What does Iceland look like? All about Iceland
Iceland is a wealthy state with an independent foreign policy, a high standard of living, stunningly beautiful nature, and hospitable people. But migrants and even tourists from Russia are extremely rare in this country. She's too far away polar circle on a secluded island. And its inhabitants also speak a terribly difficult language that no one but themselves understands. Is it worth taking a trip to this country and even moving there for permanent residence? To answer this question, information about the legislation of Iceland, the well-being of ordinary people, the climate, as well as the life of a few Russian migrants, will be useful.
Migration policy
Iceland is not a state that encourages migrants. The country has a very tough policy towards people who want to stay here. In addition, the influx of migrants is hindered by the Law for the Preservation of the Nation. The Aliens Act and the Aliens Employment Act regulate the stay of foreigners in Iceland. Citizens of the country practically do not marry foreigners, and residents of non-Icelandic origin make up only 6% of total population. Visitors are strictly obliged to observe the cultural characteristics of the country. Any decision on the fate of foreigners is made by the Immigration Office. Interestingly, in the early twentieth century, Icelandic law even required immigrants to change their names to native Icelandic ones. Only since the nineties of the last century, foreigners living in the country were allowed to leave their own names and surnames. The migration increase in Iceland is very small - just over 1% over the past few years. In total, there are about 20 thousand foreigners here for 330 thousand people. Migration quotas are used to bring newcomers to abandoned villages. Icelanders often leave them, moving to cities due to urbanization.
Video: about life in Iceland
What are the migrants in Iceland
There is no massive influx of foreigners into the country, although many Europeans work on the construction of various facilities. Mostly Germans and Poles. Donor countries from where people staying here for permanent residence are Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland. That is, they are citizens of neighboring states. Poles make up more than half of all immigrants. The number of Polish migrants is also evidenced by the fact that there are two Polish shops in Reykjavik - a rather rare occurrence for Iceland. Poles and Lithuanians practically do not speak Icelandic and are not integrated into society. The Nation Preservation Act does not oblige the government to promote this integration. Migrants from other continents are also present in Iceland, but in very small numbers. Mostly they are citizens of China, Thailand, Philippines. But unlike migrants from Europe, foreigners from poorer countries have temporary residence status. Thus, immigrants in Iceland are divided into two groups:
- migrant workers from Western, Northern and Central Europe,
- a very small number of people who have received refugee status.
But it is possible that in the coming years the immigration situation in Iceland will change. The country is experiencing economic growth, and there are no longer enough workers. This shortcoming will be difficult to compensate for by natural population growth, because Iceland is one of the “aging nations” and more than half of its inhabitants are pensioners. Therefore, according to the organization Business Iceland SA, which unites the country's largest corporations, Iceland must invite about two thousand specialists from abroad a year so that the level of well-being does not fall. This is especially true of the tourism business, where foreigners have been hiring for a long time. The small population also leads to the fact that family marriages begin to be concluded, and this causes genetic diseases. Therefore, the government begins to encourage alliances with foreigners.
Iceland and refugees
The decision to grant refugee status to foreigners is made by the Immigration Office. If it is positive, the applicant is granted a temporary residence permit. It is issued for a period of a year, but then you can renew this status almost automatically. During the application review procedure, applicants are accommodated in boarding houses and hotels. They receive financial assistance in the amount of about 150 euros. But those who managed to obtain refugee status cannot officially work. It is very difficult for them to bring their relatives to Iceland. Since the refugees do not work, the country has a program of minimal material support for such people, but after that they have no prospect of becoming Icelandic citizens.
There are no social programs to support migrants. The immigration laws of Iceland are such that it is almost impossible for visitors from "far abroad" to stay for permanent residence. If you want to come here in order to then move to another European country, you have the right to become a temporary immigrant. In fact, there are two ways to stay in the country for permanent residence:
- get a job offer (long-term contract);
- get married.
But the Icelanders themselves are not ultranationalists at all. They are quite friendly and sympathetic towards migrants. During the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis, the Icelandic government announced that it could only accept 50 refugees. However, more than 12 thousand people through social networks revealed a desire to shelter those in need of help, especially children, and even pay for their plane tickets to Iceland.
Icelandic life as it is
Due to its isolation, Iceland differs from other European countries. Its citizens are considered conservatives, but they also keep up with many modern world trends. The descendants of the Vikings, as the Icelanders themselves proudly call themselves, appreciate work very much. Mining, fishing and agriculture are traditionally considered the main sectors of the country's economy. The main wealth of the state is based on these "three pillars". But recently, the service market has been rapidly developing in Iceland, as well as the tourism business. Cities in this country are a new phenomenon, but the population in them is growing. Icelanders are very law-abiding, they do not like conflicts. There are practically no accidents here, and drivers patiently wait for a pedestrian to cross the road or another driver to finish a phone call. They are pedantic, like the Germans, but during the festivities they like to "walk", drink strong drinks and eat a local "delicacy", from which many Europeans cramp their stomachs. This is "haukarl" - rotten shark meat.
A little about politics
Iceland is the only country in the world where, according to the Constitution, residents vote online. Therefore, the state can be considered not only the oldest democracy (the Icelandic parliament was founded in 930), but also the first model of the electronic will of the people. In Iceland, there is a state religion - the Lutheran-Evangelical Church. At the same time, there are about 20% of atheists in the country, as well as 2,500 neo-pagans. Although Icelanders are very conservative, especially when it comes to family traditions, the legalization of same-sex marriages did not cause any protests from them and was perceived quite calmly. Therefore, Iceland can be called a state where a certain balance is observed between traditions and modernization, globalization and a unique cultural heritage. The prime minister of the country was an open lesbian - Johanna Sigurdardottir, but 96% of the population trust politicians. About 80% of voters vote in elections.
happy people
To understand whether the citizens of Iceland live well, you need to know the statistical facts about per capita income or GDP. And you should also compare these data with the opinion of those living in this country about their standard of living. 80% of Icelanders are officially employed, which is an excellent European indicator. An ordinary family, after deducting all taxes, receives a “net” income of about 24 thousand US dollars. Almost every resident has his own house and borrowed a car. There are many good social programs for the homeless, troubled teenagers, or people with disabilities. But such people can be counted on the fingers, and social workers know them all by name. The average annual salary is about $40,000 per year (with taxes) or approximately $3,300 per month. The Icelanders themselves are satisfied with this amount and even consider their life carefree. But education in the country is not at a very high level - 70% of the population graduated from high school. There are many pensioners in Iceland, but the retirement age is not officially defined. People can work as long as they want and, on average, retire at age 66. 85% of Icelanders feel satisfied and even happy. This is facilitated by the social model of society, characteristic of the Scandinavian countries, and the environment, and the level of healthcare.
About weather and nature
The climate in Iceland is windy, even very. It often rains, and snow falls in winter and spring. But in general, the temperature for the subarctic climate, in which the country is located, is rather mild. In winter, the average temperature is around 0 °C, and in summer + 10 °C. Such a lack of strong temperature drops is explained by the action of the Gulf Stream - a warm current. This country has amazing landscapes. She lives in the middle majestic mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and the amazing beauty of fjords, freezing waterfalls and hot geysers. In summer, all this is illuminated by the bright sun, and in winter - by the northern lights. These landscapes make an amazing impression on visitors. You feel as if you have entered another world. There are almost no trees here, only shrubs and grass. And you can also stand in the "corridor" between Europe and America - in the Pingvallir reserve, where the tectonic plates of both continents converge. In 2015, Iceland was ranked second in the "greenest" category in the world. Public transport here runs on hydrogen fuel to reduce the percentage of exhaust gases in the atmosphere, and houses are heated with water from hot springs. The same thermal fluid enters the greenhouses, which makes it possible to grow vegetables and fruits, including bananas. By the way, in Iceland you can not drink unless from the sea. The water in lakes, rivers, streams, from the tap is suitable for drinking. The purity of the air is explained by the minimum number of large industries that can poison it. No wonder the life expectancy of the average Icelander is about 80 years.
