Facts about Iceland

Population: 300,000

Percent of land covered by ice: 11 percent

Percent of arable land: .07 percent

Before October 2008, Iceland ranked first in the world for high standing of living, according to the U.N.

Unemployment rate now: 10 percent and growing

Value of krona currency: declined 50 percent since October 2008

First developed country to ask for help from the I.M.F. – received $10 billion in loans since October 2008

National debt now equivalent to $300,000 per man, woman and child

Fish and fish products constitute 70 percent of exports (CIA fact book says 40 percent)

Warming climate has allowed farmers to increase barley production by tenfold in the last two decades.

The Karahnjukar Dam – largest engineering project in nation’s history – produces enough electricity to power every home and small business.

Limits on whale hunting increased fivefold, to 150 fin whales and 100 minke whales per year.