Iceland Facts
If you’re looking for cool facts almost Iceland, yous won’t believe some of this stuff! Did yous know Icelanders go out their babies outside, they similar to consume rotten sharks, together with there’s an app to forestall dating your cousin?
Tourism has exploded inwards Republic of Iceland recently, together with this Nordic isle Earth directly entertains to a greater extent than than 2 meg visitors annually.
This is no surprise considering that Iceland’s various topography enables people to see dark beaches, bluish glaciers, together with roaring waterfalls, along alongside whale watching together with the chance to consider the mysterious Northern Lights.
There are many other fascinating facts almost Iceland to discovery too. Here are 25 interesting things to acquire almost the Land of Fire together with Ice that yous may non receive got known before! Plus some full general information that tin live useful for planning a trip.
Feel costless to portion these facts at your adjacent cocktail party, to brand yourself await smart.
Intriguing Facts About Iceland
1. There Aren’t Many People
If you’re similar me, yous beloved traveling to places that aren’t overly crowded. Republic of Iceland tin live goodness for this, compared to other parts of Europe, every bit long every bit yous steer clear of the Reykjavik area. The population of Republic of Iceland is simply 339,462, alongside to a greater extent than than a 3rd of those people living inwards the uppercase city. Republic of Iceland is almost the size of Kentucky, which has 4.4 meg residents. While tourism has boomed over the lastly 10 years, at that spot are even thence plenty of places to explore where you’ll live generally alone.
(Source: WorldOMeters)
2. Republic of Iceland Is An Eco-Friendly Country
I was really impressed to acquire that the vast bulk of Iceland’s ability render comes from geothermal together with hydro energy. In other words, this is a Earth that has create clean ability together with a minor carbon footprint. Iceland’s scientists are currently working on a way to harness to a greater extent than geothermal liberate energy every bit purpose of a conception that could alter the entire world.
(Source: Time Magazine)
3. Icelanders Believe In Elves
Surveys betoken that 54.4 per centum of the patch believes inwards the existence of huldufólk, invisible elves & trolls living inwards the countryside, alongside many others beingness at to the lowest degree opened upwards to the possibility. You tin fifty-fifty consider bear witness of this belief during your trip to Republic of Iceland inwards the minor wooden álfhól “elf houses” that some people create for the elves to alive in. Republic of Iceland fifty-fifty has an official Elf School where yous tin acquire almost Icelandic elf history.
(Source: The Atlantic)
4. McDonald’s Doesn’t Exist In Iceland
Once upon a time, yous could dine at 1 of Iceland’s few McDonald’s restaurants. This changed inwards 2009, together with the Golden Arches don’t appear laid to brand a render at whatever dot inwards the close future. I was pleased yesteryear this fact, but don’t worry; at that spot are several other fast nutrient chains inwards Iceland. Hotdogs are peculiarly pop there!
(Source: The Reykjavik Grapevine)
5. Republic of Iceland Is One Of The Safest Countries
Coming from the U.S., I was pleasantly surprised yesteryear how rare trigger-happy crimes are inwards Iceland. How rare, yous ask? The Earth was completely rocked yesteryear an unprecedented number of murders inwards 2017: four. In a typical year, there’s an average of 1.6 murders together with a really depression instance of other trigger-happy or drug-related crimes.
(Source: The Guardian)
6. It Was Once Covered In Trees
This interesting fact is also 1 of the few things almost Republic of Iceland that’s non really idyllic. Before the Vikings plundered Iceland, xl per centum of the patch was covered inwards trees. However, they needed all the trees to create homes, boats, together with to clear Earth for farming. Now, that number is simply ii percent, although reforestation efforts are underway.
(Source: Treehugger)
7. Republic of Iceland Is Mosquito-Free!
Mosquitoes tin brand life piteous at times inwards the U.S., thence I was thrilled to abide by out that Republic of Iceland is 1 of the world’s few mosquito-free environments. No affair what fourth dimension of twelvemonth yous visit, yous won’t receive got to worry almost these pests. It’s surprising that the population of Republic of Iceland isn’t higher for this 1 argue alone.
