NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 68; ICELAND; THE SOCIETY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NIS
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110054-4
• Release Decision: RIF
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 44
• Document Creation Date: October 25, 2016
• Sequence Number: 54
• Content Type: REPORTS

ME
Iceland
June 1973
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
1)
Cl
j
i
II
ME
Iceland
June 1973
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
1)
Cl

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY PUBLICATIONS
The basic unit of the NIS is the General Survey, which is now
%ublished in a bound -by- chapter format so that topics of greater per-
ishobility can be updated on an individual basis. These chapters� Country
Profile, The Society, Government and Politics, The Economy,, Military Geog-
raphy, Transportation and Telecommunications, Armed Forces, Science, one)
Intelligence and Security, provide the primary NIS coverage. Some chapters,
particularly Science and Intelligence and Security, that are not pertinent to
all countries, are produced selectively. For small countries requiring only
minimal NIS treatment, the General Survey coverage may be bound into
one volume.
Supplementing the General Survey is the NIS Basic Intelligence Fact
book, a ready reference publication that semiannually updates key sta-
tistical data found in the Survey. An unclassified edition of the factbook
omits some details on the economy, the defense forces, and the intelligence
and security organizctions.
Although detailed sections on many topics were part of the,, P4:3
Program, production of these sections has been phased out. Those pre-
viously produced will continue to be available as long as the major
portion of the study is considered valid.
A quarterly listing of all active NIS units is published in the Inventory
of Available NIS Publications, which is also bound into the concurrent
classified Factbook. The Inventory lists all NIS units by area name and
number and includes classification and date of issue; it thus facilitates the
ordering of NIS units as well as their filing, cataloging, and utilization.
Initial dissemination, additional copies of NIS units, or separate
chapters of the General Surveys can be obtained directly or through
liaison channels from the Central Intelligence Agency.
prepared for the NIS by the Central Intelligence
The General Survey-
Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency under the general direction
of the NIS Committee. 1t is coordinated, edited, published, and dissemi-
nated by the Central Intelligence Agency.
WARNING
This dociment contains information affecting the national defense of the United States, within the
meaning of title 18, sections 793 and 794 of the US code, as amended, Its transmission or revelation
of its contents to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
CLASSIFIED BY 019641. EXEMPT FROM GENERAL DECLASSIFI-
CATION SCHEDULE OF E. O. 11652 EXEMPTION CATEGORIES
5B (1), (2), (3). DECLASSIFIED ONLY ON APPROVAL OF THE
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE.
q o
i
f
f
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
r
r'.
WAkNING
the NIS is National Intelligence and may not be re-
leased or shown to representatives of any foreign govern.
ment or international body except by specific authorization
of the Director of Central Intelligence in accordance with
the provisions of National Security Council Intelligence Di-
rective No. 1.
Por NIS containing unclassified material, however, the
portions so marked may be made available for official pur-
poses to foreign nationals and nongovernment personnel
provided no attribution is made to National Intelligence or
the National Intelligence Survey.
Subsections and graphics are individually classified
according to content. Classification /control designa.
tions are:
(U /OU) Unclassified /For Official Use Only
(C) Confidential
(S) Secret
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

u
it
l.
1
rl
"W VMM4 ow ow r r
1 hbk Aow 4owm we*
0004 MIV"d4 AWAWW 80
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
l.
"W VMM4 ow ow r r
1 hbk Aow 4owm we*
0004 MIV"d4 AWAWW 80
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

l(
1CCtAnc*)
CONTENTS
This chapter supersedes the sociological cover-
age in the General Survey dated December 1966.
A. Introduction 1
B. Structure and characteristics of the society 2
1. Etlinic and cultural homogeneity 2
2. Insularity 2
3. The family 2
4. Pragmatism and group cooperation 3
5. Social mobility 4
C. Population 4
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

D
0
Page
1). Societal aspects of labor 8
1. Working force
8
2. Wages, hours, and conditions of work
10
3. Organization of labor
11
4. Organization of management
12
5. Labor- management
13
E. Living conditions and social problems
14
1. Material well -being
14
2. Social welfare
15
3. Social" problems
19
F Health
19
1. Incidence of disease
19
2. Animals, and plants
20
3. Diet
20
4. Food handling and waste disposal
21
5. Medical care
21
6. Medical training
22
7. Public health administration
22
G. Religion 23
Page
Fig. 1 Distribution of the population map) 5
Fig. 2
Icelandic types (photos)
6
Fig. 3
Age -sex distribution (chart)
7
Fig. 4
Vital rates (chart)
8
Fig. 5
Life expect. sicy, at birth, selected
99
2. Theater
countries'' (table)
8
Fig. 6
Changes in population, rural and
33
5. Music
urban (chart)
9
Fig. 7
Salting the herring catch photo)
9
Fig. 8
Labor disputes and workdays lost
3. Libraries
35
(chart)
12
ii
Page
H. Education
24
1. General
24
2. School system
23
3. Outlook and relative standing
2i
I. Artistic and cultural expression
29
1. Literature
99
2. Theater
30
3. Painting and sculpture
31
4. Handicrafts
33
5. Music
33
J. Public infonnation
33
1. Press and periodicals
33
2. Book publishing
35
3. Libraries
35
4. Cinema
'l8
5. Radio and television
38
K. Selected bibliography
37
FIGURES
1
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
Page
Fig.
9
Traditional rural and urban struc-
tures photos)
13
Fig.
10
Contemporary housing (photat)
18
Fig.
11
Distri :ration of social insurance
costs table)
1$
Fig.
12
Akurcyri photo)
23
Fig.
13
Schools by type, number of students
and teachers table)
28
Fig.
14
Karlsefni and fellow settlers fight-
ing off "Skraelings" photo)
31
Fig.
15
The Vinland map map)
32
Fig.
16
Daily and selected wee news-
papers table)
34
1
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

the Society
A. lid#WaUm
MtM1@Mf7. k' tt'i+Mil' t'I Y t
MMI i Y !!1! 4lairlltr+My w4 1 kkiti tn+l4#tf i tl.
r ril4i> itrow ti e�a rA
rr+- YMtliT1 u +.thgaveaialitM3t
r rrt eve y IMNMI d�s aa�M Iii +a:t*
'4kl4tltct rvF rl, y iR y lAk y E!?i+i!M y l+F; M1+41
11Qt.t kltelfi� �id YkIiM Y tlFliq
w 111+ Ella llttl+wniti v4 v0v
11 1t1> l!'t a" tom' M liNlt+' *4 ..tN1 oA44 d A4W b Na
Y dl �if'+++kit4iii :t+.Wl�{ir.t M
60 10%4V IAO W WA 400-00 W**J04
Viso, 0440404 440+4 00040VAW4 VAa44 *Wi'40464
voloo om do vv"*w* Otto OW4.46tA AV
04004 00 *Wmth om ow 64 rM t& 116w 440a W4
�#W$%*w 'Woobiovokl4a t1 4k 4% ow4f.. ov
v #.t4M Nt *0 *0 mi"44 dw"tu V 04" Mai.� oko*4 4
R-00 4 ai` -mow :t ttN !i+�' a Ma; !MM' ht*N#llttMl+
.v*A tt.,t A4 N tit++ at*!#iiittitffNt a itM+, MM
0*0tN i U-OW
o*004# y kw i wMi 1 Y y y t iii, y i laa
+t1t4t rtl.ll 1 11- "'1'A�fFl IRi
Il4pro I Ago%s'w* V ee1+VA tt}tl A+11 40
otft*1imoY r16 .dM- 44tf4 tr- j*Aw4
1o! a 3 M a` &*o 4tw li"o* wMwoo* om %iowu a w
016 qii+4sw &OCOAo'. *04vo t 6vo II4.*A
Np4 avrerw� 11 mil A�q a .,at1
a+ 4iitait tt 1� .it..s rig Haar t+tt iitli �y.t tO *041:40
a +ayrA atttMitt rt+Atfi* 04 aioo4awe41
Atr r t.1t f %*k' %v* NM 0" 1 0tm lli
K+ 'MAtt'N I}t4�Iittt a at MN NltiiA sd
x!l3F iiltNsitM 1) N z i{ Eb I sfi Au A moutgO
'4sal)r Nqa aMNtN :.aNNiN R !1tN' .wMiH M l i++iNptiP
14110w 01.0 W" MR N 0'4# 0!faM
:�tltk*itidtr+ :tom v.a? r
gows .#04ow"
M .6 ,t.*4 ropes
kllt+Mte� tl!ir yaa }y.aii
AIP 0444 44,m NA ilii* t ov4vo NkW d.t AlY *ow Si
i �M iitsatl vSi iLl
tow-ftotg 4400a0A AN '-i4 -.yylN$'yl'
il4t�tk 0A#w"4Am t� t* &ate kwlvt YtY+M1aE1 JA 0*44
MAIM #o't#4 a N M w so wwtt1!4 td a *ekwo lisp 004 it.m
1, -t#40* ok4 eNi.tilpttAp tti 111& �aa v.N rite
rt+titrt+*ti�'ka 4�MtakMfd r.aN+!#y t14bk1arlleW.J4u
low 400* t t4 0% 4 04 r&
Mi�ttlt +ti V40 At*4 il4i�ttl'[+1l, r+ r lri of
tilt *400 016 4*4 4 016 t*A.#Ww Iwo
Ot+ t1ONM+ pMiy+ e� Ml ltttN +it#IaMeNtaN1aM+!ilawArMr
itNt++*tw awrNlbit +!�ti++dttrtM ,eltlidMil+a tt.a
acwv y 3
:N a�ar�i f N14a �l(t�ttCl+ .tl dta9�4
+Mal1 ttk!Nil;tN ttNttilMMM 1Mt�' +t/i?i+Y iai
K'4� t ikttc` =Mtlt r it-a Mtn� R -iM1t$ N N
re�Nl!lst fNt�t Ma 1 NIIttN+ Mw j *o -"iko" "Nil
M1+aMitUi+ +titltN Mt�N+aa
&.0.00 *WoApm oil *Ullo o"m
"W _tilt*+ *te a W� owA".*A ii, P16 imN* �M w*
1 4& tf tt0 lv 1'',4arlt
*ww ni *N 016 S.�N tr ll.t it&'
a4**b KO'PMkM .0140W W- AMt ISM -k*WJ -WiFew a4
air %M till t04 fu a*0400"o r 'd to
At" $Na* Vii' &&1t 4400048 Ilta{ w -0 otodo tlt 111w
.tX4tt i tsttih b ..pi owmo4A4w 4 W-4* !k ti.6
r. Wt M N-ti Mitt c" teNwtwF w too rw" 1lw
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

r.itlr iii� 41swd:r14. has cnatblyd the msourcefil
Itrgirrl:rlio11 lot 4111ain it living close to levels in
Irtrr�Irentt+ trt41iniand scaunlittavi:t. The accomplish
titrtrl 1% 4w ltrdall% halite -Slice in the light of Iceland's
lintitrri fish and cheap
IN+rrt.
H. Structure and characteristics of the
wdet
I. Ethnic and cultural homogeneity
`Mir imsic hottrogeneilt of the Icelandic population
cared. melt Ili-it of the other Scandinavian societies.
Not the I&M six centuries at least. there have been no
itttlt4ttatd tninorih group.. 'I'll( Old Norse culture,
ittlhxhae I by the first sclticrs in the 9th century,
.0aitt.�41 much of its original base. The language,
lilrtr.tun�. and srstetns of law developed slowly and
utafornrl throughout the island, with outside
111flurttces coming largely from continental Scan
divalla: Practices of family feuding and systems of
si -Orty an41 vassaiagc introduced by some of the early
Xorsr chieftains could not flourish bi it primitive,
isclalyd frontier environment; i inere survival
drtn41ntled productive labor and mutual cooperation
Will all. Viking peasant privileges were, therefore,
gradually extended to practically the entire
prpulatiott awl were later protected b y the Norwegian
41114: Danish suzerains. 'I'll( Protestant Reformation,
although imposed from without, was thorough.
Heligiottsly rtdoti.ated civil disorders were brief, and
by the ctrl of the l6th century no dissenting religious
enciaw% retrained to disrupt the social order. Even the
industrial revolution, because of its arrival after the
uelfare state ccas already in being. did not bring in its
ccarke a dominant social class. 'Thus, over a period of
101111 %ears tin- fabric of the society remained
n�httic intact, and it similar social and cultural
otdlook was preserved among nearly all segments of
the Icelandic population.
2. Insularity
Like most culturally inbred people, the Icelanders
are jealous of their way of life. 'rhis insularity is
especially evident among the intellectuals, who have
been particularly vocal in denouncing cultural
influences from the United States. Leading writers,
artists, and parliamentarians regard the U.S. Armed
Forces Network. both radio and television, as it major
ctirrupting influence. They decry American music and
the violence and naivete of the gangster, war, and
%%v%ter11 serials. 'rhe considerable receptivity such
2
programs find among the ;tuth,'ntany of %vhorn speak
English, has become it subject of concern to the
intelligentsia. Cultural and political leaders still try to
encourage the indoctrination of young people in the
early great Icelandic literature, as well as the
indigenous music and other art forms. Pride in the
ancient Icelandic language is instilled in the voting at
home and at school. National costumes, parts of which
were designed with care as recently as the last century,
are kept in most rural and even in numerous urban
households, and are frequently worn, especially by the
older women, on Sundays and holidays. The national
consciousness of Icelanders is also evidenced in what
some observers regard as mild form of xenophobia.
Tourists f tons both America and Europe occasionally
complain of 'a vague feeling of not being entirely
welcome. Such reactions, how ever, may be prompted
in part by it misinterpretation� of. normal Icelandic
reserve and feelings of tilt raindependence. In spite of it
serious labor shortage, most Icelanders side with the
labor unions in opposing importation of workers,
particularly from the ample reservoirs of Southern and
Eastern Europe, where ethnic and cultural differences
are more m arked. When moved by compassion to
admit a handful of Jewish and other displaced persons
after World War 11, the Alt!dn/;, at the behest of the
Minister of Education, passed it law obliging these
people to change their "foreign sounding names to
Icelandic ones. While it would be incorrect to ascribe it
racist outlook to this insular but socially responsible
people, it is clear that they desire to maintain their
present ethnic complexion relatively intact. 'rhos, of
the foreigners wishing to settle permanently in
Iceland, the least unwelcome are fellow Scan-
dinavians, Germans, British, and Americans of the
predominant northwestern European strains.
3. The family
Family tics are strong in Iceland, in spite of the
urbanization that has been underway since the early
years of the century and the fairly liberal attitudes
toward sex. Parental affection is warm and protective,
strengthened as it was during the centuries when the
population suffered from the hazards of the
environment. Discipline in the home, therefore, tends
to be more relaxed than elsewhere in Western Europe,
and permissiveness may even exceed that normally
found in U.S. families. The schools ..maintain high
academic standards, but the pace is slower than
elsewhere in Europe and more like that in the United
States. Icelanders regard childhood as a carefree and
happy period of life which should not be unduly
burdened with studies. Although the children may
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

r`
appear to 1?uropeans to he lacking in proper respect
and decorum, tiler are devoted to their parents and
grow up to he good citizens, responsible and hard
working,
Standards of morality in the home are generally
high, although attitudes toward sex are still typically
Scandinavian. Premarital relations, traditionally
ccondoned to insure that the union would result in the
bearing of children and resulting from the scarcity of
clergymen in isolated rural. areas, continue to he
accepted as the private business of the individuals
concerned. No stigma whatever is attached to an
illegitimate child. The only strong censure connected
with premarital sexual experiments is directed toward
it father who refuses to acknowledge and help support
his child. Once a family is established, sexual loyalty
between the parents is expected and is usually
forthcoming. Double standards for male and female
are not generally condoned.
As in other small societies in sparsely settled
territory, inbreeding is not uncommon, and the
kinship units have thus become enlarged. The
Icelandic system of naming �once common through-
out Scandinavia �in which the last name is formed by
adding "son" or "dottir" as it suffix to the first name
of the f ather is still practiced. Tracing family lineage is
therefore difficult, if not chaotic. Nevertheless,
because of excellent family records and strong interest,
many Icelanders have traced their ancestors Lack to
the first settlers in the ninth and 10th centuries.
4. Pragmatism and group cooperation
The cohesion of Icelandic society proceeds in large
measure from the common effort put forth to mastera
harsh natural environment. The challenge of survival
ultimately forced the individual to accommodate his
personal freedom of action to the demands of
cooperative group enterprise. Such accommodation, in
time, became it movie of conduct. It was further
encouraged by the introduction of Lutheran
Protestantism with its ethic of social responsibility.
Civic consciousness is apparent in the well -kept
appearance of the exteriors of private homes and of
parks and playgrounds. It is also evident in the almost
complete absence of crime. Although the welfare state
did not develop until the second quarter of the 20th
century, the social security system is rapidly becoming
as comprehensive as systems in continental
Scandinavia, the most advanced in the world. As in
the other Nordic countries, the cooperative movement
was already underway by the second half of the 19th
century, its antecedents even predating those in
Denmark. Approximately three quarters of the
popttlaliott either belong to or :u tlepoi enls an�
affiliated with such diverse coopertaive% as grm�ral
merchandizing, ntarki-ling of proltiuev and d:min
products, insurance, shippi,1g. and fisitirig, l,1
agriculture alone cooperalivt- socit-tit-s have 11,1111 and
conuno,1ly ot and operate slatghterhonses, chilling
and freezing plants, and dairies. Thev may also,
through volunmc punch :,ses, procure farm supplies and
equipment for members at reduced costs.
The praginalic, cooperative approach it, human
relations is seen in the political arena. Although tilt-
centrist Progressive Party, the Organization of Liberals
:uul Leftists, and the Coln Ill unist- dominated People's
Alliance may hold strongly divergent views, all three
compromise positions to achieve mutual gains. The
governing coalition of these three parties exemplifies
this "practical politics." Political life in Iceland is thus
typical of that in several of the Cermanic countries,
and contrasts with that of parliamentary democracies
in France and the Latin nations.
An illustration of the Icelander's pragmatism is his
final abandonment of the belief, until lately shared by
all Scandinavians, that he could avoil war by
pursuing at strict policy of neutrality. Ewen though ties
With the United Kingdom were then close, the
Icelanders deeply .resented the British occupation in
1940. Only, when they became clearly aware of the
Nazi German threat to civilization as they kmww it, did
they acquiesce in the presence of British and
subsequently U.S. troops. Wartime prosperity, derived
partly from the occupation forces, further softened
their attitude, but the Icelanders were pleased to see
their island entirely evacuated by the foreigners in
1947.
In the face of the rising Soviet threat, majority
opinion held that another allied occupation was
unnecessary, and that the. United States coold assume
responsibility for Iceland's defense without again
establishing bases there. 'Tins, when Iceland became a
ch arter member of the North Atlantic" 'Treat�
Organization (NA'T'O) in 1949, the treaty stipulated
that no foreign troops were to be stationed in the
country in peacetime. In 1951, however, after stormv
debate' in the AIhing, the press, and other public
forums, the U.S. troops were invited to return, bill
only after the government took elaborate precautions
to insulate the country from the new American
presence. Virtually all forces were (and are) confined
to the NA'T'O base at Keflavik,' with leave and
furlough privileges strictly controlled. The presence of
U.S. troops still remains a soiree of political
contention.
'For diacritics on place names sec the map in tilt� text and the list
of names at the end of the chapter.
3
t
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