How Russians live in Iceland
According to the Russian embassy in Iceland, there are about three hundred Russian citizens in this country, and about a thousand Russian-speaking "compatriots", that is, people from the former USSR. The Russian community was formed mainly in the 90s of the last century as a result of labor migration, when people left on their own in search of a better life. Iceland entered into labor contracts with individual Russians - mainly sports coaches (gymnastics, handball, volleyball, basketball). Russians also moved here, concluding marriages with citizens of Iceland.
First of all, the Russian-speaking population is concentrated in the capital of the country - Reykjavik, since here the best opportunities to find work. There are Russians who live in small towns - Akureyri, Egilstadir. Some even live in villages. But not all of them are engaged in skilled labor. Most of them work in the field of fishing, at enterprises where fish is processed, at construction sites. Few have become translators, doctors, teachers, sports coaches.
Salaries vary depending on working conditions. Because you can work as a waitress, dishwasher, etc. with free accommodation and meals. Any salary at the same time allows you to live decently (normally) in Iceland. You can search in the field of social. assistance - homes for the elderly, assistance to the disabled, hospitals.
http://foreigniceland.forum2x2.ru/t4819-topic#9483
Keep in mind: the laws of the country require that the number of foreigners, especially non-EU citizens, does not exceed 49% in certain sectors of the economy - for example, in local airlines.
What is the status of equality and non-discrimination
The standard of living of Russians in Iceland corresponds to the social stratum to which they belong. Prices and salaries throughout the country are approximately the same. And after the crisis of 2008, when the exchange rate of the national currency fell, the cost of food even decreased. There is no discrimination in the area of wages or employment. Children can study Russian at four colleges in Iceland on an optional basis (if they are interested), as well as at the University of Iceland. Currently, 20 people study Russian there. Several libraries in the country have Russian-language books (mainly the library of the municipality of Kopavogur). TV programs in Russian in Iceland can be received via satellite TV. These are Channel One-Europe, Vesti, RTR-Planet.
The first public organization uniting Russian speakers was established in October 2007. It's called "Community. Organization of Russian-speaking compatriots in Iceland. This organization is a rather diverse association of people, often with opposing interests. It is quite formal, and many Russians living in Iceland rarely communicate with each other.
Adaptation of Russians in Iceland (reviews)
Arriving in Iceland, Russians are generally shocked by housing and food prices - in this country they are higher than the average for Europe and even than in Moscow. Another "stumbling block" is the need to learn the Icelandic language. It is very difficult and original. Since this language has hardly changed for several centuries, any Icelander can easily read the early medieval saga. Although most of the locals know English, it is impossible to find a good job and become "one's own" in this society without knowing the language.
In Iceland I feel no worse than at home, the only problem is the language, but I will work on this.
ineshock
http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t13237.html
However, working conditions, attitude towards people, a measured and calm rhythm of life are doing their job - most Russians who find themselves in Iceland are not going to leave from there. Although some complain of boredom and monotony, and long winters evoke a feeling of melancholy and depression.
In Iceland, if life is interesting, then in a different manner than in "civilized" countries. First of all, there is nature, which never ceases to amaze. Of course, there are few city entertainments, especially outside of Reykjavik, but there are good opportunities for sports and outdoor recreation. Another thing is that the situation there, where nothing changes and nothing happens, can start to get on your nerves, then Iceland will already be a burden.
dearron
http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t7474.html
The nuances of getting a job
To Russians to find a job, you must have official permission. The most popular options for obtaining such a permit are to be a professional athlete or a qualified specialist (for example, a seismologist). Moreover, in the latter case, the employer must prove that there are neither Icelanders nor EU citizens among the applicants. Russian emigrants are also hired for seasonal work. The latter can mean not only work, for example, on a farm, but also a job in a travel company. The season usually starts in April and ends in September. But such work, as a rule, necessarily requires knowledge of the Icelandic language. There are Russians who are hired by large companies as engineers. Then you have to know English perfectly, since all the documentation is usually not only in Icelandic - it is often duplicated in two languages. Not learning Icelandic is possible only at construction sites, where most of the workers are Poles and Lithuanians.
On wages and workers' rights
Wherever Russian emigrants work, they always receive decent pay, on average no less than the natives of the country. When applying for a job, they offer to sign a collective labor agreement, which spells out all the nuances of cooperation with the employer. In order to carefully read this treaty, it is also very important to know the Icelandic language. In the event of conflicts, disagreements in the interpretation of the contract and other problems, they turn to the trade union, which protects the rights of workers, regardless of their origin. In general, Iceland has a five-day work week and hourly wages. It is not customary to work overtime, because such work is expensive, and employers do not like to pay for it.
Unlike other European countries, there are no illegal workers in Iceland. This is Island state with such a small population that the foreign worker will not go unnoticed. He is very quickly calculated and sent back, without the right to enter not only Iceland, but also the European Union. If Russian emigrants do not find work or lose it, they apply for benefits, which are paid in amounts decent for any European country.
Citizenship, benefits and lack of bureaucracy
After three years of legal residence in Iceland and having a job, you can apply for permanent residence. And after seven years of legal life, Russian migrants are already thinking about obtaining an Icelandic passport. Moreover, since 2003, dual citizenship has been allowed in the country.
Russian migrants who left for permanent residence in connection with marriage to an Icelander can apply for a passport of this country after four years of legal cohabitation (but the total period of legal residence must be at least five years). Since there is no illegal work in Iceland, those who get a job must become members of the pension fund. But this is for the best, because the pension in Iceland is decent.
Russian pensioners are no different from Icelandic ones in terms of their well-being, and therefore their income depends solely on how much and where they worked and when they went on vacation. Russian pensioners live in the same place, in Iceland, but sometimes, following the example of local elderly people, they move to warmer climes. All of them are exceptionally well endowed here.
Having children in Iceland is beneficial, including for migrants. The state stimulates an increase in the birth rate and pays significant benefits. Everything in the country is computerized. Therefore, no matter where people live, they do not need to go to the “center” to receive benefits, apply for required documents, licenses and certificates. The Internet is available anywhere, even on remote farms, and everything you need, including the tax return, is submitted electronically. Therefore, Russian migrants can arrange everything they need, “on the spot” and without suffering from bureaucracy.
Video: these are the Icelanders
And how do local residents behave with Russians?
The approach of Icelanders to Russians, and to other migrants, is restrained and benevolent. They are quite open and treat foreigners without any prejudice. Therefore, there are not many conflicts or xenophobia on everyday grounds here, it is easy to make acquaintances. Icelanders are very contact, and informal relationships, including at work and with superiors, are in the order of things. Since almost everyone in the country knows each other, they will also call you by name and will not furnish life with unnecessary ceremonies. But if you showed the Icelanders that you can use the openness of society to harm, you will be put in your place very seriously, and from that moment on they will treat you in a completely different way.
