Where is Iceland located?
Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, directly below the Arctic Circle. It is situated in between the countries of Greenland, Faroe Islands, and Norway. This island is a paradise for nature lovers. It covers a total area of 40,000 square miles which makes Iceland the 2nd largest island in Europe after Great Britain. Learn how to plan your trip to Iceland, an ever-changing island of geysers, mud pools, volcanoes and glaciers.
Iceland Map by C-Ludik
Geography of Iceland
Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. As the plates moved apart, excessive eruptions of lava constructed volcanoes and filled rift valleys. Iceland is the largest island on the ridge because of the additional volcanism caused by the hotspot under the country. This island nation is a showcase of geological wonders! Iceland’s lands are dominated by glaciers – which cover approximately 15% of the country – including the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull. The country is a vast expanse of desolate beauty, dotted with volcanic peaks, steaming geysers, thundering waterfalls. Iceland’s coastline is a rugged masterpiece of fjords, black sand beaches and towering cliffs that plunge into the sea. The population density in Iceland is 10 people per mi2! Most of the people live in the Capital Region of Iceland in or around Reykjavík.
Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland
Weather and climate in Iceland
Iceland is not really an Arctic country, as the northernmost point of the main island is a few miles south of the Arctic Circle. The Icelandic climate is not as cold as you might think. Iceland enjoys a cool temperate maritime climate thanks to the Gulf Stream. The average temperatures are around 23-35,6 F° in wintertime and 54-60 F° in Summer. However, the weather is known to change quickly, and often. Bright sunshine can quickly give way to a shower of rain or a dense fog! In Iceland, people say:
« If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes ».
If rain doesn’t spoil your stay, wind is almost omnipresent… Whether you’re driving, hiking, or just soaking in the scenery, the wind can play a huge role in shaping your experience. A gust of wind may not seem like a big deal, but a single gust of wind can stop you in your walking tracks and even knock you over.
Iceland’s weather is unpredictable!
The Icelandic language
The official language of Iceland is Icelandic, a North Germanic language. However, English is widely spoken and understood in Iceland, with the majority of Icelanders speaking it as a second language. Icelandic is a difficult language for English speakers… And of course, Icelanders appreciate people who attempt to learn Icelandic. Reykjavik (literally “Bay of Smoke”) is likely to be the first stop on your trip to Iceland. But how do you pronounce the name of Iceland’s capital city? Or even more difficult, how do you pronounce Fjaðrárgljúfur? If you want to learn how to pronounce Reykjavik and other Icelandic city names correctly, listen to the video below: « How to pronounce Reykjavik? ».
Icelandic Language Day (Dagur íslenskrar tungu) is celebrated in Iceland on November 16 each year. It has been a public holiday since 1996. It is celebrated on this day in honor of the birthday of Iceland’s most famouspoet and naturalist Jónas Hallgrímsson (November 16, 1807 – May 26, 1845). The main reason for celebrating Icelandic Language Day is to emphasize the importance of preserving the language in a rapidly changing world. Icelanders are encouraged to celebrate the origins of their language with diverse events ranging from poetry readings and cultural activities. Additionally, the government presents an annual award to people who has significantly contributed to the Icelandic language during the last year.