Ir- wlftwl I +w All Irt're-licAl I g*W*% Ivy wn
itwl:ttt 01#4 so-#v-rrw- Ismir llrvttrvrw. if flow- A*Vk
ofirm arww for""I `ttlrr a hoo or owAl ti AI* :vw
rl4 loo tw,utw,riw_ Sol rlrklme Ihr lur wl wAkvty,
Itat prwh.elr� A .refute#'" well 11,#4 J*Aefttvtir-
a lrlfhraco 144 vtrntlttw*ni#At,'" litw l ove 111 004 Mrtwriw
t'srtttin+ in 'N. "I '11 at 11: *mA lrjrtl lriwt I" .v 1.0t
trrwahl Ittarlitul atratttlr w i l o d p 4omiul
me 01kV hit hr*W Still 1.tmtil+ v/rww ell II*
Iitiralewf"L he ct+ssltl lee r4lomrtl Irr irk Vml *6011
ittrt. The Itrrlaistlrt �lhrat Irriitrt+ set rowfirivul
itMnsilr 1 ittttainswl itsditttl� fret rvwgtrw r- wttir.vrv+t-
Ald +Inldwsatt t+sntattr +ttsdt i-4 rout lose tvrttltl Ire a 010 *1
3. Socisfl ninbi
krlantl twrntm a% clrnr la irrintt a v gvw*lt .r�
.m% in life We tetra w rsrol 11 t+rtt"smor"
111.1% rti�l 1% lrw"rk th- inrtl atoll fr'tstl� lrr lee Ivt+rtl "were
tut iitlelir 111LIl It.1orkthrtlntl atoll at 6~10104"1111 I haa rr 1
aralth Thi� "-rnli.tllr +sl N
l% pir:tllt V11111601" ptarlit�al, lrt� hnvrlsrttir.tl
Allainint'ul. I% uttitlssr in the 11'4rrt�1 .sttvrhlrsi low
phihwgtftrt. lif ftt ni�1" hi+flotmit" wtilet, rrt m114
"ftht.ilh nor wrli�tu.tls ulgtrt tla+� its lore rvolv+pw :n
tit Antrim wnw' mi+l� tit 14- Asrstl, a+ Nth imtsnov
:ter r-lrr 011% hs -.trio I.srnl, tart it ll wr arts W.1114
drptheil hm rl:sw Ate traslslissir wilhiis low '444
middle clam :srr .tr aitttrtphtsit+ anal "wial mtrlrihl+ �r
t .4111114 a+ too tr iplet thtnitimN In w tvmla&. trl the
Impulatit+n ralfirr nfranintlet. Sstt�ial rr61141".
1w1urrn llte tnsste and lhr Avulob% ate inissttnul
atd ea... and a I.slwftrt .isu tot tlantthi m,ui allrwttl
Cite in her4l Aillissul Immli+ap. ?he tsnrtnmrnl ha+
entfntr.strsl MK�ial tfnliihh Ihhrntlt tasmptrhFtititr
mrs.un dr�ittnrrl lit brunt hitthrt rthtsslNNt within
llte 14wch nl Al %1INle111� ailh alsilih.
The wKirl it rnlirrls sgtrn, anal �lnsntI% held
idtvfltst 4A dillrrrmr+ are n -idil� ,heel its the lutaian
per file lal"If nflilsem and life 1114Mtal jutlir+ tenth
(tsruifl� (tar rnlint ttirt.uK^tw t +srnlviitr wlilt atrial
ntflsilily :in(l lbe sal Ittdshr wrllatr lu
nlaiullfiu Ihr hith mmiai and itatisimal
msiidaril%.
C. Population
It i% r.linualrvi that if ul jismun 11MI thrw wrtr
21>< AX) pennanenl inhaititanl� in I"tttl. r.+mpti4ft
14111% 1 n( lit� Itpuiallisnt ill autlinati.f. Tor land
1114, nl iceland 1. 34. -41 mllmrr mile %"fine a
Impulatinn derail% nl a prnsut� pet mlufrr rrldr �a
%wy Imp s1%rr.ite ru ff lost stwtdiva.is aw In I.sr t
I++rtvk i iNi I'w "iWs ti++++1 wl) lit iwla vi m t*
wvtiwM+wlrrxl4- '11vw16 w0 NOW mw'w i+ VMVWA Irr,
lvrwtt 6,4_ aliill v+H tt+rrrl flw!tw
vwr +UiOf r+lrrw+ r11i+w wv, w e ffwVrl wiwwwrl
l ob i40M IV*- .l++vAw+N;, fsstw vrtswiltttuolr foss
60 l or' lrrdiivsislr 00 .V# Aw vftA. W rww lk-w low?
ttwwilty 0 'quwit *144 Iw I l#. ruts *41
r+ttvjlrirtl -arwlh++VdB -m I*wm Av. "VW1A#'m vlrwmt
al ko w I wIWiiww Ior: vtvl+" I W* 4 W*Itslv+ it, 0
-19 tfrwawto 1 1 .vltvumiw w Aw_ *t*Aj*wi Ir+ VI# Vmv i m
d w 4ttu� 4 flhl sorwsm low I+vl4vliww 4 low rvtltl
ro- rlsw.vl ditltitll+ iw flwrtt vwlw 1 a= tl+evw iw low
16-a+uivvi I.;dwaalir+w;
14f.WAVOA s 0
4.0400'6 d 1itYll tt v Irr i iy M
;3
'f WNW
1t Ivrr t 'W +Iv t
Mrr i
ivrlllal,ri irriv a wr -tt
'l!
iO40tattetxd 1'1Wvlld4aw4
AMA
:1'k 0
f ilm
'%iklli mt*4 a %+1A M
10 ICU
104tll NlLft1
The Ir+r 6totirw. ,,vtr Itutlir s 6di t'r,rw
its irlalirra lrr low v erort r uiwotwt +vfiR'R aiii vrl
al skif LAW +60vd A vsrtttmofsrw. t,ri t+rit vdwv+ti
slerA luisr a is wrwlortw Fxajv- aw*lk*w IErirwd
wo w�prVium+ ial+ard llRwitst .t *Alt twti+tiw vw now
rq ,rvrl.,kd r-ri*'VKt!- low 1111v1 Orrtre rtaflwlw iwm*drwkti
I n 16 rrfltia.vl millrw+ W'6Ar dis+tl "WIN vrtN�4dw
sallMlow 6t01 irdtklyd to lorW tv+iititit liowtw low
friar 't utttoa tai vq isrislrrrta- www.vr< l#wasatl!
ll.st/al A1106 Iwaw urw *1100010 4110111 #V*hitvd 1�+
+4mwl61 zltAw- w+tlatitm Itsr is low IWIIA %owa agwl
ltbh 1040trtlsl v+trw In Ow voch'"l is for+
ninth anal 1111110 trlcistalw* Atoll IMtv,tl'+swrrl rtmt fo
Iraslrw+ in tht lah;'stwl l Uhsvws WW'% lrri�SV Lf,
IU"r Iithf= ts�lr+trvl r.r�- wllh IAA PirdrriM&try e-- wall
Ir wnl itr for i sm Attotlt stut its t vspsirlcum ..toll bit
Ihaa low %rtiwrtmeot 1 6UMV> 2 1i6 tmrrtlrtm
It aslah� .sisal chilsl*vo is 1*461 vsrgoft -U ir+tAn
.toad fr.sslillo" tt,,+ils 11w +ttrttk+i rvrlsrrwilt,altrit ai
tl 161 Alit' *I tatn� N 1041018 sris l o' rrlttkuatswvl;at
Intl sill lhr +vwilhsuta rnox�I srl itslaiisl tow tKA111111t t el
i hr 3"111111 Imhalrllatid+ sal ILVW q$MU 04.sat114, wont, a1110
lt+slilkUllt listrtttSitd wllh Otttlulisl, AW Ior 41111ir0
tlry "Phut+ 1 rwwilt 1 Wflltt. and ar'1w wl low ll/tir�
tw%ahlrtl IN ihr iiiaiiilsuwlrw a- .r *gmi.sWw r4gr
i �.+it"Umd isr rrlltry aid+,rat*d U r 4rwi cuWd lr*,,
lafth lhr t *1a1r+ Amtl Irtriatitl Bair sw' ttft
ltstpsil.slissnt in low sk"Oemphit s f Ulow 44 liar
Iisssry Ihinl rtl i hr lorvi moot ptt.tmiid it tu" I+insslrr
loin 11+ U S troomA tv &%lt rM v 696 1001116 ralr
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP0l- 00707R000200110054 -4

C')
**A 1A IV
C Dwb~aw w
-001 40" IOWA #171a-
+Ifl' {M"u14� 1Ik 1}!1 t11 116 w N�++ A 1a i1wl�
t 1tv"tr9t:0l1+ +0010irtl Iry 1tW1It,Ify0tAt9 +ttttrr
lfr l.lrlrtl 4 orbivi A t ol l A4V rMlAo/rt+ :I."Wiuliv40 '.b#rll
Atwrttar'hh: lwourvrr_ +r/ o w11. rrfihith,/1 Gtww
.w0` 11'14 rtflr' to o*c4h*4vvl I,II i twht ills"I 1 rr-
rWprytr.1 fly rirhr'. 0 htth rvvl4..$ swt leAttAih
too .lrllhlw,al;t ff+rw rflrrr.
1199 1191,911 +.lt litnilrrr k t+llMirfh;v.artrlitrlt 1rl.11il4w
lfr lswrty lour' Y#rlivoit. ,Altwt r Tftp& 4r' i0`� f f41l .d1frtt ih
1:.0% v#Wvvlf VI .4 11 lYlrur': 141%. A- .fttoo thr
wrwrtrt+ flthl�1.0ow;.lh9/w- IsAm- fitv91,119, fit cl+,. Al*I
4016 rtr' llrrirw 41 111 In 1996+ 1,40 a 600 =16 f tv,41.11
lows I o+lorlt I tom plant lovot i ir11 low +I.IIr All, uAli.oh
1et,lr6hrrl I h.f l 114110� 1Mahutploorvil Alin 14110+14 ls#
hrrto+li./l, 109,1 4�11101tAll+ I n I- 0 1 1 Av14 1
./ahrt11rf11rtrl+ am Alf.lYlrll 0106110 .4rtr f +lvfrttwft
lltala Ank %fill ftrfri4r0060A Atlfill"oh0fh rlvr 1.0.# i0`+
tric0 A. lrvtblalrfl ./fill 9 a1.111rt11#,,0 l". A lai .0 hlffhloty
#4 .11fronll+ Ir.atr lorrri "oAfl' off 149,,4 it t off 11Ar++.t
1frlafillrlrlt filrw 60 1919+09$1 .4 11rthirl� /1999' lr rtt
Itimr.61t41 In 1A a o1 d10.fd o" 0r�ilf,vh la tit l eft 040 low'
IIrAflriliit it rt0i#,t+ rtfvelr o Ihr plrw't0l JA%
'f+fpj"trt0l.tf' 1 1W HfthM+ to I...Im i 1M1
1 NICM 14 m4ailor*- 1 44 ,4 ,1,199
1'1.10'+'+ 0.1 rt1t14hrt#MIA .0101 r�f#rv% putt l attrltl +ll #feftl,t
10 oft illlw'.
41114� I-alw4 l :.wltt Oct. rirlfl+ily ir01�.ii [phone],
fli+lwlir alit +6 #rt %10611 1 ft4vtraf -1 it Atilt' ill rttfv l-
Nvrlfitw:Atllt it jrwr> Yre Iwtrro ,rr++rirrr�Irrl4rrrt+:11N1
rlrflrroorvv vwrr row irrrr.l4f :11911 taliflil+ lrt t1N
tfhlt.rf t.:1 #wl it it v lallwflll -tr +I rot 1"Y'u -111 illov,vl r1rtl0
�1 1 1 1tffrr1ll llrw ira +6161011 #4 litw- f01i Ihf.
411-rwli" l0atlt 1 CIr f+wlltl gloat ifwltf� .1901 fvllrrt
fli+lev /If* ow-1011'r-vi 11 otko- ,+,99141 rrnlrlfrrrt+� Ylr0tir9sl Ihr
Irtt+t got :1 ftvvoIt.wl %hitch I0,110 Jump, 11.41r.rtlt#t+rl Ifs
trt# for lhr ftwftl_ lotll f41I+ it 40 too.10001 t i tl1wl- 04 Ihr
Irtr'+illift i0wlt" a9tfrrw t oo a�tt' 1114- caw 11 alas
t"'"+ jtr�trhr10r 14# jrllialitllw01#:vI Iti�i/Irlvw 119111�11.10
v"fivow lot forlerrvv irwlitiflmol vi"Arr al a rrllirr9l
low IAI*ot C 411#1 4+1+ oft titr ifwlt alnwfinl4ll
lot# ,1 I -+w.lt Irthl 14141iww I1tw it 91+ a 1,11 tr fl Ir1
irr# \41#1 i-'nwiAlirrll #4 Ifml.o#wli!- 6111440trt+- 10N�
oft Iiw� 11 .Irw vvlw. In Ihr %lirfi�k-t f4 %,ryial tta6t
wrwr f lwwow. Itvo,m .4tlw,9vlt :htrr 1 ltfli�l.#ff- r0ff#ril :lhyl
Ivr 11114 14 001rrrhw 14401 #1 lows Nrllrty tow I foovtl Aplovoint�
16 tr MAitfint I% 0 w111r+ �lire ti+ III j #wlt
9101"WhAtrrl 1 W- L1%1r.I I.1 Ihr Abvrl#rr�tl0r I:.$1tt1 90101 +1
IVA*$" a 601 frKXtrrit 1919 t I%ir ,Ito +6,99141 tro1116t4t1
t.! I *rvrwvnr.irvrw fYa6/Yh� tt :110 11111r10vtrt 'A logo it lr.lfll
104 .0 fli�lwflr- i� 9wfl a thrhrl.rt o4 dog .11ifrr0:11
f�+ft iAl vvu v4 118,1#1416! E. hrlfl.f +rt .fr it .1 1iri11.1111
vth it 114+1 .f hwhr v floor II L, Ihr I..11w,t I:lrn 1
jfwltr .,4101wolt#artl In f.lvr� 1 1 14' f v 14 doo- 1 9.14 111+
10,0#�4 996,141 +0`i +h t#i+ =r ll 610 1 11ty t .4 �4 001Istr +rho lfyl 111
floor' t0`�10rtIi rrlllllonvi is# 11160011 It ry �t IIN�
lrwatrtilf t! r tr#l rtfflr# lot rhlll1 01"4 rthollf �1 0 011111 t 11
91414 .1 rf��Itr' Iw t.4r h--fit Iltr slrl oft /t#0` +#r11111Nf11�
9l 1 0i0rM trw 1r l4.wr 01wal j#wlAN .t 61,41,'9`. %ill Iw�
1' Vt w vl oft 16 tltr *16 #11 .�t tore 00"Iff %11 46 i+is 44
fltr I..,lfl.a I $11111 .Ifs' Isitooliht .010 flow lificsoll+
11w� fi 1to0Atl� "us l.r 1t011w iht.4tr11 of I.11wlt
fli�lrr it low 1A +w �t l mm flr's iflr-- IImI Agog lellortal off
J f'.1N' thYwl I w 1111,11 volt, -01 lot 1114� M41ti4 t 1 1 I hr
hfllfr I 0004,1 "Lo a �+111ifr vwf.v*iwvt#.11 -$11141 tats
+il1IM`IMtr jlldwr 16.01# 691 of I.11+o f f AW_
A. 11111'1!
[ff+rtl #11149,16 %1.9149 ih Wltv%If 1#rl�l A 1 #1 �iods- ill
Irlrrf#lirf Ifr1 +1. #Vol� it11+1.100f11Ire 114 heal 16.111 4011
�118,41,9, l+. Cott, Ill or 101101"MII 1114 1 010`41� 11 #6111 Its
l og tow ?thrmool ra %i lljh ll ov lowa111t1>: a1 IIN.
1"" .1101 low hitllw �a 1t oom il.rlw�.11.4 o"11ui11.11 lolor 0 11
Ihr #rhiovt#
1614 +1.019' "oillali"01 %11111ffnl� 00,/� Ise'ves tralrll (u
ptr -srdl %ooll, +looiquer+ And +t�t 1.11,401 .11141
ah./tr,Artra wool off tr14 .#ttrrnrrnl 11/rtrus; it �tlrl� 4fI
rforrr,littr Ii1Mtlfllt#f; IrN 114�% 4t01Atarh Il +11 tU110w,1
k.+0`# 10w.Iti,Alw t alrli+i htrll 10.* low llfli+trt a/1 6.01
%11.11r. -aw Itsom rut h 4 4 lo 110441 111. 04140 %1111'11
0610` 111AMIn r�0rit 4r0.I1 .#1Iul,fot lwl#lif >Yi. outrlww��. Ulr
apiflt+lrt .41.40 A llilsoml+ Ir.#If- 1&6,4111 (tlrf l.tbfh_ alNl
14161% 1 k 4 lllrlt 1011104114u1� it flirt �114$11111
Ii
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP0l- 00707R000200110054 -4

