I dont know a single person that actually has a firm believe in the elves, its a cultural tradition that we respect and do not object to as it is a part of our story as a nation. Im attracted by the nature, its wilderness, its traditions. This article may contain affiliate links. Do like your article of Iceland. You'll definitely still want warm layers, a good rain jacket, and waterproof hiking boots. But, according to guides I had, Iceland was carved out by glaciers, so really the mountains are just what was left over after the glaciers moved through. Large fallen rocks in fields are said to be frozen trolls, and one guide told us that the smell present in Iceland isn't from sulphur at all it's the smell of the trolls' dirty bath water. As astonishing as it sounds, Iceland is one of the few countries I've been to where McDonald's restaurants do not exist! Iceland's Silfra fissure is the only place in the world where you can swim between two tectonic plates. Who needs sleep when theres so much to see and do here? If you want to chat like a local, this is our best tip. Even stranger, if a horse leaves the island they are forbidden from ever returning. Iceland is close enough to the North Pole to experience a few months of the midnight sun when the sky is too bright for the Northern Lights to emerge. RELATED: Relaxing at Iceland's Blue Lagoon. They survive by preying on Icelands abundant bird population. While definitely European/Scandinavian in nature, the country of Iceland is unique in so many ways that I felt its quirkiness deserved an entire post of its own. When after 74 years, on the 1st of March, the beer ban was finally lifted, that day was marked as Beer Day or Bjordagur in Icelandic. If you do hit a sheep get the ear tag number, call the emergency number and the owner will be notified. Come see them for yourself! For many years Iceland was publishing a book at the highest rate per capita in the world, showing how much they enjoy a good read. Icelandic food has a lengthy history. To be clear, Icelandic elves are not the diminutive, green, pointy-eared sort that assists Santa store toys at Christmas; they are the same size as you and me, but most of us dont see them. Happy travels! But it took a lot longer for the country to allow beer again. Iceland has a plethora of seafood eateries. We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! At first, in 1915, Iceland prohibited all alcohol, but in 1921, the ban on red and ros Spanish and Portuguese wines was lifted, because Spain threatened to stop importing Icelands salted cod, which was the countrys biggest export. Wikimedia Commons. No, you perceive it has having very little crime. 10 Things You Should Know About Iceland | HISTORY Bathing in the hot springs is complimented by various attractions such as a sunbathing area, hydro massage waterfalls, a soothing steam cave, drinking water fountains, a sauna, a steam bath and even a poolside bar! Iceland was formed by some pretty harsh phenomena: volcanoes and glaciers. The Icelandic horse has only been bred within the borders of Iceland for over a thousand years. Maybe there is truth to that, because the average life expectancy in Iceland is 82 years, which is 10 years more than the worlds average. I recommend theRey Apartmentsfor both location and coziness (plus, having a small kitchen helps cut down on food costs!). Its beloved by locals in Iceland for its high protein and calcium, plus low fat, sugar and Learn something new about Norways Nordic sibling Iceland, the land of fire and ice. Location and Facts About Iceland | Guide to Iceland hmmm. Following its closure, the United States indicated that it will continue to provide defense for Iceland, but without permanently basing forces in the country. features that you won't find anywhere else, Chasing Ice and Battling Mother Nature in Iceland, 12 Crazy But Cool Things You Can See in Iceland, Tours Worth Paying for in Iceland (and When to Save Your Money), A 10-Day Itinerary for Iceland in Winter (Without Renting a Car), Snorkeling Silfra: Swimming Between Tectonic Plates in Iceland, Highlights from 7 Days in Iceland in Winter. The soil is not great for crops, no. Iceland | History, Maps, Flag, Population, Climate, & Facts One is in the north-west and the other along the east coast. If you would like to get a little bit more coffee, or a top up for any other lovely Icelandic drink, just ask for 10 more drops"tu dropar, takk". Fishing is Iceland's main industry, and the nation remains one of just a few in the world that still allows commercial whaling. Along with things like whale, puffin, and dried fish, visitors can also try fermented shark, sheep's head, and even pickled ram's testicles. In Iceland, children get visited by the 13 Yule Lads. Youll find 17 locations in the capital region alone. A Bible from the early 1500s (the first one printed in Icelandic, which can be found in a folk museum in Skgar) can still easily be read by Icelanders today. This why an Icelander's name will almost always end in -son (son of) or -dttir (daughter of). They gathered to make laws and make justice decisions. Craft beer is crazy popular in Iceland. Undredal, Norway: 5 Reasons to Visit the Stunning Fjord Village. Its such a problem that in 2010, they even developed an app which could help them to check if their newly gained acquaintance is related to them or not. Leave the planning to us and come enjoy a fantastic holiday. This fact