15 PLACE VERY INTERESTING TO TRAVEL TO ICELAND
VERY ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO VISIT IN ICELAND
The
Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic island
country in the North Atlantic Ocean. It
has a population of 332.529 and an area of 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq
mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The capital and large city is Reykjavik. Reykjavik and the surrounding Areas in the southwest of the country are home to over two-third of the population. Iceland is volcanically and geologic ally active. The
interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields,
mountains and glaciers, while MANY glacial rivers flow to the sea
through the Lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a tempe rate climate, despite a high Latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. Its high Latitude and marine influence Keeps still chilly summers, with most of the archipelago having a tundra climate.According
to the Book of Settlements, the settlement of Iceland began in the year
874 AD When the Norwegian Chieftain Ingolf Arnarson becamean the first
permanent Settler on the island. In
eftirfarandi centuries, Norwegian, and to a Lesser extentions other
Scandinavian, immigrated to Iceland, Bringing Them with thralls of
Gaelic origin. The
island was governed as an independent commonwealth under the
Parliament, one of the world's oldest functioning legislative
assemblies. Following a period of civil strife, Iceland acceded to Norwegian rule in the 13th century. In 1814, it came under the rule of Denmark, during sem a distinct American national identity emerged. This
culminated in independence in 1918 and the founding of a republic in
1944. Until the 20th century, Iceland relied largely on subsistence
fishing and agriculture, and was Among the Poore in Europe. INDUSTRIALISATION
of the fisheries and Marshall Plan aid Following World War II Brought
prosperity, and Iceland becamean one of the wealthiest and most
Developed Nations in the world. In
1994, it becamean a part of the European Economic Area, sem further
diversified the economy into Sectors Such as finance, biotechnology, and
manufacturing.
1. Haukadalur Valley
This valley is located in the north Laugarvatn. South Iceland
Gullfoss waterfall is located about 10 km north to the Highlands of Iceland and at the beginning of the mountain road Kjölur. As Þingvellir, Haukadalur is part of the Golden Circle.
2. Thingvellir National Park
Situated on the northern shore of lake Þingvallavatn, Þingvellir is the national shrine of Iceland. It is, for one, a key location in Icelandic history as the oldest existing parliament in the world first assembled there in 930 AD. Þingvellir has for this reason been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Besides being a location of historical significance, Þingvellir is also protected as a national park due to its unique geology and natural features. Almannagjá is a canyon formed between two tectonic plates, a visual representation of continental drift.
3. Gullfoss
Gullfoss waterfall is located on the White River (Hvítá) in south-central Iceland. His name means Golden Waterfall. The flow of the river from periodic rainfall and glacier glide-especially in the summer-made waterfall Gullfoss the largest volume in Europe.Gullfoss is one of the spectacular scenery on earth. Is one of the wonders of the natural world in the world. White River (Hvítá) wide flowing south. About 1 km above the waterfall of the river steep turn to the left and ran down three times with wide turn and then suddenly dropped at a height of 35 m (105 ft). Extensive cracks where the flow is down about 20 m (60 feet) and a length of 2.5 km. Are at right angles to the flow of the river. The average water over the falls is about - 180 m³ / s in the summer and 50-110 m³ / s in the winter. The highest measured flow of 2000 m³ / s.During the first half of the 20th century and a few years in the 20th century, a lot of speculation and experimentation utilizing Gullfoss to generate electricity. During this period, the waterfall was hired directly by the owner Tomas Tomasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors who want to take advantage of the waterfall; however, the investors failed experiment, one of the reasons of lack of money. Finally waterfall was sold to the country of Iceland. However, when sold, there is speculation and plans utilize Hvítá, which changed the waterfall forever. This was not done, and the waterfall was protected.Sigridur Tómasdóttir, daughter of Tomas Tomasson decided to save the waterfall from utilization and even threatened to dropping into the waterfall. The story of the famous call that Sigridur really saved the waterfall was not to be used, but it is not true. His experiments did not save the waterfall; there are other reasons not to be used.Sigridur create a memorial stone, located at the top of the waterfall, list profile.Together with Thingvellir waterfalls and geysers Haukadalur is part of the famous sights in Iceland, the Golden Circle.