(Source: The New York Times)
8. They Eat Some Nasty Stuff
Iceland has some pretty disgusting nutrient available to eat. Now, don’t acquire me wrong. They’re also known for some genuinely goodness seafood together with lamb. But their traditional dishes powerfulness hit a gag-reflex! The most famous has to live Hakarl, or fermented shark. This materials is buried hush-hush for 6-12 weeks, thence hung out to dry out inwards the sun. It tastes similar ammonia (urine?) together with is eaten alongside shots of unsweetened schnapps. Yum! Oh, together with they sometimes bask a petty smoked sheep’s caput besides (Svið).
(Source: CNN Travel)
9. There Are No Traditional Last Names
When a youngster is born inwards Iceland, they don’t acquire the same lastly holler every bit either of their parents. Instead, their lastly holler is derived from their begetter or mother’s outset name. Musician Björk provides us alongside a goodness example. Her father’s outset holler is Guðmundur. Björk’s total holler is Björk Guðmundsdottir, which agency the fille of Guðmundur.
(Source: Culture Trip)
10. Republic of Iceland Had H5N1 Peaceful Revolution
It wasn’t reported on much inwards the international press, but Republic of Iceland had a successful (and peaceful) revolution. In 2008, the country’s banking organization collapsed, unemployment skyrocketed, together with citizens were worried supermarkets would run out of food. Iceland’s people took to the streets peacefully protesting alongside pots & pans, completely blocking all traffic around the capital. Eventually, the Prime Minister together with onetime regime were forced to resign, together with the people wrote themselves a novel constitution.
(Source: Collective Evolution)
11. Republic of Iceland Is An Egalitarian Society
Iceland takes the view of equality really seriously. It’s considered to live the most feminist Earth inwards the basis together with also has a long history of beingness really accepting of the LGBTQ community. Additionally, simply iii per centum of the Earth falls exterior the middle class.
(Source: The Guardian)
12. Temperatures Are Usually Mild
Iceland is a perfect alternative for summertime go every bit the average high temperature is simply 57 degrees Fahrenheit. The overnight average summertime depression is 44 degrees, thence it never gets besides cold, either. But, the winters inwards Republic of Iceland tin acquire pretty wild alongside freezing winds together with heavy snowstorms.
(Source: Weather Spark)
13. Babies Nap Outside Alone
You belike won’t receive got to worry almost listening to a infant vociferation within restaurants inwards Iceland. It shocks many people, but it’s a mutual do to go out babies exterior inwards their strollers. You’ll consider this all over the country, including when the temperature drops every bit depression every bit 20-30 degrees F (-5C).
(Source: The Reykjavik Grapevine)
14. People Swim In The Winter
One thing that’s genuinely useful almost having geothermal volcanicly-heated H2O is that yous tin drib dead swimming no affair how mutual depression temperature it is outside. There are countless hot-springs together with many iceland hotels characteristic heated pools that tin maintain a temperature of at to the lowest degree 86 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
(Source: Culture Trip)
15. There Are xxx Active Volcanoes
I’m fascinated yesteryear volcanoes together with was excited to consider some of them during my trip to Iceland. Including flying over an active eruption of the Holuhraun lava plain inwards 2014. It was thence cool! There are some 130 total volcanoes, together with xxx of them are active. None are currently erupting (but that tin change). Scientists receive got gotten thence goodness at predicting volcanic eruptions that the run a hazard to residents together with tourists is minimal.
(Source: Guide to Iceland)
16. You Can Visit H5N1 Very Weird Museum
Before I went to Iceland, I’d never imagined that at that spot would live an entire museum dedicated to penises. Even odder, the collection of 200 penises on display at the Phallological Museum supposedly includes specimens from mythological creatures such every bit trolls.
17. Republic of Iceland Elected The First Female President
As previously mentioned, Republic of Iceland leads the basis inwards feminism. Unsurprisingly, the Earth was also the outset to elect a woman somebody president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who served from 1980 to 1996. Icelanders also elected an openly gay adult woman every bit their prime number government minister inwards 2009.