makes Iceland a fairly young country when it comes to settlement, and also contributes to its distinct cultural background. Read on to find out even more about the land of ice and fire with 50 fast facts: Iceland had the first democratically voted female president; Vatnajkull is the largest glacier in At Thingvellir National Park, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This Iceland fact is so unusual that Reykjavk is actually the only capital city in western Europe without a McDonald's franchise. Iceland has been on my dream list for such a long time. If anyone wants to use an unapproved name, it must first be given the okay by a special committee. We may all come from different walks of life but we have one common passion - learning through travel. Icelanders can eat ice cream no matter the temperature, and it gets cold there. Viking Ties Iceland was settled by Vikings from Norway sometime in the 800s. But paper restrictions weren't that bad, so books became perfect Christmas presents. You may have already heard the interesting facts that there are no McDonald'shere and that there are more sheep than Icelanders. She was the first ever officially elected female head of state in the world. The Spanish play with their food (bull fighting) while the Welsh do the same with their sheep. The fjords aren't just for Norway! Even when Icelanders submitted to the authority of the Norwegian king in the 13th century and under the control of the Danish monarchy since the end of the 14th century, the Althingi still existed in some form until 1800 when it was disbanded by a royal decree. Thousands of Icelandic citizens travel to, work or study in the EU each year. After four years in office, she was very popular and was re-elected again in 1984 with nobody running against her. Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Here are a few tips: How to get to Iceland:Iceland is just a 4- or 5-hour flight from the East Coast of the US, or about 3 hours from the UK. You can find one of the most famous Geysers on the Golden Circle! According to the latest data released on 1 January, 2020, There are from 8,000 to 10,000 Arctic Foxes living in Iceland and their status in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List is Least Concern. That's Vatnajkull, which covers 8% of Icelands landmass. ": 40 Hilarious Before-And-After Pictures, As Shared By These Women With A Sense Of Humor (New Pics), AITA? Iceland's population is about 360,000 and on a such a small island with little immigration, theres a chance that you have distant cousins that you dont even know about. this is more Adorbs 86-60699c3bd349a.jpg. When Iceland went to Euro 2016 (soccer), 10% of the population went to see the game in France. Year round you can soak up the countrys abundance of natural hot springs. 27 Fun Facts About Iceland - Buubble (not saying all hot dogs here are like that, of course, but some have earned that reputation). There are no family names in Iceland. Words with far too many consonants abound, and syllables seem to just blur together. From glaciers to volcanoes to hot springs, theres no shortage of breathtaking beauty to explore here. There are no private hospitals at all on the island of Iceland. There are so many awesome facts about Iceland. Youve likely heard of the midnight sun in Iceland during the summertime. You may even see longer lines continue outside the store, as people love ice cream so much they will brave the rain and the wind for this delicious treat. The highest temperature ever recorded in Iceland was 86.9 F (30.5 C) in the Eastfjords in 1939, while the lowest temperature recorded was -36.4 F (-38 C) in North Iceland in 1918. In Iceland you dont have to worry about violent crimes. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. But in Iceland, it's more than that: it's the day on which family members exchange books as gifts, and spend the evening reading them. You can have a hot dog with homemade crispy onions and sweet mustard, along with raw onion, ketchup, and remoulade. She has been traveling for over 10 years, across 7 continents, experiencing unique cultures, new food, and meeting fantastic people. 1. And had you heard that beer was banned for 74 years and that now 1 March marks Beer Day in Iceland? Iceland is actually the only country thats a part of NATO to be set up this way. According to polls, more than half of Icelanders believe in, or at least consider the existence of, the Huldufolk the hidden people. But the crime rates are, statistically speaking, much lower in Iceland than in most other places in the world. Spending time in the natural wonders of Iceland is especially easy without having to worry about these buzzing and biting pests. Icelandic music has a lengthy history, with some tunes dating back to the 14th century still being sung today. More specifically, 233,000 people live in Icelands capital region. If youve never been to Iceland, I highly recommend a trip. Traditional Icelandic music is related to Scandinavian music genres. Cats roamed, and owned the streets, but it was widely accepted that the busy streets were no place for dogs. And a bonus fun fact for you: The Vikings are the ones who gave both Iceland and Greenland their names, purposefully mis-naming them both so that their enemies would hopefully go to ice-covered Greenland instead of following them to where they actually settled in Iceland. When constructions take place in certain