I love the Icelandic mentality! maybe he annoys someone, but I just somehow tuned into this wave right away ... Probably, the main thing is to respect the country that has become your home, then everything will be just fine! The attitude towards foreigners is amazing... I don't know if there is another country where they are treated like this?
http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t11664-2.html
How and how the life of ordinary people in Iceland and in Russia differs
The phrase has already become hackneyed that all the best is known in comparison. Therefore, in order to better understand the difference in living standards between Iceland and Russia, one should compare the situation in these countries based on the main indicators. Although such a comparison would be largely untrue. If only because in Iceland there are no regional differences between prices and salaries, while in Russia they are very large. But let's try.
Table: comparison of food prices, rental housing and wages in Russia and Iceland
So, if you compare the prices of basic foodstuffs, then in Iceland a grocery basket will cost much more. Rental prices are also higher. But utilities in Iceland are cheaper, thanks to the use of thermal springs and hydrogen fuel.
The average salary of Icelanders is such that despite the high cost of food and housing, an ordinary family with children is quite satisfied with their lives. After all, they earn so much more that the difference in the price of food, rent and other benefits is not felt. Therefore, the average standard of living in Iceland is higher than in Russia and the rest of Europe (not counting the Scandinavian countries). And if we talk about social security, then Iceland is much "bypassed" Russia. Yes, and in terms of security, Iceland is generally "ahead of the rest." According to the State Statistics Committee and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the number of crimes per year ranges from 2,500 to 3,500, and more than 10 murders per 100,000 inhabitants are committed. And in Iceland, the murder rate is 0.3 (for example, in 2013 there was 1 murder). This is the lowest level of violence in Europe. There are about 200 criminals in an Icelandic prison, most of whom are allowed to go home to see their families from time to time. There are 700 police officers in the country who do not carry weapons as unnecessary.
Table: pros and cons of living in Iceland
Living conditions in Iceland look quite attractive for the average Russian, despite the fact that this country is far and difficult to get to. The legislation here is harsh with respect to foreigners, the language is the most difficult in Europe, and prices are higher than the average for Russia. But the stability and security of life, amazing nature and the cleanest ecology, friendliness of local residents are important criteria. Although, like any country, Iceland has its drawbacks. For some, it will seem too boring and insipid, and life here is devoid of passion and adrenaline. But in any case, this country is amazing, unusual and fully rewards those who dare to call it their second homeland.
All cities in Iceland
Climate. Best time to travel
Iceland has a subarctic maritime climate, thanks to which two seasons are pronounced on the island - winter and summer. A short spring and a hurried golden autumn also take place in these parts, but in order to have time to notice them, you need to live at least a little in Iceland. From the point of view of economy, it is better to go to get acquainted with the beauties of the "ice country" from November to February. Yes, the daylight hours will be short and the weather is unlikely to please with stability, but it is all the more pleasant to make your way to natural wonders like frozen waterfalls, ice caves and hot springs.
The Northern Lights are also a prerogative of winter, as are alien orange-purple sunsets. But you should not be afraid of Icelandic frosts. Due to the nearby Gulf Stream, in January the thermometer on the island does not fall below -2 ° C (mountainous areas do not count). Another argument in favor winter tour Trettowndinn holiday. On this day, the Icelanders escort their Santa Clauses back to the mountains, launching fireworks in their honor and treating those who wish to delicacies of Old Norse cuisine.
Spring in Iceland does not fit into the idea of Europeans about this time of year, because even with the advent of May, there is no sharp warming in the vastness of the country: +7 ° С is all that can be expected from spring days. The advantages of the Icelandic forerunner are not so many, but they are significant - a noticeable increase in daylight hours, the arrival of orange-billed puffins and the opportunity to stay at a hotel with a nice discount. By the way, the dry law was in force on the island for 74 years, which became invalid only in 1989, so in the spring it is also supposed to have a good time at the Beer Festival. It should be borne in mind that the prices of drinks on festival days skyrocket.
Iceland summer will cost an order of magnitude more expensive winter. Firstly, because, starting from June, tourists flock to the country. And secondly, due to the seasonal availability of natural attractions - from December to April, it will not be possible to get to many places of worship due to weather vagaries. Among the advantages of a summer tour are unforgettable white nights, relative warmth (sometimes up to +20 °C), the opportunity to hang out on Independence Day and the Sjomannadagurinn festival, and of course, breathtaking hiking in the most epic locations “the land of sagas and arctic fjords”.
Important: walking in shorts and a T-shirt in Iceland will not work even at the peak of the summer season. The reason for this is the piercing winds that bring rain, and in winter also snow. So, no matter what month you choose to travel, grab an extra set of warm waterproof clothes - be sure it will not be stale.
History of Iceland
Historians continue to argue over who exactly discovered Iceland to the world. According to some versions, the Irish monks were the first to explore the territory of the island. At the same time, archaeological finds make it possible to suspect the ancient Romans in this matter. But the “land of ice and fire” began to be fully populated only in the 9th century, after the Vikings landed in Iceland, who liked the lands so much that they decided to stay on them and establish their own state. As a result, the country entered the so-called era of democracy - a system of government unique for those times, headed not by the king, but by the people's assembly (althing).
At the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, Iceland adopted Christianity, which did not prevent its population from being fond of composing heroic sagas and being afraid of trolls. And in 1262, Norway suddenly remembered the island, after which the locals had to recognize the power of the Norwegian monarch. A little over a hundred years later, Denmark joined the process of dividing the Icelandic lands, subjugating the state and including it in its own territories along with the same Norway. As a result, until the beginning of the 20th century, Iceland remained part of Hamlet's homeland and only in 1918 was able to declare itself an independent kingdom, without finally breaking the union with Denmark.
In 1944, the island changed its political status, turning from a kingdom into a republic, and in 1949 joined the NATO bloc. But the most serious test awaited the "ice country" in 2008, when the global crisis led the local economy, if not to collapse, then to something very close. As a result, until 2012, the financial situation in the state remained difficult and unstable.
Mentality and language barrier
The Icelanders are a strong-willed, athletic people who pride themselves on their ability to maintain equanimity in the most critical situations. At the same time, the ostentatious seriousness and lack of sociability, sometimes attributed to the islanders, is just a defensive reaction. Icelanders prefer to open their souls to their compatriots, and not to foreigners. As for communication at the household level, here the locals are emphatically friendly and respond politely to tourists' requests for a service.
There are many tales about the lack of punctuality of the Icelanders, and there is some truth in such jokes. In harsh climatic conditions not work for wear and tear, but the ability to find the right balance between work and leisure is held in high esteem. But the worn out clichés about the superstitions inherent in the descendants of the Vikings remain, though beautiful, but an exaggeration. Icelandic trolls and gnomes have not harmed anyone for a long time, having migrated to the category of fairy-tale characters, which are sometimes used to scare naughty children.
The official language on the island is Icelandic, which is better for the average tourist not to try to get acquainted with. Firstly, because it is as close as possible to Old Norse with its unpronounceable vocabulary: the name of the famous volcano Eyyafyatlayokudl against the background of other words is not the most difficult option. And secondly, because 90% of the local population is fluent in English. At the same time, the natives of the island exalt their native speech as something unique, and they are happy to come up with new terms that have no analogues in other languages. For example, only in Iceland you can express the state of delight from the dirty trick done to someone with a single word - Pórðargleði.
Money
The national currency of the country is the Icelandic krone (ISK). 1 ISK is approximately 0.51 RUB (the exchange rate for November 2019). You can exchange money at the airport, bank branches and The Change Group exchangers, however, the latter usually charge a commission, the amount of which can be both fixed and dependent on the amount being converted. Bank branches in Iceland operate on a five-day schedule from 9:00 to 16:00. If for some reason the banks did not work out, you can look into large hotels and hotels, which almost always have their own currency exchange.
