Iceland Discoveries
Iceland means new and different things for you to see and do, whatever the season. Every part of the year has its own special attractions, character and charm. And don´t let the name deceive you - Iceland can be very warm in summer when the sun shines virtually round the clock, while January temperatures are around 0°C.

Facts about Iceland
The Country
Iceland is an island of 103.000 km2 (39,756 sq.miles), with an average height of 500 m above sea level. Its highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur, rises to 2.119 m and over 11 per cent of the country is covered by glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest in Europe.

Energy
Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hot spot of volcanic and geothermal activity: 30 post-glacial volcanoes have erupted in the past two centuries, and natural hot water supplies much of the population with cheap, pollution-free heating. Rivers, too, are harnessed to provide inexpensive hydroelectric power.

People
Out of a population numbering more than 280.000, half live in the capital Reykjavík and its neighbouring towns in the southwest. Keflavík International Airport is located about 50 km from the capital. The highland interior is uninhabited (and uninhabitable), and most centres of population are situated on the coast.

Language
Iceland was settled by Nordic people in the 9th century - tradition says that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavík now stands. The Icelanders still speak the language of the Vikings, although modern Icelandic has undergone changes of pronunciation and, of course, of vocabulary! Iceland is alone in upholding another Norse tradtion, i.e. the custom of using patronymics rather than surnames; and Icelander´s christian name is followed by his or her father´s name and the suffix -son or -dóttir, e.g. Guðrún Pétursdóttir (Guðrún, daughter of Pétur). Members of a family can therefore have many different "surnames", which sometimes causes confusion to foreigners!

History
In 930, the Icelandic settlers founded one of the world´s first republican governments; the Old Commonwealth Age, described in the classic Icelandic Sagas, lasted until 1262, when Iceland lost its independence, and in 1944 the present republic was founded. The country is governed by the Althing (parliament), whose 63 members are elected every four years. four-yearly elections are also held for the presidency; President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson was elected in June 1996 to succeed Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, and was re-elected in June 2000. The head of state plays no part in day-to-day politics.

Economy
The economy is heavily dependent upon fishing. Despite effort to diversify, particularly into the travel industry, seafood exports continue to account for nearly three-puarters of merchandise exports and approximately half of all foreign exchange earnings. Yet less than 10 per cent of the workforce is involved in fishing and fis processing. The travel industry makes up the second-largest export industry in Iceland. The standard of living is high, with income per capita among the best in the world. The financial sector has benn liberalised in recent years. The economy is service-oriented: two-thirds of the working population are employed in the service sector, both public and private. Iceland is a member of the European Fee Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEC).

Health
Life expectancy, at 81.3 years for women and 76.4 for men, is one of the highest in the world, and a comprehensive state health-care system aims to keep it that way.

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Natural Wonders
Nature the Way Nature Made It

Much of Iceland is still taking shape before your very eyes — raw, dramatic landscapes born from volcanic eruptions and carved out by glaciers. Other parts have hardly changed since the first Viking settlers saw them more than 1,100 years ago. You’ll experience wilderness and wildlife, energy and total calm, within easy reach wherever you stay, even on day trips.

Glaciers
including Europe’s largest (Vatnajökull, 8,000 km2)

Waterfalls,
fantastic fjords and romantic shores

Clean air and clean water
thanks to pure and renewable energy resources

Hot springs
from colourful steaming fields to the spouting springs of Geysir

Walking, hiking, trekking
through countless scenic worlds

Bizarre lava landscapes
from “Trolls’ Cathedrals” to terrain where US astronauts rehearsed for walking on the moon

Bird watching
— some of the world’s biggest colonies of puffin and other seabirds, plus a rich blend of European and American species

Midnight sun
Amazing light throughout the night in summer

Whales
astonishing success rates for sightings

Central Highlands
uninhabited, uninhabitable and unforgettable

Northern lights
set the winter skies ablaze with colour

... and endless surprises besides


Culture and Heritage


Icelanders are proud that they still speak the ancient language of the vikings, but they certainly don´t just live in the past. Their cherished ancient heritage lives on in harmony with the most exciting innovations from the world of arts and cultue today. This refreshing mix of local, traditional, progressive and cosmopolitan culture appeals to almost every taste.

Music and song
— the whole scale from
the Iceland Symphony
Orchestra to Björk

Colourful festivals
and theme exhibitions
bring local history to life
around the country

International and home artists
with dozens of exhibitions at museums and
galleries every month

International film and short film festivals
and a thriving film industry

Vikings, Sagas and folklore
festivals, exhibitions
and events that take you
right into the Icelandic
heart and soul

Volcano exhibitions and shows
learn how nature lets
off steam — and how man
has learnt to live with it

Mid-Atlantic music venue
when major bands visit
Iceland, audiences flock
in from both sides of
the Atlantic

Nightlife and entertainment
in a league of its own


Supreme cuisine
Culinary art in the form
of ocean-fresh seafood, highland lamb, game and traditional delicacies

Handicrafts
from centuries-old
skills to lava ceramics

Mother Nature’s
own artwork
in landscapes where the imagination runs riot


National Parks


Enjoy our nature
A protected area is not a piece of land that we're not allowed to enjoy. On the contrary. A protected area is defined as an area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources. By declaring an area protected, we secure our and later generations' right to enjoy unspoilt nature. Protected areas can be expected to be of special interest to tourists, as they are Iceland's main natural treasures. Therefore, tourists are encouraged to visit protected areas and enjoy what they have to offer while complying with the rules that apply to them.

Four National Parks
Visitors come to experience Icelandic nature, to enjoy its beauty and to learn from it. National Parks demonstrate and awaken respect for the environment. The role of National Park staff is to provide information to Park visitors. In teaching young people to respect the environment, we are laying the foundation for broader respect, tolerance and sensitivity towards our planet. Environment and Food Agency of Iceland mandates National Parks and other protected areas in Iceland.

