Iceland map. Iceland. Traditions and national features

Iceland's public road network is 12,890 km long. Of these, with a hard surface - 4,782 km.

Toll roads

There are no road tolls in Iceland. Only the passage through the Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel is subject to payment.

Plots with special payment

Tariffs for the Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel

The Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel connects Eyjafjordur with Fjoskadalur. The length of the tunnel is 7,400 m. The tunnel has two traffic lanes, one in each direction. The highest point of the tunnel is 500 m above sea level. The maximum speed in the tunnel is limited to 70 km/h.

The Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel was opened to traffic on December 21, 2018, which is 2 years behind schedule. It replaces the 21 km section of Route 1, which includes the road over the Vikurskard pass. The tunnel shortens the route between Akureyri and Husavik by 16 km.

To pay for the fare, you must register the car on the website www.veggjald.is.

If you pass through the tunnel without registration, then you have 3 hours to do it. After 3 hours, the fare for cars will be ISK 2,500 (€ 20), for trucks - ISK 2,900 (€ 21), for trucks - ISK 6,000 (€ 44).

On the video below ride through Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel.

You can watch other videos on our channel at YouTube.

Hvalfjörður tunnel fares

The Hvalfjörður tunnel connects Reykjavik with Akranes. The length of the tunnel is 5,770 m, of which 3,750 m are under the seabed. The lowest point of the tunnel is 165 m below sea level. The maximum speed in the tunnel is limited to 70 km/h.

The Hvalfjörður tunnel was opened to traffic on July 11, 1998, 8 months ahead of schedule. The capacity of the tunnel was calculated based on 1,500 vehicles per day. But by 2007, 5,500 cars a day passed through it.

Features of highways in Iceland

Iceland has a lot of gravel roads. Most often, accidents occur in places where an asphalt road passes a gravel one. The main reason is that drivers do not slow down when moving onto gravel and therefore lose control.

When driving on gravel roads, which are often quite narrow, it is important to be careful when approaching another vehicle coming in the opposite direction, driving as far to the right as possible.

Care should be taken when approaching "blind hills" where oncoming lanes are not separated and you cannot see what is going on behind the hill.

Single-lane bridges are also common. The basic rule of passage is that the closer a car is to the bridge, the more right of way it has. However, it is better to stop and try to understand what the other driver is planning to do.

Basic traffic rules in Iceland

Speed ​​Limit

Standard speed limits in Iceland (unless otherwise indicated on signs).

• in built-up area - 50 km/h
• outside the settlement (asphalt) - 90 km/h

• in built-up area - 50 km/h
• outside the settlement (gravel) - 80 km/h
• outside the settlement (asphalt) - 80 km/h

Note: special warning signs indicate danger ahead (e.g. sharp bends), but there is usually no separate speed limit sign.

Alcohol

Maximum legal blood alcohol level 0.5‰.

In case of a repeated violation, a fine of ISK 180,000 (€ 1,305) and loss of a driver's license for 24 months will be imposed.

In case of driving under the influence of narcotic or psychotropic drugs, a fine of ISK 70,000 to 140,000 (€ 508 - 1,015) and loss of a driver's license from 4 months to 1 year will be imposed.

dipped beam

The use of dipped beam is mandatory 24 hours a day. The penalty for non-compliance is ISK 5,000 (€36).

Transportation of children

Children under 6 years of age should only travel using a suitable child restraint system appropriate for their weight. Children under 150 cm tall must only travel in the rear seats.

The driver is legally responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 15 are correctly using child seats, boosters or seat belts.

Fine - ISK 15,000 (€109).

Seat belts

Use of seat belts Necessarily for front and rear passengers.

Fine - ISK 10,000 (€73).

Riding without a motorcycle helmet - fine ISK 5,000 (€36).

Talking on the phone

It is forbidden to use, while the vehicle is in motion, a telephone communication device that is not equipped with a technical device that allows hands-free negotiations.

Fine - ISK 5,000 (€36).

fines

Police officers have the right to collect fines on the spot for traffic violations. In some cases, payment can be made at the police station or the police officer must provide details of the official bank account to which the transfer is to be made.

For drivers of vehicles with a trailer, the amount of the fine is 20% higher.

In cases where drivers drive at a speed significantly exceeding the permitted speed (over 30 km/h in the area of ​​the 30 km/h sign, and over 50 km/h in other cases), their driver's license may be temporarily suspended.

emergency numbers

• European emergency number - 112
• Traffic situation - 1777

Required equipment

The equipment that necessary have in the car:

• Warning triangle

Winter equipment

Winter tires

Winter and summer tires are allowed all year round. Tire requirements in winter or summer differ in tread depth. In winter, the tread depth should be at least 3 mm.

Thus, the use of winter tires (with a tread depth of at least 3 mm) is mandatory in Iceland from November 1 to April 14 (the dates may vary depending on the season).

Studded tires

Studded tires are allowed to be used from November 1 to April 14. Local authorities may extend this period.

Anti-skid chains

Snow chains may only be used when the weather dictates.

