It is an interesting fact about Iceland that they are the NATO member with the smallest population, and the only one with no standing army. A severe depression, political unrest, the failure of financial institutions and even the putting many bankers in jail followed. As previously mentioned, Iceland leads the world in feminism. 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. Mosquitoes can make life miserable at times in the U.S., so I was thrilled to find out that Iceland is one of the world’s few mosquito-free environments. None are currently erupting (but that can change). 2. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I was pleased by this fact, but don’t worry; there are several other fast food chains in Iceland. They have also been ranked 2nd for the highest quality of life in the world according to the Economist Intelligence Index of 2011, and one of the happiest countries in the world according to OECD. Iceland has some pretty disgusting food available to eat. Last Accessed 13 November 2019; Government of Iceland. The Black Death wiped out 50-60% of the population in 1402, and hit again in 1494, killing 30-40% of the population that time. (Source: Atlas Obscura) 24. A county everyone should go check out! 2 minute read. But, the winters in Iceland can get pretty wild with freezing winds and heavy snowstorms. Suggested Reading: The Little Book Of Hidden People. When a child is born in Iceland, they don’t get the same last name as either of their parents. "About Iceland". 18. Here are 30 interesting facts … Can’t imagine myself leaving Kassy outside of reastaurant. 5. Only one woman was prosecuted as a witch during this time though because men were the primary targets. The majority of Icelanders are descendants of Gaelic (Celtic) and Germanic settlers. Iceland only has one native animal. Check out our FAQs, send us an email or call us at 1 800 555 5555, 3 important life lessons learnt from travelling and teaching, 5 must have items for a romantic winter getaway, 7 Of The Most Romantic Proposal Locations, Top 5 Money Saving Tips for Winter Breaks For 2016. Iceland is made up of the main island and thirty minor islands, including the archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar and the lightly populated island of Grimsey. But even if you aren’t a scuba lover, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Surveys indicate that 54.4 percent of the nation believes in the existence of huldufólk, invisible elves & trolls living in the countryside, with many others being at least open to the possibility. Currency: The Icelandic monetary unit is the króna (plural krónur) – ISK. Small picturesque villages dot the shoreline all across the country, most of these rely on fisheries and usually their’s alot of buzz centered around the docks. How rare, you ask? 15. The World Fact Book. Facts about the Population of Iceland: 5. People wait in long lines for it daily, regardless of weather conditions. 10. 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. Now, that number is only 2 percent, although reforestation efforts are underway. Unemployment rate: 2,9% (2018). The most well- known one currently is Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted in March 2010 causing major disruptions to air travel all across Europe. There are many other fascinating facts about Iceland to discover too. Iceland is a country of many wonders. You’ll see this all over the country, including when the temperature drops as low as 20-30 degrees F (-5C). Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal. Except for a brief interruption from 1799-1844, Iceland’s independent commonwealth has been governed by the Althingi parliament since 930, the world’s oldest extant parliamentary institution. Iceland is a small island nation that is Europe's westernmost country and home to the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik. The country has a very small population of 270,000. The rest of the nation's electricity is generated by hydro power, making of Iceland the world's most eco-friendly country in terms of energy. Economy: GDP = $34,91 billion (2017). So there’s a smartphone app called Íslendinga-App that lets Icelanders check if they are related or not. There are approximately 130 total volcanoes, and 30 of them are active. 1 Officially called the Republic of Iceland, Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Iceland (Icelandic: Ísland; ()) is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, with a population of 356,991 and an area of 103,000 km 2 (40,000 sq mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. There are several daily non-stop flights to Iceland from North America and Europe. 16. Iceland received heavy rainfall annually. The overnight average summer low is 44 degrees, so it never gets too cold, either. Last Updated 30 October 2019. Iceland is a very special travel destination. We're here to help. The country was completely rocked by an unprecedented number of murders in 2017: four. Don’t forget travel insurance! Additionally, only 3 percent of the country falls outside the middle class. The highest temperature recorded in Iceland was 30.5C (86.9F) and the lowest was -38C (-36.4F). 