Fascinating Facts about Iceland
Iceland is known as the Land of Fire and Ice due to its volcanoes and glaciers.
The country has a population of just over 360,000 people.
Iceland has no forests, but it does have large moss-covered lava fields.
Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is the world’s most northern capital city.
The country is home to the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull.
Icelanders believe in elves and trolls, and many respect their mythical presence.
The language spoken in Iceland, Icelandic, has changed very little over the centuries.
Iceland does not have any McDonald’s restaurants.
Nearly 80% of Iceland’s energy comes from renewable sources, primarily geothermal power.
The country has one of the highest literacy rates in the world.
Iceland has the most active volcano area in Europe, with over 30 active volcanic systems.
Icelandic horses are a unique breed known for their sure-footedness and five gaits.
The country experiences up to 24 hours of daylight during the summer months.
Icelanders have a tradition called Jólabókaflóð, which translates to Christmas Book Flood, where books are exchanged as gifts on Christmas Eve.
Iceland is home to the world’s first parliament, the Alþingi, established in 930 AD.
The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions.
Iceland has no mosquitoes, due to its cold climate.
Fascinating Facts about Iceland part 2
The country has a tradition of eating fermented shark, known as hákarl.
Iceland’s national dish is called Þorramatur, consisting of traditional Icelandic delicacies.
The Icelandic Phallological Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to phalluses.
Icelandic people are known for their strong coffee consumption.
10% of Iceland’s population will publish a book in their lifetime.
The country has more writers and books published per capita than any other nation.
Iceland does not have any railway systems.
Many scenes from the popular TV series Game of Thrones were filmed in Iceland.
Iceland is home to 30 active volcanic systems, including Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 20
The country has more than 10,000 waterfalls, including the famous Gullfoss.
Icelanders are big consumers of candy, especially licorice.
The language has a unique feature called Icelandization, where foreign words are adapted to fit Icelandic grammar.
Iceland’s famous hot dogs are made from a combination of lamb, pork, and beef.
The country has no standing army but does have a militarized coast guard.
Icelanders have a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year’s Eve called Áramótaskaup.
The country has a high number of swimming pools, with one in almost every town.
The majority of Icelandic people believe in the existence of elves.
Iceland is home to the world’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss.
The country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
Iceland’s flag is one of the oldest flags in the world, dating back to the 13th century.
The famous Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can often be seen in Iceland during winter.
The country’s currency is the Icelandic króna.
Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
Icelanders have a unique naming system, using patronymics rather than family names.
Dried fish, called harðfiskur, is a popular snack in Iceland.
The country has more sheep than people, with around 460,000 sheep.
Despite its name, Iceland is relatively mild in terms of temperature due to the Gulf Stream.
The country has some of the cleanest air and water in the world.