There are ATMs everywhere, but in cities there is no need to cash out funds, since cards of international payment systems are accepted almost everywhere, including campsites and gas stations. In addition, a commission will be deducted for each transaction.
Attractions and entertainment in Iceland
Iceland for tourists is a “fairy tale of wanderings”, which is better to read outside of Reykjavik. Of course, in the capital of the country there are also objects worthy of attention, but the vast majority of them are of an architectural plan. But to see the land "before the beginning of time" and the incomparable creations of Arctic nature can only be outside the cities, which, by the way, are very few on the island.
It is recommended to build a route depending on the amount of time to be spent in the “land of heroic sagas”. If you decide to stay in Iceland for a couple of weeks, start with a tour along the coast, periodically deviating inland, with indispensable stops to fjords, volcanoes and waterfalls.
For those who are planning a short vacation, it is wiser to drive through locations that are as close as possible to Reykjavik. For example, huddle at the Glymur waterfall, which is considered the highest on the island (198 m) and is located northwest of the capital. Or splash in the Blue Lagoon, a natural geothermal pool located an hour's drive from the country's administrative center. And of course, do not miss the magnificent Esya - a snow-covered mountain range, which is only 10 kilometers from Reykjavik, on the slopes of which thousands of professional climbers and extreme sports enthusiasts climb every year.
Almost very close to the capital is the famous Hvalfjord, aka the Whale Fjord, whose surroundings have been adored by several generations of hiking adherents. Bypassing the entire fjord, which cuts into the land with a 30-kilometer “sleeve”, is not necessary, since a car tunnel is equipped under it.
One of the most "hackneyed" tourist groups, but nevertheless romantic routes - gold ring Iceland. Everyone who sets off on this exciting path is waiting for the Kerid volcanic crater with an ultramarine lake at the bottom, the Haukadalur valley with its gigantic Geysir and Strokkur geysers, as well as the Gullfoss waterfall with an interesting, albeit quite modern legend.
Another location that is part of the Golden Circle and relatively close to Reykjavik is Thingvellir Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was on its territories that the Icelandic statehood was born and the Althing was going to vote. And in Thingvellir there is Sylfa - the deepest fault in the earth's crust, formed by the collision of the Eurasian and North American lithospheric plates. Today, the crack is filled with crystal clear water, so in the summer it is literally "teeming" with divers and snorkelers of all stripes.
Travelers who dream of rewinding millions of years ago and finding out what the planet looked like after it was “covered” by a glacier should move away from the Icelandic capital and drive to Vatnajökull Park. The snow-covered meditative landscapes of the park hide active volcanoes, as well as stunning ice caves, so get hiking shoes and join a tourist group with an experienced guide. In addition, from June to September, visitors have a chance to make their way to the Dettifoss waterfall, which is part of the Vatnajökull protected natural area. The turbulent stream falling from the plateau resembles the Niagara water cascades, although it is somewhat inferior in size to them.
Next to Vatnajökull is another Icelandic miracle - the Jökulsarlon ice lagoon. Steaming here, as, for example, in the Blue Valley, will not work - the temperature is not the same. But flying across the blue surface on an amphibious boat and snapping a hundred fantastic shots with seals is as easy as shelling pears. Collectors of local folklore, troll hunters and simply lovers of ancient legends flock south from Vatnajökull. The place that concentrated all the otherworldly forces of Iceland in itself is the village with the unpronounceable name Kirkjubaejarklaustur, leading its mystical story since 1186.
Iceland's third national park, Snaefellsjokull, is hidden on the western tip of the island. The name Snaefellsjokull belongs not only to the park, but also to the glacier located in it. However, it was not he who provided the place with worldwide fame and tourist attraction, but the writer Jules Verne, who transferred the action of his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth to the Snaefells volcano, which is located on the territory of the park area.
Architecture and monuments
The most curious creations of human hands are in Reykjavik. True, the Icelandic capital “trumps” with tourists mainly with modern constructions, but this does not in the least detract from its value as an object of study. The building of the Concert Hall, for example, looks very unusual, resembling a sectional honeycomb with its glass facades. In the center of the city, the Town Hall is worthy of attention. The concrete structure itself looks a little alien surrounded by ascetic houses, so do not miss the opportunity to look inside to appreciate the giant 3D map of the island and plan a route for its non-mainstream attractions.
At least a couple of minutes of admiring bewilderment will provide an inspection of the facades of the church. Outwardly, the cult building resembles a rocket ready to take off, although the building project was developed long before the space age. If you want something more classic, take a walk to the Landakotskirkja Cathedral - this is an old familiar neo-Gothic, adapted to Icelandic climatic realities and made of high-strength concrete. By the way, Iceland loves to give temples an atypical look, so if you happen to get to the cities of Akureyri and Kopavogur (part of the Reykjavik agglomeration), take a walk near the original church buildings.
I haven't updated this section for a long time. But we have already discussed with you Look who is interested before the trip, and we will continue about Iceland. So …
1. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with about 320 thousand people living here, and before the Second World War the country's population was only 50 thousand.
2. Since everyone in Iceland knows each other, when parting or divorcing a couple always tries to maintain a good relationship. Cases when an ex-boyfriend does not communicate with an ex-girlfriend or ex-spouses do not talk to each other are extremely rare, because in any case, they have almost all friends and acquaintances in common.
3. Instead of surnames in Iceland - patronymics, that is, an analogue of our patronymic. The particle “sleep” (that is, son) or “dottir” (if it is a daughter) is added to the name of the father, for example, Silia Palmarsdottir, that is, Silia Palmars daughter, is added.
4. In the event that the father for some reason does not recognize the child, the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but by the name of the mother.
5. Since everyone in Reykjavik knows each other, the doors of houses here are often not locked, car keys are left in cars, and children in strollers are left unattended at the entrance to a cafe, bar or shop.
6. In Reykjavik, it is considered normal to go to the nearest grocery store in pajamas.
7. Residents of Reykjavik almost always pay for purchases bank cards, and even if they order coffee at the bar. Cash is not accepted here.
8. Icelanders are sure that blowing your nose is unhealthy, so in winter everyone here sniffs, that is, sorry, they draw snot into themselves.
9. But spitting, on the contrary, is not considered indecent, even girls spit on the street and in public places without any problems.
10. In fact, winter in Iceland is not as cold as we used to think, the temperature here rarely drops below -6 degrees.
11. But in winter it is dark in Iceland, on December 21 - on the shortest day of the year, dawn comes at 10.30, and the sun sets already at 16.00. In the summer, long nights are replaced by long days, compared to which the white nights in St. Petersburg are simply nothing, in June in Iceland the sun sets for only a couple of hours.
12. The lack of sunlight in winter is compensated to some extent by the northern lights, you can see it all the time, so after a couple of weeks you no longer pay attention to it.
13. Since the sun does not shine in Iceland in winter, all the inhabitants of the country, in order to avoid rickets and other unpleasant diseases, take fish oil without fail, but not in liquid form, but in tasteless capsules.
14. Almost all Icelanders have profiles on Facebook, according to the latest data, Iceland is an active country in the social network.
15. Even if a resident of Iceland for some reason does not have a profile on Facebook, he can still be easily found on the network. All residents of the country voluntarily register on the ja.is website, where they indicate their first and last name, phone number, address and place on the map where their house is located.
