Iceland characteristics of the country. Map of Iceland in Russian. Entertainment and attractions in Iceland

Separate Iceland, being an economically developed region, advocates for the preservation of its foundations and identity. Residents of the state do not want to join the EU. Having small reserves of natural resources, they were able to create a strong economy and rationally use the difficult tectonic features of the area.

Geographical characteristics

Iceland belongs to European countries and is an island state. It is located in the north of the Atlantic Ocean and consists of a large island of the same name and numerous small islands. The capital of the state is Reykjavik. The total area of ​​Iceland is 103,000 square km. Population - 332,500 people. Local residents actively migrate within the country and move from small settlements to cities. Because of this, villages are gradually becoming empty.

Nature

Volcanoes and geysers

Iceland is an island of volcanoes. There are about 200 of them, with about 30 active. The peculiarities of the relief and tectonic structure of the earth are the reason for the presence of numerous hot springs and geysers in the country. A large number of them are concentrated within the national parks of Iceland.

The presence of such unique resources allowed the country's population to organize heating of premises with hot water from natural sources.

A large number of geysers and naturally formed warm baths in the open air have led to the presence of a specific smell of sulfur, which can be felt almost everywhere...

Rivers and lakes

There are a large number of rivers in Iceland. Due to the limited area of ​​the island, their length is small. The topography of the country determined the presence of many rapids in the riverbeds. The flow in them is rapid and rafting even small cargo along the rivers in boats is considered dangerous and impossible.

The rivers are fed predominantly by glaciers. Spills and floods occur in the summer, when layers of frozen water thaw.

There are about 2,770 lakes in the country. They are quite large. In addition to natural reservoirs, there are temporary and artificially created ones. Their filling also depends on the melting of glaciers...

The seas surrounding Iceland

The relatively small island of Iceland is washed by the waters of two oceans and two seas: the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Greenland and Norwegian Seas. Iceland is separated from Greenland by the Denmark Strait, 280 km wide. Iceland's coastline, like that of many northern countries, is indented by fjords.

The waters off most coasts are ice-free throughout the year. The only exceptions are the northern and eastern coastal zones, where the current brings drifting Arctic ice...

Plants and animals

The isolated location and proximity of the Arctic influenced the flora and fauna of Iceland. There are few plant species here. These are low grasses, flowers, mushrooms, lichens and algae. The forests that were mentioned in the 4th century have not survived to our time. The modern natural area of ​​Iceland is more like tundra. There are artificial forest plantations, but they do not grow quickly.

Among the animals, only birds can be noted, for example, the Atlantic puffin. Reptiles and amphibians are not found on the island. Among warm-blooded animals you can find sheep and cattle...

Iceland climate

Despite its northern location, Iceland has a relatively mild climate. The island is influenced by the warm North Atlantic Current and the cold Greenland Current. The warmest month of the year is August. The air temperature during this period warms up to 20 degrees Celsius. Winter is quite mild and stays within 2 degrees with a minus sign.

Despite its northern location, there is no polar night in the country. You can observe such a phenomenon as white nights. There is quite a lot of precipitation in Iceland, but it is unevenly distributed over the territory. Snow and rain are typical for the southern coast and the mountain slopes located here...

Resources

Natural resources

Isolated for a long time from other countries and peoples, the inhabitants of Iceland were exclusively engaged in the extraction and processing of fish. Waters rich in this resource make it possible to further develop this industry.

Mineral reserves in the island of Iceland are small. These are brown coal, spar and pumice. Natural resources include seafood. A large number of geothermal sources, in addition to the development of the tourism sector, makes it possible to actively engage in greenhouse farming. Whaling is conducted under limited conditions...

Industry and Agriculture

Iceland is one of the economically developed countries. In 2007, it was recognized as the best place to live among all the countries in the world. The main occupation of the local population is the service sector, in particular: tourism, information technology and the financial sector.

The country's industry is represented by aluminum smelters, which began to be built not so long ago, according to the new government policy.

All kinds of biotechnologies are also actively developing, and geothermal sources are being used rationally. Hydroelectric power stations are available to provide electricity to populated areas.

Today, agriculture is developed in the country. Land resources make it possible to grow fodder plants and actively breed cows and sheep, which are a source of dairy products, meat and wool...

Culture

People of Iceland

Most of the population of Iceland professes Lutheranism. The official language of communication is Icelandic. The rich cultural heritage is a source of pride for the local population. The ancient tales clearly reflect the history of the people and their basic foundations.

Outwardly, Icelanders give the impression of being very reserved people. In practice, they are thrifty and attentive to almost every guest. The government program is aimed at cultivating tolerance and tolerance for other people's faith among the citizens of the state...

The island state of Iceland, despite its belonging to European countries, the majority of the population protests against joining the EU. Residents of the country are worried about preserving their own foundations and traditional trades.

The official name is the Republic of Iceland (Ly.veidi. Island). An island state located in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Area 103 thousand km2, population 288 thousand people. (2002). The official language is Icelandic. The capital is Reykjavik (approx. 113 thousand people). The national holiday is Independence Day, June 17 (since 1944). The currency is the Icelandic krona (100 øire).

Member of international organizations: UN (since 1946), NATO (since 1949), Nordic Council (since 1952), OECD (since 1961), EFTA (since 1970).

Sights of Iceland

Geography of Iceland

The island of Iceland is the second largest in Europe. Its northern point reaches the Arctic Circle, and its southern point, 306 km away, is located at latitude 63°24’N. From west to east, the island extends for 480 km - between 13°28' and 24°32' west longitude and between 18° and 65° north latitude. In the north it is washed by the Greenland Sea, in the east by the Norwegian Sea, in the west the Denmark Strait separates it from Greenland. The surface is a plateau (height 400-800 m), abruptly falling off to the sea shores on almost all sides. The predominant relief is volcanic plateaus with peaks up to 2 km. Counts approx. 200 volcanoes, of which approx. 30 active (Hvannadalskhnukur - highest point 2119 m). Earthquakes are frequent. The consequences of volcanic activity are gas outlets, geysers and mud lakes. Minerals associated with volcanism: Iceland spar, sulfur, salts, mineral springs.

