It is such a unique place. 2. You have entered an incorrect email address! Her favorite spot in Iceland is Skarðsvík beach on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, with Húsavík a close second. I did something similar with Cuba and Quebec City so be sure to check those out as well. Here are 40 amazing Iceland facts. This translates to Emma, daughter of John. the twelfth century. They are smaller than most horses but are strong. The Irish culture has been influenced by Scottish, English, and Anglo-Norman cultures throughout history. As one of the last countries in the world to have human settlers, and as a tiny island located north of almost everywhere, it’s not surprising that we have our own way of doing things. There are a however some things raise the eyebrows of tourists travelling in Iceland. 11. 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. Lobster and seafood bisques and chowders, grilled and pan-fried seafood including Arctic char, homemade crepes and I even tried one of their famous hot dogs. Its remote location, its wild landscapes and its stories and folklore weave their way through books, poems and the … Five Fun Facts About Iceland. Lying on the constantly active geologic border between North America and Europe, Iceland is a land of vivid contrasts of climate, geography, and culture. 4 Epic U.S. National Parks To Visit This Summer! Where is Iceland? 27. It is a relatively young nation since it was first inhabited by Vikings from Norway in the late 800s. After a law was passed in 1746 preventing adults from scaring children with nightmarish characters, the tradition drastically changed and nowadays parents leave gifts in children’s shoes. However, the ties to old traditions and superstitions are strong. We have 13 different Santas called Yule Lads who are all very mischievous, and they leave treats in the children’s shoes. But the Blue Mountains are known for ski slopes and resorts. Iceland received heavy rainfall annually. It is located in SW Iceland about 12 miles from Reykjavik. Rosé Wine 101: An Introductory Guide to Rosé Wines. They have amusing names like Stubby, Gully Gawk, Pot Licker, Door Slammer, etc. The churches were also built as a shelter for people traveling around the island. Eventually, we left our Nordic religion and converted to Christianity. About 364,000 people live in Iceland with over 200,000 people living in the capital and greater Reykjavik area. Iceland’s remote location has had a dramatic effect on its musical culture. Iceland has a lot of churches. However, English is taught as a second language and most Icelanders speak several languages. Despite having one of the world’s smallest populations — 338,349 people — Iceland has a rich and diverse culture that has influenced the world in its own way for many centuries. Flag: Blue with a red cross outlined in white fimbration, extending to the edges of the flag.The colors are symbolic for three of the elements that make up the island: red is for the volcanic fires, white recalls the snow and glaciers, and blue is for the skies above. During the holidays in Iceland, there is a custom to make sure the house is clean and to leave food for the elves on Christmas Eve so that they can feast and dance while the humans are at … What are the country's biggest industries, and what language do the Icelanders speak? Iceland History, Language and Culture History of Iceland. Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer from Iceland. In 874 Viking explorers from Norway & the British Isles settled on the island. Geography 4. In terms of ethnicity-89% are Icelandic, 5% Polish, 1% Lithuanian and 5% other. The tradition of reading in Iceland dates back to the 13 th century and with one out of ten Icelanders publishing a book in their lifetime, it is clear Iceland is a very literary-focused country! Iceland was originally colonized by Erik the Red in 982. These three numbers are thought to have special powers. The volcanoes have eruptions every 4-5 years. What is the current population of Iceland? And if any Icelandic horses leave the island they are not allowed to return. So the survey results are in, and a lot of you said you wanted to know more about Icelandic culture! Eventually, we left our Nordic religion and converted to Christianity. You can literally go to Iceland as a photographer and travel around the country taking pictures of the churches and surrounding landscapes. 45 amazing facts about Iceland This post is part of a series of fun facts posts I'm doing for every country I have articles about here on the blog. Iceland actually sits on 2 continents-Europe and North America. Stand up” (lol). Her full name is Emma Johndottir. Making a living off whale and caribou hunting, the Dorset people flourished on the land for many years. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. One of the strangest things for visitors to our small island to get over is that it isn’t rare for us to leave our youngest children outside while we go inside and enjoy a glass of Skyr Drykkur (one of our tastier drinks). do they speak English, and is relocating there possible. The black sanded beaches there are stunning. Give yourself several hours here. Here in Iceland, we are very trusting. In general, Icelanders are very helpful. One of the things that impressed me the most in Iceland was the Rainbow Street in Reykjavik. :-)), Here are a few more interesting facts about Iceland…. Minks are used to make fur. 41. We also boast one of the highest publishing rates of any country in the world. Odd, weird or funny, these are true facts about Icelandic culture. When you don’t have barriers to school, your population tends to thrive. 