16. In Iceland, if a person is well disposed towards you, he demonstrates this by touching you every now and then.
17. There are an order of magnitude more blondes in Iceland than brunettes, so local residents like to dye their hair a darker shade.
18. In order to spend the night with an Icelandic girl, long courtship is not required, most Icelandic women are, as they say, easy going, including why Italians and Spaniards love to come to Reykjavik so much.
19. Icelanders are very tolerant, a gay parade is regularly held in Reykjavik, homosexual marriages have been allowed here since 2010, and the percentage of bisexuals in the country is very high.
20. The most popular professions in Iceland are artist, musician or designer. Every second bartender or waiter tries to get an education in a creative specialty, and at the same time plays in some kind of rock or folk band.
21. For the reason described above, no one uses the services of designers, for example, in order to come up with the design of an apartment or a wedding dress. The inhabitants of Iceland are sure that each of them is an artist himself, therefore they prefer to invent the interior of the apartment and the design of the dress on their own.
22. Repairs in apartments are also done mainly with their own hands, without hiring workers.
23. Icelanders are crazy about Eurovision, they take the competition of young performers very seriously here, and during the live broadcast the whole country is watching what is happening on TV.
24. There are no McDonald's restaurants in Iceland, the latter closed in 2008 during the crisis.
25. The most popular names in Iceland: male - Jon and female - Guvrun. Also, ancient mythological names are still common, for example, aðalsteinn, which means "main stone".
26. Icelanders, like Russians, like to use in everyday life not full, but abbreviated versions of names, so David in the diminutive Icelandic version will be Dabby, Guvrun - Gunna, Stefan - Steppi, Jon - Nonnie, etc.
27. The language of Iceland has not changed much over the past 1000 years, so there are letters in it that have disappeared from English, plus the inhabitants of the country can read the old Viking sagas in the original without any problems.
28. The local population generally loves to read, today, according to some sources, Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.
29. The price of wine in Iceland is often determined not by the year of its production or quality, but by the strength. Thus, an expensive but light French wine can cost many times less than a 15-degree chatter.
30. Not in Iceland armed forces, their functions are performed to some extent by the Coast Guard.
31. The police in Iceland do not carry weapons, they are not given pistols.
32. Residents of Reykjavik for the most part terribly park, they can throw the car right across the street. The presence of tow trucks and fines for parking in the wrong place do little to help.
33. Icelanders try to use only renewable energy sources, gas and gasoline are used here only to fuel cars and boats, and this is because electric cars have not taken root in the country.
34. You don’t need to pay for water in restaurants and cafes, it is still poured from a water tap. This is water from local thermal springs, and therefore it is absolutely drinkable.
35. Hot tap water in Iceland smells like rotten eggs. The fact is that it also enters the water supply system directly from hot thermal springs, and they are rich in hydrogen sulfide.
36. Taking hot thermal baths is a popular option for evening leisure in Reykjavik, the cost of visiting with a subscription is about 5 euros.
37. In the houses of Iceland, as in Russia, there is a central heating system, which compares favorably with the country from Italy or France, where you have to pay for each inclusion of the heater.
38. Until the seventies of the twentieth century, Icelandic law allowed the inhabitants of the country to kill Turks with impunity. This is because in the past, Turkish pirates often plundered Icelandic ships and coastal villages.
39. To this day, Icelandic law allows the inhabitants of the country to kill polar bears for food.
40. In Iceland, licorice is very popular, it is added to any dishes, plus chocolates with licorice filling are produced here.
41. National dish of Iceland - haukarl - cut into small pieces rotten meat of the Greenland shark. If you do not chew it and just swallow it, it is still quite edible, but if you chew the meat, you will feel the “magic” taste of urea. The fact is that the Greenland shark does not have a urinary tract and its meat contains poisonous ammonia. In order for the meat to be eaten, it is left to rot for three months underground or in the basement. The creators of The Simpsons sneered at the taste of this dish, among other things, in one of the episodes of the animated series.
42. In Iceland, they eat mostly fish, while all dishes are poured over the top with mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, after which the real taste of fish may not be recognized.
43. Most Icelanders have very bad teeth, while Iceland is one of the main sugar-consuming countries, and Coca-Cola is also very popular here.
44. Most Icelanders still believe in elves and trolls, which leads to difficulties in building a house or road. Before construction begins, local “witches” are consulted here to see if it is possible to move this or that stone, or whether an elf lives under it. Sometimes, in order to “not offend” the elf and move the stone, the Icelanders have to perform magical rites, for example, keep the stone in honey for some time.
45. 2148 people in Iceland adhere to the pagan teachings of the Ásatrú Association, which is based on the revival of Icelandic and Norwegian pagan beliefs. This religion is officially accepted, and its ministers can perform a wedding ceremony, which is equivalent to the traditional registration of marriage.
46. In addition to the well-known Santa Claus in Iceland, there are 15 more Santa Clauses different types, by and large they are all elves, in which the locals believe.
47. Every major store in Reykjavik has a playground.
48. All Icelanders wear lopapeysa - a knitted jacket made of sheep's wool with a characteristic national pattern. We can say that this is the very example of a national costume that has not disappeared over time.
49. Icelanders are proud to have the oldest undisbanded parliament in the world, it is called Alþingi and was founded in 930.
50. Residents of Iceland are very trusting, when applying for a job, they do not ask a foreigner for recommendations from a previous job, but simply take the newcomer's word for it.
51. In the Icelandic Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, the so-called "necropants" made from the skin of the lower body of a dead man are on display. To get them, the Icelandic sorcerer had to obtain the consent of a person during his lifetime, and after death, dig up the body from the grave and tear off the skin in one piece. Then the ritual demanded to steal a coin from the widow and put the necropants in the scrotum along with a special sign drawn on a piece of paper. It was believed that wearing such pants would allow you to get rich quickly.
52. Every citizen of Iceland has access to the Íslendingabók website, a genealogical database containing information on family ties of all Icelanders since the 18th century. The task of compiling such a database could be solved thanks to the not very large population of the state (just over 300 thousand) and the fact that Iceland throughout its history was weakly influenced by both emigration and immigration. Many young people use this site to check if their new lover is a cousin or cousin to rule out the possibility of incest. Another popular use of the site is to check the degree of relationship with famous personalities. For example, every Icelander can find out how many generations he is related to Björk.
53. The most famous representatives of Icelandic folklore are the Huldufolk, or hidden people, who are often identified with elves. These creatures are believed to hide in the mountains, although some Icelanders build small houses for them in their gardens and even small churches to convert the elves to Christianity. Sometimes in Iceland, building or utility plans are changed so as not to disturb the supposed habitats of the elves, and in 2004 Alcoa even had to obtain a certificate from a government expert that the site chosen for the construction of an aluminum smelter was free from hidden people. Polls show that the number of Icelanders who admit or are sure of its existence is greater than those who doubt or completely deny the elves.
54. Iceland is predominantly coastal and people travel around the country mainly along the coast. Historically, Icelanders refer to the northwest edge of the island as west, the northeast edge as north, the east edge as east, and the Reykjavík area as south. Therefore, linguistic incidents are possible: heading from the northwestern outskirts towards the northeastern outskirts, the Icelander says that he is going "to the north", although in fact he is moving east, and heading from the southwestern outskirts towards Reykjavik, i.e. in fact north, the Icelander says he is going "south".
55. Prior to the 1990s, Iceland had a law whereby a foreigner wishing to acquire Icelandic citizenship had to adopt an Icelandic name or change his own according to the traditions of the Icelandic language. But there were exceptions for celebrities. When the Soviet conductor and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazi emigrated to Iceland, the country's government added a new one to the official list of permitted names - "Vladimir Ashkenazy".