A dense network of short rivers - the largest is Thioursau (237 km). There are many lakes of tectonic, volcanic and glacial origin (3% of the territory, the largest is Thingvallavatn - 83.7 km2). More than 10% (11.9 thousand km2) is covered with glaciers. The largest in Europe is Vatnajökull (8.5 thousand km2; ice thickness up to 1000 m). The length of the coastline is 5 thousand km, the coast is strongly dissected by numerous fjords and bays.

The climate is subarctic, maritime. The average temperature in July in Reykjavik is +11.2°C, and in January -1°C; it is colder in the mountains. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate is much milder, but very windy. The weather changes dramatically depending on the passage of cyclones. Precipitation is from 500 to 4000 mm per year. In inland areas there is stable snow cover in winter (in some places up to 5 months). Throughout the summer there are white nights.

The soils are mineral, loess type, partly swampy, enriched with derived volcanic ash. The vegetation is sparse, represented by tundra species, semi-shrub “forests” (6% of the area) and lush meadows (550 km2). 2/3 of the territory is covered with stone placers with mosses and lichens. The fauna is poor: reindeer, arctic foxes and mouse-like rodents; in the waters of the ocean - seals, seals, whales. There are polar bears and walruses off the northern coast. Seabirds are numerous - 66 species. There are trout in the lakes, salmon in the rivers. In the washing seas approx. 150 species of fish, incl. of great commercial importance are herring, cod, haddock, sea bass, halibut, and shrimp.

Population of Iceland

Average density - 2.3 people. per 1 km2 (in the southwestern part of the island 12 people per 1 km2).

The birth rate is 14.86%, the death rate is 6.87%. The increase for 2002 was 0.68%. The average life expectancy for men is 77.2 years, for women 81.8 years. Age structure of the population: children under 14 years old - 23%, people from 15 to 64 years old - 65%, 65 years old and older - 12%. Migration rate 2.3%.

95% of the population lives in cities and towns, 40% is concentrated in Reykjavik, the second largest city is Kopavogur (18 thousand), the third is Akureyri (16 thousand). 20% of the territory is uninhabited.

The ethnic composition is homogeneous, 99% are Icelanders - descendants of Norwegians and Irish. The Icelandic language belongs to the Germanic group and has changed little since its original settlement. Modern Icelanders easily read the original texts of the ancient sagas and can trace their genealogy back 10 centuries. The ethnic composition of the population, natural conditions and economic activities bring Iceland closer to Norway, which is manifested in a number of significant features of their peoples.

Evangelical Lutherans - 87% of believers, Catholics and Protestant communities - 3%. Christianity (Lutheran rite) has been the state religion since the middle. 16th century

History of Iceland

The name Iceland (“ice country or land of ice”) was given by the Norwegian Viking Flowki. The first Scandinavian settler was Ingólfur Adnarson, who in 874 landed in the area of ​​​​the current capital Reykjavik (translated as “smoking bay”). The nature of settlement determined the characteristics of the country's social and political system. The leading role was played by representatives of the clan nobility. A meeting of nobility and free people - bonds at a national meeting - the Althing (a representative body of direct democracy was first convened around 930) issued laws and made judicial decisions.

Isolation from the outside world and the peculiarities of economic life determined the long-term preservation of tribal traditions. In 1262-64, Iceland was subjugated to the Norwegian king due to weakening due to the civil war during the Sturlung era. In 1380, Iceland, together with Norway, found itself in a union with Denmark, and then (from 1397) as part of the Danish-Swedish-Norwegian Kalmar Union. With the loss of Norway's status as a kingdom in 1537, control passed to the Danish government. His spread of the Reformation and the introduction of Lutheranism (1540) meant for the Icelanders the loss of the remnants of independence. The trade monopoly of the Danes (1602) was limited only to the end. 18th century The eruption of the Laki volcano in 1783 led to massive deaths of sheep and famine.

In the beginning. 19th century Icelanders began to seek political freedom and self-government. The national liberation movement was led by Jon Sigurdsson (1811-79). The first success was the restoration of the Althing in 1843, followed by the abolition of the Danish trade monopoly in 1854 and the adoption of the Constitution in 1874. On December 1, 1918, a Union Treaty was concluded between Iceland and Denmark for 25 years, which recognized the formal equality of the two countries and declared their permanent neutrality. In the beginning. World War 2, after the occupation of Denmark by Nazi troops (April 1940), on May 10, 1940, British troops landed on the island. After the Danish-Icelandic Union Treaty expired in December 1943, a referendum was held on May 20-23, 1944. The majority of Icelanders voted for the termination of the union and the proclamation of a republic. On June 16, 1944, the Althing adopted a republican Constitution, and on June 17, Iceland was proclaimed a republic. Svein Bjornsson became the first president. In 1952 he was replaced by Åsgeir Åsgeirsson, who was also elected president in 1956, 1960 and 1964. He was succeeded in 1968 by Kristjan Eldjarn, who in 1980 gave way to the first woman president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who served four terms until 1996. She was replaced by the current one. President Olafur Grimsson, former leader of the left-wing People's Union.

Since 1959, coalition governments have been in power. From the beginning 1990s The conservative Independence Party (IP) and the liberal Progressive Party (PP) lead the two main coalition blocs, each receiving 55-65% of the vote. The post of Prime Minister was held by Steingrimur Hermansson (1983-87) from the PP, from the PN: Thorstein Palsson (1987-91) and David Oddsson (from 1991).