It is forbidden to drive outside the marked roads in order to protect the flora and fauna.

A small overview of the sights of Iceland, and most importantly with a map, which means it will be easier to plan your own trip!

By clicking in the upper right corner of the map or by this link, you can open the map in full screen in a new tab or window.

List of attractions in Iceland, which are marked on the map:

Bridge America-Europe: Bridge between two continents America and Europe

Geothermal area Gunnuhver: Gunnuhver can definitely be called a must-see attraction, as it is the largest geothermal area in Europe. The zone has been especially active in the last couple of years. In the vicinity of Gunnuhver, you can see fumaroles, mud craters, fountains of geothermal water gushing out of the ground and a huge amount of native sulfur.

Blue Lagoon (Blue Lagoon): due to the temperature (on average 38-40 degrees) and the composition of the water (mineral salts and blue-green algae, as well as silicon), the water has a healing effect on the skin.

Kerið crater with lake, Kerið: crater lake in the south of Iceland, near the town of Selfoss. Located on the popular tourist route known as the Golden Ring

Waterfall Gljúfrafoss, Gljúfrabúi: located 600 meters to the left of Seljalandsfoss, the Gljufrabui waterfall is much less visited by tourists, as it is not visible from the road, but is hidden in a small grotto. 600 meters from Seljalandsfoss on the road to Thorsmork Valley there is a campsite Hamragardur (Hamragarður) - focus on it. Nearby you will find a gorge and the top of a waterfall

Waterfall Seljalandsfoss, Seljalandsfoss: is located on the river Seljalandsau (Isl. Seljalandsá) and rises to 60m. over the rocks of the former coastline. A deep indentation behind the waterfall allows you to move freely behind it, thus observing Seljalandsfoss from all sides. It is especially recommended to visit the waterfall in the evening hours, when the lighting around the waterfall becomes more saturated.

Crash location, Solheimasandur Plane Wreck: in 1973, a US Air Force aircraft suddenly ran out of fuel and had to land on Sólheimasandur beach. No one was hurt, but the plane remained on the seashore. It was stripped of all expensive equipment and left to rot. With such an object, Icelandic landscapes become even more atmospheric.

Dyrhólaey Rocks, Dyrhólaey: many puffin birds settle on these rocks. It is best to come to the Durholei rocks before 10 am or after 8 pm, when the birds are at their nests.

Basalt beaches: near the small and pretty village of Vik, nearby are the famous Dyurholey rocks.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon: canyon in the southeast of Iceland, which is known for its breathtaking beauty. It stretches up to 330 feet deep, and below you can see the beautiful river Fjaðrá. The canyon was formed due to gradual erosion by running water that flowed from the glaciers and washed out the rocks. The footpath along the eastern edge offers stunning views of both plains and the glacial streams that flow down below.

Waterfall Svartifos, Svartifoss: black waterfall or dark fall - a waterfall in the Skaftafell National Park in Iceland, which is one of the most popular attractions in the park. It is surrounded by unusual hexagonal black lava columns, hence its name. These columns were created inside a lava flow that cooled very slowly, causing it to crystallize.

Ingólfshöfði Nature Reserve: a reserve with rocks and swamps, there are many different birds, including the symbols of Iceland puffins (dead ends), excursions are led to the reserve.

Jökulsárlón Iceberg Lagoon: one of the most popular ice lagoons in Iceland. A lot of small icebergs in a beautiful bay, which is separated from the ocean only by a small isthmus, along which a motor road passes.

Vatnajokull glacier, Vatnajdkull glacier: the largest glacier on the island of Iceland. It is located in the southeastern part of the island and occupies 8% of its territory, or 8,133 km². In terms of volume, Vatnajökull is the largest in Europe, and in terms of territory - the third (after the North Island glacier and the Eustfonna glacier).

River Jokulsa: nothing special is remarkable, but the combination of turbulent currents and rocks around is very impressive.

Waterfall with basalt rocks Litlanesfoss, Litlanesfoss: is located in the east of Iceland, 30 kilometers from the city of Egilsstadir, where numerous craters and rocky cliffs are located. Litlanesfoss waterfall cuts across an ancient lava flow, frozen in the form of columns. When carving such even geometric columns, the waters of the Lagarfljot River had helpers - harsh winds and hot rays of sunlight. Currently, the Litlanesfoss waterfall and its surroundings attract tens of thousands of tourists every year from all over the world.

Waterfall Dettifoss, Dettifoss: located in the Vatnajökull National Park in the north of Iceland and is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It is also the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of water flow - the average flow rate of the waterfall is about 193 cubic meters per second. Discharge often increases, especially if weather or volcanic activity triggers the melting of the Vatnajokull glacier. The waterfall is so powerful that the stones surrounding it vibrate and you can even feel it just by putting your hand on them. Dettifoss is located on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which originates in the Vatnajökull glacier and is fed by many other sources along its course through northeastern Iceland. The waterfall reaches a width of 100 meters, the water falls down to a distance of 45 meters in the Jökulsárgljúfur gorge.

