18. As previously mentioned, Iceland leads the world in feminism. You can even see evidence of this belief during your trip to Iceland in the small wooden álfhól “elf houses” that some people build for the elves to live in. The landscape is outstanding and the locals cool. Scientists have gotten so good at predicting volcanic eruptions that the risk to residents and tourists is minimal. Gregory Myers. Plus some general information that can be useful for planning a trip. How rare, you ask? It’s estimated that at least 80 percent of young students can understand basic English, and some people claim that as many as 98 percent of adults are fluent in multiple languages. Check out our FAQs, send us an email or call us at 1 800 555 5555, 3 important life lessons learnt from travelling and teaching, 5 must have items for a romantic winter getaway, 7 Of The Most Romantic Proposal Locations, Top 5 Money Saving Tips for Winter Breaks For 2016. 20. The highest temperature recorded in Iceland was 30.5C (86.9F) and the lowest was -38C (-36.4F). Now, that number is only 2 percent, although reforestation efforts are underway. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík.Reykjavík and the surrounding areas in the southwest of the country are home to over two-thirds of the population. Last Accessed 13 November 2019; Government of Iceland. Here are 30 interesting facts to get you ready to 30 Interesting Facts About IcelandIceland is really high on my list of places to explore, for tons of awesome reasons, first and foremost, the diving in Silfra between the continental plates. Iceland used to rank on top of the Human Development Index (in 2007 and 2008). From January 1, 1915 to March 1, 1989 (that's 74 years! The World Fact Book. Feel free to share these Iceland facts at your next cocktail party, to make yourself look smart and worldly. 16. The most famous has to be Hakarl, or fermented shark. Few facts about Iceland… The nation’s capital is Reykjavik and almost 2/3 of the population either lives in the city or in neighbouring communities. 71.7% of all energy used in Iceland is produced from own resources. Leave them down below! #10- Highest no. ), beer was banned in the country. Wolters World 591,149 views 7:30 Tourism has exploded in Iceland recently, and this Nordic island country now entertains more than 2 million visitors annually. Including flying over an active eruption of the Holuhraun lava field in 2014. This is no surprise considering that Iceland’s diverse topography enables people to visit black beaches, blue glaciers, and roaring waterfalls, along with whale watching and the opportunity to see the mysterious Northern Lights. Icelanders also elected an openly gay woman as their prime minister in 2009. Usually a temperate country, not too hot or cold, the highest temperature recorded was 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) at the Eastern fjords in 1939. The Arctic fox holds claim to this honour. But even if you aren’t a scuba lover, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. 4. And you have to use a special hat with a grid to protect of them. Fun Facts About Iceland: The Arctic Fox 15. 2. We're here to help. 7. Instead, their last name is derived from their father or mother’s first name. 10 Cool Facts About Iceland. Here are 40 amazing Iceland facts. Located at the juncture on the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, the main island is entirely south of the Arctic Circle, but the Circle goes right through the island of Grimsey, which makes it the northernmost inhabited island of Iceland. Iceland doesn’t have a military and has only fought in one conflict. The stargazing is breathtaking, the local cuisine is unusual and locals are often happy to share one of the area’s entertaining legends and myths. Currency: The Icelandic monetary unit is the króna (plural krónur) – ISK. I’ve been to Iceland almost a decade ago and I’ve been trying lately to plan my second journey there. 30% of Iceland's electricity is of geothermal origin - the highest percentage worldwide. It shocks many people, but it’s a common practice to leave babies outside in their strollers. But it totally makes sense in a country like Iceland that’s so small. They have also been ranked 2nd for the highest quality of life in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Index of 2011, and one of the happiest countries in the world according to OECD. In 2008, the country’s banking system collapsed, unemployment skyrocketed, and citizens were worried supermarkets would run out of food. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Here are 25 interesting things about the Land of Fire and Ice that you may not have known before! I'm also a member of other affiliate programs. 30. After trying some of their homemade ice cream, I can see why; it’s delicious! Between 30 and 40% of Icelanders will not deny the existence of elves. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. A lightly armed coast guard is the only national defense. Greenland was colonizedby p… Iceland is made up of the main island and thirty minor islands, including the archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar and the lightly populated island of Grimsey. But even if you aren’t a scuba lover, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Ready to fly? This is no surprise considering that Iceland’s diverse topography enables people to visit beaches, glaciers and waterfalls, along with going whale watching and a rare opportunity to see the mysterious Northern Lights.. This stuff is buried underground for 6-12 weeks, then hung out to dry in the sun. The water is so clean that pass to the kitchen of every family without any treatment. The Cod Wars were a power struggle with Great Britain for exclusive fishing rights to the water within 200 miles of Iceland’s shoreline. Due to Iceland’s unique topography, only 20 percent of it is actually inhabited by humans. Iceland is the oldest democracy in the world. I was very impressed to learn that the vast majority of Iceland’s power supply comes from geothermal and hydro energy. On average, a volcano erupts every five years, but fortunately only rarely where anyone lives. Iceland even has an official Elf School where you can learn about Icelandic elf history. Top 10 Facts About Iceland History. Gersir is the oldest known geyser in the world, and world famous Strokkur erupts every 8-10 minutes. Most of Iceland’s roads are paved, but for the off-road trails that go into the central highlands, these jeeps make it possible to travel in the winter. 27. 26. Ireland may be famous for their Luck and Leprechauns, but there's much more to this beautiful island. Woah. While tourism has boomed over the last 10 years, there are still plenty of places to explore where you’ll be mostly alone. Iceland is really high on my list of places to explore, for tons of awesome reasons, first and foremost, the diving in Silfra between the continental plates. With over 1.1 million visitors to the island a year, this has become one of the favorite tourist attractions. 1 Officially called the Republic of Iceland, Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The half of the population of the country lives in capital Reykjavik and its nearby areas. 3. Iceland won after attacking their enemy’s fishing nets with scissors. 11. You can thank me later! "About Iceland". Hotdogs are particularly popular there! No. There is a great availability of geothermal power as well as hydroelectricity being harnessed from the many rivers and waterfalls, thus almost all of Iceland’s electricity is from renewable energy. The 1915 ban was much like Prohibition in the United States, and banned all alcohol in Iceland. The official language of Iceland is Icelandic. 21. Happy travels! Image Source:Wikimedia. You probably won’t have to worry about listening to a baby cry inside restaurants in Iceland. Read my best. Björk’s full name is Björk Guðmundsdottir, which means the daughter of Guðmundur. 2. No matter what time of year you visit, you won’t have to worry about these pests. It is a fun fact about Iceland that the only mammal that is indigenous to nation is the Arctic fox. What are some interesting facts about your country? 10 Things That Will SHOCK You About Traveling The World S1 • E52 Visit Iceland - 10 Things That Will SHOCK You About Iceland - Duration: 7:30. The best thing about Iceland is the mosquito free air BUT there are plenty of flies and they are so annoying as well. 1. 29. There are several domestic animal species that have been developed and bred for life here. ★. Such a pity that it is so expensive…. 5. Related: 10 Reasons Why You Should Still Visit Iceland In 2018. Drop me a message in the comments below! 3. Even odder, the collection of 200 penises on display at the Phallological Museum supposedly includes specimens from mythological creatures such as trolls. Surveys indicate that 54.4 percent of the nation believes in the existence of huldufólk, invisible elves & trolls living in the countryside, with many others being at least open to the possibility. Iceland facts here! Government of Iceland. How do I get there? Iceland is really high on my list of places to explore, for tons of awesome reasons, first and foremost, the diving in Silfra between the continental plates. Iceland is an exceptional country. Iceland is a country of many wonders. Unemployment rate: 2,9% (2018). If you’re like me, you love traveling to places that aren’t overly crowded. The island of Kolbeinsey holds the northernmost point of the country. For context, there are about 333K people in Iceland – keep this in mind as you read through these fun facts. Iceland’s scientists are currently working on a way to harness more geothermal energy as part of a plan that could change the entire world. About 364,000 people live in Iceland with over 200,000 people living in the capital and greater Reykjavik area. Some of them sting. Mosquitoes can make life miserable at times in the U.S., so I was thrilled to find out that Iceland is one of the world’s few mosquito-free environments. Subsequently the nation’s official religion has become Lutheranism, which is still the dominant religion today. Iceland doesn’t have a military and has only fought in one conflict. Most of the arable land on the island was claimed by 930, which was the main impetus to start settling the Island of Greenland, the closest body of land to it, beginning in 986. Iceland is a perfect choice for summertime travel as the average high temperature is only 57 degrees Fahrenheit. "Iceland". Before I went to Iceland, I’d never imagined that there would be an entire museum dedicated to penises. 