Government and political system of Iceland

Iceland is a democratic unitary rule of law state, a republic with a presidential form of government. The Constitution of 1944 is in force with amendments and additions (May 30, 1984 and May 31, 1991). Elections are held every 4 years and all citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote.

Administratively, it is divided into 23 districts (sisla), 200 rural communities and 23 cities.

The head of state is the president, personifies the highest executive power, and is elected by direct vote for a term of 4 years. The power of the president is limited and representative in nature. Since August 1, 1996, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson has been the country's president. In 2000, the parliament decided, given the great popularity of the president and the lack of opponents, to extend his powers without holding elections. The presidential residence is Bessastadir.

The government - the cabinet of ministers headed by the prime minister - is responsible to the Althing, but ministers are appointed by the president. Following the results of the elections to the Althing on May 10, 2003, the coalition government consisting of the PN and PP continued its work. The Prime Minister - Chairman of the PN, D. Oddsson, is a political long-liver in Europe, he heads the fourth government (in 1991-95 in a coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Iceland (SDPI), in 1995-99 in a coalition with the PP).

Legislative power belongs to the unicameral Althing (Althingi), which is considered the oldest in Europe, it is called the “great-grandfather of parliaments”. Consists of 63 deputies.

The party-political system is close to the Scandinavian one, although inter-party cooperation takes place “above ideological barriers.” On the right flank, the largest is the PN (conservative - Sjalfstaedhisflokkur), formed in 1929. Adjacent to it is the PP (agrarian-liberal union - Framsoknarflokkurinn), founded in 1916. The left flank is represented by the Social Democratic Union - SDS, the successor of the SDPI (Althydhuflokkurinn), founded in 1916, which traditionally enjoys the support of part of the Federation of Icelandic Trade Unions. The People's Union - NS (Althydhubandalagid), founded in 1956 as an electoral bloc of left socialists and communists, is ideologically close to it.

In the next parliamentary elections held on May 10, 2003, the PN, led by the current Prime Minister Oddsson, received 33.7% of the votes (22 deputies). Cabinet ally PP, led by Halldór Ásgrimsson, Foreign Minister, 17.7% (12 seats). The largest increase compared to the previous elections in 1999 was received by the SDS, led by the popular Gísladóttir, the former mayor of Reykjavík, their result was 31% (20 deputies). Left-Green Alliance - 8.8% (5 seats), liberals - 7.4% (4 deputies). Although the ruling coalition lost 4 mandates compared to 1999, it managed to form a cabinet of ministers and maintain the previous directions of its policy.

The judicial system operates at two levels: the Supreme Court of 5 members appointed for life by the president, and 26 local (in addition to a number of special) courts.

Domestic politics is dominated in various combinations by a coalition of four political parties. The most important topics of election campaigns are tax policy issues, the struggle for access to fishing quotas and environmental protection issues. One of the tasks facing the government in recent years was to develop effective measures against overfishing and a reduction (by about 20%) in the size of the fishing fleet.

The main topic of domestic political discussions is relations with the EU. Although the country (together with Norway and Liechtenstein) signed the Common Economic Space (CES) agreement with the EU in 1994 and thereby regulated its trade and economic relations, Reykjavik is wary of full membership due to the EU's fisheries policy.

Iceland stubbornly resisted attempts by international environmental organizations to impose a moratorium on whaling and agreed to it only in 1989 under the threat of a trade boycott. All R. 1990s The government approved the resumption of whaling on a limited scale and later decided to resume it from 2006, sparking intense debate: whalers are unhappy with the delay and tourism companies believe it will undermine their business.

The main directions of Icelandic foreign policy are based on: 1) Nordic cooperation, in particular within the framework of the Nordic Council; 2) NATO membership; 3) close ties with the EU through the SES agreement; 4) participation in the UN, especially on environmental and environmental issues, and 5) continued cooperation on defense issues with the United States.

Security policy is determined by the geostrategic location of the island, which plays a key role in the defense of North America. In 1946, the Althing decided to transfer the airfield in Keflavik (50 km from Reykjavik) to a US Air Force base. In 1948 the country joined the Marshall Plan, and in 1949 joined NATO. In a difficult international situation, on May 5, 1951, the American-Icelandic “defense” agreement was concluded, which secured the status of a US military base. The ongoing movement to withdraw foreign troops has forced the government to repeatedly discuss the issue of their presence. In 1985, the Althing declared Iceland a “nuclear-free zone,” prohibiting NATO from placing any nuclear weapons on its territory.

Relations with European neighbors and their integration associations - the EU and EFTA - developed depending on the solution to fisheries problems. Fighting to preserve the conditions for the reproduction of fish resources, Iceland expanded the boundaries of the fishing zone from 3 to 6 nautical miles in 1952. In 1958, Iceland extended its jurisdiction to 12 nautical miles, which caused protests from Great Britain. In 1972, the border was again expanded to 50 nautical miles, which led to a “fish war” and clashes between Icelandic and English ships. In 1975 - already up to 200 nautical miles, which provoked the third and most serious “cod” war. These contradictions were resolved only at the beginning. 1990s during negotiations between EFTA and the EEC. The final document, adopted in 1994, recognized the rights of Iceland in its concessions to the EU, which did not eliminate mutual disputes.

In accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (came into force on November 16, 1994), Iceland needs to resolve the problem of shelf limitation to the south - the Reikney Ridge and the Hatton Rockal area, to the west - in the Herring Luphall area. Iceland, Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands), Britain and Ireland are involved in difficult negotiations. The principle has not been defined - delimitation or joint exploitation, but Reykjavik in the spring of 2000 proposed that London begin bilateral consultations.