lava fields of the country, there is even a special spokesperson for the elves. They are typically connected with places that have previously had volcanic activity. In most of the western world children cant wait for Christmas Day to see if Santa brought them a lovely gift. Jn Gnarr is a well-known actor and comedian in Iceland, and, apparently, a politician. This silica is utilized in one of the thermal baths exfoliating facial treatments, along with algae and even lava masks! The cross represents Christianity and this version of the flag was adopted in 1918 when Iceland gained independence from Denmark. Craft beer has also become a hugely popular industry here since. Theres also a list of banned names that are strictly forbidden. But today we reveal some more fun Iceland facts that you may not have heard before. Each of the Yule Lads has a particular personality, similarly to the seven dwarfs, and they all have some mischief they like to make, for example, slamming doors at night or stealing leftovers from pots. To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours. Icelanders have a unique There are other agreements with Norway, Denmark, and other NATO countries covering military and other security missions. And the kicker is, they don't even have to try very hard. The Silfra fissure is located in Thingvellir National Park, in southwestern Iceland, and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. This is probably one of those facts about Iceland you didnt know. In fact, they love ice cream so much that they have a word which, in essence, means driving around and eating ice cream. And it is incredibly windy! All the pools are heated with geothermal energy. Again, because it is such a safe country, it is unlikely they'll have security with them. Well, almost every global crime index lists Iceland as a safe and peaceful place. This means we deal with all the local arrangements for you, from booking your car rental or private guide, to your accommodation, activities and even recommending our favourite restaurants. Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge! The site has since been dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cultural, historical, and geographical significance. The country does not have a standing army, and its police officers do not carry guns. There are 13 of them and in the 13 days leading to Christmas, they bring gifts to children. The Althingi was re-established in Reykjavk and assembled again in 1845. At this point, hot dogs are practically the national dish of Iceland. But the amount of underground drug-related activity here is grossly underestimated, one out of four women will experience sexual assault, 1 out of every 3 homes has domestic violence, you cant trust any newspaper, many corrupt cops and people just disappear once in a while. Picture By Juhszlegeny. You can read more about it and change your preferences, Get the best of Bored Panda in your inbox. Icelanders love to read books. He now works as a professional writer on all things Scandinavia. Do you know why Iceland does not have McDonalds? You can even go diving/snorkeling between the plates in nearby ingvallavatn Lake. Red is the fire produced by the volcanoes, white represents the ice and snow, and blue is for the mountains of the island when looked at from the coast. Now, theres even a day that celebrates when the ability to drink booze was reinstated. Ride an Icelandic horse, admire the magnificent waterfalls, or witness the northern lights. Theres a coast guard, but they havent seen much action since the Cod Wars with England, of which they emerged victorious. The word geyser comes from the very similar Old Norse word geysa, which means to gush forth. Glaciers are responsible for carving out everything in Iceland that hasn't been shaped by magma and earthquakes, making for a landscape more unique than any other country I've visited. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. My first trip there was also for 5 days, and I agree that it wasnt nearly long enough! As a result, only visitors visiting Iceland between late August and early April will be able to see the Aurora. Unlike other languages that have changed drastically over the centuries, Icelandic remains very close to its original roots. Iceland is a place with a strong culture of folklore and myth. By Dickelbers. Iceland Facts | Arctic Adventures The 1915 ban was much like Prohibition in the United States, and banned all alcohol in Iceland. you can be touching the North American and Eurasian continents at the same time. 110 Reykjavk Talking about Icelandic supermarkets and Iceland grocery stores is not the most exciting subject. Beer is a popular drink choice among Icelanders, so it may surprise you that beer was illegal for quite a while. If you could only read the news in Icelandic, its full of all kinds of crime, violent to white collar. Although it now spouts considerably less frequently than some of the other geysers in the area, its height can periodically reach approximately 200 feet (61 m). All Rights Reserved, Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission. Of course not. The Westman Islands formed after a series of volcanic eruptions and the last eruption that caused significant damage was in 1973. We can attest that its true, in the height of summer, darkness is a total stranger to the skies. In the year 930 AD, the first Parliament met in Iceland in what is