The subject of our review today will be Iceland. Description of the country, interesting facts, sights - all this in the material presented below.
general information
Iceland is an island and a state. The area of the territory is 103 thousand square meters. km, which is home to about 322 thousand people. The capital is the city of Reykjavik, where a third of the country's population is concentrated, and more than half with the suburbs. The official language is Icelandic, and the currency is Icelandic krona, the rate of which in 2016 was 122 kroons for 1 USD. Iceland is a parliamentary republic led by a president, elected for 4 years. To enter the country, Russian citizens need a passport and a Schengen visa.
Location
Iceland - the land of ice - is located in the northern tip of the Atlantic Ocean, up to the North Pole large tracts of land no longer exist. Its northern part is located near the Arctic Circle.
The island is remote from the rest of Europe: from the nearest Faroe Islands by 420 km, from the island of Great Britain by 860 km, and from the nearest point on the continental coast of Norway by 970 km. An interesting fact is that, despite this, Iceland belongs to European countries, although it is much closer to 287 km from the North American island of Greenland.
Iceland: interesting facts about the country
The discovery of Iceland dates back to the end of the VIII century by Irish monks, and after them the Normans Nadod and Floki got here. Following these events, at the end of the 9th century, the island began to be actively settled by Vikings - immigrants from Norway, who for half a century were able to master almost all the lands suitable for living and economic development.
In 1264, Iceland was annexed to Norway, and in 1381, it is part of Denmark. The country received its independence only in 1944.
The inhabitants of the island are a courageous and proud people, respectfully referring to their historical past and cultural traditions. In particular, to ancient Icelandic legends - sagas telling about tribal feuds, exciting events, about elves, gnomes and other mysterious characters, the existence of which some residents still believe.
An interesting fact about the country of Iceland is that there is practically no crime - there is only one prison, and it contains no more than a dozen people. The police go here without weapons, but there is no army at all.
The basis of the modern economy is made up of only two sectors - aluminum processing and fishing. By the way, it will be said that the islanders are second only to Norway from European countries in annual catch volumes.
Iceland is one of the most prosperous states. So, the average per capita annual income here is $ 39,000 (by our ruble standards - every resident here, including an infant, is a millionaire).
Nature
The country of Iceland, with all its modest size, is the largest island in the world of volcanic origin. The relief of the island is predominantly mountainous; the peaks are vents of extinct and active volcanoes. The highest of them is Hvannadalshnukur peak (2110 m), located on the southwest coast. The lowest point is not far away - this is the lagoon of a glacial lake (0 meters above sea level).
Many of the active volcanoes from time to time declare themselves powerful eruptions. The largest volcano on the island is the famous Hekla (1,488 meters), located near the Greater Reykjavik and frightening the locals with its eruption in 2000.
The longest river of the island is Thorsau (237 km). Glaciers and glacial lakes abound from other water bodies, which are found everywhere and in countless numbers.
Iceland is unique in its diverse natural landscapes. In addition to glaciers, the surface of the country in many places is covered with lava fields. Geysers and hot springs are often found in these areas. Stony placers covered with dense mosses and lichens, islets of birch forests and meadows from grasses are widespread on the island. Particularly picturesque areas in various parts of the island give waterfalls. On the west coast, numerous fjords amaze with their beauty. To protect stunning nature in the country created national parks.
Climate and typical weather
Iceland is a northern country that does not quite live up to its icy name. Warm currents washing her , especially from the south of the Gulf Stream, do not allow her to become a cold, harsh desert.
Winters here are relatively warm, with an average monthly temperature of –1 ° C, which many southern regions of Russia can envy. However, during some periods of this season, cold winds are frequent, which, together with accumulations of drifting Arctic ice, especially in the southeast, cause sharp drops in temperature to -30 ° C. The daylight hours are no more than five hours.