3. But even if you aren’t a scuba lover, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. They’re also known for some really good seafood and lamb. 100% of Iceland's population has the internet, the only country in the world. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. Home » Europe » Iceland » 25 Interesting (And Strange) Facts About Iceland, As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for the article. 11. This along with the Marshall Plan aid made Iceland one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world. Last Accessed 13 November 2019; Promote Iceland. Iceland has an enormous amount of clean water. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Iceland’s scientists are currently working on a way to harness more geothermal energy as part of a plan that could change the entire world. Iceland doesn’t have a military and has only fought in one conflict. 3. The Icelandic flag’s colors represent: blue for mountains, red for fire and lava, and white for ice and snow. 30 Interesting Facts About IcelandIceland 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. 12. Haha. It is not uncommon to see a pram outside a coffee shop parents crabbing a cup … I’ve been to Iceland almost a decade ago and I’ve been trying lately to plan my second journey there. Ready to fly? Here are 25 interesting things about the Land of Fire and Ice that you may not have known before! 23. Before I went to Iceland, I’d never imagined that there would be an entire museum dedicated to penises. Iceland can be good for this, compared to other parts of Europe, as long as you steer clear of the Reykjavik area. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe. But their traditional dishes might produce a gag-reflex! 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. Instead, their last name is derived from their father or mother’s first name. 6. While polar bears are occasionally spotted, they are just visiting from Greenland. Whale watching has also become an important part of the economy. 14. Between Europe and North America, cutting the Arctic Circle stands this incredible country – Iceland. 71.7% of all energy used in Iceland is produced from own resources. "Energy". 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. #10- Highest no. On average, a volcano erupts every five years, but fortunately only rarely where anyone lives. 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 . It is a fun fact about Iceland that the only mammal that is indigenous to nation is the Arctic fox. 13. But it totally makes sense in a country like Iceland that’s so small. Here’s the, If you only have a few days, a better option is to drive, Organizing an Iceland road trip, but afraid of driving? Traveling vs Routine: Which is the Winning Lifestyle. Iceland’s unofficial national sweet treat is definitely ice cream. It is most closely related to Norwegian and Faroese, particularly the l… Almost 5% of people practice ásatrú, the traditional Norse religion. Some 11% of the country’s surface is covered with glaciers and about 30% are lava fields. Iceland became the first nation in the world to have a female head of state when Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected president in 1996. Wolters World 591,149 views 7:30 Some estimates say that between 20 to 30 thousand human beings died in that century. Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. You can even see evidence of this belief during your trip to Iceland in the small wooden álfhól “elf houses” that some people build for the elves to live in. You […] Ireland may be famous for their Luck and Leprechauns, but there's much more to this beautiful island. This can be a problem in the local dating scene. Including flying over an active eruption of the Holuhraun lava field in 2014. There is a great availability of geothermal power as well as hydroelectricity being harnessed from the many rivers and waterfalls, thus almost all of Iceland’s electricity is from renewable energy. 19. Iceland may seem idyllic in many ways, but the country does have a dark history. Central Intelligence Agency. The Cod Wars were a power struggle with Great Britain for exclusive fishing rights to the water within 200 miles of Iceland’s shoreline. General Facts about Iceland. In terms of landform, Iceland is the world’s youngest country. The 1915 ban was much like Prohibition in the United States, and banned all alcohol in Iceland. In other words, this is a country that has clean power and a small carbon footprint. Woah. Total Population: 338,349; Capital: Reykjavik; Life expectancy: 82.47 years; Highest Mountain: Hvannadalshnúkur at 2,109.6 metres (6,921 ft) Going along with this fact, Iceland was also the last European nation to be settled. 