Askja crater with lake Viti (Isl. Viti - hell): geothermal lake, located near the northern shore of Lake Eskjuvatn, with a diameter of about 100m. and a depth of about 7 meters. The water in the lake is milky blue, its temperature ranges from 20 to 27 °C. There is a strong smell of sulfur around the lake, which led to the lake getting its current name.

Námafjall geothermal area: the zone is located near the mountain of the same name in the north of Iceland. It is part of the volcanic system of the Krafla volcano, which is located 8 km to the north. Here you can see hot springs - from small gurgling fountains to vibrating pools with very hot water and scalding steam and mud fumaroles.

Geothermal pool Jarðböðin við Mývat: a great alternative to the famous Blue Lagoon. Significantly fewer people and significantly less price. The water temperature throughout the bathroom is pleasant. The closer to the source, the hotter the water. When removed, the degree decreases. There are even equipped benches so you don't have to stand.

Beautiful Grjótagjá cave: former bathhouse. In some year, a collapse of the rock made a cave out of the bath. The view of the cave itself is quite beautiful. From numerous passages, light penetrates and highlights the water very beautifully. You can’t get very far there, there is water everywhere. If you go upstairs, then you will be impressed by the elements. You can see a break in the mountain, quite deep, very long ... When you imagine how everything collapsed here, it takes your breath away! Bottom line: do not expect some gorgeous views, just enjoy what you see in 10 minutes and further on the road.

Lake Mývatn: located in the northern part of the island. The length of the lake is about 10 km, the width is about 8 km. There are more than 50 islands on the lake. Near the lake are hot springs and sulfur deposits.

City Húsavik: the city is famous for the fact that it is from here that most whale safaris depart. Also in the city you can find a museum of whales.

Waterfall Godafoss, Góðafoss: the shape of the waterfall resembles a crescent moon, flowing streams of water flow down the basalt columns and fall from a height of 12 meters onto a flat piece of land. The columns divide the water stream into three parts, two parts of which are almost the same in width, the third part seems to be enclosed in a stone channel. This is another mystery of the waterfall, because regular geometric shapes are extremely rare in nature. What is remarkable: despite its small size, the spray from falling water rises high into the sky, which is impossible not to notice even from a long distance. This waterfall always amazes the viewer, in a particularly cold season: the falling water freezes before reaching its destination. At such moments, it seems that a certain magician, by the power of his gift, stopped time, and only at his request, the water is about to begin its eternal dance with a hard and impregnable stone again. The name Godafoss in translation from the local language means "Waterfall of the Gods". This name is associated with a legend according to which the locals threw the idols of the first religions into the water before accepting Christianity in 999-1000 AD. e. According to another legend, the locals named the waterfall in honor of the statues of the gods that once surrounded the approaches to the waterfall. Despite all the legends, the spectacle that can be seen "riding" one of the stone columns of the waterfall is beyond description, especially in early autumn, when the fog, meeting the morning sun, spreads over the water surface and changes reality, transferring the observer to a distant, known only to him, fantasy world.

Rock Hvitserkur: on the coast of Hunaflowi Bay, in Iceland. Either a stone dinosaur, or a mammoth, or some other animal. Unusual rock Hvitserkur 15 meters high. According to legend, this is a troll, petrified under the rays of the dawn sun. He quenches his thirst with the water of the Greenland Sea.

seal beach: if you want to watch fur seals and other pinnipeds, then you are on Seal beach.

City of Ísafjörður: in this town is located the Museum of the Fjords, as well as the gate of the jaws of a whale. And in the vicinity there are puffin birds - a symbol of Iceland.

Bjargtangi lighthouse: one of the best places to watch bird colonies, as well as just a very beautiful place on the edge of Iceland.

Puffins or puffins on the island of Hafnarhólmi: Excursions to the island of Hafnarhólmi, where many birds nest, including the symbol of Iceland - the puffin.

Borgarholmi: a place to watch puffins (puffins).

Ice Cave Into the Glacier: Langjökull with an area of ​​940 sq. km, is the second largest glacier in Iceland. Beneath it are two volcanic systems: the western one in the region of the Prestahnukur volcano and the eastern one in the region of Tjofadalur. Access to the glacier is most convenient through the Kaldidalur valley, as well as along the Kjölur route, laid between the Langjokull and Hofsjokull glaciers. Large winding tunnels carved out of the ice allow you to explore the glacier from the inside.

city ​​and district of Thingvellir, Þingvellir: Thingvellir National Park is located in the southwestern part of Iceland, near the Reykjanes Peninsula. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Lake on the section of tectonic plates, Löchberg cliff, Peningagja crater, volcanic system and much more.

Geysir geyser and Stokkur, Strokkur: a geyser in the southwestern part of Iceland in a geothermal region near the Hvitau River. Here, the temperature of the rainwater rises by 1°C for every 20 cm of depth. At a relatively shallow depth, the temperature of the water reaches its boiling point, and the steam pushes it to the surface. Strokkur is only 40 meters from Geysir, but unlike Geysir, which is very infrequent and may lie dormant for several years, Strokkur erupts every 4-6 minutes, releasing water up to 30 meters (98 feet) into the sky, but sometimes a geyser can quickly erupt up to three times in a row.