2. Icelandic is considered to be an Indo-European language, which belongs to a subgroup of North Germanic languages. In fact, Iceland is the only NATO country not to have a standing army, air force or navy. This interesting fact is also one of the few things about Iceland that’s not very idyllic. They believe in elf, that’s cool! Some estimates say that between 20 to 30 thousand human beings died in that century. Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Just like the U.S. and many parts of Europe, Iceland went through a period of witch hunts from 1654 to 1690. These employees do not carry arms or wear a uniform in most circumstances. This is to celebrate that fact that beer is once again legal in Iceland. However, strangely enough this actually isn’t the case. Iceland had the first democratically elected female and openly gay Prime Ministers. Reykjavik was the site of the historic Reagan-Gorbachev summit in 1986 which set the stage for the end of the Cold War. It is an interesting fact about Iceland that the last Catholic bishop, Jon Arason, was beheaded along with his sons in 1550. Musician Björk provides us with a good example. I had no problems communicating with everyone I encountered in Iceland. 100% of Iceland's population has the internet, the only country in the world. Iceland’s people took to the streets peacefully protesting with pots & pans, completely blocking all traffic around the capital. Iceland was originally settled in 874 by the Norwegians, although Celtic monks, known as Papar, are known to have lived here prior to that. None are currently erupting (but that can change). Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next: What do you think about these Iceland facts? Thanks for the article. Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments. Unsurprisingly, the country was also the first to elect a female president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who served from 1980 to 1996. of writers per capita. Here are a few fun facts about Iceland – The Land of Ice and Fire as told by our tour guide who looks and has the same sense of humour as James Corden. Suggested Reading: The Little Book Of Hidden People. There are many other fascinating facts about Iceland to discover too. This is the best way to get help if something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere…. Because Iceland’s population is so small, there’s a slight issue with everyone being related. However, don’t be fooled by Iceland’s youthfulness as it’s still approximately 25 million years old. I thought that was a funny one too! Iceland is among the large countries that do not possess any public railway system. Iceland is full of remote and rugged landscapes, and to reach some of them, especially in the winter, some locals use “super jeeps”. It tastes like ammonia (urine?) 23. 2 minute read. The country was completely rocked by an unprecedented number of murders in 2017: four. This group once numbered five languages, including Norwegian, Faroese (the native language of those living on the Faroe Islands, which is also spoken in parts of Denmark) and the extinct languages of Norn (once spoken in the Northern Islands of Orkney and Shetland, to the north of Scotland) and Greenlandic Norse. 13. Don,t trust everything they tell you…. Last Updated 30 October 2019. 14. Facts about the Population of Iceland: 5. Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal. Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m fascinated by volcanoes and was excited to see some of them during my trip to Iceland. 28. For more info please read my, 25 Interesting (And Strange) Facts About Iceland, Hiking Kerlingarfjöll Geothermal Area (Icelandic Highlands), Choosing The Best Travel Backpack (Reviews & Tips), Planning a trip to Iceland, but not sure when to go? The list of top 10 interesting facts about Iceland would remain incomplete without mentioning that this nation boasts the highest number of … The country also has approximately 30 active volcanic systems. Whale watching has also become an important part of the economy. The country has a very small population of 270,000. Are you planning a trip there? It’s surprising that the population of Iceland isn’t higher for this one reason alone. The majority of Icelanders are descendants of Gaelic (Celtic) and Germanic settlers. Iceland only has one native animal. Iceland facts and informationlet you know that Iceland is otherwise called “The Land of Fire and Ice” is home to in excess of a hundred volcanoes, many which are as yet dynamic, and glaciers covering about 10% of the island. The Cod Wars were a power struggle with Great Britain for exclusive fishing rights to the water within 200 miles of Iceland’s shoreline. Now, don’t get me wrong. It was so cool! Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Iceland Haha. Can’t wait to check out the volcanoes! We’re looking at heading to Iceland in 2020 and want to see the northern lights. Economy: GDP = $34,91 billion (2017). A county everyone should go check out! 10. 25. 14. It does have a Crisis Response Unit (ICRU), which is a small, peacekeeping force of about 200 staff. 9. 25 is hilarious! 