to read Nancy Cutter's Iceland blog,

written during her trip in August '09!

The Icelandic Tourist Board advises the public to be wary of any
 exaggerated news reports on the eruption and encourages travelers 
to seek accurate information through official sources.  
Even though the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull is relatively small, 
it is the airborne volcanic ash that has disrupted air travel in Europe. 
We are pleased to report that in Reykjavik and throughout other parts of the 
country, daily life in Iceland has been relatively unaffected.
Iceland’s Civil Protection Department will ensure that the utmost safety measures
 are followed in Iceland, and provide a constant flow of information as available. 
Euro Control and the Volcanic Ash Center continue to 
make the decisions on air travel authorizations in Europe.
 

Where else in one place will you find:

• 800 hot springs
• 10,000 waterfalls
• 15 active volcanoes
• 4,500 square miles of glaciers
• Dramatic mountains and coastline scenery
• Pristine wilderness

Pure. Natural. Unspoiled.
This is Iceland!

Where is Iceland?

• Iceland is an island country that lies just below the Arctic Circle in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
• Just 5 hrs from New York & 3 from London! - Easy flight connections from North America and Europe eliminate stress of long flights and hassle of airport connections.
• Iceland is not as cold as you might think…it lies in the path of the Gulf Stream. (Boston often suffers harsher winters)
• Iceland enjoys a true midnight sun in summer and the Northern Lights in winter. From April until October they enjoy amazingly long days, which are perfect for traveling through and touring through the country.

What About the Name... Iceland?

• Iceland has endured 1,000 years of myth and misconceptions, mostly stemming from its very name.
• Icelanders have always referred to living on the “island”. The Icelandic word for island is “islenska”, which was loosely translated into Iceland by the British.
• You will even find this accurate word unchanged in other languages - Portuguese for example.
• Iceland is also sometimes called the land of “fire and ice”, because glaciers lie next to steaming hot springs, geysers & volcanoes.

Who Are the Icelanders? 

• Roughly the size of Ohio, Iceland has a population of just 300,000!
• The vast majority of the population are direct descendents of the Vikings from Norway, who also started colonies in Britain, and Ireland in around 872AD. Many of whom, still live on the original documented family farmsteads. 
• 200,000 live in the capital city of Reykjavik, a city without the crowds, traffic, noise and pollution, and instead with charming homes harbor views, history, and open spaces.
• The 2nd largest city of Akureyri has just under 17,000!
• 100,000 are scattered throughout the country in tiny villages & farms
• Typical towns may have between 200 and 600 persons.

A Brief History

• In 930 the Viking settlers established the Althing, the world’s first parliament. 
• These hardy explorers were the first to set foot in North America and the first child born in America was of Icelandic parents.
• By 1200 Iceland was experiencing the golden age of literature. In the early 1200’s Snorri Sturluson, a poet and historian, put into writing some of Iceland’s greatest sagas (tales about Icelandic and Scandinavian heroes.)
• By 1400 they were under Danish rule. Through harsh trade restrictions they were left isolated and impoverished for almost 500 years. 
• By 1918, they established a self governing kingdom and earned full independence in 1944.  
• The British occupied Iceland to protect it against German forces in WW2. 
• Later under NATO rule, US forces placed a military base near the airport in Keflavik.
• Although an early supporter, Iceland is not a member of the EC.
  

Language, Traditions, and Myths

Icelanders speak... Icelandic.

• This language is so simliar to what the Vikings spoke, that most of their ancients sagas written over 800 years ago can still be read by the average child.
• Iceland has a special government agency that creates new Icelandic words instead of taking on foreign words.
• However, Icelanders are taught English from the age of 12 and many speak without an accent. In addition, many are fluent in German and Norwegian.
• At 100%, Iceland boasts the world's highest literacy rate.

The original settlers brought Norse and Celtic mythology with them when they traveled to Iceland. The original Eddas and sagas are still read by schoolchildren in Iceland. After generations of living surrounded by the spectacular landscape and oceans, other tales have been added that have a uniquely Icelandic flavor.