Since the EU's fisheries policy conflicts with Iceland's economic interests, its government has refrained from participating in this organization. Following the fifth EU enlargement, the European Union Commission demanded that Reykjavik contribute €127-155 million to EU funds for access of Icelandic products to its enlarged markets. Upon joining the EU as a full member, Iceland's contribution could range from 57 to 86 million euros with the loss of national control over the access of foreign seiners to Icelandic waters. Only the SDS, from a pro-European position, advocates holding a referendum on the integration issue before 2007. Maintaining the ruling coalition, consisting of the PN and PP, will not lead to a change in the policy of the ruling leadership.

In NATO, little Iceland intends to keep up with its allies and participate in peacekeeping operations: a list of 100 volunteers (police officers, doctors, engineers, rescuers) has been formed for such missions. As an active member of the UN, Iceland put forward its candidacy and was supported by the Nordic countries as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for 2009-10. Icelandic fishing companies actively share their experience and technologies with the UN Fisheries Commission.

With the exception of a few 120-man Coast Guard patrol vessels, the country has no armed forces. But it remains a strategically important member of NATO and, on the basis of the bilateral Icelandic-American treaty of 1951 (extended in 1996), Keflavik airport is a base for the US Air Force. Here are St. 2 thousand people American military personnel and civilian Icelandic citizens, the Icelandic Defense Forces are stationed in NATO as part of the 85th US Air Force Group (AWACS, P-3C, RS and KC-135 aircraft) and 25 services and commands.

Iceland has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in 1944, and since 1926 maintained through Denmark). It was the first among Western countries to recognize the independence of the Baltic countries; its embassy in Moscow represents interests in the CIS.

Economy of Iceland

Iceland is a country with a monoculture economy, since it is based on fishing and its subsequent processing, even despite the emergence of new industries and industries. Fishing and fish processing (25-30% of the value of GDP) remain the international specialization of the country, where it occupies one of the leading places in the export of fish products. Fishing (in 2001 - 55% of exports and 62% of the country's foreign trade income, agriculture - 2%, industry - 32%) is a powerful industry. Authorities for the control of biological resources, relying on constant monitoring of marine areas, determine quotas for fish catching. They are distributed through auctions without government intervention. Intense competition has led to a decrease in the number of quota holders and a significant concentration of capital, making Icelandic fishermen competitive in the global market. Productivity per fisherman in Iceland is more than 200 tons per year, while next in line Norway is 60 tons, and in EU countries it is 30 tons.

In terms of employment structure, Iceland looks like an industrialized country: in agriculture 7.8%, in industry 22.6%, and in services 69.6%. The fish processing complex employs 12% of the economically active population, 1% are foreign workers, in particular from Poland. In terms of fish catch (1986 thousand tons in 2001), the country ranks 6th-7th in Europe. The main products are mainly herring and cod: frozen, salted (herring) and dried fish, fish oil and fish meal. Sustainable technological development of the fishing industry continues, despite the reduction in fish resources. The Icelandic economy is at a fairly high level. Although the GDP in 2002 was 774.418 million is. crowns ($8.5 billion), but per capita - $29,446. The increase for 2002 was 0.5%, while for 1955-2001 it was 3.9%.

The second pillar of national wealth is hydropower, whose reserves are estimated at 30 billion kWh, and geothermal reserves are estimated at 1.5 million GWh annually. Only 1/8 of the rivers' energy potential is used. Electricity production in 2001 was 8.02 billion kW (28 thousand kW - 3rd place in the world in terms of per capita consumption). 16.7% of energy was produced by hydroelectric power plants, 55.4% by geothermal, and 28% by imported oil and coal. More than 3/4 of the population lives in houses heated by geothermal waters.

Icelanders are seeking to diversify their industry, which employs 1/3 of the population, based on energy. The main industrial production is an aluminum smelter, powered by local electricity and imported raw materials. Import of aluminum dioxide - 50-60 million dollars, and export of aluminum - 220-250 million dollars. The development of energy-intensive industries is taking place with the participation of foreign capital (Norwegian, Swiss): production of nitrogen fertilizers in Guvunes, aluminum - in the area of ​​Hafnarfjörður, Stroumsvik, factory mineral fertilizers near Reykjavik.

There are many small shipyards and ship repair facilities serving the fishing fleet. A number of goods from the food, clothing, furniture, electrical and building materials industries are produced for the domestic market. The country participates in globalization processes through information technologies related to the new economy: design and software production. Icelanders are striving to develop alternative energy sources; research and development is underway to produce hydrogen fuel by electrolysis of water. The government is subsidizing a hydrogen energy project involving foreign companies. Within 20 years, the government intends to transfer motor transport and fishing fleet to the so-called. fuel cells by producing methanol from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which can be distributed through the existing network of gas stations.

Agriculture focuses exclusively on sheep and wool breeding and dairy farming. Agricultural lands make up 23% of the territory (2.3 million hectares) and are used for meadows and pastures. Forage grasses and potatoes are grown on the cultivated 1 thousand hectares. Significant progress has been made in the development of greenhouse farming (in the south of the island) based on the use of thermal springs. The country is self-sufficient in meat, fresh vegetables and dairy products, but imports grains and other types of food. The state supports 6 thousand farms by providing subsidies and limiting imports.

In the transport system, the leading role is played by shipping - 1.2 thousand vessels with a total displacement of 233 thousand tons, of which: merchant fleet - 40 ships with a tonnage of 10 thousand registered tons, 1 thousand trawlers and other fishing vessels - 200 thousand tons. Domestic transportation is carried out by road, air transport, and coastal vessels. There are no railways. The length of roads is 13 thousand km, of which 4 thousand km are paved. Most roads are gravel. The Hringvegur ring road is 1400 km long. There are 160 thousand cars, 548 cars per 1 thousand people. In 2001, 12 airports with concrete runways carried 1.36 million passengers.