Summer is not hot here. The average July temperatures are only +12 ° C. The warmest on the south coast is up to +20 ° C, with maximums up to + 30 ° C. In the summer, the whole island is shined with the sun around the clock, and here are white nights characteristic of the polar latitudes.
Precipitation throughout the island is unevenly distributed. For example, on the west coast, their number varies from 1300 to 2000 mm per year, on the northeast, their norm is up to 750 mm, and in the mountainous part of the southern regions they can have values up to 4000 mm.
The weather here is very variable, and without exaggeration, we can say that it can change in just a few minutes. It was just warm and sunny, when suddenly the sky became cloudy, and a cold, dank wind blew. Residents of the country jokingly tell their visitors and tourists: “If you suddenly didn’t like something in the weather, don’t despair, wait half an hour, and it will change.”
Attractions Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the main city, the capital of Iceland. Which country can not boast of a huge number of attractions? So Iceland has something to show tourists. In particular, its main city houses historical and architectural monuments, museums and modern institutions. Among them, the attention of tourists attract:
- Hallgrimskirkja Temple is a cult Lutheran building of the mid-20th century, in the form of a volcanic eruption. Inside is a large organ. In front of the church is a statue of Leif Ericsson the Happy.
- The cathedral, which is the main temple built at the end of the 18th century.
- The building of Altinga (parliament) in the style of classicism, was erected in the XIX century.
- Perlan, or a pearl, looks like a daisy with a blue dome. It is located on a high hill and has a rotating platform for viewing the panorama of the city. Inside the building are the Saga Museum, a winter garden, an artificial geyser, shopping pavilions and restaurants.
- “Caffey Reykjavik” - this bar is unusual in that it consists of whole blocks of ice, and drinks are certainly served in ice glasses.
- Harpa Concert Hall. Its facades consist of multi-colored glass cells, which, with the help of built-in LEDs, impress visitors with a game of colors.
Blue Lagoon
The lagoon is a geothermal spring and resort with all the proper infrastructure. This is perhaps the most famous and visited place for hundreds of thousands of tourists. The lagoon is an artificial reservoir with a constant temperature of 40 ° C. This is the only place of this kind on the planet, which is filled with visitors all year round. It is established that swimming in the waters of the lake, rich in minerals, helps to heal from skin diseases.
Valley of Geysers
It arose in the XIII century after a strong earthquake. The main one, called the Great Geysir, throws a stream of water of very high temperature to a height of 70 meters from a depth of more than two thousand meters. The contemplation of this magnificent sight leaves a strong impression. There are also swimming spots in less hot springs. Residents use the natural heat of geysers to heat their homes.
Seljyalandsfoss Waterfall
The waterfall is located in the south of the island and is very popular with tourists. Water falls from a height of 60 meters. It flows down from the cliffs that used to be the coastline, but now a picturesque valley has formed on this place. The beauty of the waterfall (in combination with the surrounding landscape) is unrivaled. That's why his photos are posted on calendars and postcards.
Colored mountains
In the warm season of the year in the Landmannalaugar National Park you can see a striking sight - colorful mountains. The slopes of the mountains shine with unusual stripes - brown, yellow, pink, blue, purple, green, white and black. The reason for this phenomenon is associated with the volcanic origin of rocks. The location of the park near the Hekla volcano makes it one of the popular tourist centers of the country.
Vatnajokull National Park
What more can you say about Iceland? Facts about the country, all its attractions simply can not be listed in one article. But still I would like to mention this park. It was created in 2008. Its area is almost 12% of the territory of Iceland, and it is the largest in Europe. The main highlight of the park is the eponymous glacier with an area of up to 8100 square meters. km and ice thickness up to 500 meters. Under his shell there are beautiful ice caves, as well as seven active volcanoes.
As entertainment Vatnajokull tourists can take walks in beautiful places, engage in winter sports, but bathing in hot springs located inside the ice caves is in special demand.
Undoubtedly, this is only a small part of the natural attractions of the country of Iceland, in its open spaces tourists will find many more interesting and mysterious.