceland is every June 17. The International Whaling Commission’s annual meeting in May was a setback for Iceland, who was again refused membership as the country did not want to accept the Commission’s ban on whaling. Iceland was very critical of the Swedish chairman of the meeting. When the Commission held an additional meeting in October, Iceland’s membership application was approved with an overweight vote. It turned out that the Swedish delegation voted yes to Iceland’s membership, contrary to the political instructions from Stockholm. The membership was seen as a great success for the Icelandic government, which is expected to resume commercial whaling in 2006.

Iceland Border Countries Map

Interest Contradictions

In most cases, the co-operation laws were created to displace established merchants. With the Progress Party’s special commitment to the collaboration laws, it became the main enemy of the grocery store. This struggle was also linked to other conflicts of interest such as fisheries/agriculture and city/ country. In the post-war period, these contradictions have become less attached to the parties and play a minor role overall.

To the extent that municipalities and the state have entered into economic activity, this has usually happened when private individuals did not strike. Public engagement has therefore not led to a major struggle with specific private interests. The disagreement over public production and other economic activity has been primarily political and ideological. Business activities at state or municipal level have, of course, hampered private enterprise, but through the Independence Party, the traders often included their representatives in the management of the municipal or state enterprises.

Wage struggle

Strikes were the most important weapon in the fight for collective bargaining. Since 1938, the form of agreement has been regulated by law and the right to strike is statutory – only in 1977 for public officials. Membership of unions has gradually become a condition for getting a job. The wartime years gave wage workers organizations their breakthroughs due to the strong demand for labor. In defense of inflation, provisions were made that wages should be adjusted in relation to the cost of living. During the post-war period, wage-earner organizations have been fighting such indexation. It has worked for a large part of the period, often across fluctuations in the ability to pay among the exporting companies.

Throughout the post-war period, the state power has been almost constantly striving to counteract these provisions and reduce ordinary purchasing power by modifying or undermining wage agreements between workers ‘and employers’ organizations. The agreements have only in the short term changed the purchasing power of the employees or changed the profitability of the companies. Trade unions led by socialists/communists are eager to lead with demands for automatic indexation of wages. They have received support from union leaders from other parties. The lowest paid workers are at the forefront when it comes to wage struggles, while other wage earners are usually followed and received the same percentage increase.

Iceland Country Overview

Visas
Finnish citizens do not need a visa to Iceland.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.
Please take into account the possible special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well. In many locations, the insurance must also be valid when moving at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters, in which case it also covers mountain sickness.
Many hiking or diving trips require more extensive insurance, which covers, for example, diving or moving on a glacier. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Vaccinations and health
Please check that your basic vaccinations according to the national vaccination program are valid. In addition, hepatitis A and B vaccination is recommended. Always check the vaccination requirements at the health center or the Vaccination Advice of the Tourist Clinic www.rokote.fi

Currency: The currency of Iceland is the Icelandic Krona (ISK). It is possible to exchange money at airports, banks and exchange offices. The euro is suitable as a convertible currency. Credit cards Visa and MasterCard are common and ATMs can be found in many places.

Time difference to Finland
-3h in summer, -2h in winter.

Electric
current The electric current in Iceland is 240 V. The socket is similar to Finland.

Mobile phones
Please check the coverage and prices of your mobile phone with your operator.

Climate
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, Iceland’s climate is mild. In the northern part, the temperature drops to a low of about -15 degrees and in the southern part to -10 degrees. In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of 18-20 degrees, but most commonly stays around 14 degrees. In Iceland, there is almost no heat at all, and the weather can be foggy, rainy, and windy at times.

Travel Seasons
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and changing rapidly. Weather forecasts should not be relied upon as they may change several times during the day. It is therefore worth preparing for all possible weather conditions. The best time to travel is in summer when the days are long and the sun is not setting, as well as in autumn when the stunning colors cover nature but the temperatures are still like summer.

Tips
In Iceland, service charges and taxes are included in the prices. So a tip is not expected, but a tip can be left for good service if you wish.

Security
Iceland has a relatively low crime rate and a modern infrastructure and well-functioning health services. However, general caution within common sense is desirable throughout the journey.