bveoniv ineligible ill a particular C iSC to carry out their
f tmtctiom.
All appointments are made from among responsible
citizens put for\vard as candidates by the Labor Court.
The mediator and deputy mediator from District
Number I (Reykjavik) must reside in the capital city;
either one may serve as stale mediator, it positio n
carrying supervisory authority over the other three
district mediators. The proposa lit le by the
Medi ators are not binding on die parties to a dispute,
but are usually respected.
I' Iv mediators stay intervene in collective
bargaining \vhenever settlement appears unlikely, but
are inquired to intervene if half the negotiating period
has passed \vithout progress toward it new contract.
The parties to the dispute are then required to notify
the district and state mediators. The district inediator
Cliffs a closed session which both union and employer
representatives must attend. If differences cannot be
I conciled here', the district mediator is authorized to
submit it compromise proposal which tile; two
principal negotiating groups vote upon by secret
ballot. f ailing some compromise at this point, it strike
usually ensues. In the event of it particularly severe
dispute or one posing a threat to the economy, the
Minister of Social Affairs inay appoint it Special
Conciliation Board, provided the action is requested
by one of the� opposing parties.
E. Living conditions and social problems
li 1. Material well -being
Not\vithstanding the persistent inflationary trend in
lihC economy, �wages continue to rise more rapidly than
the cost of living, and in material possessions and
heslth stand ards the Icelanders enjoy a near typical
Scandinavian level of living. Only the Swedes, with
the highest level in Europe, seem clearly to be better
off. Real per capita income increased more than 50r
hehveen 1901 and 1960, and the per capita gross
national product in 197 1 was about US82,830, it figure
rendered more meaningful in Iceland because of the
relatively ,,even dispersion of goods and services.
housing, it chronic problem through the raid 20th
century because all timber had to be imported, is no\y
adequate for nearly the \\hole popidation. As recently
as the Carl\� 1900's, most of the populace lived little
better than American frontiersmen on the Great
Mains, in sod and timber huts, or at best, in corrugated
iron -faced d\vellings. Figure 9 illustrates two types of
buildings that \vcrc still typical in.the first quarter of
the 20th century. Nearly all the old structures,
therefore, have had to be replaced. Housing
l
investment since World \\gar II has ranged up to
10.5 i' of the gross national income; more than half of
Iceland's d\vellings have been built since 1945. New
units are in(,dern by European :standards; private
homes and apartments are built of rciuforced concrete
and equipped with the plumbing cou\cnicnccs
considered normal in middle "class contincittal'
Scandinavian homes. Figure 10 illustrates typical
cooteniporary urban and rural hotising. Utilizing one
of the few natural resources that the laud offers,
Icelanders heal approximately Oio of all housing
geothernutlly. i\71111y houses arc still completed by the
ezehange of skills among friends and ndalives,
resi'ilting iii" :tit unusually long construction period
averaging; 2 years. As in Sweden, Dcmnark, and
Norway, city sluins have practically disappeared,
while the rur '-'sod farnihouses" are still found in
some number only on the cast coast.
Nearly all dwelling units have refrigerators and
either private washing nutchines or immediate access
to community mnachilies. Vacutirn cleaners, electric
mixers, and other: kitchen appliances are virtually its
commonplace as ill Swedoin, where an average 85% of
the population use them. "Chem1) electric power s well
as high per 'capita income accounts for the \vide use of
electrical appliances.
Icelanders rank among the hest fed peoples in the
\\�orld, although the cuisine is not too imaginative.
They are also generally \yell clouted. Most textile and
leather goods are expensive by U.S. and European
standards, because of high protective tariffs. I- Imvever,
domestically manufactured woolen goods made from
Icelandic yarn tend to be more reasonable. On the
whole, high wages enable the people to have
\vardrohes adequate for the climate and the fairly
frequent changes of clothing that are custoinary in
most Icelandic homes.
In 1970. 203 passenger cars were in use per 1.000
population.. or nearly one automobile for every
household, despite import and special levies which
raise the cost of vehicles destined for private use to
about 2005'e of the factory price. The retail price: of it
U.S. built subcompact car, all taxes included. is about
US$4,500. lit 1969,.335 telephones \vcrc available per
1,000 population;. the numher of radios approaches
500 per 1,000. "Thus, the average home has perhaps
one telephone and two radios. Icelandic TV
broadcasting was not introduced until September
1966, hot in the Reykjavik- Keflavik area, \\�here! U.S.
Armed Forces television could be received, nearly one
half of the homes already had sets by that date. By
1970 coverage had been extended to all major
population centers, and receivers numbered 200 per
1,000 persons.
I
1
l
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

4
FIGURE 9. Traditional rural and
urban structures
Farm buildings still functional in 1941
Upper secondary school (Gymnasium),
Reykjavik, early 20th century
r art: r. r? rx1 t[;; rl- L: Ifl it -t.f I'! I I 1
Social welfare picrposes 1.2')(i billion kronur (1,'SS45.1 million). This
represented 8. -1'(' of pl:uuu�d expcu(litures and \\as
['he Comprehensive. grne direcic(I social b far ill( largest single item. Local jurisdictions also
wc!fare system of Iceland is tVj)icall\: Scandinaviuic� participate in social iusuranc�e prol;ranis. :clloc�ating
rooted in the traditions of co responsibility' ,rpploxinlatek one- third of their budgets for welfare
and cooperative endeavor which have characterized purposes.
the area. While the proper welfare role of the state xvrs Social seciirity has been i governinviit responsibilit
at issue as recently us the 19.30's. all political parties onl\. sinc�c 19.16: before that it ;is the affair of
now support a broad welfare program. Even the priatcl sponsored sickness insurance societies and of
Independence I arty tenets to confine its sporadic ac�cideril insiminc�e programs inuinlained bN ern
opposition to scrd(Icn increases in benefits. The plovers. From 1936 to 1972 gm ernnrent- a(bninislere(I
national bndget in 1971 allocated for social secrrrity social wc(rril\ evolved into a far reaching s\stenl that
15
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
in-

N
AWS
ok
FIGURE lO Contemporary housing
00
v
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-R0PD1-00707R0D0200110054-4

Sri :3
I r
As
L i
r
y
t
w
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

FIGURE 1 1. Distribution of social insurance costs percent), 1969
UNF.MI'I,OY-
PENSION
ACCIUF NT
SICKNESS
mE, Mr
SuUltct:
FUND
INSURANCE:
INSURANCE
INSURANCE:
National government
26
0
42
50
Local authoritie
18
U
111
25
Employers
14
100
0
25
Insured persons
22
0
39
0
total
100
100
100
/00
may be regarded tin par with systems in continental
Scandlinayia as one of the most comprehe!� ive in the
Western world. Other than it residual role in voluntary
health insurance, private social insurance programs
arc no longer common in Iceland. Figure I I shows the
distribution of responsibility for social insurance costs.
'the government- sponsored social security system
was established by the Social Insurance Act of 196
and was expanded by major legislation in 19-16,'1956,
1960, and 1963. The vlinistry of I- Icalth and Social
S%Icurit�, through its State Social Security Institute, is
responsible for administering the specific ;programs.
The institute is managed by it director, appointed by
the minister, and a five member hoard chosen by the
Althin/; after each legislative election. The institute is
represented in each of the 23 rural districts and 14
ii,eorporated towns by the district and municipal
sheriffs.
All citizens are covered by compulsory pension
insurance, which includes old -age and disability
pensions, family allowances, cliddrerCs annuities,
mothers' allowances, maternity grants, widows*
compensation, and widows pensions. With the
exception of the family allowance, which is wholly
state financed, these benefits arc funded jointly by the
national government, the insured, the III unicipalities,
and employers. Under the 1911.3 National Insurance
Act, most Icelanders are entitled to an old -age pension
at age 67. In 1967 the annuity, regardless of income,
amounted to 2,786 kronur per month (USS61.70); un
eligible man and wife loAvther draw 90% of the stun of
two single pensions. The stipend increases for each
year up to age 72 that retirement is postponed, with a
maximum rise of 67%. The pension for 7551 or greater
disability is the same its the old -age paynent A
disabled person is eligible, in addition, fc;r'
supplementary assistance for it spouse (80%) and for
children under 16 (46%). Impairments of 50% to 74%
arc compensated by smaller pensions. The degree of
disability is determined by the chief physician of the
State Social Security Institute and, upon appeal, by an
outside commies e of three physicians; the civil courts
18
provide additional recourse. F muds for the support of
widows also derive in part from the pension fund. The
amount of such support is contingent ant the woman's
economic status, the number of her_ dependent
children, her age and working capacity, "Ind the local
cost of living.
The accident insurance fund is maintained entirely
by the employers. Its benefits follow it complex
schedule; payments vary greatly according to family
circumstances, but in all instances coyer full medical
and hospital costs, and enable the insured and his
dependents, while he is inc�apacitatcd, to naintain
approximately the standard of living to which the\ are
accustomed. The support of parents. Nvonten widowed
by accidental death, and orphans also derives partly
from the funds of the accident insurance program.
Sickness insurance in Iceland has grown out of the
early programs of privately sponsored societies, which
have been subordinate to the Director of Social
Security since 1936. All residents of Iceland aged 16
and over are required by law to participate in their
local societies, which defray frilly hospital expenses
incurred by the insured and his dependents for all but
a fey exceptional illnesses. Care at childbirth is
entirely free. and nca� mothers are granted a cash
stipend. For outpatient care, Icelanders pay a general
practitioner USSO. I I for it consultation and $0.28 for a
house call. The sickness insurance societies pay the
balance of the physicians hill, in accordance Nvith
periodically negotiated contracts with the Icelandic
Medical Association. Outpatients pay 255i. of the fees
charged by specialists, and the societies pay the
remaining 7W in accordance with rates stipulated in
the same contracts. The societies also pay 501. to
100% of the costs of medicines and participate in
transportation expenses. Crisis incidental to mental
illness, tuberculosis, and a few other chronic diseases
are borne entirely by the government, a0'o by national
and 20% by local authorities.
Sickness benefits help compensate the insured for
lost wages. The minimum daily allowances. payable
for up to 52 weeks in a -year period, amount to
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

US$1.16 for married nacn, $0. -1 each for as mail% as
three children, and ,$1.02 for other adults. I'lle
urinous allowed vary among the societies and may be
slightly augmented through the puyinci' elf larger
premiums by the insure Ilia the tofu;' benefits'
forthcoming from publicly sponsored societies may not
exceed 75 of normal wages. In practice tile% are
rarely that high. Benefits are payable after sick leave,
which averages 28 clays per year, is used up. II' the
insured person is chronically ill, national and local
authorities take over the medical and mairtenunce
costs after it specified ti ne.
A national unemployment insurance program was
established in 1956 under the administration cif the
State Social Security Institite. The director of the
institute is advised by a seven member hoard elected
by the :Iltltir1; from nominations made by labor and
management. Benefits are available to clues paying
members of trade unions, age 16 to 67, who have hcen
employed at least 6 of the previous 12 months at
standard union wages, and Who have been out of work
at least 36 working clays in the last 6 months and at
least 9 of the preceding IS working days. Workers are
ineligible for benefits if they reside abroad, refuse work
offered by the Labor Exchange, or if their income in
the last 6 months equals 65% of the annual average
wage for workmen in their district. Conunercial.
office, and public employees are not protected by
unemployment insurance. The daily allowance %%as, in
November 1968, 53.75 plus $0.33 each for its nuuay as
three children. This stipend may be drawn for as long
as 4 months. The large reserves accumulated by the
insurance fund during normal periods of high
employment have hcen invested to stabilize
employment in the smaller communities.
3. Social problems
,rious social problems arc at it minimum in
Iceland. As ill other northern countries, alcoholism
continues to result in occasional rowdiness, health
difficulties, and broken homes, and is a Ecrsisting
concern of the authorities. It is probably Limier better
control, however, than at any other time in Iceland's
history. Chronic alcoholics receive free public
assistance as outpatients or in state- maintained homes.
Temperance societies have existed since the last
century, as they have in the other Scandinavian
countries. They arc usually affiliated with church
groups and have probably had some effect in reducing
alcoholism. Drug abuse exists, but on a reduced scale
in relation to the problem ire other socially advanced
countries. Known abuse in 1972 was largely confined
to tuariivana smoking by young adults.
While juvenile delinquency is less of it problem in
Iceland than ira most other societies, government
officials and many other Icelanders arc concerned
about it as a potentially serious problem. Some
corrective efforts have hcen made, none with' great
success to date. Heavy teenage, drinking is prevalent.
Nevertheless, the state- nni 1, e for juvenile
delinquents had,, only Ili inmates in 1965. In the total
population; senotas crimes are very rarely perpetrated,
and hogging and Vi19alww1age have been entirely
eliminated; the jails, therefore, are snall and sparsely
inhabited except on weckcnds, when those guiity of
drunkenness and disorderly conduct arc briefly
incarcerated. The high incidence of illegitimate births
seems partly balanced by the generally responsible
relationship existing in the "informal' families;
furthermore, civil marriages, if not religious
ceremonies, arc coming to he more accepted as proper
and neecssarv.
F. Health
I. Incidence of disease
The Icelandic population is one of the world's
healthiest. This physical well tieing, however, is
associated almost entirely with the 20th century.
During 1,000 years of prior existence the Icelanders
had considerable difficulty in surviving their nagged
environment. Such disasters as volcanic eruptions,
floods, and famine, as well as fishing accidents took it
high lull. Poor communications liantpered medical
care in many isolated cornrnunities; the damp, cold
climate. together with confined, primitive living
conditions, caused a high incidence of tuberculosis;
the periodic plagues caused a high death rate among
the weakened population; the isolation during the
long winter months, aggravated by seasonal
unemployment, led to widespread alcoholism. Since
the end of the 19th century, however, modernization
of the fishing industry, expansion of the economy, and
urbanization have brought a marked rise in living
standards. The same factors stimulated the
development of communications, public education.
technical and scientific knowledge, and an efficient
public health service. Conditions necessary for the
suppression of disease were thus present, a nd within
little more than half it century remarkable success has
been attained. In the early 1970's low infant mortality
and high life expectancy place Iceland nearly on it par
with Sweden and the Netherlands as having the
highest standards of public health in the world.
Some health hazards to the indigenous population
still remain. Acute respiratory infections aggravated
19
r'
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

