  We investigate the statistical properties of 56-57Fe within a model capable
of treating all the nucleons as active in an infinite model space including
pairing effects. Working within the canonical ensemble, our model is built on
single-particle states, thus it includes shell and subshell closures. We
include spin correlation parameters to account for nucleon spin multiplicities.
Pairing and shell effects are important in the low-temperature region where the
quantum effects dominate. The validity of the model is extended to higher
temperatures, approaching the classical regime, by including continuum states.
We present results for excitation energy, heat capacity and level density of
56-57Fe. The resulting favorable comparisons with experimental data and with
other approaches, where applicable, indicate that the methods we develop are
useful for statistical properties of medium to heavy nuclei.
