Skip to content

Iceland Country Guide

Overview

Located on the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the country of Iceland. The country serves as a midway between North America and Europe. Contrary to its name, the country of Iceland is actually a land where fire and ice have shaped and formed this remarkable country. Travelers visiting Iceland are left mystified as they are greeted with a landscape where one can find hot volcanic springs almost right beside towering glaciers.

Much of the inhabitants of Iceland are situated right along the edges of the country, leaving the center part of the island uninhabited. The southern region of Iceland is comprised of farmlands, numerous lakes, rivers and breathtaking waterfalls. Because of its close proximity to the Gulf Stream, the climate in this country is extremely diverse. The lowlands of the south experience mild and breezy temperatures where snowfall is sparse. The northern region of the country, on the other hand, is home to harsher and colder temperatures.

Iceland was initially settled by travelers from Norway back in the 9th century. Since then, the country has been one where equality continuous to thrive. It is surprising for many travelers that visit the country of Iceland that despite the harsh climates and surroundings, the locals here in this country enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. 80% of the locals live in their own homes. The government amply provides the locals with a number of benefits including free education, social security and healthcare services.

Another interesting fact about Iceland is its economy. While its economy relies heavily on the export of various fish products, 11% of the workforce living in the country earns their living through farming and agriculture. Majority of these people are shepherds while the others tend to growing various crops.

If you are planning to visit Iceland, the best place to begin your journey is in the capital city of Reykjavik. It serves not just as the hub of commerce, industry and administration in Iceland. The capital city of Reykjavik is the center of culture with numerous attractions offering tourists a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the country.

One of the top tourist attractions worth visiting is the Blue Lagoon. This naturally heated pool contains rich mineral sea water which has been found to be extremely healthy to your skin. Each year, tourists and locals visit the Blue Lagoon and bathe in its warm waters to relax and unwind. Apart from being a prime tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon has also been responsible from providing geothermal and hydroelectric energy which powers the entire country.

Another tourist attraction you should not miss during your visit to Iceland is the numerous glaciers that surround the country. One-tenth of the entire country is covered with glaciers, many of which are considered as the largest glaciers in all of Europe. The largest of which is the Vatnajokull glacier located on the southeastern side of the country and covering an area of more than 8,000 square kilometers.

Iceland Regions

Latest Wiki Updates

Latest Iceland Trip Insights

There are no Iceland articles at this time.

Iceland Pictures

There are no Iceland pictures at this time.

Top Iceland Attractions



Advertisement

Simple stock market strategy for better returns
SmartMoneyUp.com