L.
by the inclement weather account for the highest
incidence of illness. Influenza outbreaks occur
annually. Vlunups, In isles, and whoopill cough have
reached epidemic proportions a number of limes
(hiring the 20th ccntur�; they have become endemic
to Iceland only in relatively recent %cars, and the
population bus not developed resistanee to them.
?xcessi% consumption of alcoholic beverages
(principally akvavil) is also a lingering health
problem. But other illnesses once prevalvid, notably
tuberculosis, have been drastically curtalled. wllilr 1Ii1.
enteric discuses have been virtually eliminated sJu(j
the introduction of strict sanitation proevdmms.
Venereal diseases, so common in European purl cities.
did not become a problem until World War I I brugbt
the Icelanders into frequent contact with the crews of
foreign ships; these diseases have been vigorously
combated by public health authorities and are again
effectively controlled. The causes of mortality in 1969
ore shown in the following tabulation:
The low incidence of diseases recognized as
controllable by medical science is another indication
of the high level of public health. Violence as it cause
includes death by drowning and from other injuries at
sea, still measurable hazards in the fishing fleets. Th
only endemic diseases which could seriously affect
outsiders protected by modern preventive measures ar
acute respiratory ailments. Frostbite, trenchfoot and
snowblindness are also potential hazards.
2. Animals and plants
Endemic animal diseases largely affect sheep, which
arc the principal livestock, and include progressive
pneumonia (naedi), paretuberculosis, adenomatosis
(Jaagsiekte) a not lie r lung ailment, and chronic
encephalitis. I-log clwlera was introduced into Iceland
during World War 11, hilt is no longer a serious
problern. Dog tapeworrn (Echinococcus granulosis,
locally called sullaviki) is also endemic, but (lags are
banned from urban areas, and the disease is well
controlled.
20
Indigenous :Iniflial :mnl plant life. (,nstilml� :1
negligible threat to health. '1114� large yarieh of bird..
though carriers of some if%hin diseases. is mot if h:vaI'd
to human or :ullm;ll life. ~makes or (xisomous reptile.
are nol found on the isl:mnl. Seals abound bltl cam (u
disvwws damgerous to inau. A u il(I fog
occasionally be rabid. or a monindig4�ItotN. hungr
polar hear may Arrive from Cteemland on if section of
drift ice. The only rOdenls an� nti:�e and hro(tm rails:
both, himever. are fairl% mmmermis and oflen raid
fond storage auras: rats may allack sheep %yhen food is
scarce im the v nlntryside. Effective iiwasi es by the
11ablic health services limit the nminbet of these
rodents in the towns and cities. Although leelaml.
unlike other northern areas, is blessed Iy lh4� abm-11ty
of mosquitoes. some species of flier ate harinful to
cultivated vegetables, while other piling sitecies
cotistihlte :u minor health h:uard. The throe'-pt-cies of
lice associaied ailll hmnlan, heings :Ire only rarer
encomntered in Iceland because of strong habits of
personal wid envinntnetltal cleanliness.
The only dangerous Icelandic plants :(re poisonous
mushroom fungi, notably of the� genera :1a11#11a and
copper trumpet (Chloc be rrn /ipvsi. Mith grim in
nxadows and ;uuong patches of grass in Iliv lava fi4�Ids
during summer. The Icelandic species of Atimplila
contains tlt4� liver poison anc(nitime. producing acute
abdominal pains 6 to 2.1 hours after ingestion.
followed by persistent vomiting aid diarrhea. and
usually death 3 to 8 days after ingestion. The ingestion
of copper trumpet produces within I to 6 hours
gastrointestinal irritation. accompanied If% nausea.
diarrhea, and headache. Another poisonous noodle
room. Lepiula amianthinu. is confined almost entirely
to the Vestnnannaeyjar off the� southern coast and aft4�r
ingestion produces the same symptoms us copper
trumpet.
3. Diet
The Icelanders vat very well. The (laity per capita
caloric intake of 2.833 (1966/67) represents a decline
from the 3.2(X) to 3300 average of the preceding
decade, but the percentage derived front anini l
sources increased to -16, it proportion typical of the
better fed nations. As the following tabulation shows.
Iceland compares quite favorably with its Nordic
neighbors in availability of foo(Istuffs per capita:
PERCE'T PROTEI\
PEnC
ANIMAL
DEATHS 1'Elt
OF nEATIIS
Yr,%n
1,000
FROM ALL
(CRAMS)
POPULATION
CAUSES
Diseases of the heart
2.104
30.5
Cancer
1.444
21.0
Apoplexy
.857
12.4
Violence all forms)
.577
8.4
Pneumonia
.562
8.2
Influenza
.103
1.5
Congenital malformations
.079
1.2
Birth injuries, postnatal asphyxia .064
0.9
Bronchitis
.064
0.9
Other or unknown causes
1.038
15.0
6.892
100.0
The low incidence of diseases recognized as
controllable by medical science is another indication
of the high level of public health. Violence as it cause
includes death by drowning and from other injuries at
sea, still measurable hazards in the fishing fleets. Th
only endemic diseases which could seriously affect
outsiders protected by modern preventive measures ar
acute respiratory ailments. Frostbite, trenchfoot and
snowblindness are also potential hazards.
2. Animals and plants
Endemic animal diseases largely affect sheep, which
arc the principal livestock, and include progressive
pneumonia (naedi), paretuberculosis, adenomatosis
(Jaagsiekte) a not lie r lung ailment, and chronic
encephalitis. I-log clwlera was introduced into Iceland
during World War 11, hilt is no longer a serious
problern. Dog tapeworrn (Echinococcus granulosis,
locally called sullaviki) is also endemic, but (lags are
banned from urban areas, and the disease is well
controlled.
20
Indigenous :Iniflial :mnl plant life. (,nstilml� :1
negligible threat to health. '1114� large yarieh of bird..
though carriers of some if%hin diseases. is mot if h:vaI'd
to human or :ullm;ll life. ~makes or (xisomous reptile.
are nol found on the isl:mnl. Seals abound bltl cam (u
disvwws damgerous to inau. A u il(I fog
occasionally be rabid. or a monindig4�ItotN. hungr
polar hear may Arrive from Cteemland on if section of
drift ice. The only rOdenls an� nti:�e and hro(tm rails:
both, himever. are fairl% mmmermis and oflen raid
fond storage auras: rats may allack sheep %yhen food is
scarce im the v nlntryside. Effective iiwasi es by the
11ablic health services limit the nminbet of these
rodents in the towns and cities. Although leelaml.
unlike other northern areas, is blessed Iy lh4� abm-11ty
of mosquitoes. some species of flier ate harinful to
cultivated vegetables, while other piling sitecies
cotistihlte :u minor health h:uard. The throe'-pt-cies of
lice associaied ailll hmnlan, heings :Ire only rarer
encomntered in Iceland because of strong habits of
personal wid envinntnetltal cleanliness.
The only dangerous Icelandic plants :(re poisonous
mushroom fungi, notably of the� genera :1a11#11a and
copper trumpet (Chloc be rrn /ipvsi. Mith grim in
nxadows and ;uuong patches of grass in Iliv lava fi4�Ids
during summer. The Icelandic species of Atimplila
contains tlt4� liver poison anc(nitime. producing acute
abdominal pains 6 to 2.1 hours after ingestion.
followed by persistent vomiting aid diarrhea. and
usually death 3 to 8 days after ingestion. The ingestion
of copper trumpet produces within I to 6 hours
gastrointestinal irritation. accompanied If% nausea.
diarrhea, and headache. Another poisonous noodle
room. Lepiula amianthinu. is confined almost entirely
to the Vestnnannaeyjar off the� southern coast and aft4�r
ingestion produces the same symptoms us copper
trumpet.
3. Diet
The Icelanders vat very well. The (laity per capita
caloric intake of 2.833 (1966/67) represents a decline
from the 3.2(X) to 3300 average of the preceding
decade, but the percentage derived front anini l
sources increased to -16, it proportion typical of the
better fed nations. As the following tabulation shows.
Iceland compares quite favorably with its Nordic
neighbors in availability of foo(Istuffs per capita:
PERCE'T PROTEI\
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
CALORIES
ANIMAL
PER DAY
Yr,%n
PER DAY
ORIGIN
(CRAMS)
Denmark
1968/69
3,180
46
89
Finland
1968/69
2,890
45
88
ICELAND
1966/67
2,833
46
122
Norway
1968/69
2,910
43
82
Sweden
1967/68
2,850
41
80
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

0
f
1'111(,1 i ll �i l lit lll i ll ilr'�1:1 ,I 11 :1tifl1. 1.
father linfilel al"I fill 11,111411141 voli +ill�. IhO� "don�, i.
1 4011" hill thnldfrtlr11.. I�i4l i% vtor off tile Itl�I
in111itl.1tol uV111%in Ijl� tlirl :11NI 111.1% lot- P tr imnll limi
(no MM kllfrgl. off lltilA "Mir 111kn 111palift it"- e: ljllllll.
l cl1.1r, ('1141, h:llillit. ,fold hriti The 14 4 I114lem
,11-40 Like tell ,Ili l4. I 1IhrNiq" mill fla lroer ll a r little, ill
f('v%off alnl I on :1111. 1 ,11 it Nilll ti,h,liNl !1tt .1llll�e. (Ifew4�
Moll (11.11t 11l:11r41 vim milk, got Ayr, ,Ito ifnitfrtlaill
MOM' a tot :Ininlal pn lleito. 1X11. a llrloal .1t pn lhl'1
4" filat Olt wtvid. 6 11MI-11 u ilh mot or. J 111111m. lot
(�h�:1tn_ I ,1((111 .1(111 ttlnlllrtl ,Ito 1/1Owlti111L a ell �1e1006
1411411 i. if Ir.14hlil 11 :II n,:fiU '1oar44�: I114�I i* ada 4alr�11, l
10111 h 14co llifal and thror itlorr r1.lfl�n�i1.r_ I /otk
Phillik 1� :1t4. in(�n:l�in1t1% 111lenl hat As 11101 %1
'1nefilntr ael itnilfrtlanl lt.ltl tot the dire. %lion� bud ttr
to :lliftnl :41 (11e114' itt C hlir lloilell.he hr,ld. tier r4
�IMI'L Will, r,la Nll:lle jInlll�t, all4l Will Iliplfrf�.
C 19 I 0611 lot fit%. The l '1111NII11l tit %ell elilillf loll
frnile. tell( Vol N hic�iv ille thit11 in gfel�$1111f11-4�. 1
h1. Ikltllr .1l INrI N:llet eptintt�o for inolustfriL n�ttl;lill.
limill�tl Is air. fit life high c '1111 e:ltirt1. lot �swIf
11 11. a1.: ;c! !�I4. 6mr-mr. ,lttrlllhtog I1011mllsiw,
ltr,lllr�. turifn�. dull'. trail�, and 10:111alla�- I r�u clank
n lt 1.r�grl, toe +lalol% llfltalflm and iflt11ill%. :ltr
g"M 11 Otto rrrtnl,lr (Alton :ull are plrnlital ,11141
inO.1.lfrn�i1.r. Viltirnn n,lthe la�rtim in(�Illlinit Ifilll
411N N1110rt Are .11.41il :lbe ill ahnndancr� mill :err
(n eiltrtl I fr� ll Nilll .ficof 411141 rtram. Oliver
'I"Plr hell. inrlllir (rrr:ll. 111nnt�i11.111t itilllntt-ll
NIIIa1,uN1 nor. IIOIIIIn hnlfrr. (:rot(rr i1. t lie c�hirt
le1. milk. l4o(7R1. :1111 le a We 111-40 taIl�lllllnl.
Xotailh�l,lntling With pritre, life ru."%hr '101.mnil-
lion Oft 11 11alitr ,Iir. ntolrlR 41141 lolllrr .11c'rinlir
lor%m tf, b. 4, I /nihlrlil,
4. Fond handling and tca1.le di%"- I
tt :loulanl. fit flolll handling anal .11rratte e1f1111 roll lot
the birth 1(:/1Nlind%i.11 uonn. lull irrtan(re off 1111141
l'1lltilnllllatilnl
a ra Mir witnra! :1W1 $fl it 17111
clitrulle i� .npplrnlrnlrtl 11% the ILO` 111 na llenl tocoll
p /c�w�n' :Ililrnl Irc 'htlilllN�e. i1MIlNlillg rrlriltrrAliOrn..11141
Ihr efiflleralitto off it 1101114141(1� Nell ituhK�fri in
%mitan pnwrtinre. 'Phr t�l llmle. c4nnhinrcl Nill1 life
�ixlr.c� IN111141.101111. IIrlll% prrchldt- Pnrhle "le ill Nillrr
Ilfr11111iOrn. liken. hoNr% aldc�h an� IX1flj% et l from
gl:uirn and t114 �c�1 .afl.lcr 41rlitlagr. (am la the
claanlitic�. 40f fine ininrrll dint :ctrl (11) 11411:1(141"1 Nairr
eaitalllr for drinking. (iolahlr N4llrr 411th
entirely front arnlrm"1nt141 (nom Tring- frt l.In ann.
Virttlall% all hnmre in the loan� :u4. .41111/1ieil Nillf
f llmitifull Pitted Nall.. Mint vill:lge% :11 -4 11 .1%4`
nlnui(ilull Naler epelem�. Iml thine Nltlrh Clip tool :ife
-4o 11will 41 Ibill 4116111.111' 10thill4. e1111101JIN Jo n�:ajil%
a1..1il:llr1r. Fnwll Valet lilt thinking and Al fllirt
1111ti1$-4'e 11. .11-41 I+�lilillrlr I4." I :hill.. ru'rJol fool fill-
lift i�611411k. ullete otfiontill N.111't i.
loth-6.1i and 4 ,001,ll t rimlll'1� lonn lie I1laurtl Otto r:lill
a,flrt. The IttNto tot %"1n1ana .1r1.J Iffout 1141�
Ilelf 44.11.1'11 little I!W lot if Inch Natrt idlfrliffr Insin
Ihr toai1d:1N1.
WiMe tli�lovoml i� I11l if 11'111111 Iliwiftfl in Iul -lilt) U VI
llou n� 411111 oflhl foliage. h:lty ,ulrwlmllr lnlloliv
44i1.rr .1gr y�trnl�. l .1rl( htott11��_ 11oNr+rt. �fill Ifmv
pth:llr witlic lmok.. Ott wuilgr dtailr% fir the 44�:1. The
Pulrlir �1.�Irta+ 0001:1111. twill 1114. �%siogr Itrhftr jelling
it itlloi the wit. Ihr Pthale w4vill. tho now Hivillrr
neatlo :111 -4�1111-111�rlh :In� .111-4� 110 life- t+t-;m. fill- fh1�t�
.1n� little 01441 Tort %ruagr digll�:11..Ind Ihr1. trttlain
I:Itge11. fnlltnl,ftofil:114,1.
F%I-t% itolllli(ilmlih got 7A Nl rot 11110h� ialoillil.1111� 11.0�
I$o( 11i1. r1mlt d %allil :l4.. 1110,1"1 c�I14fin4l In the -lo �till lot
11ie trim- w ollil1hr ,fell inclflling rit 1f jiote the di�Iael
1111%,lo ill, 111r loom "I i1. tr. ilrn�iIde lift eor%itomlnettlA
`fllil.116,11. lfloll t4n1 "ol. an i lwllo '1 �nrrllt #if IRItiolloal
and 14,6111 %lowiltt 10 lillans
Medical care
The el,lxalanl� Oft tll,lital tan :lee :1n1nit Ihr
N$Ifitl'� l rr. l. I1/ 1litill
then- urn. 11iI hr :1l'tirltlg
pil�iti,ln. 4.l- �idinit in ItAltll it $rile Iflorinf hor mrn
f 1 ittlalhihld�. �Mli. r41io 1. c1enlx0.11114. Iu Lotion in
n1.linl .1111 1c.u141it1.l1.t.l :Ind i� $11111. .11n1�Nh.11 11���
t.11.1rr.lhlr
111.111 the Ito ti ill lolmiriill too I111tlCl.liirn
ralilo e11119%el1 h% the t "ailed 11 :11r.. In Illr %offer %rar.
ic�rl .1ttdi(� ph�ici.un Nrfr Lmry/lenl�nIr�ct h1. 1!l
drnfi�l�. 1!1.3 tour.... 13.3 lid(khr�,, .1141 !Li
Ph .1rltl.ai�1�- :0111111th the tef%raphic dWrihatioll of
rIN�4111al IN�t-4 ilnel i� Ile-0111. �kt-arll in 1.11.1 +r $0( Ihr
Iir%k!a%ik ,Ina. Nhrrr In, nt ill +t�lur, inc(IU1ing 111n�r�
($lath� of fill. �ifr�ci .1li�l.. 11rlt�11Ur. Jot ,lit .1tollul:ultr
-4�n ic4� l i-4 ol,ltt-rl :roil� i ll, lilt. r.11lil.lj N llell
�ltl�(ialiml care 1% tr�rloutrcl
Tht o%4dLoIsiM% 441 lemloit.11 c.ltr 1� .,ju ila1lf" %i%c.
Men It% the ten high st: nchn.1%1.t11 �t.ult In
Ilifill. 11 llnilil.lh p "n idrtl it 1$11.11 4012.1:3 lord�. $+r
I$"' hor r%en 1111 Icrl.1nNlrre.l� 4111Nn in tilt- 1$1114+Nilit
111h111,11i40n.
7Yrc
IlcnrfTAL"
BM
tags bo,1111u a ilKhlckcl)
9
JAM
?ubcrcullnie
Mental
3
l.R�rrnmfkmle
Alculiwilic
�N
Menlll rehabilitation
1
Ill
%her roily
3
140
21
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

rm
e1
In addition. th(In� due� it 11eunber of ttur,ittg 11411111�, for
Ilt� (tgrel :trtel ell onically ill: in 14)ti(i they
actlt1ltlp Kill fill apltrWtnalely 54141 re.ieleut.. (N tilt'
Ilo holds availafole. 6 1'r are loeatetl in Bevkjavik.
There stn� four (loge general hospit:ds its leviaud.
The State Ilosltitsd t -1(N) beets). St. Jo,e�plt'. Ilospil :tl
II.B.i Ire�ds). mid the Cit% of lieykjavik Ilospilal (1. 111
holds) an� its the capital. while the Akurevri City
lo.pil :tl (12h Ix�ds) is limited in that uorlhem port
My The State Ilospitstl. which provides medical amt
It:tr:utte�tlical training. s me, as i model for the other.:
It Ill's dep.uttnenls of internal medicine. generd
:urger. lung so rgerr. Ix�dialrie,. derumtoh>gy anel
venereal diwa,e�s, 9%ue�colotx- and obstetric.. X ray.
ll
du clittie. :'I lalmoralor I'Ite Stale Ilo,pital .111(1 tm.t
of Ilse 11111ialize�d Ilespithtl, are state owned. the other
genera) hospitals. ailh two ewceptions due operated by
tnnuicil>; :et the Faculty of Medicine of the
University of Ice�lancl Inerts high standards, and
gratlualm. after contpletitig the necess:ery sttpplenten-
tary studiess at reputable foreign hospitals, may
prte�tiee� aoycshere its Scandinavia. (ht the other hind.
only rtalive -lo m or naturalized citizens may he
(icemed to paectiee� in Iceland. The teaching staff lit
the unfvemily c�err'sists of 1:3 professors of medicine and
26 le�cturen: in the autunm of 1970. �138 Icelanders
wen� pursuing studies in medicine (341), dentistry
17111, and ph :utimey (:3.1). 18lic health his been shifted
among the highly flexible cabinet posts, but it usuillr
rests with either tilt Ministry of Social Affairs or the
Ministry of J1, tice. Directly subordinate to the
ministry is the permlanent National Health Service,
run b, the National Physician (Landlucknir), with the
assistance of a seven- to nine member Medical
Council. The council includes the chief officer of the
State Social Security Institute and sevend specialists
from outside the ministry who hold executive uncl
c�unsnitative positions. The Professor of Hygiene at the
University of Iceland is adviser on hygiene and
research: the Professor of Pharmicology serves as
c�oosullunt on drug addiction: the Associate Professor
of Pharmacy supervises ph armacies and control of
drugs it special adviser supervises dairies, and another
oversees the operation of hotels and restaurants.
Iceland is divided into 37 medical districts, as well
as ipp 200 midwife districts and 20
veterinary districts. Each medical district is, by law� to
be served by at least one National Ilcalth Service
physiciall, but in practice vacancies in the outiving
:tress are often difficult to fill. The local district and
parish councils, in consultzltioll with the medical
district physicians and veterinarians, enforce all health
regulations concerning markets, restaurants, schools,
and public sleeping and eating accommodations,
sewage disposal, prevention of disease, control of
alcoholism, and maintenance of local sanitary
conditions. The cooperation of the population m ly be
depended upon, as is evidenced by the neat, typically
Scandinavian appearance of virtually all towns and
(-yell villages (Figure 12).
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