todayingvellir National Park. This party was supposed to be a parody and to liven up Icelands political world. She was elected in 2009 and was also the very first openly gay head of state in the world. Thats because the country boasts one of the lowest crime rate in the world. Statistics Iceland releases population data once per year. Not unsurprisingly, the Iceland language has a lot of words to describe weather including more than 150 different ways to describe wind. There are many amusing stories and legends about these creatures, and Icelanders go so far as to postpone construction projects if it's believed that something is going to be built where elves currently live. Its what you might call the newest country on the planet as it was the last bit of land to be settled by humans. Iceland's participation in these mechanisms allows free movement of people between Iceland and the rest of the Schengen Area. Your email address will not be published. Playing and watching handball are both very common ways to enjoy free time in Iceland. Over 99% of their energy supply is renewable, produced by geothermal energy and hydropower. During the 1980 presidential election, the Icelandic womens movement focused on electing a woman. Today, there are lots of microbreweries in Iceland (just like in most other countries), and you can even relax in a beer spa close to Akureyri in northern Iceland. Some of the openings are so narrow that you can touch both sides at once, i.e. I look forward to all of your posts. And the eruption is so vibrant that it can be seen glowing from space. Posted on Mar 26, 2021 19 Cool Iceland Facts Most People Go Their Whole Life Without Knowing It's so much more than just the land of ice and fire. Glaciers are considered a main attraction in Iceland. What is Iceland known for? Surveys have said that over 30% of Icelanders still believe in elves, or at least are unwilling to deny their existence entirely without proof either way. A Dangerous Business is a participant in several affiliate programs. Most people who grow produce do so inside greenhouses! After Reykjavk, the most populous cities in Iceland are Kpavogur and Hafnarfjrur, both of which are included in the capital region. Well Icelandic actually has over 100 words to talk about wind. Iceland is one of the countries without an army. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Words of Norway tells the stories of Norway to the world, and helps Norwegian companies do the same. 15 Interesting Facts About Iceland - Discover Walks Blog (And I recommend most of these no matter what season you're visiting!). Wikimedia Commons. They are still visible, but because the sky is illuminated by the sun, we cannot see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland. The first part of the word is taken from sb, which means an ice-cream shop, and the second part is bltr, which signifies the act of jumping in a car and going for a ride. All horses have three, but Icelandic horses have five in total. This is about one tenth of the size of the city of San Francisco. However, these employees don't carry arms. 30 Interesting & Fun Facts About Iceland - The Sophisticated Life Hey Pandas, Are You Doing Anything For Midsummer (Juhannus). Its circular pool measures 60 feet (18 meters) in circumference and is 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep. The tradition started during World War II, when currency restrictions limited the amount of imported giftware in Iceland. Neglect to do this is a serious social no-no. Because the whole country is essentially alive with volcanic activity, the nation harnesses hydro and geothermal energy to power more than 80% of the country. The Icelandic fishing industry is one of the most important industries in the country. . 35 Life-Saving Tips That Arent Hard To Remember But Might Come In Handy When You Least Expect It, As Told By Our Community, Guy Puts In His "Notice Of Immediate Resignation" After Boss Disregards Their Verbal Agreement, Warns Others To Always Write Things Down, MIL Decided To Wear White To Son's Wedding, So The Bride Made Every Bridesmaid Wear White While She Wore Pink, 30 Of The Best It Doesnt Work Like That Tales Shared By Representatives Of Different Professions, 50 Rare Historical Photos That You Probably Haven't Seen Before, Do You Really Want That On Your Body Forever?: 30 Of The Worst Tattoos Shared On This Online Group, Someone Asks "What Makes You Not Want To Have Kids?" Because it's located on the Mid-Atlantic ridge, Iceland is an incredibly active country geologically. . What was once a hidden gem of the Nordic region, has since become a super popular destination in recent years. 