Iceland
Europe · Northern Europe
Overview
Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic, close to the Arctic Circle, geologically highly active as it sits astride the boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The island was settled in the 9th century by Vikings, mainly arriving from Norway and the British Isles, and the Icelandic Althing, founded in 930, is one of the oldest continuously functioning parliaments in the world. Iceland's population numbers only about 380,000, giving it one of the lowest population densities in Europe. The official language is Icelandic, which remains relatively close to Old Norse, allowing modern Icelanders to read the centuries-old sagas without great difficulty.
Þingvellir National Park, where the Althing originally held its sessions, also marks the meeting point of the two tectonic plates, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Reykjavík, the world's northernmost capital, home to Hallgrímskirkja church and a lively cultural scene, serves as the country's political and economic center. Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal field, which gave its name to the word "geyser" itself, form part of the popular "Golden Circle" tourist route, easily reached from the capital. Surtsey Island, which emerged from the sea during an underwater volcanic eruption between 1963 and 1967, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008 and remains closed to the public for scientific reasons, allowing researchers to study the natural colonization process of an untouched island.
Iceland's volcanic landscape, shaped by about 30 active volcanic systems, continues to reshape the country's surface, and recent eruptions, such as that of Fagradalsfjall, have become popular natural phenomena observable from a safe distance. Viewing the northern lights (aurora borealis) is popular from September through April during the dark, clear nights, while in summer the island experiences the midnight sun. The country's significant geothermal activity allows for bathing in natural hot springs, such as the Blue Lagoon, which also forms an integral part of everyday Icelandic life. Local cuisine is built around fish and lamb, with hangikjöt, smoked lamb, and skyr, a thick, yogurt-like dairy product, as signature items, prepared according to centuries-old Icelandic culinary traditions.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir (Thingvellir) is the National Park where the Althing, an open-air assembly representing the whole of Iceland, was established in 930 and continued to meet until 1798. Over two weeks a year, the assembly set laws - seen as a covenant between free men - and settled disputes. The Althing has deep historical and symbolic associations for the people of Iceland. The property includes the Þingvellir National Park and the remains of the Althing itself: fragments of around 50 booths built from turf and stone. Remains from the 10th century are thought to be buried underground. The site also includes remains of agricultural use from the 18th and 19th centuries. The park shows evidence of the way the landscape was husbanded over 1,000 years.
Surtsey
Surtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. It is all the more outstanding for having been protected since its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, Surtsey has been producing unique long-term information on the colonisation process of new land by plant and animal life. Since they began studying the island in 1964, scientists have observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the appearance of moulds, bacteria and fungi, followed in 1965 by the first vascular plant, of which there were 10 species by the end of the first decade. By 2004, they numbered 60 together with 75 bryophytes, 71 lichens and 24 fungi. Eighty-nine species of birds have been recorded on Surtsey, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland. The 141 ha island is also home to 335 species of invertebrates.
Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice
This iconic volcanic region covers an area of over 1,400,000 ha, nearly 14% of Iceland's territory. It numbers ten central volcanoes, eight of which are subglacial. Two of these are among the most active in Iceland. The interaction between volcanoes and the rifts that underlie the Vatnajökull ice cap takes many forms, the most spectacular of which is the jökulhlaup – a sudden flood caused by the breach of the margin of a glacier during an eruption. This recurrent phenomenon has led to the emergence of unique sandur plains, river systems and rapidly evolving canyons. Volcanic areas are home to endemic groundwater fauna that has survived the Ice Age.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Iceland?
The capital of Iceland is Reykjavík.
What is the area of Iceland?
The area of Iceland is 103,000 km².
What is the population of Iceland?
The population of Iceland is 386,506.
What is the currency of Iceland?
The currency of Iceland is Icelandic króna (ISK).
What is the official language of Iceland?
The official language of Iceland: Icelandic.
What side of the road does Iceland drive on?
Iceland: Right-hand traffic.
Is Iceland a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Iceland is a member of the United Nations.