56. In the Scandinavian countries, dishes from rotten or fermented fish are common. For example, the Icelandic dish hakarl is made from rotten shark meat, and the Swedish surströmming is made from sour herring.
57. Most of the inhabitants of Iceland do not have a surname familiar to us, but are designated by their first and patronymic names. For example, Magnus Karlsson is Magnus, Karl's son, and Anna Karlsdottir is Anna, Karl's daughter.
59. The countries of Scandinavia (Norway and Iceland) have the highest birth rate in Europe among the indigenous, and not the alien population. The Scandinavians initially relied on improving the quality of life of the child, and not on increasing the number of births.
60. The Detifoss waterfall, located in Iceland, is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe: it dumps about 500 m³ of water per second. Spray from it is visible at a distance of a kilometer, and in sunny weather, the waterfall is certainly decorated with a rainbow.
62. For a long time, negotiations between representatives of the Scandinavian countries were conducted in “Scandinavian” (in Swedish, Norwegian or Danish), but in recent years, the Scandinavian languages have been more often replaced by English at the request of the representatives of Finland and Iceland
63. The largest glacier in Europe, Vatna-Yokul (“glacier that provides water”, 8.5 thousand square kilometers, which is equal to the area of \u200b\u200ball glaciers of the European subcontinent) is located in the southeast of the country.
64. According to European Union statistics, more than 25% of the energy consumed by Scandinavians comes from renewable sources. For comparison, we note that for other European countries this figure is, on average, only six percent.
65. According to experts, health care is financed most of all by Iceland, Germany and Norway - more than 9% of the state budget.
66 Reykjavik is the northernmost metropolis in the world (64 N), founded in 874. Reykjavik got its name from the eruption of geothermal vapors from geothermal springs, and literally it means "Smoky Bay".
67. The widest "boiling" river in the world is Deidartunguver north of Reykjavik. The water consumption in these cascades of boiling water, gushing from hot springs, is 225 liters. per second.
68. The longest-lived creature on Earth was found off the coast of Iceland. They turned out to be a clam. Scientists counted the number of rings on its shell and found that the age of the creature is 405-410 years.
69. The territory of Iceland covers 103,300 square meters. km, of which glaciers cover 11,000 sq. km, and lakes - 2,700 sq. km. The country is rich in forests, extending over an area of about
1,511 sq. km. The largest lake in the country is called Dingvallavatn, and the highest peak is Hvannadalshnukur.70. More than 300,000 people live in the country, of which about 150,000 live in the capital. Part of the population settled along the coastal regions. Many interior regions of the country are not suitable for living. The average life expectancy of Icelanders is 80 years.
71. As there are many volcanoes in Iceland, 30 of which have erupted in the last two hundred years, they are used to generate geothermal energy. The rivers flowing through the country provide it with hydroelectric energy. Since there are many rivers with hot water, the country receives heating that does not pollute the environment.
72. The Scandinavians settled in Iceland at the beginning of the 9th century. The founder of the capital is the Norwegian Viking Ingólfur Arnarson. Thus, people here use the Viking language, which has been perfected by many civilizations. The inhabitants of the island bear the names of the father, not the surnames. Consequently, members of the same family have different surnames, which can confuse foreigners.
73. Icelanders are enjoying the heritage of antiquity, having made some modern changes to them. They live in perfect harmony. There are many artists in the country who are specialists in the art of singing and composing.
74. At different times of the year, many colorful festivals are held here, and thematic exhibitions are often organized. The country has a great culinary tradition, where seafood delicacies occupy an important place.75. Iceland is one of the first countries in the world to have a republican government. Now the country is governed by a parliament called Althing (Althing), it consists of 63 members. These members are elected every four years. The head of state has no influence on the politics of the country.
76. The country's economy is heavily dependent on fishing. Most people in the country work in the fishing industry and other related businesses. The current government is focusing on the tourism industry, in addition, the second largest industry, close in importance to the fishing industry, is the export industry. The main part of the country's income comes from the export of seafood.
77. Iceland is a recognized member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).78. Many activities on the island attract more and more tourists. These include whale watching, bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, cycling, fishing, kayaking and glacier excursions.
79. Less than one percent of the world's population will be able to pronounce the word Eyyafyatlayukutl. This is the most famous Icelandic volcano. Of the several thousand people surveyed, only 0.005% managed to pronounce this word.
80. Since July 1, 2010 striptease has been banned in Iceland. To date, this is the only European country where this type of dancing is prohibited.81. Despite the strong physical condition of the majority of the population, the most common sport in the country is chess. In 1931, the parliament was dissolved for the holidays due to the arrival of the famous Russian chess player Alexei Alekhin.
82. Today, more than 11% of Iceland is covered by glaciers. The parliament in Iceland has been operating since the tenth century, namely from 930, and is considered the oldest working parliament in the world. It operates even today.
83. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, the northernmost capital of planet Earth. Back in the ninth century, the first settler of the island built a farm on the site of the capital, from which the country began to grow in all directions. His name was Ingolf Arnarson. Translated from the ancient Celtic language, Reykjavik is read as “Smoking Bay”.84. In 1963, the new island of Surtsey appeared in the ocean off south coast Iceland as a result of a volcanic eruption.
86. Iceland is the most big Island volcanic origin.
87. Scandinavians settled in Iceland at the beginning of the 9th century. The first settler is the Norwegian Viking Ingólfur Arnarsson.
88. Iceland publishes 4 times as many books per capita as the US.
89. Iceland has a special phallological museum that displays 150 penises from more than 40 species of mammals, as well as a collection of related items. So far, there is no human phallus in the exposition, but the curator of the museum has already secured consent to receive this exhibit after the death of one eighty-year-old farmer, who is still in the “sexual” ranks.
90. The central part of the island in winter is so severe and so similar to the lunar landscape that NASA worked out with its astronauts an exit to the surface of the moon in Central Iceland.
91. Vigdis Finnbogadottir is the first female president in Europe and the second in the world. Icelanders are very proud of this fact. She was elected in 1980 and served four terms as president until 1996.
92. The area of the country is 7 times larger than the area of the Moscow region.
93. Cod is depicted on the 1 ISK coin, herring is depicted on 10 kroner, crab is depicted on 50 kroner, and sea bass is depicted on 100 kroner. The Icelandic currency is called isk for short.
94. There are no trees in Iceland. Rather, there are individual trees and artificial plantings, but there are no dense forests. The first Icelandic settlers are to blame for this. When the field was exhausted, they burned a new piece of forest and sowed barley on it. Gradually, the forests on the island disappeared, and today soil erosion is one of the main problems of the country.
95. Icelanders are very proud of their language, and in every possible way oppose the pernicious, as it seems to them, influence on Icelandic of other languages. There is even a special language commission, the main purpose of which is to protect Icelandic from the penetration of foreign words. When any foreign concept or definition comes into use in a country, the commission specially invents or finds an Icelandic equivalent for it.
96. There are few cats in Iceland.
97. There are no railways in Iceland. It is preferable to travel on the usual roads of Iceland in a 4x4 jeep. Optimally - on a superjeep with huge, more than a meter, wheels.
The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy is made -
The nature here is inspiring and the people are very friendly.
This island will not leave you indifferent. Not surprisingly, there are a huge number of writers in Iceland - Environment able to motivate to create something interesting and unusual.
In Iceland, too, you can see a lot of unusual things, and here you will learn about the most interesting of them.