34 Facts About London That Will Blow Your Mind! The most famous place to get a hot dog in Iceland is Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. Originally from the UK, David now lives in Trondheim and was the original founder of Life in Norway back in 2011. Hot dogs. Much of this dialect is dedicated to describing their unusual and erratic weather patterns, which are known to change drastically in a matter of minutes. Because of this constant activity, a good portion of Iceland is covered in lava fields. If you travel around the Golden Circle, you will eventually visitingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. It gets its distinctive milky blue color from the numerous silica particles in the water, which are extremely beneficial to the skin. - JRR Tolkien. Between 30 and 40% of Icelanders will not deny the existence of elves. If the parents want to give their baby a name which isnt in the official approved list, they have to submit the name to the committee for approval. It spewed boiling water as early as the 13th century, but it has been generally inactive since 1916 due to sediment building in the subsurface water tunnels. However, when the Vikings arrived, they forested the crap out of it, cutting down almost all the native tress in the country. Her favourite destinations have been Reykjavk, Copenhagen, Estonia and Cape Town. Book a trip to the Land of Fire and Ice with Nordic Visitor and youll be in good hands. Icelands capital, Reykjavik (Reykjavik), is the worlds northernmost capital and Europes westernmost capital. The tastes of this classic country meal are derived from the methods of preservation: pickling in fermented whey or brine, drying, and smoking. Iceland is one of my favorite places in the whole world. Iceland experiences a volcanic eruption roughly once every 4 years, though the past few years have seen one eruption or more each year (we all remember Eyjafjallajokull, right?). These unique features are a big part of what has taken me back to Iceland more than once! Not only can you actually see the divide with the naked eye, which is fairly mind blowing, you can actually snorkel between them, which is one of the best things to do in Iceland! (I've visited a total of 3 times, in fact.). Icelanders have to deal with midges, which look like mosquitoes and also bite. When Naddoddur came to Iceland first, he named it Snland which translates to Snowland and then it evolved. Its called the Althing. Camila grew up between the French Canadian and Chilean cultures, before moving to Scotland in 2012. This is thought to be because of the peculiar weather patterns. If so, why not share it on Pinterest? It is located in the southeast of the island and accounts for around 8% of the country. Our website uses cookies. The economic crash of 2008 was really devastating for Iceland and in order to lift up peoples spirits, the town of Akureyri thought that its the simple things that have the biggest impact. Great democracies from long ago include the Greek, the Roman and the Icelandic. It may come as a surprise for such a cold country, but they actually experience an eruption every four years or so. Commonly called hidden folk here, who are said to live beneath the lava fields, elves have played a major role in the beliefs of the population. We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. Remarkably well preserved, anyone who speaks the language now could easily read Old Norse. I have only been once and just for a few days, but that was enough to see thatthe natural landscapes certainly rival Norway for beauty! The country's ingvellir National Park is home to the first parliament grounds in Europe. Iceland | History, Maps, Flag, Population, Climate, & Facts Iceland is the only NATO country not to have a standing army, air force or navy. The capital city of Iceland is Reykjavik and its by far the biggest urban area in the country. She studied Lithuanian Philology and Italian Language, but it was not enough to feed her hunger for knowledge so she also got a Masters degree in Translation. This is one of those Iceland facts youll want to know! Baejarins Beztu Pylsur was selected by the British newspaper The Guardian as the best hot dog stand in Europe in August 2006. One fact that wasn't listed here is that the phone book is listed by first names. stories about the Hulduflk, meaning "hidden people", who are said to live And now when she's not working on articles, she's studying Korean.She is a positive and hard-working panda. We learned most of this while on our trip, but your posting helped us remember it (you learn so much, so quickly there, that you have a tendency not to recall all of it until needed). Assembly was originally held in ingvellir National Park, about a half hours drive from Reykjavk. (Closed), Hey Pandas, Share A Picture Of Your Plants (Closed). But combined with the lava fields and waterfalls, they make up truly stunning landscapes that you won't find anywhere else. So much so that on the first of March every year, the country celebrates Beer Day. And it's not because the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet here, butbecause of its outstanding historical significance. Your account is not active. They dont seem that harmful, but apparently they were a lot creepier back in the day. And in Iceland, these hot springs and pool are used year-round, even during the winter months. Icelands population is smaller than Arlington, Texas Statistics Iceland releases population data once per year. Contemporary Icelandic chefs typically place greater emphasis on the quality of available ingredients than on age-old cooking traditions and practices. According to the most recent number, the population of Iceland is around 360,000, averaging around eight people per square mile. The Althing is Icelands national parliament. A patronymic ramming system used to be the norm throughout the Nordic region, but now just Iceland adopts it. I learnt so much from this and it really interested me so I would love to pay a visit at some point in the future, although I am definitely not down for eating whales!
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what are 5 interesting facts about iceland?
