Iceland: the Land of Fire and Ice
The Republic of Iceland contains some of the most breathtaking geological features in the world. With a population of 329,100, it is the least populated country in Europe. It is the second largest island in Europe and the seventeenth largest in the world. Located in the Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Norway, Iceland is nearest to Europe and is thusly considered a European country. To put it into perspective, its capital city Reykjavík is a five hour plane ride away from New York City and three hours from London. Iceland’s location near the Arctic Circle and its unique geographic features has created a nation with compelling history and culture unlike any other.
Iceland is one of the youngest landmasses …show more content…
Over 80% of the country is uninhabited. The terrain is mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, ice fields, and fertile low land. The name Iceland is actually a misnomer as only 10% of Iceland is actually covered in ice. One of the most apparent features of the country are the deep glaciers and glaciers including Europe’s largest, Vatnajökull. These bodies of water provide clean water that has provided the country a growing industry of water exportation. The water is so clean that, for the most part, bottled water is not sold in Iceland as tap water is the exact same as bottled. Unique features of Iceland’s landscape include waterfalls, geysers, black sand beaches, hot springs created by the lava …show more content…
In the second half of the 9th century, Vikings migrated to Iceland. The reasons why are not clear but to this day that migration is still apparent in the population. Over 94% of Icelanders are of Norse and Celtic heritage with only 6% of the population with a foreign origin. Immigration is not so much an issue as emigration. Since 1901, emigration rates have always exceed immigration rate by just a small margin. The homogenous population has allowed for a culture that is so connected to its origins, native Icelanders can read Old Norse just as easily as the can read modern
The Republic of Iceland contains some of the most breathtaking geological features in the world. With a population of 329,100, it is the least populated country in Europe. It is the second largest island in Europe and the seventeenth largest in the world. Located in the Atlantic Ocean between Greenland and Norway, Iceland is nearest to Europe and is thusly considered a European country. To put it into perspective, its capital city Reykjavík is a five hour plane ride away from New York City and three hours from London. Iceland’s location near the Arctic Circle and its unique geographic features has created a nation with compelling history and culture unlike any other.
Iceland is one of the youngest landmasses …show more content…
Over 80% of the country is uninhabited. The terrain is mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, ice fields, and fertile low land. The name Iceland is actually a misnomer as only 10% of Iceland is actually covered in ice. One of the most apparent features of the country are the deep glaciers and glaciers including Europe’s largest, Vatnajökull. These bodies of water provide clean water that has provided the country a growing industry of water exportation. The water is so clean that, for the most part, bottled water is not sold in Iceland as tap water is the exact same as bottled. Unique features of Iceland’s landscape include waterfalls, geysers, black sand beaches, hot springs created by the lava …show more content…
In the second half of the 9th century, Vikings migrated to Iceland. The reasons why are not clear but to this day that migration is still apparent in the population. Over 94% of Icelanders are of Norse and Celtic heritage with only 6% of the population with a foreign origin. Immigration is not so much an issue as emigration. Since 1901, emigration rates have always exceed immigration rate by just a small margin. The homogenous population has allowed for a culture that is so connected to its origins, native Icelanders can read Old Norse just as easily as the can read modern