Waterfall Gullfoss, Gullfoss: one of the most beautiful, full-flowing and largest waterfalls in Iceland. It is believed that it is also one of the most full-flowing waterfalls in Europe, because the island of Iceland, in a geographical sense, belongs to the European continent. Gullfoss means "golden waterfall" in Icelandic. It belongs to the most famous natural attractions of the country and is included in the so-called "Golden Ring"

Church Hallgrimskirkja: Lutheran church in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. This building is the fourth tallest building in Iceland, after the Hellisandur longwave radio tower, the Eilar longwave radio transmitter and the Smaratorg Tower. The church is named after the poet and spiritual leader Hallgrímur Pietursson, author of the book Passion hymns (Hymns of Passion).

Geothermal pool Laugardalsvöllur (Laugardalslaug): open from 6 to 22, admission 600 ISK. All geothermal pools in Iceland have a Finnish sauna, sometimes a hammam and zones (mini-pools) with different temperatures (from 36 ° C to 43 ° C), and sometimes different water composition.

Sólfarið Monument - Sun Voyager: "Sunny wanderer" or "solar traveler" - this is how one of the most uncomplicated, simple and therefore ingenious sculptures in the world is translated into Russian. Designed in 1990 by the talented Icelandic artist Jon Gunnar Arnason, Sun Voyager was installed on the waterfront in Reykjavik in honor of an extremely significant date for the people of the country. It was this year that the 200th anniversary of the capital of Iceland was celebrated, and it was with this romantic sculpture that the "jubilee" was decorated. Alas, the author of the monument did not live to see this, definitely, an important event in his life. Jon Gunnar was ill with leukemia, and even the sketch of Voyager was already seriously ill and died exactly a year before the opening of the monument. So Sun Voyager has become not only one of his latest creations, but also, of course, the most famous.

Volcano Askja: an active stratovolcano in the center of the Icelandic plateau, located in the eastern part of the Oudaudahroin lava plateau (north of the Vatnajökull glacier, on the territory of the national park of the same name). The height of the volcano is 1516 m above sea level. Geologically, the mountains around Askya are the result of volcanic activity. The last eruption is dated 1961

Vatnajökull National Park, Vatnajökull: the largest national park in Iceland. Its area is 1,200,000 hectares - almost 12% of the territory of Iceland. The park was founded on June 7, 2008 and includes the former national parks Jokulsaurgluvur, founded in 1973, and Skaftafell, founded in 1967.

Volcanic fissure Laki: Lucky shield volcano is located southeast of the Vatnajokul glacier. It is a 25-kilometer crack with about a hundred volcanic cones located on it. The highest is about 100 meters high. In this area, you can only walk on paved routes. The stones here are fragile, they can crumble from touch, and the moss does not recover for a long time. In 1783, a massive volcanic eruption killed half the livestock and 10,000 Icelanders in 8 months. The lava river did not reach the town of Kirkjubayarklaustur, thanks to the fiery sermon of the local priest. And the consequences of the eruption were cold winters in Europe and America.

Ice caves Kverkfjöll: Discovered in the 80s in Skattafel, Iceland, the Kverkfjöll ice cave has without a doubt become one of the most famous ice caves in the world. Volcanic hot water springs flowing under the glacier are only available in winter. Trivia: If you stop in the middle of the cave, you can hear the sound of the ice breaking and moving.

Thermal zone Theistareykir (Þeistareykir): thermal zone and geothermal station

Volcano Hekla, Hekla: volcano in southern Iceland. Height - 1488 meters. It has erupted more than 20 times since 874 and is considered the most active volcano in Iceland. In the Middle Ages, the Icelanders called it the "Gate to Hell". A study of volcanic ash deposits has shown that the volcano has been active for at least the past 6,600 years. The last eruption occurred in 2000.
Hekla is part of a 40 km long volcanic mountain range. However, the most active part of this ridge is a 5.5-kilometer-long fissure called Heklugjá, which belongs to the Hekla volcano.

Akurey island with birds: has the largest colony of puffins (puffins), as well as cormorants, guillemots, eiders, gulls, kittiwakes and several other seabirds. Puffins nest on the island in burrows they dig for safety and warmth.

Colored mountains Landmannalaugar, Landmannalaugar: the pearl of the central mountains with dizzying landscapes. Here you can take a walk in the untouched nature, enjoy a swim in a geothermal spring, or simply relax on a soft carpet of moss and watch the clouds. The rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar are a must see

Waterfall Hjalparfoss, Hjalparfoss: one of several waterfalls in southern Iceland, located in lava fields north of the Hekla stratovolcano, at the point where the Fossau (Isl. Fossá) and Thjoursau rivers join. The waterfall is located 30 km east of the settlement of Floudir (Isl. Flúðir). The falls can be accessed via a gravel path off Route 32, which runs through the Vikkar lava fields.