1
r
1
HUME 12. Akureyri, principal town of northern Iceland,
G. Religion
In conformity with the Scandinavian Pattern, the
overw helming majority of Icelanders (97.7 identify
themselves with the Lutheran Protestant faith. In
contrast with the Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes,
however, the Icelanders have shown a more
pronounced spirit of dissension within the Lutheran
denomination. Thus, 91.6% associate themselves %yith
the State- supported Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Iceland, while 6.1 belong to the Free Lutheran
churches, consisting of the Free Church (about 9,000
members) and the Independent Congregation (about
2,000 members). The Free Lutherans separated from
the official church at the end of the 19th century,
principally in Protest over the association of state and
church and the obligatory Payment of the church tax.
The religious affiliutiou of another 1. i of the
Population is divided between splinter Protestant
groups (1.2 0) on the one hand, and Roman Catholics
(0.5%) on the other. The Protestants, consisting
Principally of Pentecostals, Seventh -day Adventists,
and Baptists, arc concentrated around Reykjavik
except for it small BaPtist congregation tit Akurevri.
The Roman Catholics maintain two churches, a
convent, tw9 hospitals, and three elementary schools
in the Reykjavik- I Iafnarfjordhur area, and a convent
in the Stykkisholmur area. Reestablished in Iceland
1971
through Danish uncl French missions at the end of the
19th century, the R.omun Catholic Chlrch started a
vigorous expansion program in the 1920's, when its
sponsorship was shifted to the Netherlands. Fewer
than I of the Icelandic Population holds no religious
beliefs.
The People of Iceland have been influenced in their
culture, manners, and habits by a millennium of
Christianity, mucl the smile as have the continental
Sruxlinavians� When the Vikings rrived in 874. the
Irish monks who hml first settled Iceland some 80
rears earlier were driven out, killed, or assimilated into
tit(. Pagan society. Christianity was reint roduced from
Norway in the year 1000. The Bishoprics of Skalholt
(founded in 1056) and I lolar (1 106) were centers of
cultural life until the 18th century and figured
prominentiv in the perfection and preservation of
such of Iceland's rich etirly literature, notably the
histories and the sagas.
The Reformation was imposed by the stizemin
Danes in 1551 after little more than a decade of
spirited resistance; as elsewhere in Scandinavia, the
transition to Lutheran Protestantism was brief and
thorough. Because of Proximity to the Lutheran
German stales and distance from Rome, disruption to
the Public order was minimal, and enmities
engendered by the earlier skirmishes subsided (in
Icclancl the Persistent "Roman" Bishop of Holur had
2
i
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

lost his head). 'Thus, the entin� Nordic area, but
notably Iceland, was spared the century or more of
violent internecine warfare that characterized Iliv
period in Western and central Europe, and the island's
social cohesion and stability were not disrupted. Since
the mid 16th century, -100 years of pervasive,
unchallenged exposure to Lutheran Protestantism
have strongly influenced the outlook mid behavior cif
the Icelanders, notwithstanding it latter clay typically_
Scandinavian approach to formal religious observ-
ance, which may be described, al hest, as relaxes!.
National attitudes that appear to stmt at least its
part from the Pr6testant ethic arc belief in the essei lial
worthiness of personal industry and the desire for
material improv in this wor'A. Another
important social outlook frequently identified with
Protestantism, particularly in northern Europe, is a
well developed sense of social responsibility or civic
consciousness. Its special manifestation in the
comprehensive social welfare programs instituted in
the Scandinavian countries has proved to be
compatible with the almost equal emphasis placed on
self reliance by Protestants in the {fast. I lore, however,
other factors� associated as much with the political
development of advanced Western slates as with
ethical values, come into play.
Although the Protestant ethic has markedly affected
the Icelander's social outlook� his observance of
church ceremonies is casual. Faithful communicants
of the state church probably account for no more than
7% of the membership, or (iii of the total population.
Since the dissenting Lutherans. other Protestaiih. aml
the Roman Catholics practice their religion more
consistently, perhaps 1:35( of all Icelanders attend
church regularl This proportion is larger than
elsewhere in Scandinavia and may he associated with
the relatively rural aspect of the Icelandic population.
Clergymen fear that increasing urbanization and the
accompanyfog demand for material betterment are
eroding spiritual values and may further loosen the ties
of the Icelanders with their national church. .%If
Icelanders, however, are still assured un early roil
prolonged exposure to the teachings of the Protestant
Christian religion; religious instructimi is a required
subject in the public schools.
"The Constitution of the Icelandic Republic (191.11
reaffirms that the Evangelical Lutheran Church is to
he supported and protected by the stale. I lowe�ver, it
also stipulates that no person is obligated to c�4mtrihule
to any religious institution against his V- MR %irtion, and
the tries designated for the 4FAC ell"17 4 witliv be
redirecCe4 1p y lhl contributirok citizen to a,%'% of the
24
other revognized churches. nr. if he k a nmtlmliv%ut, to
the Unfversitr of Iceland.
The clergy of the slate church is %%ell educated. All
ministers imist have a theological det;me. u.ually front
Ihv University of Iceland. In the rural areas it minish�r.
in addition in Iik chun�h dillies. 111:1) operall- a farut or
carry till some odwr indele�mleul veimomic� avli%ily.
Ile 111:1y have m :city of dill- s:rttl- vvImtunic prubl4�111s as
his parishimiers, since he is exl>,�c lad to s11ppll-tnrnl Isis
S111.111 salar% from the date %%ills indelendl-nt vartliti'9s.
Although ministers h:1%v Iradilinn:dl% Ie�en leader` in
rural cultural life. Ihe% are nil -.0 apart b% dn�s of
stmidard of living. I.111114-ran clergy ur1�u arc
members of the A-mwiation of It�e�landic Clerg%me11.
which protects Their 4-c�4momic intero,1% and acts :1� if
pressure grmtp for church mativrs in g4.n�rd.
The natioua) Evangelical f.u1h4�ran l; :hurt�l1 i�
orgimizvd into true dinee.. fir (i�lupric. %illl Ih4.
bisholi s seat in lie%kj :t%ik: Imm s111frtg:o1 I 4loprit��
for the nnrlh4.rn and, southern �ltlydi of the
diocese: 21 dti:uleries ue:4tl% :31N1 lt.risl4 s. 1
Presielenl of Iceland is the supreme authoril% of tilt
church. Ile delegates his 14%%4.r� (n tile linisler ill
Justice and hc�c�14mia.tical :Affaim who..thng with till-
Althing. gmerns Ih4. church in weeilar mativrs. 'The
bishop is Iht� religious head of Ih4. church :oul pn��
over till- church s% nod. the highest purely ties c lesiastiral
body in the 1.�4unlr%. Thl- �%mill 1114�e1s annual!% and is
vollipm of all 1114. Chirp 1111.11 in till- .tale c�burcll. II
chooses till- hishnp. by a Ih4til-- (iflhs %all-. from it list nl
IIt ree c�andidattm prolrnc�d b% the will. 'Their
functions are chh-11% hnmorar%. although 1114.% ma%
ordain inhiklers in fill- ab�4. of till- Ii�hnp..11141 tile%
ma% consecrate a new Iishnp in the 4.%l-nl of dw
incumbent'� death rr incapacity. At the head of tilt
dvanen is till- clean. a1tft is apl4inted In tilt� bishop
oft tilt� propo.a) of Ihv ministers wilhia Ibis
atlnlini�Iratho. unit. Ill- advias till- bishop nn 111.1114.1,�
concenlin.4 the dvan4.r% and ma% n�presenl him in his
duties in Ihv area. Dill% moms 1491 mini %Ivrs �tine .111
the parishes: each rnt4.. thl-ndnn�. 111.1% �l-n4. Iwo or
occasionally atone !4x�:11 church4... The mini�ltir% .1`l-
selected b% a vote of tilt- parishioner�
H. Education
I. C wrieral
Public ittslruclion in Iceland was life re��lualsibilit"
of 1114. ualiona) church until file iutreluctint of
Compulsory st�hooling in ISY). Thv pre%fige that 111v
insular mwiety acemilml Iltirw %%lift wild read Ili�
%ernaeular Bible :ltd other It�1-1.111dic liter.lr% l-ffnrls
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP0l- 00707R000200110054 -4

:unl till t111.etlneltt I* gttl:rril j of lilt familt toadilig
t7irt�I1, W4 it Irraiule in rural hoillml :ads P"11ipled 11140.1
Iml:trttlet� Ic (earn to weld autl At rile. The .eertting
adelplac% of 11411111 mid clmrell instrucliou 111:1% Partly
:nvou11t for the voli'liivilous lardine.. of the %im-rai11
D:un�. in prinidint; state directed pullic� education.
The llvsIl (alt, trhich nterel% .1aled the c,ric�er11 of Iht-
ltml,n11nl,nt Ilt :tl :tl ellild "�11 be insimelf -d ill Wading,
arifin,t, ant l arillutUlic, left Iht, :n 111x) Ir:nlling either
to the hottt� it%ilh the help of the minister or to the
elrt11r11i ,,i' :-1111111.. Well wt, iusl thi 11t�i11g
t :llli.hed in the 11141"� lrpulon. town. :ltd village..
Ill 16111; school alle11danc�t- was I11.1de obligatory for
Igeople Iettteen Ill and 1.1 %var. o(,agv. 11111 the lonu�
would r"1t11:111e to 1111(lert -ski. edntatinn until the child
aa. I11.'')Sttlm-4111e111 late. in 19211 and 1936 eNtended
Ih1, auth41ril) of Ihe, state, -still lilt c�omp"�Fiensive
Etl11t :alion Act of 151 1 1,.t -shli.hed thus sell of system in
it. pr( N�111 form. Education is free and c�tmlpnlsory
front 1111 ,,K1,. oC 4 to 15. :aid free thnmgh lhr
u11iteNt� et,cept for Inwks and 111 :1inten:tnce.
In �Pitt f OW .Par.e.ettlel11e- t of some rural areas
:rod tilt- difficulties if tra11sl1lrtation and 4-tmtn11inic�a-
Noll. tilt- ctinnp111mm, whool laic. are %yell enforced. MI
lotvte. and village.:uttl most rural districts have
adetluatl, eler11ett :try school buildings -snd leaching
staffs. I411 -11"d farm families r11ay .end Iheir children
to InanlinK schtrols rr play host Ili itinerant teacher.,
tt ho in%truct formalh for 2 months and prescribe work
to he ac�ctiunplished ender family sulervision for the
rt-nl:aining 4 1114111th. of a school tear. I he
dt-lerrniriation of viirricnlnnt a the control of
t, :tminations 11% the %Iinistry of Education in
lit-vkia%ik assort- reasonably tinifornr standards
thnrtghoul the country MA Nelp to accomit fbr the
t-xtranrdinarih high. typicalh Scantlinaviall 11(tfac�y
rate of 99.91;.
Ict-l:uitl is divided into sonte:34 educalion:I districts
I.tknlaheradil and 213 local school districts (skolah-
rerlii. The former nearly coincide with the 2:3 rural
tlistric�ts and 1.1 inctirloo4ated towns, and the latter
coincide with the 213 civil parishes. In vach
wlucalioual tlislriel a five number educatiomil board
i� elec�led for a term of �1 %ears by lilt- town or district
c�onrrcil. uith the mayor w, ex ojjicin chairman in the
looms alld lilt- judge as chairman in the rural districts.
The t�tlncaliomil (cards concern themselves princ�i-
101% with atltninistrative matters, such as the location
of sc�ho"I buildings and tilt� division of it tow�rt or
district into ItK:il school districts. Each school district
is govt�rued h} if three memier blard, o11c of whoa is
aplloinled by lilt- national government and acts as
chairrrr:ui. lilt- other two are elected In. the totyn
voillicil or in rural areas b the township. '1�11e
fn11ctio11s of the local school board are also primarily
ildlllirtistratiye :uol include distribution of looks,
.elt-ctirni of le :tubing c:uolidates, submission of local
btttlgel.. mid stipervision of expertclitures. Either the
education :al district or local school boards may suggest
-sight rnodific :ttioits in curriculums. but ,all final
decisions regardhig course content are made by the
Minislr of Kdncalion.
The notional budget in 1971 allocated 1.5.1 billion
Icelandic kronur (US$20.9 million) for educational
purposes. Expenditures for the school systc'-'m were thus
IIi.4r of the budget and have been the second largest
ill Ill for marry years, exceeded onl%� by the very large
outlays for social welfare, health, and pensions
in 194 1). 'Total expenditure on education as a fraction
of the gross national product has risen steadily from
13 1, r ill 19.50 to an estimated 3.OS; in 1971. Capital
outlays account for approximately one- fourth of total
spending on education (average' for 1966 71). The
national goycrnnu�nt Pays most of the construction
costs of the public schools hot is :assisted by local
goveniment for as much as 50 of construction costs
for day primary and secondary schools and 25 of
construction costs for boarding schools. The state pays
virtually all teachers' salaries and funds one fourth of
general operating costs in primary schools, one -half of
such expenses in secondary and technical schools, and
all operating costs associated with grammar schools,
teacher training colleges, agricultural and nautical
schools, and the university. In some cases business and
cultural organizations assist in maintaining voca-
tional, technical, or cultural courses of special interest
to them. Private primary schools receive no state
subsidy, although they are frequently aided by local
jurisdictions.
2. School system
The Icelandic school system is patterned after the
Danish st�stcnt, which, as throughout Scandinavia,
was heavily influenced by Lutheran pedagogy. The
Icelandic schools are separated into four levels;
primary, lower secondary. tipper secondary, and
uniyersit: they correspond :approximately to the
traditional primary sc hool, middle school, gyril-
nasium, and university ill Denmark. The primary
school (harnaskoh) is organized into a "younger
division" and an "older division," for children
between the ages of 7 and 10 and 10 and 13,
respectively. The school week in the younger divisions
consists of 21 40- minute periods, and the course work
includes Icelandic, handwriting arithmetic, environ-
mental studies, handicrafts, gymnastics, inch singing.
73
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

In the older divisions the school week consists of 40-
minute periods, and the curriculum includes, in
addition to all the subjects cited above, religion,
history of Iceland, geography, natural history,
drawing, domestic science (for girls only), and
swinuning. The students who do well in Icelandic,
which emphasizes the classic Icelandic sagas, may
start one foreign language during their final (6th) year.
The emphasis placed on learning the sagas indicates
pride in national literature and history. The priority
given to swimming lessons reflects the importance of
the fishing industry. Classrooms in primary schools are
built to accommodate no more than 30 children. In
Reykjavik the average class has from 27 to 30 children;
in smaller schools, where one to three age grc:ups are
sometimes taaght in the same room, the sire of the
class is seldom over 20. To avoid overcrowding, double
sessions are necessary for some Reykjavik classes. A
primary school certificate, normally acquired at age
13, admits pupils to the lower secondary schools.
The lower secondary schools provide 2 and
year courses. It is here that students begin to separate
into academic and vocational progr nis, although the
differences arc not vet marked, and outside of
Reykjavik both programs arc given in the same
physical plants. Compulsory schooling is completed
after 2 years, and the student takes an examination for
the junior secondary school certificate (unghngaprof).
He is then entitled to enter certain vocational schools
or to continue his secondary schooling. Three years of
lower secondary education lead to the examination for
the middle school certificate (midliskolaprof or
landsprof), awarded in both the academic and
vocational programs. An academic middle school
certific qualifies the student to enter the upper
secondary school and the teachers college, while a
vocational middle school certificate would entitle him
to undertake further study in the more skilled trades at
public vocational schools. The curriculum for the ,3-
year academic program includes Icelandic, Danish,
English, mathematics, physics, natural science,
hygiene, geography, history, religion, drawing,
writing; handicrafts, domestic science (for girls),
physical training, and music. Most of the students
whose formal schooling ends with the lower secondary
school remain for a fourth year and take the
examination for it lower secondary school certificate
(gagnfraedhaprof) in either the academic or the
practical course.
There are five public uppersccondary schools: three
at Reykjavik, one at Akureyri in the north, and it
hoarding school at Laugarvatn in the southwest.
Construction of at least .two '�litional schools is
contemplated for areas' \not adequately served.
Staulents entering these schools ia 16 \'cars of,
they take I \'car of comnon st and then
choose one of two ;\'car _co,urses of study: the
language program, which cmpha modern
languages and Latin; or tale science program, which
stresses mathematics and the physical sciences. The
subjects covered in both are the same,
but the emphasis varies considerably. In addition to
the course work taken for the middle school certificate,
the upper secondary students study German, French,
Latin, and chemistry. Both programs give bookkeep-
ing as a minor subject, and the science course includes
some instruction in astronomy. The emphasis on
languages reflects the isolation of Icelanders; the select
upper secondary students become leaders in
,government and business and have to communicate
with Europeans and Americans. Nevertheless, heavy
emphasis continues to he placed on the native
language, which has it strong H ational appeal. The
course work compares with that in the continental
gyrrinasia and lycees, and it provides an education
about the equivalent of c6inpletion of 1 year in a
strong college or university. The Icelandic
program, however, has a slightly more practical
%orientation (as in bookkeeping), and the average
graduate is 20 years of age, as compared to 19 in
Denmark and 18 /a in Nest Germany and Franca. The
private Commercial College at Reykjavik is also full\
accredited by the government as an upper secondary
institution. At the c onclusion of the course work in all
six schools, the student nniy take the examination for
the matriculation or university entrance certificate
(studcntsprof
Precise information on the adequacy of school
plants in the secondary school system is lacking.
Although the oldest of Reykjavik's three public upper
secondary schools is housed partially in a corrugated
iron -faced building constructed in 1846, it new
building construction program here and at ,the other
upper schools has been under way and is making
modern classroom and laboratory space available. A
sharply higher hirth rate which followed \'Vc,iId \Var II
and continued into the late 1950's scy rely taxed
existing facilities and forced an extensiic building
campaign, somewhat to the detriment of other aspects
of Icelandic secondary education. In recent \'cars, as
the physical plant shortage has begun to case.
increased attention has been given to improving the
pupil /teacher ratio and the quality of instruction.
The University of Iceland (Haskoh Islands) in
Reykjavik is the only institution of higher education.
It was founded in 1911 and includes six faculties:
26
I
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
I
In the older divisions the school week consists of 40-
minute periods, and the curriculum includes, in
addition to all the subjects cited above, religion,
history of Iceland, geography, natural history,
drawing, domestic science (for girls only), and
swinuning. The students who do well in Icelandic,
which emphasizes the classic Icelandic sagas, may
start one foreign language during their final (6th) year.
The emphasis placed on learning the sagas indicates
pride in national literature and history. The priority
given to swimming lessons reflects the importance of
the fishing industry. Classrooms in primary schools are
built to accommodate no more than 30 children. In
Reykjavik the average class has from 27 to 30 children;
in smaller schools, where one to three age grc:ups are
sometimes taaght in the same room, the sire of the
class is seldom over 20. To avoid overcrowding, double
sessions are necessary for some Reykjavik classes. A
primary school certificate, normally acquired at age
13, admits pupils to the lower secondary schools.
The lower secondary schools provide 2 and
year courses. It is here that students begin to separate
into academic and vocational progr nis, although the
differences arc not vet marked, and outside of
Reykjavik both programs arc given in the same
physical plants. Compulsory schooling is completed
after 2 years, and the student takes an examination for
the junior secondary school certificate (unghngaprof).
He is then entitled to enter certain vocational schools
or to continue his secondary schooling. Three years of
lower secondary education lead to the examination for
the middle school certificate (midliskolaprof or
landsprof), awarded in both the academic and
vocational programs. An academic middle school
certific qualifies the student to enter the upper
secondary school and the teachers college, while a
vocational middle school certificate would entitle him
to undertake further study in the more skilled trades at
public vocational schools. The curriculum for the ,3-
year academic program includes Icelandic, Danish,
English, mathematics, physics, natural science,
hygiene, geography, history, religion, drawing,
writing; handicrafts, domestic science (for girls),
physical training, and music. Most of the students
whose formal schooling ends with the lower secondary
school remain for a fourth year and take the
examination for it lower secondary school certificate
(gagnfraedhaprof) in either the academic or the
practical course.
There are five public uppersccondary schools: three
at Reykjavik, one at Akureyri in the north, and it
hoarding school at Laugarvatn in the southwest.
Construction of at least .two '�litional schools is
contemplated for areas' \not adequately served.
Staulents entering these schools ia 16 \'cars of,
they take I \'car of comnon st and then
choose one of two ;\'car _co,urses of study: the
language program, which cmpha modern
languages and Latin; or tale science program, which
stresses mathematics and the physical sciences. The
subjects covered in both are the same,
but the emphasis varies considerably. In addition to
the course work taken for the middle school certificate,
the upper secondary students study German, French,
Latin, and chemistry. Both programs give bookkeep-
ing as a minor subject, and the science course includes
some instruction in astronomy. The emphasis on
languages reflects the isolation of Icelanders; the select
upper secondary students become leaders in
,government and business and have to communicate
with Europeans and Americans. Nevertheless, heavy
emphasis continues to he placed on the native
language, which has it strong H ational appeal. The
course work compares with that in the continental
gyrrinasia and lycees, and it provides an education
about the equivalent of c6inpletion of 1 year in a
strong college or university. The Icelandic
program, however, has a slightly more practical
%orientation (as in bookkeeping), and the average
graduate is 20 years of age, as compared to 19 in
Denmark and 18 /a in Nest Germany and Franca. The
private Commercial College at Reykjavik is also full\
accredited by the government as an upper secondary
institution. At the c onclusion of the course work in all
six schools, the student nniy take the examination for
the matriculation or university entrance certificate
(studcntsprof
Precise information on the adequacy of school
plants in the secondary school system is lacking.
Although the oldest of Reykjavik's three public upper
secondary schools is housed partially in a corrugated
iron -faced building constructed in 1846, it new
building construction program here and at ,the other
upper schools has been under way and is making
modern classroom and laboratory space available. A
sharply higher hirth rate which followed \'Vc,iId \Var II
and continued into the late 1950's scy rely taxed
existing facilities and forced an extensiic building
campaign, somewhat to the detriment of other aspects
of Icelandic secondary education. In recent \'cars, as
the physical plant shortage has begun to case.
increased attention has been given to improving the
pupil /teacher ratio and the quality of instruction.
The University of Iceland (Haskoh Islands) in
Reykjavik is the only institution of higher education.
It was founded in 1911 and includes six faculties:
26
I
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