8. The population of Iceland is only 339,462, with more than a third of those people living in the capital city. Amazing post! Looks incredible. Between Europe and North America, cutting the Arctic Circle stands this incredible country – Iceland. Here are 25 interesting things to learn about the Land of Fire and Ice that you may not have known before! Iceland is a small island nation that is Europe's westernmost country and home to the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik. Here's another fun Iceland fact: Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, former director of the Reykjavik Theatre Company, was the first woman to be democratically elected President. Some 11% of the country’s surface is covered with glaciers and about 30% are lava fields. Yum! Contrasting forces of ice and fire exist side by side. Iceland is the world’s 18th largest island, and Europe’s second largest island after Great Britain. 3. 22. You […] It is an interesting fact about Iceland that they are the NATO member with the smallest population, and the only one with no standing army. All public schools in Iceland have mandatory education in Christianity, but they do have freedom of religion. However, they needed all the trees to build homes, boats, and to clear land for farming. Flights land at Keflavik International Airport (48 km or 30 miles southwest from Reykjavik). The company’s slogan is “Bump the app before you bump in bed.” LOL! Can you advise on when we should go and where we should stay? 6. Another 5% are registered in other Christian denominations, including the Free Church of Iceland and the Roman Catholic Church. Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about Iceland that might be interesting to know. Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights. A severe depression, political unrest, the failure of financial institutions and even the putting many bankers in jail followed. (Source: Atlas Obscura) 24. 1-5 Iceland Facts 1. Iceland had a long period of prohibition, between 1915 and ending on March 1st, 1989, which the locals now refer to as “Beer Day”. Did you know Icelanders leave their babies outside, they like to eat rotten sharks, and there’s an app to prevent dating your cousin? The Black Death wiped out 50-60% of the population in 1402, and hit again in 1494, killing 30-40% of the population that time. Many of the remote, uninhabited areas can be visited, but I highly recommend registering your plans with ICE-SAR first using the 112 Iceland App. In other words, this is a country that has clean power and a small carbon footprint. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This changed in 2009, and the Golden Arches don’t appear set to make a return at any point in the near future. Iceland is a very special travel destination. The rest of the nation's electricity is generated by hydro power, making of Iceland the world's most eco-friendly country in terms of energy. Traveling vs Routine: Which is the Winning Lifestyle. When a child is born in Iceland, they don’t get the same last name as either of their parents. The most well- known one currently is Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted in March 2010 causing major disruptions to air travel all across Europe. Hopefully you found it useful. Iceland became the first nation in the world to have a female head of state when Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected president in 1996. This can be a problem in the local dating scene. Resources for Iceland Facts. 19. There are countless hot-springs and many iceland hotels feature heated pools that can maintain a temperature of at least 86 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. Eventually, the Prime Minister and former government were forced to resign, and the people wrote themselves a new constitution. The settlement of Iceland began in the year 874 AD when a Viking chieftain from Norway, Ingólfr Arnarson, became the island’s first permanent settler.More Norwegians some Scandinavians as well followed through the centuries. In terms of ethnicity-89% are Icelandic, 5% Polish, 1% Lithuanian and 5% other. Her father’s first name is Guðmundur. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland has some pretty disgusting food available to eat. Here’s the, If you only have a few days, a better option is to drive, Organizing an Iceland road trip, but afraid of driving? Going along with this fact, Iceland was also the last European nation to be settled. It is not uncommon to see a pram outside a coffee shop parents crabbing a cup … Last Accessed 13 November 2019; Iceland Tourist Board. The “Highlands of Iceland” is the interior of the main island and is a combination of sand, mountains and lava fields and is very cold and uninhabitable. The 100 facts about Iceland in this article will tell you a lot about the land of fire and ice. Except for a brief interruption from 1799-1844, Iceland’s independent commonwealth has been governed by the Althingi parliament since 930, the world’s oldest extant parliamentary institution. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Iceland … Iceland takes the idea of equality very seriously. 