The government, as in other Scandinavian countries, pursues economic policies aimed at economic growth and full employment. Public sector 43.9% of GDP in 2000. The main problems are the volume of fish caught, fluctuations in fish prices and the level of costs associated with fuel prices, since the fishing fleet will remain the main consumer of imported petroleum products. Here they focus on the “welfare state” model, in which social programs are widely implemented (25.9% of GDP 2000). Wage growth in 2002 was 5.6%. Thanks to the government's policies, the unemployment rate does not exceed 3.9% with a 43-hour work week and an inflation rate of 6.7%.

The main problem of foreign trade is ensuring a positive foreign trade balance (0.9% of GDP in 2001), which is due to limited natural resources and world market conditions. The total debt was 96.2% of GDP in 2001. Exports were $2 billion (25% of GDP), and imports were $2.5 billion (27.4%). The country's external debt is at the level of 2.2-2.6 billion dollars. Export geography: EU countries 65%, USA 13%, Japan 5%. Import geography: EU 56%, Norway 9%, USA 11%. The country received 1.2 million tourists. Trade turnover between Iceland and the Russian Federation is $43.8 million, with a positive balance of the Russian Federation.

Science and culture of Iceland

The country has a high level of cultural development due to its long literary tradition and high standard of education. Public schools provide compulsory and free education for all children from 6 to 15 years of age. In 2001, 31.5 thousand students were enrolled in primary education (from 6 to 12 years old), 12.6 thousand students in secondary education (from 13 to 15 years old), and 20.7 thousand high school students. Those who graduate from high school are given the right to continue their four-year education in college or vocational schools, after which you can enter the University of Iceland (founded in 1911) or the new university in Akureyri. There are 12 thousand students in the country and 2 thousand abroad. All educational institutions receive subsidies from central and municipal authorities.

Scientific research in the humanities and some exact sciences is quite developed. The coordinating body - the National Research Council - is actively involved in organizing R&D in leading areas. There is a Research Institute at the university. Natural science research is carried out by the National Museum, various societies, special organizations and foundations.

Of course, the main heroes of EURO 2016 were the players of the Icelandic national team, who managed to snatch victory from the English national team, and, perhaps, this is the only team at the Championship that is warmly regarded by fans from all over the world. Today we are publishing a selection of 30 interesting facts about what kind of country Iceland is and what kind of people live there.

1. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a population of just over 320 thousand people, and before the Second World War the population of the island was only 50 thousand people. About 30 thousand fans came to the European Football Championship, that is, approximately 10 percent of the country's population.

2. If you noticed, all the names of the Icelandic National Team players are similar, they end in “son”. The whole point here is that in Iceland patronymics are used instead of surnames; in fact, this is an analogue of our patronymic name. For boys, the particle “son” (son) is added to the father’s name; for girls, “dottir” (daughter). Thus, for example, if there are two children of different sexes in a family, then they will have different “surnames”, for example, the girl Palmarsdottir, that is, the daughter of Palmars and the son Palmarsson, that is, the son of Palmars. In 1925, Iceland even passed a special law prohibiting citizens of the country from acquiring surnames in the classical sense. By the way, if the father for some reason does not recognize the child, then the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but after the mother’s name.

In the photo: Icelandic wedding

3. However, this does not mean that Icelanders do not strive to preserve the surname at all, they simply do it in a unique way, some give their children the same names after a generation, that is, they name the child after their grandfather or grandmother, so that, so to speak, they can trace the line kind.

4. The classic names of Icelanders are well known to many of us, because we met them in the ancient Scandinavian sagas. Yes, Ragnar, Sigur or Aðalsteinn, which means "main stone", are the same normal human names in Iceland as Ivan, Dmitry or Alexander in Russia. The most popular names in Iceland are: male - Jon and female - Gudrun.

5. In Iceland, in everyday life, especially long and complex names are abbreviated, for example, a young man named Aðalsteinn can be called simply Ali, Guvrun - Gunna, Stefan - Steppie, Jon - Nonny, and so on.

6. Until recently, it was generally accepted that Icelanders are descendants of Vikings from Norway and Sweden, but recent genetic examination has established that the genes of the Irish, who existed as slaves in Iceland in ancient times, prevail in the gene pool of modern Icelanders. On the other hand, this fits perfectly with the local belief that the Icelandic Vikings stole all the beautiful women from England and Ireland for the purpose of love affairs, and for reproduction.

In the photo: panorama of Reykjavik

7. The Icelandic language, due to the long-term isolation of the island from the rest of the world, has evolved very little compared to other Scandinavian languages, that is, the percentage of words borrowed from other languages ​​is extremely small. Because of this, Icelandic is very close to the very language of the northern peoples, in which the Vikings communicated in ancient times, and Icelanders can read the ancient sagas, as they say, without straining.

8. Icelandic household sagas, unlike other works of folk art, are a dry listing of facts, which is why it is sometimes quite difficult for a modern reader to perceive them. That is, in the sagas there is no description of the heroes’ feelings or experiences, only a meticulous listing of events: went there, conquered such and such, married so and so, killed so and so, was killed by so and so. In this case, much attention is paid to where exactly this or that event occurred and in what period of time it happened. Previously, largely due to the meticulous manner of presentation and the lack of an emotional component in the descriptions, many researchers considered Icelandic household sagas to be historical documents that did not require careful verification and historical reconstruction, but now the sagas are still perceived by scientists, rather, as works of art, and the facts stated in them are subject to verification.

