Officially known as the Republic of Iceland, is located in northwestern Europe. It comprises the island of Iceland and its removed small islands scattered throughout the northern Atlantic Ocean in between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. Iceland’s glassy glaciers, hot thermal springs, amazing geysers, active volcanoes, lava fields, sensational waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains, certainly make it worthy of the title; “Land of Fire and Ice.”
Iceland is a very big island with a special landscape that is colorful and rugged with black lava, red sulfur, hot blue geysers, rivers, waterfalls, bays, fjords, and green valleys. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavík which is likewise the largest city of Iceland. People may wonder what one can do in Iceland. If you hear the list you will be impressed that there are a lot of things to do and see here. From enjoying whales to trendy great dining, trekking, seeing Europe’s biggest glacier Vatnajokull, fishing in rivers, horse riding, rafting, exploring the landscape on a snow scooter, shopping developing wear, Secret Solstice Festival, check out the island of Grimsey to cross the Arctic Circle, visit middle ages farm at Stong and whatnot, the list is unlimited.
Geographical Location
It is located in northwestern Europe It consists of the island of Iceland and its distant small islands in the northern Atlantic Ocean in between Greenland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands. It is strategically situated in between Greenland and Europe.
Population & Languages
The population of Iceland is only 330,680 (2016 data) and the official language being spoken is Icelandish. English, Nordic languages, German are also extensively spoken. Electrical power The voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The kinds of plugs utilized are the Round pin attachment plug and “Schuko” plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts.
Climate
The climate of Iceland can be termed as warm with cool and wet summers and mild and windy winters. The highest temperature ever recorded was 30.5° C(86.9° F) on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn. On the other end of the temperature spectrum, the lowest temperature ever recorded was -38° C (-36.4° F) on 22 January 1918 at GrÃmsstaðir.
Local Customs
Like any other country Iceland has its own customs and typical courtesies ought to be followed and respected. It is always wise to ask a local for a brief download shortly after arriving in Iceland (hotel concierge/staff, etc.) and of course conducting your own research pre-trip.
Reykjavík
With a population of 120,000, the capital of Reykjavík is the preferred travel entrance to Iceland. Popular day excursions from Reykjavík consist of glacier climbing, equestrian activities, river rafting, spelunking, and whale watching. The city’s galleries, galleries, theatres, cafés bustle with an (apparently) endless energy. At the dining establishments midtown, regional ingredients are offered fresh with delicious lamb, fish, and shellfish, or wild game.
Downtown Reykjavík (known by locals by its postcode indicator 101) is the nucleus of Iceland’s rich culture and arts scene. By day, café-culture reigns supreme. A constant hum of chat keeps the city’s number of cafés vibrant. With complimentary wifi and refills on coffee being fairly typical, Reykjavík’s café-goers want to stay chill. . . that is until Happy Hour! Now, is time to check out many of the cities exceptional dining establishments and clubs afterward.
Tourist attractions
Reykjavik Attractions– Hallgrimskirkja Church, National Museum of Iceland, Botanical Gardens, and the Einar Jonsson Museum.
Airline Options
The nationwide airline of Iceland is Icelandair which operates in many international locations such as Amsterdam, Baltimore, Boston, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Halifax, London, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Stockholm, and Washington, plus other destinations in the summertime. National airline companies running from Iceland consist of Air Greenland (site: www.airgreenland.gl) and WOW air. Yes, you read that correctly, WOW air!
Other airlines, primarily Scandinavian providers also run route services to and from Iceland. Some airline companies like Condor and Corsai, operate flights throughout the summer season. Flights also operate to the Faroe Islands and Greenland throughout the summer season. The major airport servicing Iceland is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) situated 31 miles south of Reykjavik.
Duty (Tax) Free Items
- 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products
- 1 liter spirits and 1 liter wine, or 1 liter spirits and 6 liter beer; or 1 liter wine and 6 liter beer; or 2.25 liter wine
- Food products as much as 3kg not surpassing kr13,000.
- Permits from Post & Telecom Authorities are required for cordless phones, push-button controls or radio transmitters. It is not required for a GSM mobile phone.
Forbidden Items
Un-canned goods, meat or milk items, Narcotics, porn, guns, ammo, weapons, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks, and alcoholic beverages which contain more than sixty percent alcohol.
The Giants of Iceland
Despite its tiny populace, Iceland has a track record on the planet’s Strongest Man competitors that stands above possibly any other nation. This little, black rock in the center of the ocean has produced a lineage of strongmen going back to the Vikings.
Happiest People on Earth
Below are some little known but, important facts as to why many people worldwide consider Icelanders to be the Happiest People on Earth:
- The only country in NATO with no armed forces (they were outlawed 700 years ago)
- Life span for males is the highest worldwide, a stone’s throw behind females
- Hot water supplied to all Icelandic households straight from its own earth
- Iceland is the nation with the 6th highest GDP per capita on the planet
- Highest proportion of mobile telephones to population
- Fastest-expanding financial system on the planet
- Soaring business economy and exports
- Crystal pure clean air and water
Iceland: What’s not to like?
Iceland is a melting pot that had contrived to integrate humanity’s far better top qualities, offering a lesson for the rest of the world on ways to live sensibly and happily. What’s not to like about Iceland? Well, maybe it does get a tad bit chilly and windy. However, these weather-related challenges are by no means a reason to cross off Iceland as a potential travel destination. Take our travel advice and plan a trip to this Extreme(ly) Awesome Travel Destination and see for yourself if “Iceland is Green and Greenland is Ice?”