There are now four National Parks around the country, each with its own particular points of interest. Thingvellir, “Symbol of the Icelandic Consciousness”, is in a rift valley between the American and European geological plates and Lake Thingvellir contains species of fish found nowhere else.

Snaefellsjökull National Park is at the foot of a volcano and glacier, and is steeped in mystery and romance; it is the only Park that reaches from the seashore to the mountaintops.

Jökulsárgljúfur National Park has been formed by the torrents gushing down from the Vatnajökull glacier and it contains Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe.

Skaftafell National Park is in an area also affected by catastrophic floods (Jökulhlaup) from the Vatnajökull glacier, but here visitors find a green oasis among barren sands spewed out from beneath the ice.

Other categories of protected areas
Other categories of protected areas according to the nature conservation act are Nature Reserve that are areas protected for its importance for wildlife (flora and fauna) and landscape, Natural Monuments that are areas protected due to special geological formations e.g. volcanoes, fossils, minerals, waterfalls etc, Country Parks that are areas first and foremost protected for its importance for outdoor recreation and finally a category for habitats, ecosystems and species. In Iceland there are 31 plants protected according to the nature conservation act – the protection is under revision in connection to recently published red list for plants.

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Tours & Activities
Tours
Iceland offers a great variety of tours, some covering large parts of the country, others small areas at a time.There are traditional tours as well as tours quite different from what can be experienced elsewhere.There are nature tours with striking landscapes, young lava fields, roaring waterfalls and majestic glacial ice-caps. In addition, there are organized day tours, and weekend and holiday tours all year round with Icelandic touring clubs where the emphasis ison hiking. Travelling into the uninhabited interior of Iceland is limited to the months of July and August, except for some specially organized winter tours (see section on opening of the mountain tracks).Winter tours in Iceland are unforgettable: there is skiing for both beginners and the experienced, glacier tours on snowmobile or snowcats, and ice-fishing.


Activities
Iceland is an ideal destination for today's active tourist. The following is a list of some of the many activities available.

Activity Vacations
Activity vacations are offered all over Iceland. These vacations may feature river rafting, hiking, glacier tours, fishing, horseback riding, boat tours, whale watching and swimming.

Whale watching
The cool clear North Atlantic encircling Iceland is teeming with whales of various sizes and species. Already thousands of tourists have enjoyed whale watching from various sites around the country. The whale watching ports are all around the coastline.

Bird Watching
Some places in Iceland are a paradise for bird-watchers. Látrabjarg in the West Fjords is the largest birdcliff known in the world. A great variety of cliff-nesting species can be found there, including the largest razorbill colony in the world. The Westman Islands are known for many kinds of seabirds, and are home to Iceland's largest puffin population. Lake Mývatn in the north has more species of breeding ducks than any other place in Europe. The great skua colony on the sands in south Iceland is the largest in the world. Seabirds such as puffins can be seen in many places, as well as eiders, Arctic terns, waders and passerine birds. Some tour operators organize tours for bird-watchers in early summer.

Hiking
More than half of Iceland is over 400 m above sea level, and a large part of the island is covered by lava, glaciers, lakes and sand. Few places in Iceland have marked walking paths, but hiking is a favourite pastime for Icelanders and tourists alike.

Horse Riding
Numerous farms and tour operators throughout Iceland offer horse riding tours from 1 hour up to 10 days (see brochure from the Farm Holiday Service). Please note that all equestrian equipment must be disinfected before arrival. Skiing
Winter skiing is available in many parts of the country. Skiing resorts with both cross-country and downhill skiing are found throughout Iceland.


Cycling - Mountain biking
Bikes can be rented in Reykjavík and in various places around Iceland. For further information on biking tours please contact travel agencies or tourist information centre.

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Fishing and Hunting
Iceland is famous for its salmon and trout fishing. The main season for salmon fishing is from around June 20th to mid-September. Trout fishing varies from one river/lake to the next, but the normal season is from April/May until late September/October. During winter, ice-fishing is quite popular. For salmon fishing, permits must be reserved well in advance, but trout fishing permits can be obtained at short notice, often the same day. Sea Angling
Sea angling is also becoming a popular sport in Iceland. The season begins late in May and lasts until the end of August with several tournaments in different parts of the country. For further information please contact local tourist information centres and travel agencies.


Kayaking
On inland waterways, gentle bays or wild shores.


Glacier Tours
Tours on a glacier with snowmobiles or super-jeep is an unforgettable experience - whatever the season.


Golf
All the major golf courses in Iceland are open to visitors. Green fees are moderate.


Midnight Golf in Iceland — The Arctic Open:
At Akureyri Golf Club in the north, golf can be played with the sun shining at midnight. At the end of June a 36-hole open international match is held. Tee-off is just before midnight and playing continues until the early hours of the morning.

Reykjavík Marathon
The Reykjavík Marathon is an international and annual event. The Reykjavík Marathon will be held on August 21st 2004, August 20th 2005 and August 19th 2006.



River rafting
Thrills and spills in swirling glacial waters.


Jetboating
A new and exciting thing in Icelandic recreation is jetboating. The boats are specially designed to navigate rivers at high speed and do 360° turns thus making it an adrenalin-pumping trip and great fun for all.

Swimming
Swimming is a very popular activity all year round in Iceland. Most towns and villages have outdoor or indoor swimming pools filled with water from natural hot springs. The temperature of the water in the pools is about 29 degrees Celsius. In many places there are also saunas, a jacuzzi, solariums and hot pots with temperatures ranging from 36 to 44 degrees Celsius.

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Glacier Lake

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Reykjavik

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