Waterfall Háifoss, Háifoss: waterfall in the south of Iceland on the Fossau River, located near the Hekla volcano. The Fossau River, a tributary of the Thjoursau River, falls here from a height of 122 m. This is the second highest waterfall in Iceland.
From the Stöng farm, which was destroyed during the Hekla eruption and subsequently reconstructed, you can hike to the waterfall along the Fossau River. The whole journey lasts approximately 5-6 hours. Above the waterfall is a parking lot for tourists.

Church in the grass Hofskirkja: The most recent Hof sod church in Southeast Iceland was built in 1884.

Mountain and views of Kirkjufell, Kirkjufell: a mountain in the western part of Iceland, located near the city of Grundarfjordur on the western shore of the fjord of the same name in the north of the Snaefellsnes peninsula.
The name Kirkjufell (kirch-mountain) is due to the similarity in shape with the roof of the church. The mountain acquired steep slopes due to the flow around the glaciers, over which it towered like a nunatak.

Rocks, cave and beach of Reynisdrangar, Reynisdrangar: basalt sea cliffs located under the Reynisfjall mountain near the village of Vik, in southern Iceland, framed by a black sand beach, which in 1991 was recognized as one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world.

Fjallsarlon Glacial Lagoon: an icy lagoon, not as popular as the neighboring Jokulsarlon, but not inferior to it. Is that the number of tourists smaller.

Waterfall Hafragilsfoss: this is one of the largest waterfalls in the mountain ice river Jö kuls Fjö llum. The waterfall falls with a huge crash from a height of 27 meters (89 feet) and is about 90 meters (300 feet) wide.
You can see the waterfall from both sides of the river, but the east side is more accessible and has a better view. To see the waterfall from the west side of the river, you must first have a little adventure and overcome steep climbs with the help of several rope ladders. The view from here is very picturesque, so if travelers are close to this place, they definitely visit this waterfall either on their own or as part of excursions.

Waterfall Skogafoss: beautiful and powerful waterfall on the south coast of Iceland

"Ice country" Iceland is located on north atlantic ocean.

A detailed map of Iceland shows that the state consists of an island of the same name with an area of ​​103 sq. km. and a number of small islands.

The main feature of the country is its nature and volcanic origin. Bizarre landscapes, fjords, waterfalls and glaciers make an indelible impression on travelers.

Iceland on the world map: geography, nature and climate

Iceland is located in Northern Europe, northwest of Great Britain. To the west is the island of Greenland. It is separated from Iceland by the Denmark Strait. In the east, the country borders on Norway and is washed by the Norwegian Sea. The length of the coastline is about 5 thousand km.

The physical map of Iceland in Russian shows the relief, hydrography, reserves, minerals located on the territory of the state.

The island is located on the crest of the North Atlantic tectonic seam and consists of lava layers. Due to the divergence of plates, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. The most famous Hekla volcanoes And Lucky.

Relief

The relief of the country is a volcanic plateau with rocky shores and thousands of narrow bays. The central part of Iceland is occupied by active volcanoes, geysers, lava fields, so it is not very suitable for habitation. Life has focused on coastal areas.

Iceland got its name not by chance: 1/10 of the island is covered with glaciers. largest Vatnajökull glacier has an area of ​​8300 sq. km. It is located in the southeast of the island. Its integrity is violated by the presence of eight active and "sleeping" volcanoes.

Volcanic activity provoked the appearance of many thermal springs in Iceland. Great Geysir of them the most famous.

Hydrography

The rivers and lakes of Iceland are fed by snow and glacier waters. Navigation on the rivers is impossible due to the large number of waterfalls and rapids. The largest river Tjoursau originates from the Hofsjokull glacier, its length is 230 km.

Tourisvatn Lake is located in the south of the island. This is the largest reservoir in Iceland: its area is 88 sq. km, depth - 109 m.

The country of contrasts, Iceland, occupies a small area on the world map, and it's amazing how many natural attractions fit in it.

Climate

The island is under the constant action of cyclones. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream influence the climate. In summer, the temperature on the coast is about 20 0 C, in winter, despite the proximity to the North Pole, it rarely drops below zero. The central part is distinguished by a continental climate: in winter the temperature drops to -20 0 C, and in summer it rarely rises above +20 0 C.

Flora and fauna

Vegetation in Iceland is sparse: most of the territory is devoid of vegetation. Moss and grass cover the soil. Trees occupy only 1% of the area: birches and conifers are the main tree species. Mammals in the nature of the island are represented by only one animal - the arctic fox. The most common bird is the Atlantic puffin.

Map of Iceland with cities. Administrative division of the country

There are different systems of territorial division in the republic. Iceland is divided:

• for six constituencies for parliamentary elections;
• into eight statistical regions:
  1. Westfirder;
  2. Nordurland-Vastra;
  3. Westurland;
  4. Nordurland-Eistra;
  5. Sudurland;
  6. Eysturland;
  7. Sudyrnes;
  8. Hövydborgarsvaidid;
• into 23 districts (sysls) and 14 city districts;
• into 75 self-governing communities.

