Iceland is a large island nation in the northern Atlantic Ocean. It was originally settled by the Norse (vikings) in the 9th century. Irish monks came in the previous century, but did not stay. The vikings moved to Iceland because their home of Norway didn’t have enough farmland to support the population and this caused wars. Iceland was completely empty so these first inhabitants could live on whatever land they wanted. The current republic was founded in 1944 and it is governed by a parliament and a president.
• The capital is Reykjavik, which is the world’s northernmost capital city.
• The population is 317,000.
• The money is called the Krona.
• School is free for everyone in Iceland — all the way through college.
• Foxes are the only mammal native to Iceland.
• Iceland was ruled by Denmark for 500 years.
• The highest point is 2,110 meters and it is called Hvannadalshnukur.
• Only 1 percent of the land is farmable.
• The Vatnajokull glacier is the largest glacier in Europe.
• In June and July the sun never sets.
• Handball is one of the most popular sports.
• Skyr is a very popular snack. It is like yogurt, but it is actually cheese.
• 11 percent of the country is covered in ice.
• It is common to believe in elves and trolls.
• The three colors of the flag represent the elements of the nation. Red is volcanic
fire, white is for snow, blue is the ocean.
One of the most unique aspects of Iceland is its volcanic activity, which is created by the Earth’s tectonic plates colliding near the island. There are around 200 volcanoes on the island. But even more amazing is the geothermal energy that the volcanic activity provides. Geothermal energy is created when the hot magma from the many volcanoes on the island heat the underground water reservoirs to high temperatures and create huge amounts of steam. Power plants, homes and restaurants then use the energy from the steam to create power and often to cook. Eighty-five percent of Iceland’s energy is produced from geothermal energy, which is a renewable resource and good for the environment. When the heated water is on the surface of the planet, it creates a hot spring, which people often bath in because the minerals in the warm water are thought to be great for health.