1. The most popular food in Iceland is hot dogs. They are sold almost everywhere - at gas stations, restaurants and roadside establishments.
2. In 1998, a study was conducted, as a result of which it turned out that the majority of Icelanders believe in the existence of elves.
Some believe that elves can be of different sizes, from a few centimeters to 3 meters in height.
They can live in houses, sometimes multistory, and if left alone, they will just go about their business.
Iceland on the map
3. Almost all electricity and heating in Iceland comes from geothermal and hydroelectric power plants.
4. In Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, there is a Phallological Museum that displays canned mammal penises.
5. Since 2010, striptease clubs have been illegal in Iceland.
10. Reykjavik is the northernmost city of all the cities of independent states.
Life in Iceland
11. In Iceland, when it's cold, you can see strollers with children left by their parents to breathe fresh air while the kids sleep.
12. In most cases, Icelanders do not have a surname in the usual sense for us. Their last name is actually their father's name, but with the prefix -dottir (-daughter) or -son (son). For example, Olafur Jónsson means that Olafur is the son of Jónsson.
13. Until 1989, beer was banned in Iceland.
14. Iceland has the best ratio of pools per capita in the world. Thanks to the wealth of geothermal energy in the country, anyone, for a modest price, can visit the pool, even the outdoor one.
How people live in Iceland
15. There is no standing army in Iceland.
16. Iceland's climate is not as cold as many people think. The average air temperature in winter is about 2 degrees Celsius.
Iceland is called the "land of ice". Where there is no ice, there are mountains, volcanoes, bare land or lakes. Tourists come here as to the "end of the world", because you will not find such landscapes anywhere else in the world. Most of the attractions are natural objects- waterfalls, ice lagoon, geysers, large national parks. A certain proportion of travelers are those who came purposefully to see the famous Northern Lights.
However, do not think that Iceland has nothing to show in the cultural aspect. The capital of the country is actively developing and can offer travelers many places to see - a concert hall where world celebrities often perform, various museums. The city of Husavik is popular among tourists. Among the objects of inspection there is a museum of whales and a shocking Phallological Museum.
The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see in Iceland?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photos and a brief description.
1. Hallgrimskirkja
2. Sculpture "Sun Voyager" (Reykjavik)
The name translates as "solar wanderer". The sculpture, popular with tourists, is installed on the embankment in the very center of the city. The author of the monument, artist Jon Gunnar Arnason, created the sketch when he was seriously ill. Simple in appearance, it carries a deep symbolism. The design resembling a ship means the pursuit of a dream and new horizons. The height of the structure reaches 3 meters, and the length is 4 meters.
3. Laugavegur Street (Reykjavik)
One of the most popular shopping streets in Reykjavik. It has the atmosphere of the "old" city. In the past, this street led to hot springs, where there were laundries. One of the most popular goods for tourists on this street are products made from volcanic lava. The second most popular souvenir from here is a sheepskin sweater. In the evening, shops stop working, and bars, nightclubs, and restaurants open.
4. Perlan (Reykjavik)
The building of the city boiler house. Its hemispherical dome looks like a flower, each petal of which is a reservoir of hot water. The building is multifunctional and is popular not only among tourists, but also among residents of the city. On the ground floor there is a winter garden, in the center of which there is a geyser. Part of the floors is occupied by shops. On the top floor there is an observation deck with telescopes.
5. Harpa Concert Hall (Reykjavik)
The building of the concert hall looks like two giant shards of basalt - the rock that makes up most of the mountains of Iceland. The construction of the hall lasted several years due to funding problems and was completed in 2011. In Harp's premises there are not only 4 concert halls, but also conference and seminar halls, shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as observation platform overlooking the center of Reykjavik.
6. Exhibition "871 +/- 2" (Reykjavik)
The exhibition is located in the city center. It contains ancient and ancient artifacts from the time of the first settlers. Also at the exhibition are a variety of interactive exhibits. The museum building was built on the site of 10th century huts, and the exhibition is located in the basement of this building. The exhibits of the exhibition are objects of everyday life and culture of the 9th century. The central exhibit is a hut from the time of the first settlers.
7. National Museum of Iceland (Reykjavik)
The exposition of the museum contains the most valuable objects of culture and life of the Icelandic people. Here you can trace the history of the country in different eras. The museum was opened in 1863, and in 1950 it settled in a building specially built for its needs. The permanent exhibition of the National Museum is about 2000 items. The number of photographs, prints and drawings exceeds 4 million. The museum organizes educational activities.
8. Arbaeyarsafn
Folklore open-air museum. Founded in 1957 to preserve traditions from generation to generation. The museum complex includes dwelling houses of peasants, a Catholic church, workshops of workers. Each building houses a thematic exhibition. The place is popular with tourists. They come to get acquainted with the culture and lifestyle of the Icelanders, original folklore and interesting architecture.
9. Museums of whales in Reykjavik and Husavik
Whaling in Iceland has been a subject of controversy for many years. Activists and scientists opposed to it have founded whale museums. The museum in Reykjavik has 23 life-size whale models. It creates the illusion of being under water - with the help of blue lighting and a sound system. The whale museum in Husavik is less technologically advanced than the museum in Reykjavik. Its main exhibit is the skeleton of a whale.
10. Phallological Museum (Reykjavik)
The museum has no analogues in the world in terms of the uniqueness of the exposition. Visitors can see the preserved penises of various mammalian species, including the human one. In total, the museum has about 200 exhibits. There are also themed paintings and sculptures, and some artwork is made from the genitals themselves. Museum founder Sigurdur Hjartarson has been collecting this extraordinary collection since 1974.
11. Aurora Reykjavik (Reykjavik)
An interactive center that uses the latest technology to recreate the Northern Lights for visitors. The Northern Lights projection room is the centerpiece of the museum. Other sections feature photographs, educational materials and the history of the study of this natural phenomenon. Visitors can take colorful photos in a special photo booth. There is a souvenir shop with themed goods.
12. Monument to Leif Ericsson (Reykjavik)
Located at the entrance to the Lutheran church of Hallgrimskirkja. Leif Ericsson or Leif the Happy was born in Iceland at the end of the 10th century, became famous as a great navigator and ruler of Greenland. The sculpture of a person significant for the history of Iceland was donated to Reykjavik by the USA in 1930 in honor of the Millennium of the Icelandic Parliament. The sculptor Stirling Calder symbolically portrayed the navigator standing on the prow of the boat.
13. Blue Lagoon
Geothermal natural complex. The resort is known all over the world, some call it a symbol of the country. The peninsula, where the natural pool is located, is formed from porous lava, through which sea water seeps, forming a sky-turquoise color. The water temperature even in winter is not less than +37°С. Mineral water The complex has a unique composition, it does not contain bacteria. The bottom is covered with healthy white clay.
14. Route "Golden Ring"
The most popular tourist route in Iceland. The most interesting natural attractions in it are the Gullfoss waterfall, the Thingvellir National Park, the hot river in Hveragerdi, the valley of the Haukadalur geysers with the Strokkur and Geysir geysers. Some tour operators offer one-day excursions along this route, but experienced travelers are advised to give it at least 2-3 days.
15. Laugavegur
The most famous hiking route in Iceland. It is considered one of the most beautiful and picturesque in the world. The hike takes 3-4 days on average, the length is 55 km, the highest point is 1050 meters. Along the way there are small bases where you can spend the night. The trail passes through mountains, glaciers, lava fields. On the way, tourists meet many waterfalls, lakes and picturesque rivers.