Sisly And urban districts are part of the regions and are divided into cities and communities. Sisly do not have self-government bodies.

In the capitals of urban districts, a civil government and a civil council are in power.

City boards and councils are elected in cities. They represent the government: they are in charge of tax collection, police, civil registration. Communities represent the second level of administrative division. They are responsible for education and transportation.

The idea of ​​​​administrative division will be supplemented by a map of Iceland with cities in Russian.

Reykjavik

The name of the city means "smoking bay". The capital is located on the Seltjadnarnes peninsula. The Edlidau River is the water artery of the city. It is not suitable for navigation, but it is quite suitable for fishing. It is the largest city and capital of Iceland.

In the administrative division system, it belongs to the Hövydborgarsvaidid region and has the status of a community. The population is 118,814 inhabitants.

Proximity to the Arctic Circle affects the length of daylight hours. In winter it lasts only 4 hours, and in summer white nights come. The climate is quite favorable: winters are mild, without frost, and summers are cool. In winter, the temperature rarely drops below 10 0 C, in summer it is at + 10 / + 13 0 C. The water in the bay never freezes.

Kopavogur

The second largest city in Iceland. Located south of Reykjavik and is a satellite city of the capital. It has the status of a community with a population of 33,045 people.

The climate is subarctic, but softened by the proximity of warm currents. Summer is overcast, short, but not rainy. On a sunny day, the temperature can reach +23 0 C. There are no severe frosts in winter: the night temperature is kept at -5 0 C, the daytime temperature is +2 0 C.

hafnarfjordur

Hafnarfjordur is located 10 km from the capital. The city is located on the southwest coast. Population - 28 085 inhabitants. The city owes its name to the beautiful ice-free harbor in which the city is located. Literally translated, Hafnarfjordur means "fjord harbor".

In winter, the temperature is rarely below -10 0 С, in summer it stays at +10 0 С. A sharp change in weather conditions is a common phenomenon here, so snow in May does not surprise anyone. Nearby are volcanoes, geysers, lakes with warm water, attracting tourists. There are small earthquakes.

The territory of the state, with a population of just over 300 thousand people, was inhabited by the people of the latest in Europe. This is a country of centenarians and volcanoes. She is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly states in the world.

Iceland on the map of the world and Europe in Russian

Very often you can hear how Iceland is called land of ice. So its name is translated into Russian. It was given to the state by a Viking who bore the name of Floki.

Where is?

On the map among the hemispheres, Iceland must be looked for in the north. She is located on the European continent between Greenland and . The state is located on the island of the same name, located in the west of the northern part of Europe. They are part of the country and the surrounding small islands.

The total area of ​​the state is only 103 thousand km2. Its northernmost point is located beyond the Arctic Circle.

The coast of Iceland is washed by an ocean called Atlantic. Attacking the island from the north Greenland Sea, in the east - Norwegian. The Danish Gulf separates the country from Greenland.

Who does it border on?

Iceland has no land borders. maritime borders not yet clearly defined. Territorial disputes are ongoing between Iceland and Ireland over the Rockall shelf.

Climate

Part of the country is under a dense ice cover, and it itself belongs to subarctic climate zone. Despite this, the climate here is very similar to New York weather. This is explained by the fact that the country is located on a volcanic plateau, and a warm North Atlantic current runs along its shores. It is warmed by the air of equatorial latitudes.

Unlucky country with the winds. They are here very strong and blow constantly. The average temperature of the warmest month is +11°C. In January, the thermometer shows an average temperature of -10°C. Significantly lower than the temperature on the peaks of the north-east of the country.

Icelandic weather is very capricious. During the day, it can change radically several times. IN total darkness Icelanders live from the middle to the end, at this time the shortest daylight hours. The amount of precipitation falls per year, depending on the part of the country, from 500 to 4000 mm. Most of them are in the north of the country.

If you're flying, check out our travel classes to help you choose the right one for you when you board.

How to get from Russia?

The most common way to travel to Iceland is flight. But not everything is as simple as it might seem. Direct flights to Reykjavik fly only from. There are not so many of them and they are made in the summer. It is most convenient to fly with Aeroflot and SAS airlines. In 2 hours 50 minutes they fly from to Copenhagen. From there, the Icelandic airline Icelandair delivers passengers to Reykjavik.

Having flown to Norway, Denmark and Scotland, you can reach Iceland on a ferryboat. It is sent to these countries every week by the Smyril Line from the Icelandic Seydisfjordur.

Choose a plane ticket using this search form. Enter departure and destination cities, date And number of passengers.

Detailed map with cities

Until 1874, Iceland was divided into parts of the world into 4 districts- North, South, West and East.

Administrative division

The modern division of the country has broken it into sysly- districts and communities, which are self-governing territorial units.

The main law that determined the procedure for dividing the country into administrative districts is the Constitution of Iceland.

