In other words, this is a country that has clean power and a small carbon footprint. Iceland is really high on my list of places to explore, for tons of awesome reasons, first and foremost, the diving in Silfra between the continental plates. There are countless hot-springs and many iceland hotels feature heated pools that can maintain a temperature of at least 86 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík.Reykjavík and the surrounding areas in the southwest of the country are home to over two-thirds of the population. I learned a lot in just reading this and it’s really interesting to read – can’t get over that app to make sure you’re not dating your cousin . Iceland facts here! Before the Vikings plundered Iceland, 40 percent of the nation was covered in trees. 53.9% of all energy needs in Iceland are met by geothermal energy production (hot springs), while 17.8% off all energy needs are met by hydro-electric production, which comes from the big waterfalls. This is the best way to get help if something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere…. However, don’t be fooled by Iceland’s youthfulness as it’s still approximately 25 million years old. #10- Highest no. We’re looking at heading to Iceland in 2020 and want to see the northern lights. Most of Iceland’s roads are paved, but for the off-road trails that go into the central highlands, these jeeps make it possible to travel in the winter. Between Europe and North America, cutting the Arctic Circle stands this incredible country – Iceland. Here are a few fun facts about Iceland – The Land of Ice and Fire as told by our tour guide who looks and has the same sense of humour as James Corden. The island of Kolbeinsey holds the northernmost point of the country. Last Accessed 13 November 2019; Government of Iceland. It does have a Crisis Response Unit (ICRU), which is a small, peacekeeping force of about 200 staff. 30. Some of them sting. Instead, their last name is derived from their father or mother’s first name. Did you know Icelanders leave their babies outside, they like to eat rotten sharks, and there’s an app to prevent dating your cousin? One thing that’s really useful about having geothermal volcanicly-heated water is that you can go swimming no matter how cold it is outside. 20. A super jeep is a highly modified truck with a lifted suspension and oversized tires that allow it to cross deep rivers or drive through deep snow and ice. Iceland even has an official Elf School where you can learn about Icelandic elf history. In terms of ethnicity-89% are Icelandic, 5% Polish, 1% Lithuanian and 5% other. Take a look at these 30 amazing facts about Ireland! Iceland is made up of the main island and thirty minor islands, including the archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar and the lightly populated island of Grimsey. The World Fact Book. Usually a temperate country, not too hot or cold, the highest temperature recorded was 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) at the Eastern fjords in 1939. The stargazing is breathtaking, the local cuisine is unusual and locals are often happy to share one of the area’s entertaining legends and myths. Iceland is a very special travel destination. Only one woman was prosecuted as a witch during this time though because men were the primary targets. This is no surprise considering that Iceland’s diverse topography enables people to visit black beaches, blue glaciers, and roaring waterfalls, along with whale watching and the opportunity to see the mysterious Northern Lights. After trying some of their homemade ice cream, I can see why; it’s delicious! Such a pity that it is so expensive…. It is not uncommon to see a pram outside a coffee shop parents crabbing a cup … Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments. The 100 facts about Iceland in this article will tell you a lot about the land of fire and ice. 19. Ireland may be famous for their Luck and Leprechauns, but there's much more to this beautiful island. Iceland is almost the size of Kentucky, which has 4.4 million residents. A lightly armed coast guard is the only national defense. You’ll see this all over the country, including when the temperature drops as low as 20-30 degrees F (-5C). This group once numbered five languages, including Norwegian, Faroese (the native language of those living on the Faroe Islands, which is also spoken in parts of Denmark) and the extinct languages of Norn (once spoken in the Northern Islands of Orkney and Shetland, to the north of Scotland) and Greenlandic Norse. None are currently erupting (but that can change). 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