Discover Fascinating Facts about Iceland

Iceland is home to the world’s oldest parliament, which was established in 930 AD.

Iceland is one of the few countries without an army.

Iceland has more waterfalls per square kilometer than any other country in the world.

The hot water in Iceland smells like rotten eggs due to the high sulfur content.

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, can often be seen in Iceland’s clear night skies.

The country’s population is just over 360,000, making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe.

Icelanders believe in the existence of mythical creatures such as elves and trolls.

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city, is the world’s northernmost capital.

Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.

The Blue Lagoon is a famous geothermal spa in Iceland that is rich in minerals and said to have healing properties.

The country is known for its diverse and unique bird species, including puffins and arctic terns.

Icelanders consume more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation.

Iceland is known for its incredible natural landscapes, including glaciers, volcanoes, and geysers.

Despite its name, Iceland is not covered in ice; it is actually quite green during the summer months.

Iceland is a popular filming location for movies and TV shows, including Game of Thrones and Interstellar.

Iceland has the world’s highest concentration of volcanoes, with over 30 active volcanic systems.

Discover Fascinating Facts about Iceland part 2

The Icelandic language has changed very little throughout the centuries and is similar to Old Norse.

The country runs on 100% renewable energy, with over 80% of its electricity coming from geothermal and hydroelectric sources.

Iceland has a unique Christmas tradition called Jólabókaflóð, where books are exchanged as gifts on Christmas Eve.

The Icelandic horse is a distinct breed known for its small stature, thick coat, and ability to perform five natural gaits.

Iceland has one of the most gender-equal societies in the world, with a high percentage of women in leadership positions.

The famous musician Björk is from Iceland and has achieved worldwide recognition for her avant-garde music.

Iceland has a high literacy rate, with virtually everyone over the age of 16 being able to read and write.

The Icelandic national sport is handball, and the men’s national team has achieved great success internationally.

Iceland is home to the Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest ice cap in Europe by volume.

The country has a strong tradition of storytelling, with many Icelandic sagas and folktales still being passed down through generations.

Iceland has a tradition of eating fermented shark, known as hákarl, which has a strong ammonia taste.

The country experiences unique weather phenomena such as wind hells, where extremely strong winds can make it difficult to walk.

Reykjavik is known for its vibrant nightlife and has a wide range of bars and clubs to cater to all tastes.

Iceland’s national dish is called þorramatur and consists of various traditional Icelandic foods, including fermented shark and sour ram testicles.

Iceland has a low crime rate, making it one of the safest countries to live in.

The summer months in Iceland experience almost 24 hours of daylight, while the winter months have very limited sunlight.

Icelanders have a tradition called jólabókaflóð, wherein people exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the evening reading.

Iceland has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, with an average life expectancy of over 82 years.

Iceland’s tourism has boomed in recent years, with more tourists annually than the total population of the country.

The unique geothermal energy in Iceland is used not only for heating, but also for growing crops such as bananas and tomatoes.

Iceland ranks high in numerous global indexes, including the Global Peace Index and the Human Development Index.

The Icelandic language has a complex grammatical structure, including the use of four cases.

Icelanders celebrate the arrival of summer with a holiday called Sumardagurinn fyrsti on the first Thursday of April.

Icelanders have a tradition of eating a type of bread called laufabrauð, which is intricately decorated and eaten during the Christmas season.

Icelandic folklore includes tales of hidden people known as huldufólk, who are believed to be invisible and live in nature.

The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in Iceland is where scenes from movies like Batman Begins and James Bond: Die Another Day were filmed.

The Icelandic national costume, known as þjóðbúningur, is worn on special occasions and reflects traditional clothing styles.

Iceland is home to the world’s largest population of puffins, with around 60% of the global puffin population residing in the country.

Iceland is a geologically active country, with numerous earthquakes occurring each day, although most are not noticeable to humans.