According to the adopted basic law of the country, Iceland is divided into 23 sislas and 24 territorially independent cities. The territorial division of the state does not end there. It has 6 constituencies, 8 regions and 76 communities.

Capital

The capital of the state was chosen Reykjavik. It is the northernmost main city in the country. It is located just 2 degrees south of the Arctic Circle. The population of the capital barely exceeds 120 thousand inhabitants, but it is the largest city in the state.

In summer in Reykjavik, the sun never goes below the horizon, and in winter, the shortest daylight hours last 4 hours. In Russian, the name of the capital of Iceland sounds like "smoky bay". It fully corresponds to the amount of fog that constantly envelops the city, they practically settled there. The reason for their appearance lies in the warm geysers that surround Reykjavik.

The city is the main economic and financial the center of the country, but this is not the main thing that can attract the attention of a simple layman to it. In the water area of ​​the city you can sometimes see whales and white-faced dolphins. The river Ellida flows through the city, full of salmon.

Reykjavik is built on tectonic fault, so you won't surprise anyone here with an earthquake. The weather in the city is quite mild, snow rarely falls in it. The most common precipitation in the city is rain.

In the vicinity of the capital of Iceland is the world's largest colony of birds - Atlantic puffins.

You can view the city from a bird's eye view on the observation deck of the largest church in the country - Hallgrimskirkja.

Almost 8% of Reykjavik's population - migrants who came to the country from 130 countries of the world. Most of all Poles, Danes and Filipinos.

The most famous building in the city Hefdi's house. Widespread fame came to the house after the meeting held in it between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Major centers

The largest cities in Iceland, by the standards of most European countries, are more like small towns.

Second largest city after Reykjavik Kopavogur. Its population is only 32.3 thousand people. It is followed by hafnarfjordur with a population of 27.4 thousand people.

A few more cities with a population of just over 10 thousand people:

• Akureyri- 17,827 people;
• Keflavik- 14,438 people;
• Gardabair- 11,668 people.

Country Information

Iceland is a Lutheran country. Almost 96% of its citizens are Lutherans and only 3% of the population are Catholics. The basis of the ethnic composition - Icelanders. They account for 99% of the population of the country.

Form of government

The form of government established in the country is parliamentary republic. Iceland is led by the President. He is elected, like the Parliament, by direct vote of the people once every 4 years. The government in the country is subordinate to the President. Parliament is responsible for writing and passing laws in the country. He can impeach the Government.

Visa

To visit the country you need apply for a visa. Its type depends on the purpose of the trip. You can also enter Iceland with a Finnish multiple entry visa. To apply for a tourist visa, you will need to submit to the Consulate of the country a passport, a questionnaire, a copy of previously received visas, a hotel reservation, a salary certificate, which should not be less than 500 euros.

Be sure to have a life insurance policy, which applies to the territory of the states that are members of the Schengen area.

The life insurance policy must expire no earlier than 15 days after returning to the country of departure. The amount of coverage of insurance risks must be at least 30 thousand euros. Together with all these documents are provided two photos And return tickets.

Language

The main language of communication - Icelandic. It is also the state language. Its roots are Old Norse. The remoteness of the country from the mainland allowed the Icelanders to maintain the purity of the language.

Currency

Iceland is one of a small number of European countries that have retained their national currency - crown. On the coins of the period from 1925 to 1944, royal symbols were minted. Banknotes are printed in 1885. Course: 1000 crowns = 8.88 US dollars.

Traditions and national features

The peculiarity of the Icelanders is their belief in trolls and elves. Even the construction of roads in the country in accordance with the recommendations of experts in folklore. The most favorite holiday in the country -. In turn, 13 Santa Clauses come to the house of Icelanders.

At the end of January, Icelanders begin to celebrate the pagan holiday þorrablót. It lasts until the end of February. Folklore festivals are very popular in Iceland. The country honors the traditions of the Celts.

Back in the country no last names, and there are only names and patronymics. Icelanders believe that having a surname is contrary to their national spirit.

Kitchen

Some dishes of Icelandic cuisine can shock a European. Proximity to the ocean had a serious impact on the national menu of the country's inhabitants. Here you can find a large number of dishes prepared from the meat of seals, whales and sharks. The main national fish dish is prepared from the last type of meat - "hakarl". The cooking process begins with cutting the shark carcass into fillets and burying it in sand for 6 months. The dish is prepared exclusively from rotten meat.

Lamb is very popular among Icelanders. Boiled lamb eggs, sheep thighs marinated in lactic acid are prepared from it. The main national dishes of Icelanders, made from lamb - "torramatur" And "certificate".

In terms of popularity, lamb is slightly inferior to horse meat, elk meat and ptarmigan.

Prepared in the country in an original way Rye bread. The dough blank is laid out on a baking sheet, which is placed on the soil, heated by volcanic heat.

Iceland's national drink is Brennyvin. The main ingredients in the preparation of the drink are potatoes and cumin seeds. The drink is often called "black death" or "burnt wine".

What to see?

