Iceland

Iceland is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.  It lies east of Greenland and just south of the Arctic Circle and is bounded by the Greenland Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean.  The main part of the country is rugged and covered with glaciers and snowfields as well as thermal springs, rivers, lakes, mountains and even live volcanoes and lava fields.   There are very few trees remaining in the country because of logging activities plus the harsh climate and volcanic activity.  The coastal areas are the most populated, where the land is fertile.  Half of the total population lives in or close to Reykjavik, the capital and largest city.  The currency is the Icelandic Krona.  Languages spoken include Icelandic, other Nordic languages, English and German.  Iceland joined NATO in 1949

Iceland has a harsh climate and is not a place for the faint hearted but is certainly the place to go if you want clean air and natural beauty, so if you are up for some real adventure then pack your bags.  There are plenty of hostels and camp sites for use during warmer times. Some of the places you must visit include Thingvellir National Park, where the world’s oldest parliament is located, the huge waterfall at Gullfoss and the geyser at the place aptly named Geysir.  The Vikings settled Iceland in the 9-10th centuries.

Some popular activities in Iceland include swimming in the thermal pools – even during the coldest winter day.   Fishing for trout and salmon are popular pastimes, as well as ice fishing, and golf is also popular during summer when many games tee off at midnight - when the sun does not set.  River rafting and snowmobiling are also popular.  For nature lovers there will be no sightings of polar bears, but you could see arctic foxes, reindeer, Icelandic horses and whales.  Whale watching trips are popular and claim a high success rate of sightings. 

You will have heard of the famous singer Björk who is Icelandic by birth.

Links:  www.icelandtouristboard.com  www.visiticeland.com

Reykjavik

Located on the western side of the country is the capital city of Reykjavik.  It is the world’s most northern capital city and located on a peninsula in the Atlantic Ocean.  In summer you can watch in awe as the sun never sets but merely dips below the horizon before rising again.  It is a modern city and the old town part is where the original settlement was located.   There are modern shops and you can get a good view of the city from the tower of the church.  Take a snap of the statue of the famous explorer Leif Eriksson.  The National Museum is packed with relics and tools dating back to the original settlers of the areas, which gives a good insight into the history of the land.  The city has many thermal mineral springs, so there are plenty of ways to keep warm in winter, aside from the nightlife, drinks and hearty food. 

Link:  www.visitreykjavik.is

European Guide

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