Iceland is an island east of Greenland, located in the North
Atlantic Ocean close to the Arctic Circle. It is an area with
extremely rugged terrain due to volcanic activity, and over 10%
of the island is comprised of glaciers and snow. The scenery
is spectacular, with the active volcanoes, lakes, rivers, hot
springs and mountains. The inhabitants occupy only a small percentage
of the island along the coast. The majority of the population
lives in or close to Reykjavik.
Travel Insurance for Iceland:
Area: Europe *
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Iceland
The population is comprised of mainly a mix of Celtic and Norse
peoples, with a small number of inhabitants from other countries.
The main language is Icelandic, with English, other Nordic languages
and German also spoken. The dominant religion is Lutheran.
During the 9 th century Norse people settled in Iceland . The
rulers set up ‘ Althing’ a republican constitution
which is the oldest parliament in the world. Iceland was independent
until it entered into a treaty with the Norwegian rulers in approx.
1260. Iceland also became affiliated with Denmark but this broke
down during the WWII when the Germans occupied Denmark . The
British occupied Iceland for a short time and then the U.S. took
over responsibility for Iceland ’s defense. Iceland became
an independent republic in 1944 and joined NATO in 1949.
Reykjavik has a lively arts community and a busy nightlife.
This is a good base from which to explore other areas of the
island, such as Thingvelir – which is the site of the world’s
oldest parliament; Gulfoss – which has the largest waterfall
in Europe ; and Geysir – which as its name suggests gave
the geyser its name.
For nature lovers Iceland is a wonderland. During summer, you
can explore the island by bus or guided tours, hiking, or as
the Vikings did - on an Icelandic horse. For the hardy, it is
a good place for camping and there are youth hostels for backpackers.
During the summer months Iceland is a great place for sailing
and whale watching, with frequent sightings of species such as
killer whales, humpback whales and dolphins. Bicycling is popular
and rentals are available in Reykjavik and other places. In early
summer there are guided tours available for bird watchers where
species such as skuas, puffins, Arctic terns and razorbills can
be viewed. Fishing for salmon and trout is a big draw, as is
sea angling, and in winter ice fishing is a popular sport. There
are white water river rafting trips on spectacular glacial rivers
through rugged terrain, with levels to suit beginners through
advanced. Glacier tours are available and it is advisable only
to venture out with experts who will make sure you get to the
location safely where you can then go exploring with snowmobiles.
Horseback riding is popular, especially riding the wonderful
Icelandic horses which are pure-bred descendants of the horses
the Vikings brought with them hundreds of years ago. Hiking is
a popular way to see the country and hiking tours are arranged
during summer and even during the winter months. For golfers
who love being close to nature, Iceland has dozens of golf courses,
many with very scenic views. In summer it is also possible to
play golf 24 hours a day due to the midnight sun!
For a change of pace, there are a wide variety of museums and
galleries in Iceland , and particularly in Reykjavik . There
is a jazz festival in Reykjavik in late summer and another music
festival in the autumn. For relaxation, Iceland has many outdoor
swimming pools naturally heated with thermal hot springs to temperatures
in excess of 80 F, and there are locations which also offer Jacuzzi,
saunas and solariums
Skiing is available during winter in some parts of the country.
There are resorts to cater to both downhill and cross-country
skiers. Summer skiing is also available close to the glaciers. |
