A Place I'd Like to Live

Iceland is a beautiful country that has rolling green plains and fresh, crisp air. Frequently, babies and young children are left outside the home to breathe in the clean, fresh air. Not only does it have a refreshing environment but it ranks as the fifth most productive country in the world based on GDP at Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). That's pretty impressive considering that Iceland's population is only a little over 300,000 people, which is smaller than the city of Charleston, SC. Iceland has undergone one of the fastest economic transformations in the world in recent years. From 2000-2004 it had the best performing Western stock market. Much of Iceland's economical success depends on the fishing industry and how well it performs year to year. The fishing industry provides nearly 40% of the export earnings and employs 8% of the workforce. In addition to its successful productivity, it has a literacy rating in the 99th percentile. It also boasts an extremely even wealth distribution, where the no individuals rank in the top or bottom 5% of yearly income. Lastly, it is an extremely safe place to live. Crime practically is non-existent. Iceland's only downfall may be its temperature but with all of its other positives throwing on a jacket really doesn't seem that bad.