Pictured: Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik

9. Another reflection of this feature of national thinking is the names of geographical objects. In fact, complex and multi-stage words are simply a definition of the place in question. Thus, Reykjavik means “smoking bay”, the name of the city Kopavogur stands for “young seal bay”, and the difficult-to-pronounce name of the famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano means “Island of Mountain Glaciers”.

10. At the same time, 90 percent of the country's population speaks English fluently. The following fact is no less interesting: in order to find a job in Iceland, a foreigner does not need knowledge of the Icelandic language - fluent English is more than enough. For this reason, many immigrants to Iceland do not speak Icelandic even after 10 years of living in the country; They have more than enough English for both life and work. Another interesting thing is that if a citizen of another country has lived in Iceland for 6 years, he can apply for Icelandic citizenship and receive it without any problems.

In the photo: the priest of the Ásatrúarfélagið church and his follower

11. Also because very few people live in Iceland, there is practically no crime here. As a result, young mothers, for example, easily leave their babies sleeping in strollers on the streets of Reykjavik, while they go with their girlfriends to drink coffee in a cafe, car keys are often thrown in cars, and the Reykjavik prison is empty, and sometimes tourists even spend the night there, not managed to find a room in a hotel. In addition, police officers in Iceland do not carry weapons, and Iceland does not have a military force; their functions are to some extent performed by the coast guard.

12. Today in Iceland, the neo-pagan religion Ásatrúarfélagið, which is a slightly modernized cult of the Scandinavian gods, is very popular. Priests of the Ásatrúarfélagið are allowed, for example, to perform wedding ceremonies; it is considered an official procedure in the country, while clergy can also marry homosexual couples.
Today, 2,400 people officially count themselves among the followers of the Ásatrúarfélagið cult, and even now a large-scale construction of a full-fledged temple of the Scandinavian gods is underway in Iceland, this will be the first such structure since the times of the Vikings.

In the photo: stones in which, according to legend, spirits live

13. The traditional date for the adoption of Christianity in Iceland is the year 1000, which is curious, after that Icelandic Christianity developed without the close supervision of Rome, as a result, the Icelanders retained their ancient beliefs and traditions. For example, people here still believe in trolls (giants) or Hidden Residents (elves). Elves are huldufouls, these are creatures that live in round stones of a certain type; mere mortals cannot see them, except in those cases when the spirits themselves decide to show themselves to people.
The presence of such a stone, for example, at the construction site of a road or house, can cause problems, because huldufoulks should not be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, before moving the stone, it is recommended to perform magical manipulations on it.

In the photo: evil spirits Yule Lad

14. Christmas in Icelandic will be Yule, that is, it is a direct copy of the word “Yule” - the ancient holiday of the winter solstice among the Germanic peoples, so it is not surprising that Santa Claus is an unpopular character here. Here Yule Lad work for him at Christmas, but they don’t give gifts to children; on the contrary, the heroes of folklore are the evil spirits of winter. There are fifteen spirits, and they come from the very Hidden inhabitants of the huldufoulks. The spirits come to the cities strictly on schedule; the first to descend from the mountains on December 12 are Gryla and Leppaludi - the mother and father of thirteen Yule Lad. In this case, dad is a lazy and overweight male spirit, and his wife is an evil old woman, an analogue of the Russian Baba Yaga, by the way, she also has a stick. Following the parents, one after another, their children come to the cities - the evil spirits of Yule.
Each of the spirits, according to beliefs, engages in sabotage according to their strength and capabilities: one steals dishes, another blows out candles in houses, a third steals sausages, a fourth licks milk supplies, a fifth tangles the wool of sheep, in a word, everyone is at work. The spirits are accompanied by the evil cat Yolokotturin; according to legend, she steals small children and eats them. Yule Lad figurines in Reykjavik can be seen on every corner on the eve of Christmas, their images are also pasted on Icelandair planes, and projections of them are broadcast onto store windows and house facades.

15. It is believed that the national dish of Iceland is hakarl - rotten Greenland shark meat cut into small pieces. The Greenland shark does not have a urinary tract, its meat contains poisonous ammonia, therefore, in order for the meat to become edible, it is left to rot underground or in a basement for three months. Haukarl tastes (and smells) like pure urea, which is how it usually stinks in some dirty public toilet. So, in fact, modern Icelanders almost never eat hakarl - this is entertainment for tourists, many of the locals have never tried this disgusting thing, as they say, one smell was enough to fully understand the scale of the disaster.

16. But fried bird breast is a dead end, on the contrary, a popular local dish, a kind of delicacy. Puffins are caught in the summer, when they fly to the island to nest, puffin meat is very tasty, but I really feel sorry for the bird, look how cute they are, they even know how to kiss! In a word, he ate and cried, ate and cried.
It is also shocking to many that in Iceland they eat whales; by the way, they taste like steak. But, according to Icelandic fishermen, if the whale population is not thinned out, they multiply very quickly and then eat all the commercial fish. Iceland regularly violates whale slaughter quotas, and animal rights activists and the whole of Europe are regularly unhappy with this.

In the photo: the national Icelandic dish Plokkfiskur

17. In general, if we talk about Icelandic cuisine, cod, haddock, smoked salmon, lamb in a variety of forms are popular here, especially lamb fillet, small lobsters (they are a little larger in size than large shrimp) and, of course, herring . Of course, potatoes are popular among vegetables; by the way, the delicious local dish Plokkfiskur is prepared from leftover haddock and potatoes.
In addition, Icelanders love to generously sprinkle their food with ketchup and mayonnaise; the most popular local drink is Coca-Cola. Among the sweets, sweets and licorice lollipops are held in high esteem here, and in the summer locals indulge in berries, which are good in Iceland. But there are no McDonald's restaurants in the country; the last one closed in 2008 during the crisis.