(Source: The Guardian)
18. Homemade Ice Cream Is Everywhere
Iceland’s unofficial national sugariness process is definitely H2O ice cream. People hold off inwards long lines for it daily, regardless of weather condition conditions. After trying some of their homemade H2O ice cream, I tin consider why; it’s delicious!
19. Republic of Iceland Once Hunted Male Witches
Iceland may seem idyllic inwards many ways, but the Earth does receive got a dark history. Just similar the the States together with many parts of Europe, Republic of Iceland went through a menstruation of witch hunts from 1654 to 1690. Only 1 adult woman was prosecuted every bit a witch during this fourth dimension though because men were the primary targets.
(Source: What’s On)
20. Super Jeeps Are H5N1 Thing
Iceland is total of remote together with rugged landscapes, together with to attain some of them, especially inwards the winter, some locals utilization “super jeeps”. H5N1 super jeep is a highly modified truck alongside a lifted interruption together with oversized tires that allow it to cross deep rivers or drive through deep snowfall together with ice. Most of Iceland’s roads are paved, but for the off-road trails that drib dead into the fundamental highlands, these jeeps acquire inwards possible to go inwards the winter.
(Source: GT Planet)
21. Republic of Iceland Is Young
In terms of landform, Republic of Iceland is the world’s youngest country. Going along alongside this fact, Republic of Iceland was also the lastly European patch to live settled. However, don’t live fooled yesteryear Iceland’s youthfulness every bit it’s even thence some 25 meg years old.
(Source: Go Icelandic)
22. Most Of The Country Is Uninhabited
Due to Iceland’s unique topography, simply xx per centum of it is genuinely inhabited yesteryear humans. Many of the remote, uninhabited areas tin live visited, but I highly recommend registering your plans alongside ICE-SAR outset using the 112 Republic of Iceland App. This is the best way to acquire assist if something goes incorrect inwards the middle of nowhere…
23. Republic of Iceland Has No Military
Iceland doesn’t receive got a military machine together with has simply fought inwards 1 conflict. The Cod Wars were a ability scrap alongside Great U.K. for exclusive angling rights to the H2O within 200 miles of Iceland’s shoreline. Republic of Iceland won later attacking their enemy’s angling nets alongside scissors.
(Source: Atlas Obscura)
24. Icelandic Students Learn Three Languages
Icelandic students are taught their native language, along alongside English linguistic communication together with Danish. It’s estimated that at to the lowest degree fourscore per centum of immature students tin empathize basic English, together with some people claim that every bit many every bit 98 per centum of adults are fluent inwards multiple languages. I had no problems communicating alongside everyone I encountered inwards Iceland.
(Source: Statistics Iceland)
25. There’s An App To Prevent Dating Your Cousin
Because Iceland’s population is thence small, there’s a slight number alongside everyone beingness related. This tin live a job inwards the local dating scene. So there’s a smartphone app called Íslendinga-App that lets Icelanders cheque if they are related or not. The company’s slogan is “Bump the app earlier yous bump inwards bed.” LOL!
(Source: MentalFloss)
Iceland is a really special go destination. The stargazing is breathtaking, the local cuisine is odd together with locals are oft happy to portion 1 of the area’s entertaining legends together with myths. ★
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to assist yous start packing for your trip. Pick upwards a go backpack, photographic boob tube camera gear, together with other useful go accessories.
Book Your Flight
Book inexpensive flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to abide by deals. Also read my tips for how I abide by the cheapest flights.
Rent H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a corking site for comparison machine prices to abide by the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies. Also read my tips for driving inwards Iceland.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my post for tips on booking inexpensive hotels.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget go insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than almost why yous should ever bear go insurance.
Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Iceland
Suggested Reading: The Little Book Of Hidden People
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READ MORE FROM ICELAND
My Golden Circle Day Trip Guide
Helpful Tips For Driving In Iceland
7-Day Republic of Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
Iceland’s Best Photography Locations
Are yous planning a trip to Iceland? What hit yous recall almost these Republic of Iceland facts? Drop me a message inwards the comments below!
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