Society in Iceland

Iceland gained its Independence in 1918 with a joint monarch like Canada and the U.K. Since 1944 Iceland has been a Republic with a president elected by the people in a general election; The 63 members of the Parliament are elected to serve for four years. A government of approximately 12 ministers is formed after the parliamentary elections and is led by the Prime Minister.
The standard of living is comparable to that of the other Nordic countries, with extensive social security, health services and free education at all levels.
Most of the work force is within the service sector, such as education, health service and in the financial services. Iceland is reguarded a fishing nation, however only 9% of the work force operates within the fishing industry. Still, the fishing industry is responsible for approximately 70% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Production), 12% of the population work in other industry and 4% in farming. The fishing waters are rich and relatively unpolluted, the land is rich of pasture, enough clean water and fresh air.
Icelanders are technically advanced with one of the highest use of mobile phones, computers and Internet. Despite of that Icelanders base their livelihood on the sustainable use of the natural resources