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Iceland
I chose this country because I consider it to be a wonderful place, it is a country
that projects a future, Is a small Nordic island, where 100% (one hundred percent)
of the electricity comes from a renewable (renyubol) energy source produced by
heat from volcanic activity under the surface and the force from the magnificent
cascading waterfalls
One of the most unique things about iceland is that there are extreme geothermal
activities going on underneath your feet throughout the entire country, the
combination of volcanic activity and cold climate has earned Iceland the nickname
“land of fire and ice”.
Geography
Iceland is a sovereign country located in the extreme northwest of Europe, Iceland
is located in the Atlantic Ocean south of the Arctic Circle, which passes through the
small island of Grímsey. Unlike Greenland, its neighbor, it is part of Europe, not
North America, although geologically the island is located between both continental
plates.
The closest islands to the country are Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The
closest distance to the mainland of Europe is to Norway.
Iceland is the 18th (eigthen) argest island in the world and the second largest in
Europe, after Great Britain. the total surface of the country amounts to 103,000 km²
(one hundred three thousand squeart kilomerers), 1 an area similar to that of Cuba
or Guatemala in America. 62%(sixty two percent) is tundra (sixty two percent is
tundra). Around it are counted up to 30 minor islands, including the inhabited island
of Grímsey and the archipelago of the Vestman Islands.
The island itself is made up of basalt and petrified lava with low levels of silica, in
addition to other types of rocks such as rhyolites and andesites
The island marks the border between the Eurasian Plate and the North American
Plate, since it has been created by the intense activity of volcanism in the area.
Its capital is Reykjavik. It has a population of about 350,000 (three hundred fifty
thousond) inhabitants and an area of 103,000 km (one hundred three thousand
squeart kilomerers)
their flag is this
video
The island itself is composed of basalt and low-silica petrified lava. Geologically, it
is part of the mid-Atlantic ridge, the ridge along which the oceanic crust forms and
spreads. In addition, it is located on a hot spot, where magma accumulates below
the earth's crust.
On average, a volcanic eruption occurs every five years, and many of these
eruptions have had significant effects within the country and around the world.
politics
Iceland is a representative democracy and a parliamentary republic. the modern
parliament,
It currently has 63 members, elected for a maximum term of four years. The
President is elected by direct vote for a term of four years. The government and
local councils are elected separately from the presidential elections every four
years.
The current president of Iceland is Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, who is the head
of state. His post only has ceremonial and diplomatic functions, although he can
suppress a law passed by Parliament.
the head of government is the prime minister (currently Katrín Jakobsdóttir) who,
together with the cabinet, is responsible for the executive branch, and the cabinet
is appointed by the president after the general parliamentary elections.
animals
Birds, especially seabirds, are a very important part of Iceland's animal life. During
the summer months, the island is chosen as a breeding ground for many species
of migratory seabirds such as the puffin.
The only indigenous land mammal is the arctic fox. Other introduced mammals that
have feral field mice, rats, rabbits, and reindeer.
Several species of cetaceans are common in Icelandic waters such as the
humpback whale, blue whale, and white-nosed dolphin, among others.
Seals populate the coasts and coastal glacial lakes of Iceland, highlighting the
common seal.
Iceland's domestic animals include sheep, cattle, chickens, goats, the Icelandic
horse and the Icelandic shepherd.
Many varieties of fish live in the ocean waters surrounding Iceland, and the fishing
industry is a major contributor to the economy.
Weather
The climate of the Icelandic coast is classified as subpolar oceanic, that is, it has
cool and short summers, with mild winters (compared to other European countries)
and the temperature drops to -10 ° C (min ten grade celsius), in the capital. The
warm Gulf Stream causes higher annual mean temperatures than those at similar
latitudes in other parts of the world. The coasts of the island remain ice-free during
winter, and despite its proximity to the Arctic this occurs very rarely.
There are climatic variations between one part of the island and another. In
general, the south coast is warmer, wetter and windier than the north coast. The
lowlands in the interior and in the north of the island are more arid. Snowfall is
more frequent in the north than the south. The inland highlands of Iceland are the
coldest area on the entire island.
The highest temperature recorded in the country was 30° C (thirty grade
celsious)in Teigarhorn, on the southeast coast. On the other hand, the lowest was
-38 ° C in Grímsstaðir. In Reykjavik, the recorded extreme temperatures reached
26 ° C.
Culture
these are the common houses in the city and these are the common houses in the
field
Icelandic culture has its roots in Nordic traditions and its literature is recognized
mainly for its sagas and eddas, which were written during the Middle Ages.
Icelanders consider independence and self-sufficiency of great importance;
They also have some traditional beliefs, mainly shared with Norse mythology,
which are still valid today; For example, some Icelanders believe in elves, or at
least are unwilling to dismiss their existence.
Iceland is a tolerant country regarding the rights of the LGBT community.
Parliament passed a law to create civil unions for same-sex couples, covering
almost all the rights and benefits of marriage.
A series of laws were passed that gave same-sex couples the same rights as
heterosexual couples in adoption, parenting, and assistance with artificial
insemination treatments.
vestimenta
The traditional Icelandic costume is similar to what we can find in Denmark,
Norway, Sweden or Finland, since it is entirely about Viking cultures.