thcoIogy, medicine (including dentistry and
pharmacy), law, econon'iics, philosophy (including
languages, pedagogy,. and Icelandic studies), and
technology (including pure as well as applied
mathematics, the uati'iiral sciences, and engineering).
University studenls,normally go abroad forsjiecialized
stuclies. For example, advanced students of medicine
prefer to complete their training in the Unite(I States
or Sweden. During the 1970/71 academic year it was
estimated that '0% of Iceland's 2,348 university
students were studying abroad; among scientific uucl
technical :students the proportion was nearly 60 The
most important sources of foreign training are
Denmark, West Germany, Norway, United States,
and Sweden, in that order. The establishment in 1970
of a 4- year_:engincering course at the university is
expected to reduce dependence on foreign technical
training.
Both Ei,aropean and American 'influences can be
seen at the university. The elevation of technical
training, chiefly engineering, to faculty status is an
innovation of the U.S. type; the respect accorded this
practical discipline reflects the recent frontier status of
both countries. rhe inclusion into the 1960's of
economics in the law faculty, however, pointed to a
lingering Old World influence. Academic standards
are high, comparing well with the Western European
norm and with the stronger U.S. universities. The
holder of a technical degree from the University of
Iceland, as in medicine or engineering, may practice
his profession anywhere in Scandinavia and in most
other advanced Western countries. Degrees in
theology and economics may be taken after 4 or 3
years of university work; similar degrees in Icelandic
history and philology, dentistry, pharmacology, and
engineering require 3 years; law requires 3 to 6 years; a
master (Magister) in arts, 6 to 7 years; a medical
degree, 7 to 8 years; and various Ph.D. degrees about 8
years. Post-World War II population growth and the
expansion in secondary education have led to a
doubling of university enrollment in Iceland in the
past decade (from 790 in 1961, to 1,593 in 1971).
Attendance is expected to redouble by 1978. Until
recently the physical plant has not kept pace .\yith this
rapid rise in enrollment. In 1969, however. an
ambitious building program was launched, with the
goal of quadrupling the university capacity b 1980.
Admission to the university is free, and in 1960 the
government established it low interest loan fund
through which students can cover two thirds of their
living costs. Such loans areri414f'i l starting 3 years after
graduation, and payments lie spread over a 13-
year period. The Icelandic also provides
generous scholarships for universil*y study ahroad on
conditicn that the recipients return to Iceland to give
the country"thc benefit cif their training.
The university, as It stale institution, is ultimately
ltiately
responsible to the Minister of Education. It is,
however, largely'self- govenain i rector and academic
council selected from and by t'he faculty direct the
affairs of the university. The organization of student
government was altered in the fall of 1963, when the
student anmcil increased its sire from 9 to 22
members. Eleven of these are elected for 2 years by
students of the respective faculties, 11 I I are elected
in the sartte way for I year only. The council re;giiiates
student activities and represents the student b()(ly to
the university administration.
The Teacher "Training College prepares teachers to
instmet in the primary and lower secondary schools.
Candidates who have passed the middle school
examination take a 4 year teachers training cottrse,
While candidates who have the studentspra( or
university entrance certificate, lake it -year course.
I'he university grants a' special degree after years,
Which also qualifies the,recipient to teach in the lower
secondary schools. Other teacher training schools offer
specialized instruction in physical education and
domestic science. Nearly all the vocational, technical,
and agricultural schools are state supported, and even
the few private technical establishments may receive
sonic state aid. Figure 1 summarizes school plant,
staffing, and enrollment for the 1963 /66 school year.
3. Outlook and relative standing
The Icelandic school systeni`has entered a period of
rapid expansion at the upper secondary and university
levels. As in continental Europe, education through
the upper secondary schools and bevond 1
traditionally been restricted to the relatively few
students who would ultimately assume positions of
leadership in society. Such un elite system is
undergoing a rapid transformation, notably in terns
of accessibility to broader sections of the population.
Between 1965 and 1970 the annual number of upper
secondary school graduates increased 92 5 r". in the
latter year approximately 14% of the appropriate age
group passed the university matriculation examina-
tion, the coveted studenlsprof. A similar trend is
evident at the university level: approximately I I% of
the 20 -year -old population was enrolled at the
University of Iceland in 1970, it proportion expected to
approach 20% by 1973.
lecland's preoccupation with its cultural heritage is
reflected in the heavy emphasis still placed on the
27
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

it
FIGURE 13. Schools by type, number of students and teachers, 1965/66
NI1M1l,11 of 'MACIIINU
INnTITI.MON14 HTAF'i+ CNIe111. AMNIT
205 1,18o 2.1,:3811
General Lower and intermediate secondary schools, public 1111 1128 11,4711
and private.
AGE GROUT
Iligher secondary schools, public
and private...... :1 11.1 .blot
Vocational Technical school
I II 81
Industrial schools
211 IM 2,:3111
Commercial schools.........
2 .11 562
Agricultural schools
:1 2.1 11.1
Navigation sehools
5 11:3 �1118
Donestic science sehools..........
I I lilt 412
Other
111 117 921
reacher training......... 'Teacher training schools, public
.1 64 �12:3
Third Level University.....
1 tit 1 I lei
Special Schools for handicapped children, puhlic...... 9 it) 201
Adult......................................
7 78 :3,1811
rotal
:38.1 2,112.1 18,:317
humanities in the school system. A good grounding in
Q.
E tiropc that school work should serve as all
the classics has long heen regarded as the hallmark of
apprenticeship to life. Iligh social nuhility, coupled
an educated Icelander. One consequence has been the
with the greater anloilnt of time permitted for the
relative neglect of scientific and technical education,
completion of a sound secondary education, makes it
the teaching of which has lagged hehind that of other
easier for bright, deserving students who may not have
western countries. At the university level, however,
a congenial home cultural environment (a limiting
there is evidence of increa interest in scientific
factor in some European countries) to advance to the
subjects. From 196:5 to 1970 the proportion of
uni versit�. The Icelandic school system is thus
university sttidents majoring in the humanities
somewhat more American than I- .uropean in its
decline(] from 36% to 26.7 while the proportion
responsiveness to the needs of a modern democratic
studying science and technology grew from 20.9r to
society. School attendance by age for the academic
22.8
year 1966/67 is tabulated below:
26.7
16.3
Alth h I 1 1' 1 1 1 11 1
PEncE,.%-r
LEVEL AND TYPE �rYl'1, op INwrITU'r1oN
First level Prinmry schools, public and private..............
Second level:
ou cc an( Ic sc loo s, all( espec1a t ie
upper secondary schools, take pride in their tics to the
old rectory schools dating from the Middle Ages,
Icelanders have incorporated mam� nontraditional
features usually associated with the mass public
instruction concepts of the New World. Like their
American neighbors, Icelandic educators responded to
some of the problems of un essentially frontier society
by bringing the classroom closer to everyday needs.
'Thus, natural science subjects and arithmetical
problems concern themselves with farming and
fishing, anal all children must learn how to %wim as
part of thed "r formal school training. Other essentially
New World innovations include the requirement for
coeducational classes in all public schools from the
primary to the university level, in(] the granting of
university degrees in such "nonacademic" subjects as
engineering, dentistry. and (pharmacology. 'I'll(-
awareness seems greater in Iceland than elsewhere in
28
ACE
NUMBER
AGE GROUT
6
357
7.6
r
4,309
9 1. 7
8
4,298
95.4
9
4,497
98.1
10
4,396
98.6
11
"4,312
99.4
12
4,176
99.6
13
3,975
95.5
14
3,586
91.1
15
3,018
77.8
16
2,534
64.7
1,368
36.9
18
1,271
34.7
19
1,057
30.0
20
862
26.1
21
745
22.8
22
497
16.3
23
339
11.5
24
215
7.6
Total
45,812
62.2
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

I. Artistic and cultural expression
1. I.iteraltrre
While 1114der11 Iet-l:u'lers have coulribuled IIIIIv to
th(� nt:tiustrratll of 11'eslern hnrpean c(tllt(re. their
r;uly litertlnrr� (�njo, ;t tt-spected niche in Westem
lettrn for bosh its conlenl ;ctxl it %1%lislie (lualil. As
eitlr
mativ (other socieliv,. It +h- alc�r marks in
c�ullural eipression Flare c(inci(le(I will, periods of
l,clilic 11 and ecimomie gnwlh. The 1�:(Id:a :uul Sit!';is
allx:rrcd from the 12th U) Its(� I.ith eenturie.
inunedialt-ly followins; the era of Viking eNp;ulsion
41y(�t a (ptarler of th(- globe. Some of their fi'r'st
memplan were (�hemp or.r'eous with Ic�(�I:uul's fill,
settlement. political imlelx�mlence. and aesh%ard
probing to (:r�enl ;11xl and North America.
Kecause Ill� leelanclie langtutg(� has changed onh
Slightly in a tlxo%am1 %ears. much of Ile early
lileralure is accessible in its original torn to the
modern islatider%. it silnatio' unirlueanuoilg lSurope:ut
comltries. The 1.111g(1age. houmer. 1% nol primiliyt-.
The e ;trlier indigenous Ict-la'dic literary otttpttl is
notable for its skillful (Im clopmenl of gene. In the
r,.
111th century the Icr�I:unlie lxu�ts (.rku /dx+ had already
lx�rfecled it Norwegian hpe of vent- lhal emphasized
syllabic rinthrn. .01141,1 the ontale synla\ an(I
metaphoric e%pr�s%ions in Iltis "scaldic' poetry are
sonlewllat diffie4111 for lilt- contemporary reader. its
Ir�alttlt-nt of subjects in the IOIII ;u'I I I111 cenhtries
provided wort- of the 11141st yaluahlt- source, for the
saga writers of the 12111 alld 13th centuries. In(liyi(lual
Icelandic skalds tra%cled to several conlineutal t.orth
1 ?nr)lx�an (�ends. st-ryed the kings a% court povl%. and
are aceredited With specific %erse: h(mmer. Ilim
conllxsed in ramie characlem and most of their work
arcs passed 41' by arr(1 of ntruth until it was wc�orcled
again both in ntnic and the Latill Al ;habet in Iht- 1:3111
evil lury. 'Phis Icelandic verse is tilt- t-arlie %t
Scandinayi:ut icetr% found in mantlseripts. mid %tu(I
of it is. Iherefore. essential to it c�omprt-lenshm of later
s \'ors(- verse.
'I'll" Prose ;u1(I Poetic Eddas. %%rittt-rl in (cel ;clld its
Ilw 18111 ceulum. have inlernalimial pr� %lige and in
their original form are still lxpular ammig Illy
W-111 le1%. The Prow Edda is tut- cork of the chieft ;tin
and scholar Snorri Shtrlus41n ,till has w41n six�eial
admiration abroad as ;ill Matnple of narrative art. It
contain% sornt- original lxx�try addresst-d tip the rulers of
Norway and hicorporates heroic lays 0-hurt marrttiye
Poet's) and Iegemis lrt-aling the 111yhology of
northern I:urtlx�. The work include% a tlilac�tic� %ection
Which is ;u1 inyal(table source for tilt- study of early
Norse tne:tsur�s ;std verse forms. The 1 1 ?dda
cold.011% 1)(1111 ntylhological and heroic poetry by
nnknow' authors, the former including the Volrspa, u
slor) in verse of dw world and the god which is
regarded as till(- of the grates, works ill Germanic
lileralme. It also includes interesting discourses (m
s(1ci:tl conduct I)s- O(lilt, the Norse god of \%ar. wisdom,
an(I povin. and llms provides son,� insight irtlo the
pagan morality of the (�arli(�st Icelanders and their
Norse ancestors. The heroic poetry Ircals legend! of
Elight'd and Gurrnany, as well as Scandinavia. xlaty
of the lays are associated \%ith the legends of Sigurd
lir\'nhild. and the l3nrgmidi:uts, :aid the heroes arc
both Sc;tndinayi:ui mid German. The 1� :ddas have
remain:�d toil of the most popular ilcros of Icelan(lic�
literalure and provide an import:cttl focal point of
national c�ultur�.
The Sagas are the most widely know' of Ic�elatidic�
literary efforts aml have value for their historic
content. artistic prow. %iyid character presentation.
and remarkable if so'u�what pessimistic�, understand-
ing of homul nature. 'These narratives were essetllially
biographies of historic personages, families. and
heroes: tiler described places. eyeals, all( Iocal
cmlonts in great detail. and oflen expressed the
northern ideals of loyall\ and heroism. as in much
clamsic works as the jab' -wiga and the Grellis Saga.
Their historic millientic�il% varied. partly in accord
with the intent of the authors: lilt earlier Sagas
pt:rporled to be aec�urate records of Wig%. warriors.
:std other heroes. while later efforts were by inlent
inventive precursors to the historical novel. Notable
;u11ong Ilse form+ r were the first Saga of St. Ol ;tf.
written about I Ill, in the lienedic�tine monastery of
Thingmrar in northern Iceland, several Sagas ()f the
kings of Nomay wrillen there and in Iceland: the
historically invaluable Icelanders' Sagas; ;tnd Snorri
Sturluson's Ileint.kringla (Orh of the World
it Saga tracing the lineage and deeds of
ancient kings (f Sweden and Nor -aay to his own era.
Iris Sluritinl;usa/,+u. :t history of the Stctrlung family
tnetic�ulously rec�orli11g the history of Iceland from
1117 to 1281. amt his Saga of the Skald Egil%, it stirring
and adyenhtrus story of dial Icelandic hero.
While such Icelandic writers as Sturluson. Karl
jotlsson. St%mir K aramm. the Skalaholl monks. and
their immy 191Ik114a 11 contemporaries did not write
history in the technical sense, the major events and
dal(�% they cite. a% well as tt�e social a11bionce they
project, are c'onside'red by sp( +cialists ot northern
?urotx� to be yali(I historic eyidt-nce. The Icelandic
Sagas. wrilC(m larevl b unknown authors. proyidc-
ag
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