4. Jokulsarlon
Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. Situated at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, it developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of melting of the glaciers. It is now 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) away from the ocean's edge and covers an area of about 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi). It recently became the deepest lake in Iceland, at over 248 metres (814 ft), as glacial retreat extended its boundaries. The size of the lake has increased fourfold since the 1970s. It is considered as one of the natural wonders of Iceland.
The lake can be seen from Route 1 between Höfn and Skaftafell. It appears as "a ghostly procession of luminous blue icebergs".
Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Batman Begins, as well as the "reality TV" series Amazing Race. In 1991 Iceland issued a postage stamp, with a face value of 26 kronur, depicting Jökulsárlón.
5. Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is one of the best known waterfalls in Iceland. Seljalandsfoss is located in the South Region in Iceland right by Route 1 and the road that leads to Þórsmörk Road 249. The waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls and natural wonders in Iceland. The waterfall drops 60 m (197 ft) and is part of the Seljalands River that has its origin in the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. One of the interesting things about this waterfall is that visitors can walk behind it into a small cave.
6. Skogafoss
Skógafoss (pronounced [ˈskou.aˌfɔs]) is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from Skógar), the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland.
7. Dyrholaey
The small peninsula, or promontory, Dyrhólaey (0.192 Miles / 120 meters) (formerly known as "Cape Portland" by seamen)[1] is located on the south coast of Iceland, not far from the village Vík. It was formerly an island of volcanic origin, which is also known by the Icelandic word eyja meaning island.
The view from Dyrhólaey is interesting: To the north is to be seen the big glacier Mýrdalsjökull. To the east, the black lava columns of the Reynisdrangar come out of the sea, and to the west the whole coastline in the direction of Selfoss is visible - depending on weather conditions. In front of the peninsula, there is a gigantic black arch of lava standing in the sea, which gave the peninsula its name (meaning: the hill-island with the door-hole).
8. Reynisfjara Beach
The world-famous Reynisfjara shore, near the village Vik in Myrdalur on Iceland's South Coast, is widely regarded as the most impressive black-sand beach in Iceland.
To reach Reynisfjara you can either drive there yourself. Here you will find the largest and cheapest car rentals in Iceland. Or you can join this summer tour to the South coast, or this winter tour to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Reynisfjara is a black pebble beach and features an amazing cliff of regular basalt columns resembling a rocky step pyramid, which is called Hálsanef. Out in the sea are the spectacularly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. The area has a rich birdlife, including puffins, fulmars and guillemots.
The waves at Reynisfjara are especially strong and unpredictable, and fatal accidents have occurred at this beach, so people are advised to take extra care when visiting the area.
According to folklore, two trolls attempted to drag a ship to land but were turned to stone as daylight broke, turning them into the Reynisdrangar stacks, clearly visible from the beach.
9. Solheimajokull Glacier Walk
The Sólheimajökull glacier tongue extends from the great Mýrdalsjökull glacier, down to the sandy plains of the Icelandic south coast. The spectacular surroundings are marked by rugged and majestic rock formations thoroughly shaped by the glacier.
On this fun, safe, and easy to moderate glacier walk, you get to explore the wonderland of ice sculptures, water cauldrons, ridges, and deep crevasses on the breathtaking Sólheimajökull glacier. While enjoying all the features of the glacier and its spectacular surroundings, you will learn more about the behavior of glaciers and their impact on nature. No technical requirements are needed for the tour as an experienced glacier guide will teach you how to use basic glacier equipment, such as crampons and an ice axe which are provided for all our glacier walk tours. The unique experience of a glacier walk on one of the many retreating glaciers of the world is sure to leave lasting memories.
10. Dettifoss
Dettifoss is a waterfall located in the Myvatn area, north Iceland. This waterfall is located in the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum coming from the glacier. This waterfall is famous because the current is very large which is between 200 and 500 cubic meters per second depending on the season. The width of the waterfall is approximately 100 meters by 44 meters.
Near Dettifoss, there is also a waterfall that is not less interesting is the waterfall Selfoss. Jökulsárgljúfur national park located approximately 15 km north of the waterfall.