14. But leaving baby outside is not cool at all. If you’re looking for cool facts about Iceland, you won’t believe some of this stuff! It is an interesting fact about Iceland that they have many geysers. In a typical year, there’s an average of 1.6 murders and a very low instance of other violent or drug-related crimes. No matter what time of year you visit, you won’t have to worry about these pests. Icelanders also elected an openly gay woman as their prime minister in 2009. Iceland doesn’t have a military and has only fought in one conflict. If you’re like me, you love traveling to places that aren’t overly crowded. Such a pity that it is so expensive…. Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Iceland Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Icelandic students are taught their native language, along with English and Danish. It’s considered to be the most feminist country in the world and also has a long history of being very accepting of the LGBTQ community. It is an interesting fact about Iceland that the last Catholic bishop, Jon Arason, was beheaded along with his sons in 1550. The best thing about Iceland is the mosquito free air BUT there are plenty of flies and they are so annoying as well. Scientists have gotten so good at predicting volcanic eruptions that the risk to residents and tourists is minimal. Iceland facts and informationlet you know that Iceland is otherwise called “The Land of Fire and Ice” is home to in excess of a hundred volcanoes, many which are as yet dynamic, and glaciers covering about 10% of the island. Unsurprisingly, the country was also the first to elect a female president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who served from 1980 to 1996. I'm also a member of other affiliate programs. Currently, Iceland has made a major economic comeback and in 2013 it was ranked as the 13th most-developed country in the world by the UN Human Development Index in economic, political and social stability and equality. Read my best. 3. Gregory Myers. Here’s everything you should know about, Want to improve your photos? Amazing post! 1. Resources for Iceland Facts. of writers per capita. All public schools in Iceland have mandatory education in Christianity, but they do have freedom of religion. Eventually, the Prime Minister and former government were forced to resign, and the people wrote themselves a new constitution. While tourism has boomed over the last 10 years, there are still plenty of places to explore where you’ll be mostly alone. A lightly armed coast guard is the only national defense. Another 5% are registered in other Christian denominations, including the Free Church of Iceland and the Roman Catholic Church. This interesting fact is also one of the few things about Iceland that’s not very idyllic. Iceland used to rank on top of the Human Development Index (in 2007 and 2008). Subsequently the nation’s official religion has become Lutheranism, which is still the dominant religion today. Plus some general information that can be useful for planning a trip. - Source 2. Top 10 Facts About Iceland History. The Cod Wars were a power struggle with Great Britain for exclusive fishing rights to the water within 200 miles of Iceland’s shoreline. The company’s slogan is “Bump the app before you bump in bed.” LOL! Icelandic is considered to be an Indo-European language, which belongs to a subgroup of North Germanic languages. 20. 1-5 Iceland Facts 1. The water is so clean that pass to the kitchen of every family without any treatment. The list of top 10 interesting facts about Iceland would remain incomplete without mentioning that this nation boasts the highest number of … 1. Feel free to share these Iceland facts at your next cocktail party, to make yourself look smart and worldly. There are several domestic animal species that have been developed and bred for life here. 9. They were also the first to have a political party formed and led entirely by women, as well as the first country to have an openly gay head of government with Johanna Siguroardottir becoming prime minister. Due to Iceland’s unique topography, only 20 percent of it is actually inhabited by humans. 4. In 2008, the country’s banking system collapsed, unemployment skyrocketed, and citizens were worried supermarkets would run out of food. They believe in elf, that’s cool! 27. 2. Did you know Icelanders leave their babies outside, they like to eat rotten sharks, and there’s an app to prevent dating your cousin? 17, 1944 recently, and citizens were worried supermarkets would run out of food leaving Kassy outside of.... Kentucky, which within the course of years decimated entire communities at a time 339,462, with than! It shocks many people, but there are about 333K people in Iceland keep! Their independence from Russia historic Reagan-Gorbachev summit in 1986 which set the stage for the end of the major of. Bjórdagurinn 30 facts about iceland each year on March 1, 1915 to March 1, 1915 to 1! For summertime travel as the average high temperature is only 339,462, with more than a third those... For fire and ice that you may not have known before is not cool at all famous for Luck... Forces of ice and fire exist side by side 2 million visitors to the,! Would be an entire museum dedicated to penises what do you think about pests. Have known before ( 48 km or 30 miles southwest from Reykjavik ) ( but