the bl,st ;and scnelincs the only rcx-ords of specil'ic�
Viking contacts with the New World. Based in scnc
ncusure on curlier skaldic poetry, till, Saga of the
Foster Brothers is set principally in til I Itlt century
Icelandic colony ill Greenland. Its corpill ion Sagas of
the Crecnlanders, of Eric the Red, and of Karlsefni's
Voyage to Vinland describe voyages t; "Winl,land the
Cood," providing the best available information on
the Viking discovery and attempted settlement of
America. These trips, presumably ti Labrador and
Newfocndland, were first mentioned in Adam of
Bremen *s Hamburg Church History (ca. 1075): but
the details, notably of the first voyages by Bjarni
liedolfsson and Lcif Ericsson between 986 uiad 1000
and of Tborfinnur KarlsehiCs year attempted
colonization (1003 -10M), are gleaned from the
Icelanders' Sagas (Figure 1 -1). An independent
corroboration is the 'Winlun(I t;ap" (Figur(, 15).
discovered by Yule University researchers in 1965.
The historic narratives and their more imaginative
successors in the l ith and 13th centuries are studied
by Icelandic children and enjoyed by practically all of
the population. 'Through the detailed and often
romantic accounts of ncn, eyl,nls, uncl places, all of
the Icelandic environment has become embuc(I \yith
literary and historic significance. Iceland continued to
produce re;saurkable literature almost until the
Beformation.' 'Tile Bishoprics of Skaholt and I lolar
became centers of learning, and local authors skillfully
a(l',10 1 continental and English historic writing.
primitive philosophy, and romances to their style,
lang(agc, and locale. The relative decline that set in
by the l6th century continued after Lutheran
Protestantism supplanted the Roman Catholic Church
in 1331. It was not until well into the 17(1 century
that Lutheran learning in Iceland began to match that
of the "Boman" predecessors, bolt great natural
calamities, in the form of volcanic ertptions.
earth(luakes. floods.. plagues, amcl famine. helped
dampen the creative spirit. and Icelandic literature
never again regained its relative standing.
Nevertheless, the trmlitional dependence on reading
as a major form of entertainment and the high (1(ality
of the modern public educational system hove
encouraged literary output. Several contemporary
poets and authors show skill and intat all. The
first modern novelist to enjoy literary success was Jon
Thoroddsen (ISIS -(i8), whose� works are notable
chiefly for their excellent character portraits. Other
(list inguishcd novelists of the latter 19th century, who
found the realistic school congenial to the depiction of
their rude surroundings, include ;e�shr I'alsson, wilt
wrote bitingly satirical short stories, and the
'30
clergyman, Jonas jonsson, Whose novels and short
stories provide accurate i cicscriptions, of the more
gjoomy side of country life. lit the 20th century, with
renewed Political independence after ncurly 700 years
of Norwegian or Danisl domination, a proud,
sonlewbut iusuiar motif tended to doninate Icelun(lic
writing. Continuing to portray folk life, but accenting
this new ingredient, complicated by the disenchant
nent of the depression ye ars, were GunnarGunarsson,
C:udhmundur llagalin, and Cudlimundur Friojons-
son. 'Tile most important of the contemporary novelists
is Hulldor Kiljan Laxness. a Nobel Prize winner, wluse
novels Sulk( Vulku and Independent P'cople were
translated into several langaaages and widely read
abmad. World interest in Icelandic Iet.ters, however,
still focuses on the past, a focus that modesm Icelaadic
scholars are sharpening by their study and criticism of
the early great national literature.
Theater
'I'hc in Iceland did not traditionally enjoy great
prestige or popularity. Some of the E(Ida poetry was
occasionally acted out through the centuries for local
entertainment, and the old Latin Schools encouraged
minor theatrical productions, but it \vas not until 1897
that the first permanent professional theater was
established as the Dramatic Societ- of Reykjavik. As
living standards rose markedly (luring the first half of
the 20th century, ac�compamcd by a relative degree of
urbanization� the dramatic arts quickly gained in
popularity. 'Tile works of leading foreign dramatists
were translated into Icelandic, and local playwrights
Of reported merit, such as Indridhi Einarsson and
Dayidh Stefansson. depicted Icelandic life and the
universal themes. Joh;anm Sigcrjonsson (1880 -1919)
Mid Gudhmundur Kamban (1585- 19 -15), regarded by
nany as Iceland's two greatest dramatists, achieved
considerable success abroad. where they Spent most of
their careers. lit 1950 the National Theater
(Thjodhlcikhc,sidh) wits opened in Reykjavik,
financed by a tax on entertainments. In addition to
staging Icelandic and classical plays. the National
Theater presents international contemporary works,
nusical and dance groups from abroad, produces
opera and ballet, and runs a drama and ballet school.
In the 196 -1 -63 scason there were 91,443 paid
;admissions to the 660 -scut National 'Theater; this was
nearly half of the entire population of Iceland and
approximately equal to the population of met-
ropolitan Reykjavik. Every towti outside the capital
and many rural districts have their own dramatic
societies, which in 1950 combined to form a National
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

t
6 lid
t
League with ghoul .O nu�nibersocicties. \lost of these
arc also supported by the enlcrtainnu�nt tax.
:3. fainting and sculpture
fainting antl sculpture in led ind. with the possible
exception of the work of' the painter jo fit nncs Kin ryal
1886-1972) and one or two sculpto have little
relative standing in \\'cstcrn art. Nevertheless, there
bas bccn some notable development in the last ;5
years. The slow rveoncttiest by the popnlaticm of its
priinitive ctivirnunlent� ifCcompauicd by the
reawakening of' national sentinu nt, inspired creditable
landscape art in the late 188()'s and the 189O
dreaded glac�icrs and volcanoes� ar1(I the (Icsolatc lava
fields wcrc imbued Ity with painters as 'I'horarinn
Thorlaksson and Asgrimur jousson with a
appealing national identity is symbols of the tough
ao(1 indeliendelil Icelandic sl )iril. jon Stcl:tosson and
lohanrtes Kiaryal continued painting in this vein after
OW turn of tliv cculnry. bait :t(ler studying ill France
(Slcl "llissuu worked with Ilc�nri \latisse), lltc\ were
iIistruntcn lit l in iutro( lucing tIIv i fill )rc�ssi )Ili st :111d
postimpressionist schools to I Co I:111(I. Stefanssoll's
\louo4tiu I'ustures' :curl Kjarvel's \dyeuture aucl
I.audscalc ire good examples of Ic�elanclic
ressiouisni 'Intl surrealism respectiyel \s in
lilcraturc, prick in national occupations It'd to
erllphasis on oc�cau antl rural sc�cncs. hilt in the
(lepression years before \1'urld \1'ar II the canyascs
Iwcautc peoplc(I with tttorosc un(I somber incliyidnals
painted ahslractly. Snorri :\rinhjarnar. 'Hioryald11r
Sku lit son. 'I"(I (:unul:ttigur Scheying cicpic�le(I this
period: the I:tller�s "Segment is a good example of the
style. Since World Wit I I Icelandic artists have
c�outinucd to conc�cntratc ()it national thenus. 111(1
their work rellects most of the contemporary art
nulyenicnts. 'I'll(' pt�onlising grotty ol contcntl)orar\
painters inclrldcs Nina Tryggvadoltir. igurdhur
Sigurdhsson. Kristj m 1Xayidllss011. and Furl K yaran.
Iceland Il:ts produced tlu�ce sculptors of' uolc: I.imtr
jonssou, who (lied in 195 -I, and :\snitlndiir Syeillss011
and Sigurjon OI'II.ssorl. Mlo still rk. \lost of
Jonsson's work was synlholic and rcllcctvd if certain
religious m\sticisnl. Although he c�onc�entratcd his
efforts on Nordic heroes, he also created subjects
derived front Creek and Oriental tnytlir>loi y.
Asimindur Sveinsson resides and works in B(-\ kjayik
and has c�rcatcd figures that enjoy i f nuldest reputation
in 1� :111 and America.: \fter nearly a dveadc of study
in Sweden and ]),Iris, he c�antc home in 19"0 to take up
a simple vigorous style and has workc(1 with stone.
wool, antl 1110,11. Mthough c�onccntrating on�sinlplc
workaday subjects :111(1 Ic�clan(lic� folklore and history,
If( also used Sllhi('Ct mutter t ri
l the Bihlc. vaous
mythologies. antl the nntc�hinc age. :\along his better
known works arc "The \'a ter :if rricr." "The
BlacksmitIf," "The I Ltyiimkers "The w lit 1 al the "M \lolher. "I)ayid '111(1 Colialh." and
"I?yc :111(1 the \pplc�.� bike jonsson. yho sculptured if
Ihvinori:il to Thorl Karlseftli. Sycinsson created
an impressive moniori:il to the attempted Norse
settlement of North \nwrica with his "First Whits
Child Born in :\nu rica.
The expressionist Sigin-jon Ol:tlsson has also gained
if certain renown outside of Iceland Ile has lived and
worked most of his caree in Dviinmrk. Notable among
his works is a relief of salt fish curing al the Seanlcu's
School in licykjayik. statues of the Beveren(I Fridrik
Fridriksson 111(1 of I lcdinn V ildinrtrsson in licykjayik.
and various picc�es in lhe'fown hall Square of Vvjle in
I)ennutrk.
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP0l- 00707R000200110054 -4
P%li U111bT s veplcnon OT Rarlsetni and tellow
settlers attempting 4o fight off "Skraelings" (Indians) in
Newfoundland. The settlement failed because the Viking
weapons were fundamentally no better than those of the
natives, who greatly outnumbered the Norsemen.

r.;
THE VINL.A ND MAP
PLACE NAMES AND LEGENDS ON THE VINLAND MAP
By God's will, after a long voyage from the island of Greenland to the south towards the most
distant remaining parts of tWwestern ocean sea, sailing southward amidst the ice, the companions
Bjarni and Leif Eiriksson discovered a new land, extremely fertile and even having vines, which
'island they named Vinland. Eric (Henicus), legate of the Apostolic See-and bishop of Greenland and
the neighboring regions, arrived in this truly vast and very rich land, in the name of Almighty God, in
the last year of our most blessed father Pascal, remained a long time in both summer and winter,
and later returned northeastward toward Greenland and then proceeded (i.e., home to Europe?) in
most humble obedience to the will of his superiors.
iL
l l 1n,luA, I J r'l V i l I
r
1
c L'
EXPLANATION OF THE MAP
The medieval world map reproduced here contains the earliest
known and indisputable cartographic representation of any part
of the Americas.West and southwest of Greenland the map shows
an elongated north -south island divided into three great peninsulas
by two deep inlets penetrating the eastern coast. To the right of
the northern -most peninsula is the name Vinlanda Insula
(see location above). Since this is the only known medieval map to
delineate and name the early Norse discoveries in America, it
has been appropriately called THE VINLAND MAP.
The map was drawn with ink on parchment and measures
approximately eleven by sixteen inches in size.... The Vinland
Map also includes a delineation of Greenland so strikingly accurate
that it must have been derived from experience. Presumably this
part of the map originated in the north, probably in Iceland, and
may well represent the only surviving medieval example of Norse
cartography.
FIGURE 15
32
H
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

4. Ilandierafls
During centuries of isOlatil 11 ;utd privation,
Iceland's self reliant inhabitants turne(1 to handicrafts
as an outlet for artistic expression. Modern Icelanders
retain their tradition111% high regard for such pursuits.
Wood curving, welving, fine rtee(Ilework. stoic
mosaics, stained glass, hundwrought gold ;ud silver
ceramic and hundknilted woolens remain popular
:111d enjoy a read' market. Contemporary experts ill
these fields include Cerclhtr Ilelgadottir uml Nina
I'ryggvadottir (staine(l glass), Valt r Petursson
(mosaics), Asgerdhur Iioadoltir (weaving), artd
Johannes Johannesson (goldsmith). The skills of these
specialists compare with the hest in horpe and
A ntcrica.
5. Music
Music has long been popular in Iceland. and tastes,
formed in large part IW the Lutheran (Couch, arc
relatively sophisticated. Interest in
Choral singing is
widesprc i(1, and the majority of cornIll tiniIies have
formed local choral groups. Old Icelan(lic folk songs
and livnuts are popular, reflecting the traditionalism
and national feeling of the people. The Passion
Flpnuts composed by Ilallgrimtir I'jetnrssmi in the
1660's are notable. The technical and spiritnal
excellence of the poetry as well i s the ,,,,sic make
them outstanding exalliPles of Icelandic creativity in
liturgical music. I'jettirsson depicted the suffering and
death of Christ so nuvingl%' because of the suffering
;111 aromid hire, including his own, during this %cry
difficult period of Iceland's history.
Tberc is a fairly widespread appreciation of great
Western symphonic and liturgical music, notably of
the Cernan musters. The 60 -man Symphony
Orchestra of Iceland, which was foun(le(I in 1950, is
comPetent and popular. Rim by the State Raclin
(Rikisiavarpidlt), it gives fortnightly emicerts in
Reykjavik during the winter season. 'There is also in
Reykja%lk a Conservatory of supported in part
by the city and national governments and by the
Philharmonic Society.
Artistic and cultural endeavors have a tradition in
Iceland. Mid in past centuries national literature
attained real greatness. Partly because of the
difficulties of mere survival from the Hill to the Will
centuries, cultural life suffered. A renaissance of
Icelandic arts and letters, which coincided with the
19th cenhtry movement toward national in(krpcnd-
ence, continues into the 20th century, as prosperity,
PoPulation expansion, urbanization, 1111( till end to
isolation permit a reawakening of cultural aP-
precialion amt expression. Pop11h1r apprer- iation and
IwIronage of div arts ma% be rellceled in the role of the
natiomll goverumvnt. A small .lipend, drawij from
,111blic fund. is p;1id Io most author.. painters, ;111(1
sc�ulplors.
J. Public information
I. Press and periodicals
Icelumlers have tradilionalIV been a literale people.
Newspapers. however. (lid not appear in the counlry
until the middle of the Mill eemir. and only witllin
the past 50 years, as living conditions an(I
c�oultnurlications improved marked1%. did Ihev attain
%%idv popularity. Since World War II the per capita
circulation of I'm%spapers. periodicals. .111(l hooks I1as
peen among the highest in the world. In 1970 the five
principal newspapers alone ha(I a combine(l
circ�11latio11 of 960M. or nearby one payhig reader for
ever) two persons. Figim 16 lists these daily papers as
well as the principal periodical newspapers. In 1972.
nine weekly or biweekly newspapers were published.
The Icelandic press conforms more closely to the
tiropean than t11 the North A11ericim patter: the
I ewspapers published in the leading cit have
preeminence throughout the country. and the five
principal dailies are all published in lieykjavik. Also in
conformiIv with I?unrpean practice, the press is clearly
politically c�
oriented. Each Major daily is ontrolle(I
directly or is strongly influenced In. one of the major
political parties and c�orlsciousl% its sponsor's
views. Since an independent press is virtually
nonexistent, objective disscninalion of the� news is a
secondary aim of the newspapers. The close
relationship between the press and political parties is
likely (o continue; the papers need the financial aid of
the parties to supplement their revenues from sales and
advertising. which are limited in such a small cotintr�y.
Icelandic papers also reflect the European c�harac�teris-
tic� of emphasis on cultural subjects. such as history.
art, mmic�, and book reviews.
All five dailies are printed in tabloid size and
average 16 pager per issue: holiday editions frequently
have many more pages. Approximately onc- quarter of
the space in most papers is given over to advertising.
with Morgunbladhidl frcquewiv averaging much
higher. Editorials. obituaries, personal eulogies on
birthdays or deaths, cartoon strips, and serial stories
are ordinarily carried in all dailies. Weekly newspapers
have a similar format; 1'ikar. an illustrated paper.
ruts to approximately 50 pages, 111(1 the other smaller
weeklies run eight to 12 pages in length.
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

FIGURE 16. Daily and selected weekly newspapers, 1970
PLACM OF
N M:N�YI'A PER I'll IIIACA�I�ION
DAILY I:\('b:PT JIONDAV:
NIMMUNIMAUUII,u (The Morning;
Paper).
IMINN (The Tinn's)
T11JOIJI �II.JINN (The Will of the
Nation).
AL'rlll'n11Un1.ApIIlU11 (The Labor
Paper).
vlsut" (Th(! Indicator)
ISLENnINGUlt (The Icelander)........
C
D.mlua (The Day)
MANUUAOKOLAnu u Ll, ('Tile Monday
Paper).
Cute I11.A- POLITICAL PARTY
10 AFFILIATION
R -yk javik.......
3!1,11110
1 ndependence.
....do..........
20,000
Progressive.
....do..........
8,500
People's Alliance.
....do..........
12;(1110
Social Democratic.
do
I ti, 000
I tdependeaer.
Akureyri
('Twice Weekly)
..do..........
Reykjavik.......
fill Uo.
till Progressive.
fill None.
NY�rr LAND (New Land) ....do.......... fill Organiratiou of Liberals
and Leftists.
VIKAN ....do.......... fill None.
till Data not available.
�Iceland's only afternoon paper (also appears on Mondays).
The only newspapers which are consistently
fimam0,111%� sound represent the Independence fart%:
Morgunbladhidh and Islendingur.Xlorgunbladhidh
is the largest and most widely read newspaper. The
(luality of its typogntphy and photogr.Iplts is the
highest 111long Icelandic newspapers, and its coventge
of international news n(tlks well above that of its
competitors. This paper is also more sophisticated than
its competitors ill the capital anti makes less use of
sensational items. Its editors are E% K. jonssom.
Nlalthi.Is jolu mmesson, mid Stymir Gunnarssom. Visir,
formerly controlled by the Independence Party, was
sold in April 1966 to a group of party businessmen,
who (loubtless welcomed the forum it gives them to
express views %which are not alwcys in line with those
of other powerful elements in the park. Visir s editor is
Jonas Kristja11sson. The Independence Party helps
support a weekly paper in Siglufjordur (Siglufirdingur)
and one in Isafjordur (1'esturland).
The main organ of the Progressive Party is Timinn.
which is more widely reml in rural areas than in urban
comrmunities and carries little foreign news. It is highly
partisan mid reflects the parh� close tics with the
cooperative movement, agricultural interests, certain
Libor unions. rural youth, aid some fishermen's
groups. Its editors are Thomrinn Thontrinsson, Andres
Kristjamsson, Jon Ilelpson, and "Tomas Karlsson.
Other journals that obtain support from this party 1111(1
advance its views include Dagur, am Akureyri
semiweekly, and till- weekly Framsoknarbladhidh in
Vest ni.mocaeyjur. Both have a very limited
circulation.
3.1
Thjodhviljinn is the principal newspaper of the
(:onumttmist- dontittated Peoples Alliance. It reaches
some non- Communist readers who nmy not
sympathize with its editorial policies. Its theater,
music, visual arts, science, youth, sports, and women I s
columns rank among the hest in the country, while its
makeup and typogmphy arc excellent 1y icelandic
standards. "I'hus, this newspaper lends some dignity to
the Communist anise and persistently presents its
political philosopin to nuuly umcomntitted readers.
71jodvi1jinn prohahl receives substantial subsidies
front Soviet bloc countries; nonetheless, it is
periodically in finctnciiii difficulty. Its editors arc
Svavar Geslsson and Kjtlrtan Olafsson. At least two
weeklies. Verkamadliminn (The Workingmam) in
Akureyri and :lljolnir in Siglufjordhur, arc pro
Comntunist and are probably controlled and financed
by the part}�. The I'coplc s Alliance also publishes the
biweekly journal Ny Ulsyn.
Allhydhubl(Addh, the largest newspaper propa-
gandizing the views of the Social Democratic Party,
leans somewimt toward sensatiomul reporting. Its
editor is Siglivalun Bjorgyinsson. Other papers
supporting the Social Democrats includeAlthydhum-
adhurinn, un Aktlre.yri weekly, and Skulull, am
Isafjordhur weekly.
The Reykjavik weekly Nylt Land publicizes the
views of the Organization of Libemis and Leftists, a
political party formed in November 1069. Nyll Land
evolved from Frjals Thjodh, formerly the organ of the
small, str(igly natiomalist find isolationist National
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