There are several types of clothing depending on age, sex and the occasion. To
this day, the same patterns are still used on festive and publicly important
occasions. Some were specially designed for special ceremonies, while others are
considered traditional clothing for daily tasks.
Icelanders are guaranteed freedom of worship by the Constitution, although the
National Church of Iceland, belonging to Lutheranism, is the state religion.
As in the other Nordic countries, attendance at religious services is relatively low,
for this reason most of the population is considered atheist
Places
Located at the eastern end of the Golden Circle, Gullfoss has established itself as
the most famous waterfall in Iceland. In addition to being part of this popular tourist
route, Gullfoss has conquered tourists and Icelanders by the force of their
waterfalls and the impressive landscape they form both in winter and summer.
In fact, Gullfoss means "golden waterfall", for which there are various theories. The
first of them affirms that the origin of the name is due to the golden light that its
waters reflect during sunset. In this sense, another hypothesis affirms that it is
known as a "golden waterfall" because of the rainbow that forms when sunlight
passes through the water particles that are suspended in the air in their waterfalls.
Gullfoss is made up of two waterfalls that carry an average of 109 cubic meters of
water per second. The first one, in the highest part of the falls, measures
approximately 11 meters. After falling here, the water meets yet another jump: the
second Gullfoss waterfall measures 20 meters, so that all of them total 31 meters
in height.
The explanation for this phenomenon is due to the particular Icelandic geography.
In the land of this area, there are various layers made up of different materials,
some being harder than others (such as basaltic lava.) This caused the force of the
Hvitá river to erode the different strata in different ways, thus carving little by little
the Steps that today we see perfectly reflected in Gullfoss.
Blue lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal seawater spa, which is also believed to have
natural healing powers. This water is rich in silica and minerals, so it works very
well to cure all kinds of eczema and skin related problems like psoriasis. In fact, the
Blue Lagoon has a specialized skin treatment clinic.
But not only that, you can also take luxury spa treatments or dine at the Lava
restaurant located in the lagoon. The Blue Lagoon experience is unmatched. Its
water is milky blue and it is surrounded by lava. Making this place mysterious and
above all charming.
Black beach
180 (one hundred eiri) km southeast of Reykjavik is Reynisfjara. This is a black
sand beach surrounded by hexagonal columns of mountain basalt and roaring
waves.
There are three titanic rocks that live haunted by storms in the North Atlantic.
Legend has it that they are petrified remains of neglected trolls that were hit by
sunlight.
Near this point is Dyrhólaey, a large pillar made of dark lava that arches 120
meters into the sea. This pillar forms a peninsula from where travelers can
appreciate the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and view the entire southern coast of Iceland.
Mytvant lake
This site is located 90 km east of Akureyri. It is one of the largest lakes on the
island and was formed by a volcanic eruption 2,300 (two thousand three hundred)
years ago. The area is still volcanically active, since the Krafla volcano is very
close to the place,
In the lake you can see many birds. In addition, its surroundings have many unique
natural wonders in Iceland
Legend has it that it was at this place that Satan fell after being thrown from
heaven, only to be banned by the local light elves who made their Hell Catacombs
their own capital city.
You are likely to come across cracks and caves filled with water that naturally
creeped into the surrounding lava fields. In these places you can bathe without
problems. But be careful, as earthquakes have made some natural baths too hot
and dangerous.
HEKLA VOLCANO
It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and rises 1,500 (one thousand
five hundred) meters south of the Icelandic sky. Its first documented eruption was
in 1114 (eleven fortin), since that time there have been between 20 and 30 major
eruptions. Hekla and the landscapes it has caused with its eruptions, have served
as inspiration for many artists and filmmakers
Geyser (gaiser)
also known as The Great Geysir, it is the oldest known geyser and one of the most
impressive examples of this phenomenon worldwide.
Most of the time, the Geysir can throw boiling water up to more than 80 meters into
the air. However, eruptions do not usually occur often and in the past there have
been times when they have not occurred for years.
This place is located between two glacial rivers and is surrounded by the
mountains of the East. If you want to take a real geyser excursion this is the best
place, since you can describe more than 170 different species of plants growing in
the place. It is also the perfect place for nesting the 30 species of birds that arrive
each spring.
Gastronomy
Because for many years fishing was the main engine of the country's economy, the
consumption of marine products is the main basis of most of the dishes in its
[Link] addition to fish and seafood, the main meat consumed it is that of
lamb, followed by that of horse, that of cow and that of reindeer.
Traditional foods include ingredients such as skyr, which is a dairy product made
from yogurt, marinated ram scrubs, marinated shark, roasted lamb heads and
some black pudding typical of its gastronomy called slátur. Some of the best-
known Icelandic dishes are gravlax, hakarl, and kleina. Iceland's national drink is
brennivin, an alcoholic drink made from the pulp of fermented potato.
Currently, the diet of Icelanders is very diverse, since in addition to traditional
dishes, recipes from various world cuisines are consumed. As in other western
societies, the consumption of fast food is widely popular.
Celebrations
Icelanders have some celebrations like:
new Year
beer day
holy Week
Christmas