• Many Icelanders (about 70%) today still believe in the 'hidden folk' - elves, gnomes, trolls & fairies, that live in the numerous lava fields. 
• Farmers moving stones in their rocky fields are careful not to disturb stones that are home to trolls.
• Road Crews will change a road not to disturb the “fairy folk”.
• Ghosts, elves and other huldufolk dwell in the "hidden land" of Icelandic folklore.
•  Hafnarfjordur, the second largest port in Iceland, has the special position of having elves as recognized citizens with civil rights..."the right to veto decisions made by the Municipality regarding new construction of any kind."
• Instead of the traditional Santa Claus they have the “Icelandic Yule Lads” – 13 lads who deliver presents to “good children on during the 13 days before Christmas. 
• So, some of these mythological creatures bring good fortune while others bring sorrow, but all of the strange tales instill a deep respect for nature and the creatures that call Iceland home.

Not long ago, Icelanders were enjoying one of the highest standards of living. Fishing accounted for over 70% of their exports prior to 2002, when their prime minister shifted the economic focus. Banks became privatized, quickly developing Iceland into an international banking center. They went from $4 billion to over $140 billion in assets in just under 3 years.

But the global banking squeeze hit hard in 2008 and made Iceland bankrupt.

"Green" and Pollution Free

Iceland is essentially a pollution free environment, because it is almost totally powered with geothermal and hydroelectric energy. So pure even the rivers and streams are 100% safe to drink from. They use no pesticides, so the sheep and the cows graze free range on good grass, thus producing healthy milk and meat.

Amazing Natural Wonders

The powerful forces of nature are all evident on this relatively small island:

The power of FIRE:

• Iceland straddles the North American and Eurasian plates; as they move apart, a rift occurs and hot spots are created.
• At Thingvellir National Park you can see the rift caused by the meeting of the tectonic plates
• As a result, Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth.
• 11 active volcanoes erupt on average every 5 years.
• Lava fields cover 60% of the island. The most famous is Hekla, which was considered the gateway to Hell.

 

• 5 glaciers cover 1/8th of Iceland's land surface. Some are more than 3/4 mile thick.
• Vatnajokull (3,300 square miles) is the largest glacier in Europe.
• These glaciers have cut deeply and created many fjords and inland lakes. The fjords provide for natural harbors.

The power of WATER:

• Dramatic, stunning rivers ande waterfalls are everywhere! - Iceland is home to 10,000 of the latter.

 

• Grassy lowlands slope downward and along the coast. These lowlands provide the only livable areas.
• This combination of wide open spaces, green valleys, moss covered lava fields, deep fjords and high cliffs all make Iceland picture perfect.

Animals

• No overview of Iceland would be complete with out a few words on the horses: they are simply the most beautiful horses you will ever see. Much smaller in stature with long flowing manes that drape provocatively over their wide eyes. They come in myriad colors.
• Sheep are everywhere, providing, milk, wool, and incredibly tasty Icelandic lamb.
• Cows, offering rich dairy milk and cheeses

• Iceland is just one of 3 places in the world with no snakes - sharing this special spot with Hawaii and New Zealand, this means you can roam the hills and high grasses “fear free.” 
• Squirrels are also not found here.
• If you are lucky, perhaps you'll find an elusive arctic silver fox, or a herd of reindeer. 

Getting Around by Car

• One main highway, Route 1, circles the island and is generally called the “Ring Road”. 
• It covers a distance of approximately 900 miles, of which 130 are a gravel road.
• During winter a large portion of the northeastern segment is impassable for up to 3 months isolating the east coast’ towns.
• A large portion of Iceland’s road system is made up of gravel roads - the further you get from Reykjavik, the more there are.
• Once off the Ring Road, you will find a variety of “hard-pack” and loose gravel roads. The “gravel” composed primarily of crushed lava rock.  
• If you wish to travel across the island, most of the interior highland roads are only accessible from June to Sept, with many rivers and streams to ford. 
• Only 4-wheel drive super-jeeps are allowed on the highland roads; experience and caution count here as most of the rivers are unbridged!