,J
Defense Party. the Organization of Liberals and
Leftists is represented in the Vestnrunnaevjar by airew
prtblicaticm, Thiodnal, launched in Jily 1972.
Icelandic newspapers are served by the Associated
Press (AP),` the Norsk Telegram Byraa (NTB), and
Reuters. Tltjodhviljinn subscribes to the Soviet news
service TASS, the Czech press agency (CTK), and the
Chinese news service (NCNA). The office established
in Reykjavik in April 1970 by the, Soviet Mews agency
Novosti,,has since had limited success in placing
:crtic�les `both in Thiodhviljinn and in the non
t:onununist press. X�lost items, ,totaling perhaps t
dozen per month, concern culture, technology, and
education. Nov6sli also publishes an Icelanclic�-
language monthly, News from the Soviet Union, hilt
the impact of this periodical is minimal.
Complete freedom of tltc press was first established
in principle by legislative in 1855. It is guaranteed
in the 1944 Consti61tion larticle 72), which states that
censorship and other restrictions on the freedom of the
press may never be enacted. Newspapers are, however_
responsible before the courts for alleged defamatory
utterances or libel.
Perhaps as many as 230 periodicals are published in
Iceland. Many of them are concerned with the
economics of fishing, farming, and the cooperative
movement; others treat domestic politics, and still
others, liter drama, women's affairs, humor, and
student interests. Among these public several are
either controlled by the Communists or are pro
Communist in outlook and partly supported by party
fonds. They are generally of good quality and depend
heavily on the contributions of writers, artists, and
other intellectuals. Rje11ur (Justice), published
qu arterly, discusses C:ornm'utist theory; it is edited by
former party'cliui !inar Olgeirsson. The Soviet
Icelandic Cultural Society publishes the bimonthly
MIR. Other important pro Communist periodicals are
Birtungur (The Dawn), a high quality literary and art
magazine that appears quarterly, and Mal o;;
Mennin/; (Ideas and Culture), a quarterly literary
rnagazi tic.
2. Book publishing
Iceland has it flourishing hook publishing industry.
Sorne 30 printing and publishing firms are in
operation and although books are expensive, the
innumerable bookstores do a brisk business. Reykjavik
alone has 16 reiail establishments, and practically
every village has a, bookstore or a book section in its
general store, supplied principally with Icelandic
titles, but inelucling some volumes in Danish, German,
and English. In recent years between :300 and 400
,I
titles have been published annually, and tilt: vearly
purchase of new books averages eight per family.
When collated with library usage 'statistics, s6eh
evidence confirms the Icelanders to be the most avid
readers of books in the world. Universal literacy and
the confinement of the long;, cold winters stimulate
this liookishness in virtually all elements of the
population. Books published in Iceland are
cosmopolitan in content urd include Icelandic
eli ssics, fiction, travel, history, biography, poetry,
books of reference, children's hooks, and scientific
works. Many foreign hooks, covering,a wide spectrum
of interests, are translated into Icelandic. In 1969, of
some 150 works translated, 62 i were from English,
23% from other Scandinavian languages, and 7% front
Cernan,
Books manufactured locally are considerably more
expensive than foreign books, because tle publishers
have to pay up to :30% import duty on quality paper
and other materials they need; moreover, the average
number of copies printed is only 1,500. The m ijority
of paperback and hardcover hooks imported in 1969
and valued at US8240,000 came from Denmark
(31St), the United Kingdom (19 and the United
States (14
Both Communist and democratic elements, notably
the Independents, have attempted to influence the
type and content'of material published in Iceland.
Each has established organizations similar to the
13ook -of- the- i\ 't ":114f/ in the United States. "file
Communists were Abe first ltt appear, shortly after
1Vorld 1Var 11. the Idetls Culture (119o1 o
Meniit?,h 1'rl 11 bzlckkA principally by the
Ind(JI ii611IN, 1111 Ceneral &xi'Society was founded.
B(rAh l 111111h" 111C1ude pulII, "ng houses and have
heety a,q.e,A, i1j itfluenciul,ic tastes of the reading
public.
:3. Libraries
Iceland is well supplied with libraries. The three
most important, all located in Reykjavik, are the
National Library of Iceland (Landsbokasafn Islands),
'ihe University Library (Haskolabok and the
Reykjavik Municipal Library (Baejarbokasafn
Reykjavikur). The National Library, founded in 1817,
Ill's it collection which in 1968 numbered approxi-
mately 284,(W printed books and periodicals and
some 12,000 manuscripts. The National Archives,
founded in 1882, is also located in the building of the
National Library of Iceland. The University Library
was established in 1940 and in 1968 housed
approximately 144,000 volumes. In addition, there are
town libraries and the libraries of the teachers college
35
0
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

and the upper secondary schools, as well as 111any
splendid privately owned library collections.
The 1955 Library Law established a library service
to he maintained by public fluids, with one center
located in each rural district and incorporated town
and in the city of Reykjavik. In 1968 there were �?7 1
People's Libraries (folkebihliolcker). including the
Reykjavik Municipal Library; they contained a total
of 895,000 volumes. The I'cople's Libraries are
supported jointly by the local and central
governments. Large collections of hooks :ire also found
in about 270 school libraries, over 200 of which
provide English- langtage hooks and periodicals.
Library patronage is substantial; each inhabitant of
the country annually borrows an aver.gi� 6f�
approximately four hooks.
Significant library facilities are support Vd''
United States '(USIS) and the Sc
Cultural Society. 'I'll Soviet of 11 het -I!
handicapped by the inability of IcbffikO'S to Speak or
read Russian. Smaller library effortyltti ))))tlerttken by
the United Kingdom (the Anglia �tiycty and the
British Council), Fiance (Alliuncc l ranic�W) 111d tht-
Federal Republic of Germany. The British abet j_,.
operate libraries in Reykjavik; the Germans stippol a
library in Reykjavik and a reading roots in A tireyri.
4. Cinema
There is virtuall% no motion picture hidtistry in
Iceland. With the exception of one '35 -min and a very
few 16-inm films produced by private persons for
commercial exhibition, all films have been imported.
Feature- length imports in 197 1 totaled some W filets.
Those made in the United States have proved the most
popular, accounting for about three- fourths of those
shown. Films from the United Kingdom, France, West
Germany, Denmark, and Italy figure fairly
prominently, brit together account for only one -third
the number imported from the United States.
Conunercial Soviet bloc films are rarely exhihiled.
averaging annually less than i of those imported.
There is no dubbing, and subtitles are in Danish or
Icelandic.
In 1971 there were 30 cinemas Iii Iceland, 12 of
which operated full time. All We equipped with
35 -min projectors and two illvo have 70 -ntnt
equipment. Attendance in 1971 averaged :tppro.xi-
nately 7.5 filets per inhabitant.
In motion picture distribution, as in the circulation
of reading matter, the only two foreign countries tlal
support significant information programs are the
United States and the Soviet Union. Both USIS and
the Soviet Icelandic Cultural Society provide Iii nun
36
and 35 111111 films for public and private showings.
France and West Germany have increased their
information activity thrmig11 motion pictures, but
their efforts arc riot yet significant.
5. Hadio and television
I Ili liobradcasting ill Iceland follows the Western
Eetrpean pattern: it is slate controlled and is
supported in substantial measure by an :uuauul t:tx on
radio receivers: in principle it attempts to restrict
partisan politics over the airwaves to identifiable
political disciission progr ins in which all views are
represented. Recently, however, leftist influence in the
State Radio Coumc�il lots increased, and consetpueratly
bias ill some ostensibly impartial public affairs
progr has been noticed by important segments of
the public. The council carefully controls the cultural
content of radio progr ins.
The State Radio, in service since 191)0. is a
n'onopoly of the goyernnuvnt and cot .1);s under the
'Irisdictioit of the Ministry of E(ucation.'I'he minister
appoints the Radio I)irector, who is responsible for
supervising all broadcasting services. Broadcasting
policy and basic content of programs must be
approved by the seven- mvinher State kadio Council
(Utearpsrodh) which is selected annually by the
Mthing and reflects the parliamentary strength of the
political parties. Its principal Function is to rnake sore
that the air waves are not used to advance partisan
political views.
The Stale Radio (State Broadcast Service) bas its
headquarters and lechutic ;d facilities in the Reykjavik
Broadcasting Station; its call letters are TI-T. The
programs are transmitted on 209 kl Iz (1.135 meters) for
the general public. The station utilizes two Pal carrier
signals at 9.3.5 and 95 nu which also can be
picked up easily. lielay stations located strategically
throughrntt the country provide service to the whole
island. Without these added facilities, radio reception
wmild be poor because of the northern latitudes and
rugged terrain. TFU bas won approbation for is
technical ability to reach every isolated toms�. Many
Icelanders listen to foreign radio stations, especially
BIW. Which usually anti's in loo d and clear. Foreign
station signals are strong enough on the cast coast to
cause troublesome interference with domestic radio.
Shortwave broadcasts, designated Reykjavik to
Icelanders Ahroacl," were transmitted via the 7-
kilowatt Reykjavik shortwave station (call letters TFJ
they were mainly directed to ships in nearby waters
and are believed to Ile inactive.
Normal broadcasting tints over TFU home service is
Iii! boors on \%�eekclays. 17 boon on Sattudays, and 15
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

hours on Sundays, 'I've following tabulation shc,ws
specific hours on broadcasting
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. 11:30 p.m,
Snhirday 7 :00 a.m. 12 :00 midnight
Stinday 8 :30 a.m. 11 :30 p.m.
Progr in content enphasizes e(lucation and culture,
%%ith newscasts and commentary interspersed
throughout the clay. As nitic�h as 6ffi of a typical daily
program is devoted to good music, either classical or
folk. Mill 15optilar tunes screened for (tualily by the
statitill, 'rh rencainder of the tine� is given over to
lectures, readings, and a variety of other programs,
including dramatic and occasional myster% produc-
tions. General Political discussions are permitted
during the by ice yearly parliamentary debates and
during election campaigns. But the equal tine
formula is observed, and station announcers must be
iripeccabk se t>,t,ry,h News and weather reports arc
transmilt -A ,ix titrlcs daily. 'I'\\ ic,. each clay a half
hour dflihie is givcnover to paid Private advertising.
wllkh is subject A) strict cout,,,ls. Advertising
nacclicines and alcoholic beyerag(�s is forbidden, us
!IZVertisements irye>'lvittg biased or ncisleading
conl�INfisons bet \vvti products. "Factual and neutral
annouic�eritents of political meetings are periul ed,
but partisan elaboration is proscribed. One peculiarity
of the radio service, a custom indicative both of social
cohesion and geographic dispersion, is trie practice of
broadcasting funeral services; obituaries are a major
sou of advertising revenue.
As in other European countries where governments
attempt to control the cultural content of broadlCast-
ing, the public appears to be somewhat dissatisfied
"yith such paternalism. klany average Icelanders, like
average Europeans or :Americans, final "low -brow"
variety programs Wore to their leisure taste. Since
frenetic advertising probably does not bother them as
mueh as it does their nt(re sophisticated governing
officials, a majority of Icelanders might actually favor
free commercial radio broadcasting coil the U.S.
pattern.
Icelandic television was introduced. in late 1966. By
1972 over 96'; of the population was within range of
one of the 7 separate transmitters, and some 1.1,000
receivers were in use. Developmental expenses were
largely fiuunced by a high import duty on "1'V sets,
while operating costs are stet by license fees and
advertising revenue. Iceland and Finland are the only
Nordic countries which permit advertising on
television, setting aside specific periods betveen
programs for commercial messages. Like radio.
however. television is a monopoly of the government
nudcr the jurisdiction of the IMiuistry of Education.
Only Channel 13 is ill use; otitlying stations
rcbroacleast the Beykjavik program on several
different channels. "I'It i'sleni employs the European
625 -line definition. P olailing has been exteided
gradually to or -I lhcjpl of evening transmission 6
days a \vicek; there is no programing on "Thursdays.
The U.S. Armed Forces Radio and "Television
Service at Keflavik operates oil a license granted by
the State Radio. The radio programs, with call sign
"I'FK, may be received witbin a radius of about 75
miles in nearly all directions. Since 1962 telecasts bave
been clearly received ill the Keflavik Reykjavik area,
\t�bere the majority of Icelanders reside. "I've U.S.
system employs 525 -line definition, requiring sets of
U.S. or West Gernian manufacture. Both U.S. radio
and television are popular among the populace,
particularly youth, nany of' whom understand English
and enjoy llte popular music and variety programs.
'I'll is U.S. "cultural contuucination" has been
criticized by so nc t;m officials and leading
intellectuals, `I` (1ii 1IWV4' the U.S. telecasts
restrictedotOlw KvI livik \;ATOb6e. I the
many il1dI)cll(1ellt-Il1hl(10(j Itekidic vimvers tvbo
enjoy U, S- tvjevision have reatett't trongly against this
infringeniq'If (ill their right T Judge the merits of
available entvji utncnt. I(.,,'.nders are, in any event.
exposed to it hea\ t i ,1 TV fare; fully half of
the material used by the national stations is in English.
K. Selected bibliography
Iceland's remoteness, esoteric language, and small
population are reflected in the relative paucity of up-
lo -date information pertinent to sociological research.
All of the smirc cited below are published in English
or include an I nglish translation.
L General works
Perhaps the most readable general survey of Iceland
in recent years is that of Engiishinan John C. Griffiths.
\ybose Modern Iceland (London, 1969) portrays
enthusiastically, if rather uncritically, the evolution
and character of the present society. Griffiths' work
includes us an anucx the Icelandic Constitution and a
variety of statistical material. Iceland 1966
(Reykjavik, 1967), although sonlewhat dated, retrains
an excellent genera) reference too. Compiled by the
(ventral Bank of Iceland, it covers in considerable
detail un encyclopedic range of subjects, among them
history, government, education, living conditions, and
the arts. Vlore recent but niueb less comprehen,ive
7
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4

r
surveys are the essentially commercial and industrial e c t I 'v 'I t ll t I 1
handbooks, Directory of ,Iceland 1969 -1970 (Rcyk-
javik, 1970) and llidhskiplaskrain �1971 (Revkjavik,
197 1). Donald S. Connerv's analytical, eminently
readable The Scandinavians (New York, 1966)
includes a brief, but informative essay on modern
Icelandic society. Iceland in a Nutshell; Complete
Reference Guide (Rcykja% 19 1) provides the
i
information expected of a c6nipelent, illustrated travcl
guide. 2. Health, welfare, and conditions of labor
A concise but thorough treatment of labor is found
in Labor Law and Practice in Iceland (XI'ashington,
1970), a bulletin prepared by the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics. This publication also provides useful
background on the general welfare provisions of
Icelandic la%v. Iceland 1966 remains valuable for basic
information concerning_ health and welfare, although
contemporary developments must be gleaned from
more recent sources.
3. Education and artistic expression
A good historical survey of the Icelandic arts is
presented in the above -cited Iceland 1966. For more
r c n c c, c. c I tc, cluar c.r nlcr cu1-
Scandinavian Review (New York) fre(liienlly proves
useful. Professor Gwyn Jones' translations of Eirik the
lied and Other Iceland Sagas (Loi),don, 1961
illuminate the early Viking ,literature, which still
iulluences, the Icelandic national character.
The most recent analysis available in English of the
educational system in Icclancl was prepared by the
Committee for Science Police of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development. Iceland
(Paris, 1971) examines the structure and trends of
Icelandic education. Its analyses are ,imply supported
by current, broadly based statistics.
4. Basic statistical works
Particularly useful statistical sources include the
United Nations Statistical Yearbook, the United
Nations Demographic Yearbook, and the Yearbook of
,Nordic Statistics (Stockholm, 1972). The Tolfraedhi-
handbok (Statistical Abstract of Iceland, Hey kjavik,
16x77) contains a wealth of sociological detail collected
by the Stati Bureau of Iceland. Although no
longer up-to-date, much of the data spans 50 years or
more and is thus valuable in documenting long -term
trends.
Places and features referred to in this chapter
caonnnA�res t
JI
FOIE 'OFFICIAL USE ONLY
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4
a PN.
'11
Akureyri
65 10
18 06
Ilafnarfj6rdhur
64 04
21 57
fsafj6rdhur
66 05
23 09
Keflavik
64 01,
22 34
Laki volcano
64 04
18 14
Laugarvatn ((arm)
64 13
20 44
Reykjavik.
64'09
21 57
Reykjanes (lianinsula)
63 50
22 41
Siglufjordhur
66 09
18 55
Stykkish6lmur
65 04
22 44
Thingeyrar I
65 33
20 25
Vestmannaeyjar
63 26
20 16
Vestmannaeyjar (hds)
63 25
20 IS
JI
FOIE 'OFFICIAL USE ONLY
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200110054 -4