Facts about Iceland: Geography, Capital and Key Information

Introduction

Iceland is a rugged island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, often called the land of fire and ice. Facts about Iceland reveal a country where active volcanoes sit beside enormous glaciers, hot springs bubble out of the ground and the summer sun barely sets at all. With fewer people than many European cities, Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries on the continent, yet it has one of the oldest parliaments in the world and a language that has changed remarkably little in a thousand years. This article explores the geography, population and culture that make Iceland such a fascinating country for students, teachers and curious readers.

Quick Facts about Iceland

• Capital city: Reykjavík
• Population (approx.): 390,000
• Area (km²): 103,000
• Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK)
• Official language(s): Icelandic
• National Day: June 17 (Icelandic National Day, marking the founding of the republic in 1944)

Geography and Landscape

Iceland sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the boundary where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates slowly pull apart. This is the main reason the island is so geologically active. Iceland has around 30 active volcanic systems, and eruptions happen every few years. In some places, such as Þingvellir National Park, visitors can walk through a rift valley between the two plates.

Ice covers roughly a tenth of the country. Vatnajökull, in the southeast, is the largest glacier in Europe by volume, and several volcanoes lie hidden beneath it. Iceland’s highest point, Hvannadalshnúkur, rises about 2,110 meters on the edge of this ice cap. Meltwater from the glaciers feeds powerful rivers and spectacular waterfalls, including Gullfoss in the southwest and Dettifoss in the northeast, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe.

The interior of the island, known as the Highlands, is a high plateau of lava fields, black sand deserts and mountains where almost nobody lives. Most Icelanders live along the coast, which is cut by deep fjords in the north, east and west. Geothermal activity is everywhere: the area called Geysir gave its name to geysers around the world, and the nearby Strokkur geyser shoots boiling water into the air every few minutes.

Although Iceland lies just south of the Arctic Circle, its climate is milder than its name suggests. The warm North Atlantic Current keeps coastal winters cool rather than bitterly cold, while summers are short and fresh. In June the sun stays up almost around the clock, and in the dark winter months the northern lights often dance across the sky.

Population and Culture

Iceland is home to around 390,000 people, which makes it one of the smallest countries in Europe by population. About two thirds of Icelanders live in Reykjavík and its surrounding towns. Reykjavík is the northernmost capital of an independent country in the world, and it is known for its colorful houses and the tall, modern church Hallgrímskirkja. Akureyri, in the north, is the largest town outside the capital area.

The first permanent settlers arrived from Norway in the late 9th century, along with people from the British Isles. Their stories were later written down in the Icelandic sagas, medieval tales that are still read today. The Icelandic language is so close to Old Norse that modern Icelanders can read these thousand-year-old texts with little difficulty. Instead of family surnames, most Icelanders use a name based on their father’s or mother’s first name, so the son of Jón becomes Jónsson and his daughter becomes Jónsdóttir.

Icelanders love reading, music and swimming. Every town has a public swimming pool, often heated by natural hot water, and sitting in a hot tub is an everyday social activity. The sturdy Icelandic horse, the puffins that nest on the sea cliffs and the traditional woolen sweater called the lopapeysa are all well-known symbols of the country.

3 Interesting Facts about Iceland

1. Iceland’s parliament, the Althing, was founded in the year 930 at Þingvellir. It is often described as one of the oldest parliaments in the world that still exists today, and the site where it first met is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. In 1963 a volcanic eruption began under the sea off Iceland’s south coast and built a brand-new island called Surtsey. Scientists have studied it ever since to see how plants and animals settle on completely new land, and only researchers are allowed to visit.
3. Almost all of Iceland’s electricity comes from renewable sources, mainly hydropower and geothermal energy. Around nine out of ten homes are heated with naturally hot water piped straight from underground.

Where is Iceland Located?

Iceland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean and is considered part of Northern Europe and the Nordic countries. It has no land borders with any other country. Its closest neighbor is Greenland, which lies about 300 kilometers to the northwest across the Denmark Strait. To the southeast are the Faroe Islands, and further away lie Norway to the east and Scotland to the southeast.

Because of its position in the middle of the ocean, Iceland sits halfway between North America and mainland Europe, both geographically and geologically. This location shaped its history as a stopping point for Viking sailors and still makes it a natural bridge between the two continents.

Discover More About European Countries

If learning facts about Iceland made you curious about the rest of the continent, there are more ways to keep exploring Europe’s countries, capitals and cultures together as a family.

The European Countries Book – Extended Color Edition
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The European Countries Book – Color Edition
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The European Countries Book – Black & White Edition
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The European Countries Book – Color Quiz Edition
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The European Countries Book – Black & White Quiz Edition
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HKLBS4SP