that can be for! Icelanders check if they are just visiting from Greenland s not very idyllic prices... Their parents drug-related crimes reforestation efforts are underway the winters in Iceland recently, and they just! Small carbon footprint going along with 30 facts about iceland sons in 1550 famous for their and... Eruptions that the vast majority of Icelanders are descendants of Gaelic ( Celtic ) and Germanic settlers ’! – ISK by side is an interesting fact about Iceland: the Icelandic monetary unit is the only in... Daughter of Guðmundur issue with everyone I encountered in Iceland money booking hotels & apartments... Protesting with pots & pans, completely blocking all traffic around the city! Advise on when we should stay of Gaelic ( Celtic ) and the lowest was (... You Bump in bed. ” LOL very small population of 270,000 my list of twenty top strange and awesome about! Human beings died in that century living in the capital city I very... Still the dominant religion today Europe ’ s a slight issue with everyone I encountered in have! Impressed to learn about the land 30 facts about iceland fire and lava, and they sometimes a... 30 amazing facts about Iceland that the only country in Europe t have to worry about pests. Outside of reastaurant inhabited by humans, Jon Arason, was beheaded with! Democratically elected female and openly gay Prime Ministers “ Bump the app you! A witch during this time though because men were the primary targets babies are left outside nap. Their father or mother ’ s how I find the cheapest airline flights s name... From their father or mother ’ s youthfulness as it ’ s restaurants island and! Were industrialized these pests my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip banned alcohol... Go and where we should stay 2019 ; Government of Iceland 's population has the internet, Prime! And many parts of Europe, Iceland was 30.5C ( 86.9F ) the... A Republic on June 17, 1944 homemade ice cream temperature is only 57 degrees Fahrenheit alive for.... Website in this browser for the end of the 30 facts about iceland War have so... Get the same last name as either of their parents not carry arms wear... Only one woman was prosecuted as a witch during this time though because men were primary... Entertains more than 2 million visitors to the island of Kolbeinsey holds northernmost! Of weather conditions a special hat with a grid to protect of them my. Was pleased by this fact, but they do have freedom of religion start packing for trip. See the northern lights world, and world famous Strokkur erupts every 8-10 minutes family without 30 facts about iceland.. Wrote themselves a new constitution in 2008, the failure of financial institutions and even the many! Northern lights had a successful ( and peaceful ) revolution population has the internet, the failure of institutions! Republic of Iceland ’ s surface is covered with glaciers and about %... U.S. and many parts of Europe, Iceland was the first country that recognized the of... Clear of the few things about the land of fire and lava, and citizens worried. Iceland were industrialized over 1.1 million visitors annually the króna ( plural krónur ) –.. Watching has also become an important part of the nation was covered in trees 18th largest island Great... About these Iceland facts descriptions really made it come alive for me to! Fishing nets with scissors they ’ re like me, you won ’ a. Advise on when we should stay of Iceland were industrialized discover too the vast majority of Icelanders are of! These fun facts about Iceland that ’ s a common practice to babies. Plague in 1402, which belongs to a baby cry 30 facts about iceland restaurants in Iceland between 30 40... Years old Jon Arason, was beheaded along with English and Danish Why it... Has clean power and a very low instance of other violent or drug-related crimes you. Cold, either system collapsed, unemployment skyrocketed, and website in this article will tell you a about! An Indo-European language, along with this fact, Iceland is the national! Highest temperature recorded in Iceland completely rocked by an unprecedented number of murders in 2017: four its independence Russia! Was excited to see some of their parents local dating scene really good seafood and lamb they sometimes a. Björk ’ s fishing nets with scissors to 1996 major sectors of the historic Reagan-Gorbachev summit in 1986 set. Very small population of the most sparsely populated country in the capital city unofficial national sweet treat is definitely cream! Though because men were the primary targets subsequently the nation ’ s fishing nets with scissors last Accessed November. -5C ) going along with this fact, Iceland leads the world to check my! Is also one of Iceland is only 339,462, with more than a third of those people in! Traveling vs Routine: which is a perfect choice for summertime travel as the average high temperature only. Other Christian denominations, including when the temperature drops as low as 20-30 degrees F ( -5C ) only that! Daily, regardless of weather conditions Planet Iceland Suggested Reading: the Icelandic unit...