18. They also eat horse meat in Iceland, and this is also a little sad, because local horses are a real miracle of nature. They are short, hardy, and covered with thick fur in winter. At the same time, Icelandic horses are not afraid, there are no dangerous predators on the island, so the horses are not used to fearing for their lives, they easily approach strangers, allow themselves to be stroked and fed.

There is still debate about how horses originally got to the island. In ancient times, Icelanders assumed that all local horses were descendants of Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of the god Odin. Historians believe that horses were brought to Iceland by the Vikings in the 9th - 10th centuries AD, and geneticists claim that horses were brought to the island from the shores of Scotland. Hippotherapy is also popular in Iceland - the treatment of neurological disorders through communication with horses.

19. Iceland is located on thermal springs, so it mainly uses renewable energy sources. As a result, thermal water flows from the tap, which, however, smells very strongly of hydrogen sulfide, but you gradually sniff it, houses are also heated generously, and since pipes with hot thermal water in Reykjavik are laid directly under the sidewalk, the streets of the Icelandic capital can never ice up, so there is no point in sprinkling them with chemicals.

In the photo: an Icelandic jeep for winter off-road travel

20. But don’t think that everything is so wonderful. Outside the cities, many roads in Iceland become impassable in winter: there is icing, drifting snow, and snow piles. Therefore, the most popular type of vehicle used if you need to travel from Reykjavik to Akureyri in winter is a jeep, and the bigger the better. On excursions to national parks or to geysers, tourists are even taken on such monsters as in the photo below.

21. But what is truly wonderful in Iceland are the thermal pools with hot water, built in the open air. Of course, everyone has heard about the famous Blue Lagoon, built near a thermal power plant, but this is more entertainment for tourists. Icelanders themselves most often go to ordinary thermal pools, which are open in the amount of approximately one per 10 houses. Everything is simple there: you go in, wash, and climb into the outdoor thermal pool. When purchasing a subscription, the cost of visiting is around 2 euros.

Interestingly, when visiting a thermal pool, guests must wash their hair, and since most pools are located outdoors, the very fact that locals swim with wet hair and do not get sick is admirable. In general, visiting the thermal baths in Iceland is the same option for evening leisure as going to a bar; this is where young people most often invite girls on a first date. It turns out to be very convenient, and cheaper than going to a bar, and you can immediately see the person in all the details.

22. In fact, in Iceland in winter it is not as cold as we used to think, the temperature here rarely drops below minus 6 degrees, but the piercing and sometimes knocking wind fully compensates for this. But in summer it’s never hot in Iceland, the air temperature here rarely rises above 20 degrees, and there’s still the same wind, don’t forget about the wind.

23. If until recently the most popular resort for Russians was Turkey, then the Canary Islands still perform the same function for Icelanders. The reasons for Icelanders’ love for the Canary Islands are prosaic: the nature is similar, the flight is relatively close, by Icelandic standards it’s very affordable, but most importantly, it’s warm, and the fact that the water in the ocean is cool doesn’t bother them at all.

In the photo: Northern Lights over Reykjavik

24. In winter in Iceland it is not just dark, but very dark; on December 21 - the shortest day of the year - dawn comes at 10.30, and the sun sets at 16.00. But in winter you can regularly observe the Northern Lights here; in Iceland they are usually green, and there is even a website that shows the likelihood of the Northern Lights appearing in a particular area of ​​the country, its address: http://www.vedur.is .
In summer, long nights are replaced by long days, compared to which white nights in St. Petersburg are simply nothing; in June in Iceland the sun sets for only a couple of hours.

In the photo: the Icelandic Parliament building

25. The basis of the Icelandic government is democracy, and these are not empty words. Here it is worth turning to the history of the country: as the island was settled, tings were formed in the regions of Iceland - an analogue of the ancient Russian veche. At the Things, courts were held, disputes were resolved, and collective discussions of vital issues concerning the community took place. Once a year, at the beginning of summer, representatives from each community gathered for a general meeting - the Althing - in order to regulate relations between the regions. As a rule, successes during the Althing were achieved by those who had the powerful support of wealthy landowners. The first Althing took place in Iceland in 930, and this year is considered to be the beginning of the era of democracy. True, in the thirteenth century Iceland came under the rule of Norway, until the forties of the twentieth century it was under the rule of Denmark, in 1940 the island was captured by Great Britain, which, in turn, transferred Iceland to the United States. The country gained independence from the United States only on June 17, 1944. So, the victory over the England team for the Icelanders is a kind of revenge for the years of occupation.
However, the Icelandic Althing was reassembled in 1845, and today it is considered the oldest parliament in the world. The entire population of the country took part in finalizing the last text of the Constitution of Iceland in 2012; citizens’ proposals were accepted through social networks and even through YouTube. But, the most curious thing is that for all this, the country has had the same president for the last 16 years - Olavur Ragnar Grimsson. He ruled the country from 1999 to 2016. Grimsson remained for the second term due to the lack of candidates for the post of head of state, the third time he won the vote, he went for the fourth term again due to the lack of candidates for the post of president, and the fifth time he won the elections again. On June 26, 2016, 48-year-old history teacher Gudni Johannesson became the new president of Iceland.

Pictured: Hafþór Bjödnson as Grigor "The Mountain" Kligon

26. In Iceland there is socialism, here everyone receives approximately the same salary and lives in the same houses. At the same time, it is believed here that “all professions are needed, all professions are important,” that is, it doesn’t matter whether you work as a waiter or a scientist - you are equally worthy of respect. It is curious that many local celebrities, before fame fell on them, worked in not very honorable positions, for example, Hafþór Bjödnson - the strongest man on the planet and the performer of the role of Grigor "The Mountain" Kligon in "Games of Thrones", like many Icelanders , for a long time not only was engaged in bodybuilding, but also worked part-time in a restaurant.