9. If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. But, we still have strong ties to our original Norse gods. This was of course prior to modern transportation. The tradition of reading in Iceland dates back to the 13 th century and with one out of ten Icelanders publishing a book in their lifetime, it is clear Iceland is a very literary-focused country! Iceland is a country of extreme geological contrasts. A joke I heard in Iceland: “What do you do if you get lost in an Icelandic forest? So don’t worry, we don’t want to see you naked! Therefore, I am excited to share these 30 interesting & fun facts about Iceland with you. 12. Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations, Fall in Atlanta: Fun & Fabulous Places to Visit. Because of the cold weather, only a few vegetables like potatoes, kale, cabbage and carrots grow there. While our culture is open and affable, we also have a plethora of rich and fascinating traditions. 45+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support. They work hard and play hard and love sharing their country with visitors. Photograph by bmcchristy, iStockphoto Iceland’s history is bound up with its harsh environment, its Viking heritage and its language, little changed from its roots in Old Norse. 25. On Bolludagur we try to eat as many pastries as we possibly can during the day. Most people are placed on probation or are on a waitlist to go to prison. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What a place! It’s an island isolated from the other parts of Europe, famous from the amazing nature, awesome landscapes and (since recently) a place where the Game of Thrones was filmed. Traditionally when children are named, their last names comes from the first name of the father with the Icelandic word for son/son or daughter/dottir added at the end. Best price guarantee. Adi. It was conceived by Yoko Ono in honor of John Lennon. Although they are technically advanced and modern in outlook, many people are justly proud of the cultural herit… Outside can mean parks, stoops, or wherever we park them. I think it probably was a coping mechanism to deal with centuries of dreadfully cold and dark winters. Iceland was under Danish rule until the late 19th century, when they created their own constitution. I took extensive notes and turned them into this informative article on Iceland. Geography Climate and weather Nature and Landscape People and Culture Annual events Cultural activities Dining Entertainment and Nightlife in Reykjavik. Iceland - Iceland - History: Iceland apparently has no prehistory. Power plants across the country tap into steam and hot water reservoirs underground. How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! The standard of living in Iceland is among the highest in the world. Costco Iceland: Low prices or fair prices? By knowing the customs, you will have a better experience on your trip, and you will understand us a little better! Facts About the History of Iceland: 1. And we are an excellent case study for this. 1. Bolludagur is my favorite! 39. Get used to the numbers/prices for things being very high. (sign me up) But, Iceland has more sheep that people. 330 BC: An island, Thule, or Ultima Thule, in the farthest north is mentioned in a geography by the Greek navigator Pytheas; located six days' sailing north of Britannia and one day and night from “the end of the world”. 2. Icelanders call each other by their given names, even the president. It was not. FYI Uber is not available in Iceland and taxis are pricey. Before you leave, check out this blog post on the Do’s and Don’ts of Iceland. The Best Travel, Food and Culture Guides for Iceland, Europe - Local News & Top Things to Do Heck, I don’t even walk on the cracks in the sidewalk if I can avoid it. So, if you are in Iceland during Ash Wednesday, and you see a group of Ninja Turtles singing in a store in Reykjavik, don’t be alarmed. He seems like a really amicable man, who genuinely wants you to enjoy your holidays. Social Conventions in Iceland. Icelanders eat a lot of licorice, fermented shark, whales and even the puffins . You can go snorkeling in this area. These are some of the many questions we get from our customers about Iceland and its culture. Iceland does not have a lot of animals. We tend to leave our children outside in strollers and prams to let them enjoy our fresh Icelandic air while they peacefully slumber. Norwegians fled from Norway to Iceland due to an unfavorable King at that time. Iceland is lucky to have education that is free all the way up through college. On occasion you will spot polar bears in Iceland. Kids will often walk themselves to school, due to the overwhelming safety that we enjoy here in Iceland. 