Iceland's budget revenues are filled by almost 6% at the expense of the tourism industry. Every year almost 500 thousand people. Most of them are citizens of the UK and .

The main flow of tourists coming to the country is directed to Reykjavik. The main attraction of the country is its unique, fabulous nature. There are 27 dormant volcanoes on the territory of the country, a large number of geysers, waterfalls, glaciers and fjords.

• In the western part of the country, the main attractions are ancient craters Deildartunguhver volcano And Snefelsjokul National Park.
• IN Breydafjordur bay tourists come to see the largest bird nesting sites in Europe. Almost a third of the coastline in these places is made up of fjords.
• IN Hornstrandir National Wildlife Refuge the highest cliff and picturesque waterfalls that attract tourists with their beauty.
• The north of Iceland attracts the attention of ski lovers. In this part of the country is Ausbirgi National Park And lake miwan.
• Tourists are especially interested in fishing villages. The herring boom made these settlements quite rich.
• In the east of the country is Vatnajökull glacier, at its foot - Skaftafel National Park.

Look for everything about the natural and architectural sights of Iceland at.

• There are a large number of museums in the south of the country. The most famous of them - Maritime Museum And Ghost Center.
• Collects the most tourists Thingvellir National Park. It is included in the list of monuments of historical heritage, which is compiled by UNESCO.

See in this video the detailed location of Iceland on the world map:

Iceland is a small island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean.

The name of the country is translated as "ice country", "country of ice". The territory of Iceland includes the island of Iceland and several small islands located nearby.

Country Features

This state is parliamentary republic, despite its name, does not belong to the Arctic, the climate here is moderately cool. Let's highlight a few typical for Iceland features:

with a population of less than 200,000. This is where the government and parliament are located. The name of the city is translated as a smoky bay, which is associated with constant fogs here. This atmospheric phenomenon is observed due to the warm geysers that surround the city.

The territory of the country is divided as follows:

• Sisla, there are 23 of them (which, in turn, are divided into communes and cities)
• urban districts.

Having got acquainted a little with the state, we will find out where Iceland Wikipedia is located on the world map.

This state is located:

• In the northern hemisphere.
• On the European continent.
• In the northern part of Europe.
• On the island of Iceland.
• In the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

On the map you can see the location of the country and the islands near the Arctic Circle.

The borders are Norway and Greenland, and the northernmost point is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Iceland is washed by the waters of two seas:

• Greenland in the north.
• Norwegian in the east.

It is separated from Greenland by the Gulf of Denmark.

Borders and climate of the country

This is an island state, most of which is located on a single island of the same name, so the map clearly shows that there are no land borders and cannot be. Maritime boundaries are not sufficiently clear, Iceland disputes are between the following states:

• Great Britain;
• Ireland;
• Denmark.

You can get to this country from Russia by plane: direct flights St. Petersburg - Reykjavik are carried out regularly, but only in the summer. The average cost of the flight will be 10,500 rubles, the duration of the flight is 3 hours and 45 minutes.

In other seasons, it is possible to fly to Denmark, Norway, Scotland, and from there to Iceland by ferry.

The state is located on a volcanic plateau, washed by waters with a warm North Atlantic current, therefore, despite the geographical location, the climate here cannot be called harsh. The average temperature in summer is +10°C, in winter -10°C. However strong winds are inherent in the country.

Attractions in Reykjavik

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is economic and cultural center, the largest city in the country. It was erected on a tectonic fault, so earthquakes are often observed here.

Note the most interesting sights of the city:

From entertainment to the tourist here they are ready to offer rock climbing, horseback riding, safaris, diving or sports caving.

Iceland occupies a very insignificant place on the map of Europe, but it is here that most of the active volcanoes on the planet are located. Eruptions are not uncommon here: on average, once every five years. There are hot thermal springs and geysers in the country.

The most famous volcano is Hekla, the owner of a cone of surprisingly regular shape. This is a real local attraction. Thousands of tourists come to look into the mouth of the volcano every year.

How to get to Iceland?

To visit the island-state visa required. It could be:

• Tourist visa, which can be issued at the Consulate of the country.
• Multiple entry Finnish visa.

For a visit to Iceland, the following documents should also be prepared:

Most often the country is visited by guests from the USA, Germany and Great Britain.

Many are interested in what language is spoken here? Icelandic is the national language with Old Norse roots. However, due to the fact that the country is separated from the mainland by the waters of the ocean, the language has retained its originality and originality. The national currency is the crown.

Some national traditions and beliefs

In this country-island, the traditions of folklore are strong, many quite modern people have retained their faith in elves and trolls. Ancient Celtic traditions are still honored.

Of interest is also the celebration of the favorite holiday in the state, the New Year, during which as many as 13 Santa Clauses come to the house of each resident!

Here are some interesting facts about the country:

Iceland is an amazing world where you won’t hit anyone with a volcanic eruption or an earthquake, and the largest cities resemble European villages. Amazing national traditions and beliefs have been preserved here, so visiting the country will become a true journey into a fairy tale.