In general, almost all Icelanders have not one job, but two, the first for money, the second for the soul. That is, almost every waiter or bartender here is also an artist, decorator, photographer, designer or jeweler.

27. And the local population loves to read; today, according to some sources, Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.

In the photo: a girl in a lop-piece

28. In Iceland there is absolute tolerance for everything, gay marriage has been allowed here since 2010, the percentage of open bisexuals in the country is also very high, and a gay pride parade takes place in Reykjavik every summer. At the same time, all couples, regardless of whether they are hetero or homo, try to maintain friendly relations when breaking up, because the country is small and it will still not be possible to completely stop communication. Icelanders get married easily and divorce easily; in case of divorce, children, as a rule, live 50/50 with each parent. At the same time, almost all Icelandic girls are feminists; they do not allow themselves to be paid for in restaurants; they carry bags, do repairs, nail nails, and so on without any difficulties. True, the advantages of tolerance also give rise to disadvantages; in Iceland, personal space is extremely difficult, because everyone knows everything about everyone.

29. Iceland exists practically according to the rules of the Australian economy, which is based on self-reliance and the construction of a system of closed reproduction of the community with minimal dependence on exchange with the external environment. No, of course, you can buy Western food here, but they cost several times more than local ones, and the choice is small. In general, it’s funny with wine, it’s expensive regardless of the type, that is, a bottle of decent wine and outright mumbo jumbo will cost about the same. Clothing is also mostly locally produced. And the main national item that any Icelander has in their wardrobe is the lopapeysa - a knitted sheep's wool jacket with a recognizable national pattern. By the way, the lopapeysa is quite expensive, but the thing lasts for years.

30. Iceland, according to statistics, is one of the most active countries in
in social networks. Almost all its residents have accounts on Facebook, but in addition to Facebook, the country also has a local social network www.ja.is, where all Icelanders, young and old, are registered. When registering on this site, users indicate not only their first and last name, but also their phone number, address and the location on the map where their homes are located. So if you want to meet one of the Icelandic National Football Team players and he is still living in the country, look for him on www.ja.is, he will definitely be there.

Pictured is the capital of Iceland

Capital: Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the cold kingdom of Iceland. The name of the city translates as “smoking bay” - indeed, there is a large concentration of hot springs, geysers and volcanoes. The city is located near the Arctic Circle, so this area is characterized by such phenomena as polar day and polar night.

The lands of Iceland were settled at the end of the 9th and beginning of the 10th centuries by Celtic and Norwegian immigrants, who, in fact, became the first settlers. The first buildings appeared here in 874.

The capital city of Reykjavik has an area of ​​274.5 km² and a population of 118,861 according to the 2008 census.

The national currency of the state is the Icelandic krona (ISK), which was introduced into circulation in 1885. The Icelandic krona to Russian ruble exchange rate is 100 ISK = 24 RUR.

The climate is subtropical, winters are mild, the air temperature never drops below -10 degrees. The temperature background in winter is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream. Summer, on the contrary, is cool, as a rule, with an air temperature of +10+12 degrees, so this country is considered a resort for those who have already visited many countries of the world and are looking for exclusively new experiences.

Hövdi is the main attraction of Reykjavik. This is an old mansion that was built in 1909 and was the residence of the French consul. The mansion is most widely known for the 1986 summit that took place there, in which Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev took part. Today, the building serves as a residence for politicians and stars who come to Reykjavik on vacation or on political matters.

Hallgrimskirkja is a Lutheran church and local landmark. The church is a landmark not because many tourists are not able to immediately pronounce its name. The fact is that a non-Icelander cannot pronounce many names of houses, streets, neighborhoods and even volcanoes instantly. The church attracts tourists with its architecture; it took 38 years to build the building.

The Althing is the oldest parliament building. Members of Parliament first met in 930. Since then, the Althing building has continued to operate. Initially, parliament consisted only of men; women were not given the right to vote.

Bssastadir is the residence of the president of the state, which is located near the capital. The main building was built in the period from 1761-1766, and for a long time it housed a school, and then an agricultural farm. Only in 1944 the building was restored and became the residence of the presidents.

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

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

Features of the country

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:

, whose population is less than 200 thousand. This is where the government and parliament are located. The name of the city translates as smoky bay, which is associated with the constant fog 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.

After getting to know the state a little, we will find out where Iceland 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 border is Norway and Greenland, and the northernmost point is located beyond the Arctic Circle. Iceland is washed by the waters of two seas:

• Greenlandic in the north.
• Norwegian in the east.

And 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 clear enough, Iceland's disputes are between the following states:

• Great Britain;
• Ireland;
• Denmark.

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

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

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

Reykjavik attractions

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

Note the most interesting sights of the city:

From entertainment for tourists here they are ready to offer rock climbing, horseback riding, safari, diving or sports speleology.

Iceland occupies a very small 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. The country has both hot thermal springs and geysers.

The most famous volcano is Hekla, which has a surprisingly regular cone shape. This is a real local attraction; thousands of tourists flock to the crater of the volcano every year.

How to get to Iceland?

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

• Tourist visa, which can be obtained at the country's Consulate.
• Multiple entry Finnish visa.

To visit Iceland, you should also prepare the following documents:

The country is most often visited by guests from the USA, Germany and the UK.

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

Some national traditions and beliefs

The traditions of folklore are strong in this island country; many quite modern people have retained their belief in elves and trolls. The ancient Celtic traditions are still revered.

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!

We invite you to learn some interesting facts about the country:

Iceland is an amazing world where no one will be shocked by a volcanic eruption or earthquake, and the largest cities resemble European villages. Amazing national traditions and beliefs have been preserved here, so visiting the country will be a true journey into a fairy tale.