30. The story set down there and repeated to this day is that a Norse Viking named Flóki sailed to Iceland, but spent so much energy hunting and fishing that he did not lay up hay for his livestock, which died in the winter, and had to return. Her father’s name is John so her last name will be Johndottir. (YEAH!). We just want you to be clean! In 2019 I visited Iceland for the first time. The Creator and Editor of the Sophisticated Life. I took my first trip to Iceland back in 2012, expecting to find a Scandinavian country with some cool scenery. In Iceland, we have many traditions that go back almost a millennium. Not only must you wash thoroughly, but you must also shower naked (this is the standard for most locations, but the rules vary). In fact, Iceland prohibits the import of any other horses. This applies to belongings, but it also applies to our children! You can choose to rent a car and drive around the island or pay for organized tours. Iceland Facts & Culture. The Gaelic culture originated in Ireland but eventually expanded to Scotland, and much of northwestern Europe. Police officers do not carry guns and Iceland does not have an army. 13 Things You Didn't Know About 'Girls' It looks like Lena Dunham has OCD in real life too. In no particular order, here are 30 interesting & fun facts about Iceland. A brief numerical overview of Iceland. 7. Icelanders were friendly with a great sense of humor. There are no homeless people in Iceland. Here's a cool video from Iceland. You may recall the eruption of a volcano in Iceland in 2010. Iceland Information. 20. Some of the first people to settle in Greenland were ancestors of Inuit tribes. The language and culture of Iceland were predominantly Scandinavian from the outset, but there are traces of Celtic influence in some of the ancient poetry, in some personal names and in the appearance of present-day Icelanders. The most important aspect that you need to keep in mind about us is that we are some of the friendliest folks in the world. I plan to return to do some more exploring, eating and soaking in more geothermal spas. Largest Selection of Travel Services. 1. This small island in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean packs a punch with wonder. From the ancient sagas to award-winning films, Icelanders are a generally writing, acting, composing, designing, painting, sculpting, and all-round creating bunch. ). Iceland is a Nordic island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean with a population of only 343,518 inhabitants. I want to thank all of you who helped out with the survey. 29. 6. Iceland is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world. These are some of the many questions we get from our customers about Iceland and its culture. The country has a very small population of 270,000. The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies! If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask! I really enjoyed the food in Iceland. Dating all the way back to the year 930, the first national parliament was founded in Thingvellir, which is now a national park. Geothermal activity. Silfra is a fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Iceland is expensive. And, there are a number of things that seem normal in Iceland that might look strange to an outsider. You cannot advertise alcohol in Iceland, and it must be bought in liquor stores. Intriguing Facts About Iceland 1. The famous Blue Lagoon is actually man-made. Iceland Facts & Culture. If you are going to Iceland to see the puffins, they usually come on land to nest during the summer. Your complete travel guide to Iceland. The water temperature averages 99-102 degrees F. You can do several types of face masks while in the Blue Lagoon, have cocktails at the walk up bars as well as booking treatments in the luxury spa. Audacity Fest: the conference the Black travel community needs & deserves. As they say in Iceland “Áfram með smjörið.” Which means “on with the butter.” On its surface it means nothing, but it is a way of saying “keep going, keep moving forward.” Only a group of people with a dry sense of humor would offer words of encouragement by channeling the perseverance and strength of butter. Also, there are geothermal baths and heated swimming pools all over the island. However, if you want to see the Northern Lights you should go to Iceland in the fall or winter. Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland. felix. This is not the case in Iceland! Iceland has 10,000 waterfalls! Our global travel now takes us to Iceland, the Nordic slice of paradise between the United Kingdom and Greenland. The financial sector was gradually deregulated in the 1980s. Thorramatur, a tradition that celebrates our original culture, is a perfect example of that. For those of you in the United States, I envy your version of Santa Claus. Top Do’s and Don’ts When Visiting Iceland! The geography is what attracts most people, but the culture of the Icelandic people adds to the allure of the island nation. They rarely have diseases. I hope you are able to visit Iceland soon. In Iceland, Christmas is traditionally the time to terrify children with stories of Gryla, a child-eating ogre, and her child-eating offspring, the Yule Lads. What is the current population of Iceland? Welcome to Top10Archive! Learn more about Iceland, including its history. The Icelandic language is primarily Old Norse or old Norwegian in character, although it varies considerably from modern Norwegian. Do speak English but most speak ancient Norse is called the “ ”! Travel guides gets people to settle in Greenland were ancestors of Inuit tribes some... Out above are a small-scale representation of what makes Iceland, the only country in the children are rewarded candies. Heat pumps supply heat and hot water to homes and buildings capital, Reykjavik most ancient... 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