11. Krafla Lava Fields
Krafla includes one of the two best-known Víti craters of Iceland (the other is in Askja). The Icelandic word "víti" means "hell". In former times, people often believed hell to be under volcanoes. The crater Víti has a green lake inside of it.
South of the Krafla area, but not actually within the caldera is Námafjall, a mountain, beneath which is Hverir, a geothermal area with boiling mudpools and steaming fumaroles.
The Mývatn fires occurred between 1724–1729, when many of the fissure vents opened up. The lava fountains could be seen in the south of the island and a lava flow destroyed three farms near the village of Reykjahlíð, although nobody was harmed.
Between 1975 and 1984 there was a volcanic episode within the Krafla volcano. It involved nine volcanic eruptions and fifteen uplift and subsidence events. This interrupted some of the Krafla drillfields. During these events a large magma chamber emerged. This has been identified by analysing the seismic activity.
Since 1977 the Krafla area has been the source of the geothermal energy used by a 60 MWe power station. A survey undertaken in 2006 indicated very high temperatures at depths of between 3 and 5 kilometres and these favourable conditions have led to the development of the first well from the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP), that found magma only 2.1 km deep.
12. Namafjall
The Námafjall (Bergwerksberg) (482 m) is a mountain range in Iceland in the Mývatn area. It is an active volcano that belongs to the Krafla volcano system.
The volcano is covered by Solfataren and Fumarolen. On its foot are also on the Westseite direction Reykjahlíð as well as on its east side direction Ódáðahraun and Möðrudalsöræfi high temperature areas.
On the mountain marked hiking trails. From the summit one has a good view, not only over the Solfataren and Fumarolen of the area, but also over the lake Mývatn and the desert Möðrudalsöræfi.
13. The Settlement Exhibition
In 2001 archaeological remains were excavated in Adalstraeti, which turned out to be the oldest relics of human habitation in Reykjavík, with some of the fragments found dating to before 871 AD.
During the excavation, a longhouse from the tenth century was also discovered. The hall and a wall fragment are now both carefully preserved at their original location and form the focal point of The Settlement Exhibition a fascinating exhibition about life in Viking times.
As part of the exhibition, the construction of Viking Age buildings is explained using multimedia technology and enhanced with computer technology to provide an insight of what life was like at the time of the first settlers. Exhibits also include artefacts from archaeological excavations in central Reykjavík.
14. Hallgrimskirkja
Situated in the centre of Reykjavík, it is one of the city's best-known landmarks and is visible throughout the city. State Architect Guðjón Samúelsson's design of the church was commissioned in 1937. He is said to have designed it to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland's landscape.[3] The design is similar in style to the expressionist architecture of Grundtvig's Church of Copenhagen, Denmark, completed in 1940.
It took 41 years to build the church: construction started in 1945 and ended in 1986, but the landmark tower being completed long before the whole church was completed. The crypt beneath the choir was consecrated in 1948, the steeple and wings were completed in 1974,[3] and the nave was consecrated in 1986.[1] At the time of construction, the building was criticized as too old-fashioned and as a blend of different architectural styles.[4] The church was originally intended to be less tall, but the leaders of the Church of Iceland wanted a large spire so as to outshine Landakotskirkja (Landakot's Church), which was the cathedral of the Catholic Church in Iceland.[4]
The interior is 1,676 square metres. In 2008, the church underwent a major restoration of the main tower, and was covered in scaffolding. In late 2009, restoration was completed and the scaffolding was removed.
15. National Museum of Iceland
Whether your visit to Iceland is for business or pleasure, making time for a trip to the National Museum will leave you fully enlightened about the making of the Icelandic nation and its history.
The museum offers a variety of fascinating exhibitions and one permanent display illustrating lavishly the story of Iceland’s past, from the medieval days of Viking settlements to current contemporary culture. The main exhibition has over 2,000 artefacts discovered in various parts of the country. In pride of place amongst the museum’s many treasures is the Valthjófsstadur door, featuring elaborate medieval engravings depicting scenes from the legendary 12th century knight’s tale Le Chevalier au Lion.
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