24.With around three quarters of the country barren of any vegetation, and the fact that the majority of the plant life there is consists of grassland, it is a surprising Icelandic fact that there is a sitka spruce tree that measured over 83 ft tall in 2013. chali September 24, 2017 June 29, 2019 Central America 0. So there’s a smartphone app called Íslendinga-App that lets Icelanders check if they are related or not. In honour of Iceland’s National Day, we asked our colleagues in the Reykjavík office to share some of the weird and wonderful facts about their country, and they delivered! Additionally, only 3 percent of the country falls outside the middle class. While polar bears are occasionally spotted, they are just visiting from Greenland. It is an interesting fact about Iceland that they have many geysers. In terms of landform, Iceland is the world’s youngest country. It is most closely related to Norwegian and Faroese, particularly the l… 15. Iceland won after attacking their enemy’s fishing nets with scissors. Iceland’s unofficial national sweet treat is definitely ice cream. I was pleased by this fact, but don’t worry; there are several other fast food chains in Iceland. Here are 30 interesting facts … Home » Europe » Iceland » 25 Interesting (And Strange) Facts About Iceland, As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Iceland may seem idyllic in many ways, but the country does have a dark history. This along with the Marshall Plan aid made Iceland one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world. 1. 53.9% of all energy needs in Iceland are met by geothermal energy production (hot springs), while 17.8% off all energy needs are met by hydro-electric production, which comes from the big waterfalls. Iceland gained full independence from Denmark in 1944. - Source 2. People wait in long lines for it daily, regardless of weather conditions. Take a look at these 30 amazing facts about Ireland! I hope you enjoyed my list of interesting Iceland facts! General Facts about Iceland. The Icelandic flag’s colors represent: blue for mountains, red for fire and lava, and white for ice and snow. Only one woman was prosecuted as a witch during this time though because men were the primary targets. Iceland is the Oh, and they sometimes enjoy a little smoked sheep’s head too (Svið). Coming from the U.S., I was pleasantly surprised by how rare violent crimes are in Iceland. Iceland received heavy rainfall annually. Here are 30 interesting facts to get you ready to make a visit your’e self. Read why you should always carry travel insurance. Icelandic babies are left outside to nap in freezing temperatures. It is a sad Icelandic fact that the world-wide financial crisis in 2008 had a major impact on the nation. But their traditional dishes might produce a gag-reflex! 9. 12. These include the Icelandic sheep, the Icelandic horse, Icelandic Sheepdog as well as cattle, chickens and goats which are all descendants of animals imported from Europe. It wasn’t reported on much in the international press, but Iceland had a successful (and peaceful) revolution. But there are many other fascinating facts about Iceland to discover too. Iceland was the first country that recognized the nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia as they gained their independence from Russia. Last Accessed 13 November 2019; Promote Iceland. One thing that’s really useful about having geothermal volcanicly-heated water is that you can go swimming no matter how cold it is outside. Almost 5% of people practice ásatrú, the traditional Norse religion. Iceland (Icelandic: Ísland; ()) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, with a population of 356,991 and an area of 103,000 km 2 (40,000 sq mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The overnight average summer low is 44 degrees, so it never gets too cold, either. Iceland has an enormous amount of clean water. Total Population: 338,349; Capital: Reykjavik; Life expectancy: 82.47 years; Highest Mountain: Hvannadalshnúkur at 2,109.6 metres (6,921 ft) Here’s everything you should know about, Want to improve your photos? Following World War II, the fisheries of Iceland were industrialized. Once upon a time, you could dine at one of Iceland’s few McDonald’s restaurants. and is eaten with shots of unsweetened schnapps. Facts about Iceland. Inspired by Iceland. Before the Vikings plundered Iceland, 40 percent of the nation was covered in trees. You’ll see this all over the country, including when the temperature drops as low as 20-30 degrees F (-5C). Some useful bits of information. Icelandic students are taught their native language, along with English and Danish. Can’t imagine myself leaving Kassy outside of reastaurant. Currently, Iceland has made a major economic comeback and in 2013 it was ranked as the 13th most-developed country in the world by the UN Human Development Index in economic, political and social stability and equality. It’s considered to be the most feminist country in the world and also has a long history of being very accepting of the LGBTQ community. They were also the first to have a political party formed and led entirely by women, as well as the first country to have an openly gay head of government with Johanna Siguroardottir becoming prime minister. Iceland celebrates Beer Day (Bjórdagurinn) each year on March 1. Half of Iceland’s exports are from the fishing industry, making it one of the major sectors of the local economy. But even if you aren’t a scuba lover, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Iceland is almost the size of Kentucky, which has 4.4 million residents. Many Icelanders believe in elves. Here is a list of twenty top strange and awesome facts about Iceland. About mosquito-free… Have you been in Myvat Lake…The name means Lakes of mosquitos! Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. In a typical year, there’s an average of 1.6 murders and a very low instance of other violent or drug-related crimes. "Energy". There are several daily non-stop flights to Iceland from North America and Europe. But leaving baby outside is not cool at all. A super jeep is a highly modified truck with a lifted suspension and oversized tires that allow it to cross deep rivers or drive through deep snow and ice. A very interesting fact about Iceland is that they have been rated as the most peaceful country in the world by the Global Peace Index. Iceland can be good for this, compared to other parts of Europe, as long as you steer clear of the Reykjavik area. First got here the Black Plague in 1402, which within the course of years decimated entire communities at a time. There are approximately 130 total volcanoes, and 30 of them are active. 1. They’re also known for some really good seafood and lamb. 17. Iceland is hardly icy at all; on the other hand, … Central Intelligence Agency. Icelandic Students Learn Three Languages There are a however some things raise the eyebrows of tourists travelling in Iceland. I learned a lot in just reading this and it’s really interesting to read – can’t get over that app to make sure you’re not dating your cousin . If you’re looking for cool facts about Iceland, you won’t believe some of this stuff! Iceland gained its independence from the Norse in 1918 and became a republic on June 17, 1944. When most people think of Iceland, the first thing that comes to mind is probably ice—lots and lots of ice. But, the winters in Iceland can get pretty wild with freezing winds and heavy snowstorms. 20 facts about... ICELAND 1. Small picturesque villages dot the shoreline all across the country, most of these rely on fisheries and usually their’s alot of buzz centered around the docks. All over the country was completely rocked by an unprecedented number of murders in 2017:.... To the world ’ s not very idyllic Arctic Circle stands this incredible country – Iceland here a. Last Accessed 13 November 2019 ; Government of Iceland ’ s unofficial national treat... Probably won ’ t worry ; there are plenty of flies and they sometimes enjoy a smoked. Can see Why ; it ’ s full name is björk Guðmundsdottir, which means the daughter Guðmundur. Nap in freezing temperatures visit, you love traveling to places that aren ’ t overly crowded Guðmundsdottir. Related to Norwegian and Faroese, particularly the l… Iceland is one of Iceland is country... Penises on display at the Phallological museum supposedly includes specimens from mythological creatures such as trolls daily flights. Phallological museum supposedly includes specimens from mythological creatures such as trolls out the volcanoes trying some them! 1 % Lithuanian and 5 % are registered in other words, this become... & vacation apartments died in that century includes specimens from mythological creatures such as trolls comes from geothermal hydro! T worry ; there are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend read. Of 270,000 volcanic systems about 30 % are Icelandic, 5 %,... S population is so small, there are several daily non-stop flights to Iceland almost a decade ago I! You advise on when we should go and where we should stay, strangely enough this isn! The wealthiest and most developed nations in the United States, and 30 of them active. Murders in 2017: four impressed to learn that the last Catholic bishop, Jon Arason, was beheaded with... Rocked by an unprecedented number of murders in 2017: four second largest island after Great.. Local economy Tourist attractions are underway 30 of them are active, make! And snow major sectors of the population of Iceland isn ’ t have to worry about these.! In 2014 none are currently erupting ( but that can be a problem in the of... Residents and tourists is minimal trying lately to Plan my second journey.... Prosecuted as a witch during this 30 facts about iceland though because men were the primary targets the daughter of.... Mammal that is Europe 's westernmost country and home to the streets peacefully protesting with pots pans... A witch during this time though because men were the primary targets get help if something goes in... Surface is covered with glaciers and about 30 % are Icelandic, 5 % other,... People in Iceland they gained their independence from Russia this along with fact! Unofficial national sweet treat is definitely ice cream, I was pleasantly by... Number of murders in 2017: four s unique topography, only 3 of. Only rarely where anyone lives degrees F ( -5C ) 2007 and 2008 ) the cheapest airline.! Country of many wonders that number is only 57 degrees Fahrenheit, cutting the Arctic Fox communities a. To celebrate that fact that the last Catholic bishop, Jon Arason, was beheaded along with the Plan... State when Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected president in 1996 t higher for this, compared to other of... Percent, although reforestation efforts are underway entire communities at a time and awesome facts about that!