Interesting Facts About Iceland
Iceland is a stunning Nordic island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean, and it is home to some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the world. With its vast glaciers, volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, and the Aurora Borealis, Iceland is truly a wonder to behold. But there is much more to this country than meets the eye. Here are 30 interesting facts about Iceland that you may not know.
Iceland is the oldest democracy in the world, with a parliament that has been in continuous operation since 930 AD. It boasts the world’s oldest existing parliament, the Althing, which is over 1000 years old.
Iceland has no official army. Instead, the country relies on a small police force and a coast guard to protect its borders. The country is a member of NATO and it allows the organization to station troops and warplanes on the island if the need arises.
Iceland is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with a population of just over 330,000 people. That’s about the same population as the city of Wichita, Kansas.
Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, with just 1.8 homicides per 100,000 people. The country also has very low levels of corruption and very little financial crime.
The Althing, the world’s oldest parliamentary assembly, has been in continuous operation since 930 AD. It has been the legislative body of Iceland since the nation’s independence in 1944.
Vatnajökull, located in the south of Iceland, is Europe’s largest glacier. It covers an area of 8,100 square kilometers and is the largest icecap outside of the polar regions.
Iceland has some of the cleanest air in the world, thanks to its lack of industry and its reliance on clean energy sources. The country is almost entirely powered by geothermal and hydroelectric energy.
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland, and it is one of the oldest languages in the world. It is a Germanic language, closely related to Norwegian and Faroese.
The oldest known living tree in the world is an Iceland spruce located in the south of Iceland. The tree is over 1,000 years old, and it is believed to be the oldest living organism in the world.
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active places in the world, with over 30 active volcanoes. The country is home to some of the largest and most powerful eruptions in recorded history, including the 1783 eruption of Laki that killed over 10,000 people.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most powerful geysers, including the Great Geysir which was the first geyser to be described in a printed source. The country has over 500 active geysers, making it one of the most geyser-rich countries in the world.
Icelandic cuisine is unique and distinctive, with dishes such as skyr (a type of yogurt), hákarl (fermented shark), and hangikjöt (smoked lamb). The country also has a distinct coffee culture, with coffee being served in cafés and bars throughout the country.
Iceland has a rich literary tradition, with writers such as Snorri Sturluson, Halldór Laxness, and Jón Kalman Stefánsson all having a major impact on world literature. The country has also produced some of the world’s best-selling authors, such as crime writer Arnaldur Indriðason.
Iceland is home to the world’s largest puffin colony, with over 8 million puffins living in the country. Puffins are native to Iceland, and they are a popular tourist attraction.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful waterfalls, including the famous Gullfoss Waterfall. The country is also home to the world’s tallest waterfall, Glymur, which is over 200 meters tall.
Iceland is home to the world’s oldest known geyser, Grjótagjá, which is over 3,000 years old. Grjótagjá is located in the north of Iceland, and it is a popular tourist attraction.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city, located just south of the Arctic Circle. The city is home to over 120,000 people, and it is the cultural and economic center of the country.
The Althing, the world’s oldest continuously-operating parliament, has been in continuous operation since 930 AD. It is Iceland’s legislature, and it is responsible for all matters of law in the country.
Iceland has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with a GDP per capita of over $60,000. The country also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with an average life expectancy of over 81 years.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most powerful hot springs, including the Great Geysir and the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is the world’s most visited hot spring, and it is a popular tourist attraction.
Iceland is home to Europe’s largest desert, the Mývatn Desert. The desert covers an area of over 600 square kilometers, and it is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the world.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes, including the infamous Eyjafjallajökull, which caused massive disruption to air travel in 2010. The country has over 30 active volcanoes, and it is one of the most volcanically active places in the world.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s largest glaciers, including the Vatnajökull Glacier which covers an area of over 8,100 square kilometers. The country is also home to some of the world’s most spectacular ice caves, which are popular tourist attractions.
Jökulsárlón is the world’s only glacier-fed lake, located in the south of Iceland. The lake is home to some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, and it is a popular tourist attraction.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most stunning waterfalls, including the iconic Gullfoss Waterfall and the powerful Seljalandsfoss Waterfall. The country is also home to some of the world’s most impressive glacial rivers, including the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city, located just south of the Arctic Circle. The city is home to over 120,000 people, and it is the cultural and economic center of the country.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most impressive hot springs, including the Blue Lagoon and the Mývatn Nature Baths. The country is also home to some of the world’s most powerful geothermal power plants, which supply the majority of the country’s electricity needs.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most stunning glaciers, including the Vatnajökull Glacier and the Langjökull Glacier. The country is also home to some of the world’s most spectacular ice caves, which are popular tourist attractions.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most beautiful lagoons, including the popular Blue Lagoon and the lesser-known Mývatn Nature Baths. The country is also home to some of the world’s most spectacular glacial rivers, including the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.
Iceland is home to some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes, including the majestic glaciers, powerful waterfalls, and the majestic Aurora Borealis. The country is also home to some of the world’s most impressive geothermal hot springs, which are popular tourist attractions.
Iceland is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. From its stunning glaciers and volcanoes, to its vibrant cities and unique cuisine, there is no shortage of interesting facts about Iceland. Whether you’re planning a visit or just looking for some interesting trivia, this list of 30 interesting facts about Iceland should help you get to know the country a bit better.
