The country with the chilly name is rapidly becoming one of Europe's hottest destinations. Much of Iceland's popularity is due to its natural features, which include glaciers, hot springs, geysers, active volcanoes, portentous peaks and vast lava deserts.
In addition to its expansive landscape, it has a rich history and folklore tradition. However, Iceland's appeal is tempered by the most expensive prices in Europe. That doesn't mean it can't be visited on a shoestring, but it does mean that budget travellers will have to work a little harder.
Few visitors leave Iceland without a sense of wonder - it's that sort of country. It's relatively easy to get around (in summer at least) and see the striking natural features, there's a growing range of accommodation and a wide range of activity options. Ecotourism - such as whale- and bird-watching - is developing, and airline links to Europe are more plentiful; while all this is making Iceland more accessible, you'll still require a sense of adventure.
All these pictures are taken by me below, copyright Peter Paulin
Full country name: Republic of Iceland
Area: 103,000 sq km
Population: 296,000
Capital City: Reykjavik
People: 97% Icelanders
Language: Icelandic, English
Religion: 95% Evangelical Lutheran, 3% other Protestant denominations, 1% followers of Ãsatrú, an ancient Norse religion
Government: constitutional republic
Head of State: President Ã"lafur Ragnar GrÃmsson
Head of Government: Prime Minister Halldór ÃsgrÃmsson
GDP: US$8.44 billion
GDP per capita: US$30,200
Annual Growth: 2.7%
Inflation: 1.9%
Major Industries: Fishing, aquaculture, aluminium smelting & geothermal power
Major Trading Partners: EU (esp. Germany, Norway, UK, Denmark, Sweden), USA
Member of EU: No
This is my fav. picture taken in Iceland by me:
The desert
Me feeling liberated
Hot springs on the way
Fjord to Akureyri, 2nd largest city in Iceland
Akureyri
Cute Icelandic houses
Church downtown
The main street
Strange bldg.
Main square
Uptown
Old houses
New condos
Outside Akureyri
Strange landscapes...outside Lake Mýtvan, these are lava formations about 20m high and they go on and on and on
Worms eye view
I love swimming here!
Hot viking boys!
Farms of East Iceland, where I am living
Me relaxing my feet in a local hotspring
Reindeer at 2:00am
The midnight sun
The local lake on a cold day
The ocean
Old country houses
The northeast desert
2nd fav. pic of mine
The famous Icelandic horses
Taken by me! :
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