16. Thingvellir
The national park is included in the list of objects protected by UNESCO. Founded in 1928. The park is located 40 km from the capital, on the border of two lithospheric plates. Earthquakes are not uncommon here. The park includes the largest lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn, with a depth of about 100 meters. Part of the park is an active volcanic zone. The most notable volcano in this area is the Hengil volcano.
17. Skaftafell
Founded in 1967. The natural landscape of the national park is shaped by the interaction of fire and water, namely the eruptions of the Äraivajokull volcano under the Skeidaraurjokull and Skaftafellsjokull glaciers, as well as the flows of the Morsau and Skeidarau rivers. The park is partly covered with birch forest. The area is popular with tourists, it has specially designated camping sites and hiking trails.
18. Surtsey
The appearance of the island is due to the eruption of an underwater volcano in 1963. Similar geological events took place on Earth millions of years ago during the formation of continents. The height of the island above sea level is 50 meters, the area is 2.5 km². The island from the first days of its existence to the present time has been the object of close study of the processes of the emergence and spread of life.
19. Valley of Geysers Haukadalur
An unusual valley is located in the south of Iceland and is included in the Golden Ring route. Numerous geysers in this place attract the attention of many tourists. The geyser with the name Geysir is remarkable. The Great Geyser throws out large jets of steam several times a day, but not periodically. The second popular geyser called Strokkoyur is more predictable - it releases jets of hot water every 10 minutes.
20. Gullfoss Waterfall
One of the most beautiful waterfalls Iceland. It consists of two steps with a height of 21 meters and 11 meters. The steps are located to each other at an angle of 90 °. The volume of water passing through the waterfall is impressive - in summer it reaches 130 m³ / s. At the top of the waterfall is the Sigriudur Thumasdouttir monument. This is the daughter of the owner of the land, on the territory of which at the beginning of the 20th century there was a waterfall. According to legend, it was she who did not allow the use of the waterfall for the needs of the hydroelectric power station.
21. Dettifoss waterfall
Known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Its name means "bubbling waterfall". It is located on the territory of the large Jokulsaurglyuvur National Park. Next to it are two other picturesque and popular waterfalls - Selfoss and Hafragilfoss, as well as Lake Myvatn. The width of the Dettifoss waterfall reaches 100 meters. Its waters fall down from a height of 44 meters. The flow of water during the flood reaches 600 m³/sec.
22. Skogafoss waterfall
It is one of the most visited not only in Iceland, but also in the world. Located next to the Eyjafjallajökull glacier near the village of Skogar. In the past, this place was the coastline. Especially for tourists, a hiking trail has been laid to the top of the Fimmvurduhalus pass. It offers a beautiful view of the 60-meter waterfall. Its width is 25 meters. In the spray of the waterfall on a sunny day you can see a rainbow.
23. Seljalandsfoss waterfall
Located on the river Seljalandsau at the location of the former coastline above which it rises 60 meters. Behind the waterfall inside the rocky cliffs is a deep indent. It has access to people, so the Seljalandsfoss waterfall can be viewed from all sides. It looks especially beautiful at sunset. Near the waterfall there is a site for setting up tents and tourists.
24. Landmannalaugar
The Landmannaløygar Valley is part of a large nature reserve in Iceland. The unusual landscape of the valley is created by formations of lava and water. The mountains of this bridge are created by crystallized formations of volcanic rock. The color of these stones changes depending on the lighting. It can be yellow or red with purple or green streaks. There are routes of varying difficulty along the valley.
25. Kerid
Crater lake in southern Iceland. It is part of the volcanic zone along with the Lángjökull glacier and the Reykjanes Peninsula. The red volcano basin is typical of volcanic rock. It is 55 meters deep and 170 meters wide. The basin of the lake is quite ancient - it was formed about three thousand years ago. The lake, about 10 meters deep, has an unusual color with a bright aquamarine hue.
26. Fjadrarglufur Canyon
Located next to a small fishing village in the east of Iceland. The picturesque views of this canyon attract travelers from all over the world. By its size, it is one of the largest among such canyons. The Fjadrarglufur canyon was formed more than 2 million years ago after the collapse of a large glacier. It is distinguished by its vertical walls. Its length is about 2 km, a small river flows along the bottom of the canyon.
27. Mount Kirkjufell
With its steep slopes, the mountain resembles in shape the roof of a Lutheran church. The slopes received this shape after the glacier disappeared. The height of the mountain is 463 meters. At the foot there is a small waterfall, photos from this angle are especially successful. Usually travelers take a walk around the mountain - it will take no more than an hour. Climbing to its top is possible only with special equipment.
28. Lake Myvatn
A beautiful lake in the north of Iceland. The diameter of the lake is 10 km. The area around it is considered the most popular tourist area in the country. On the hills by the lake are both indoor geothermal pools and outdoor pools with hot water. Fishing in the lake is carried out only under license. For fans of the Game of Thrones series, the lake is interesting because several scenes from the fifth season were filmed on its shores.
29. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
The ice lagoon is the largest in Iceland. The area of the lagoon is 20 km², the depth reaches 200 meters. From the shore you can see a large ice cap, from which icebergs often break off. Blocks of ice can reach a size of 30 meters. In order to see the icebergs that have stuck around the lagoon, jeep and snowmobile tours are popular. Jokulsarlon Lagoon is a popular location for filming movies and commercials.
30. Diamond Beach
The name "Diamond Beach" came from the ice crystals scattered on the black sandy shore. Ice shards of various sizes and incredible shapes are pieces of hundreds of icebergs in the Jokulsarlon lagoon. Crystals on the shore and icebergs in the water look especially beautiful under the rays of sunset or rising sun. At such moments, fragments of ice shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.
31. Reynisfjara Beach
Popular with tourists due to the black volcanic sandy shore. It was formed over many years of crushing hardened lava with water. Picturesque grottoes made of black shiny stone on the shore seem to take vacationers into another reality. The length of the beach is more than 5 km, and the width is several tens of meters. Near the shore there are high basalt columns, which are called "Troll Fingers".
32. Cape Dirholaey
The locals call this cape "the hole in the door". By their shape, the rocks on the shore really resemble doorways. The landscape is striking in its color scheme - the gray color of the volcanic rocks smoothly turns into the black color of the sand on the shore and the blue water of the ocean. Cape Dirholaey is a protected area. Therefore, during the nesting season of birds from mid-May to mid-June, passage to the cape is prohibited.
33. "Column of Peace"
The memorial was erected in memory of the musician John Lennon. The initiator of the installation was his widow, Yoko Ono. The monument is a white stone pedestal. Rays of light go from it to the sky, forming a tower. In good cloudless weather, the height of the rays can reach four kilometers. According to the authors of the project, the tower symbolizes the struggle for world peace, which was started by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the 60s of the XX century.
34. Douglas DC-3 wreckage
The wreck of the aircraft that committed emergency landing in 1973. None of the crew was hurt. The military took away all valuable equipment from the plane, and left the empty body at the landing site. A paved route 4 km long leads from the car park to the aircraft. Tourists who have been there talk about the incredible experience of seeing the wreckage of an airplane in the middle of the deserted kilometers of a black beach.
35. Northern Lights
Iceland is one of the few countries where you can see the northern lights. The most likely period to see firsthand is this natural phenomenon– from September to April. It is also recommended to go to the north of the country or to the Western Fjords - the dark time of the day lasts longer there, which means there are more chances to see the coveted multi-colored flashes in the sky. For those who want to "catch" the northern lights, there are special organized car tours.
