Iceland is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, situated immediately south of the Arctic circle, between Greenland and Norway. It is largely an arctic desert, interspersed with mountains, geysers, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs and volcanoes. Perhaps the most distinctive of all its features are the glaciers, which cover over 4600 sq. mi (11,922 sq. km) – an impressive 11.5% of the total area of the country. The largest of these is Vatnajokull in Southeast Iceland, which is just as big as all of the glaciers on the European mainland put together.
Capital city: Reykjavik
Highest Point: Hvannadalshnukur, at Vatnajokull glacier (6922ft / 2110m)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean (0ft / 0m)
Land Area: 38,707 sq. mi (100,250 sq. km)
Water Area: 1062 sq. mi (2750 sq. km)
Total Area: 39,768 sq. mi (103,000 sq. km)
Coastline: 3088 miles (4970 km)
Gullfoss is a tiered waterfall, with a total height of 105 feet (32m). Born from the Hvita River, the crevice is hidden from sight at close range, making it appear as though the river simply vanishes into the earth. There’s a famous story about a girl who walked barefoot from Reykjavic to Gullfoss in order…
So exactly what colour is an iceberg? Those who have never seen one will probably expect it to be white or transparent like an ice cube. The more experienced travellers will doubtless point out that an iceberg is usually pale blue in colour often with a covering of white snow but only those who have…
Despite its name and northern latitude, Iceland is most certainly not a frozen wasteland. Most visitors, however, expect to experience the raw beauty of this rocky volcanic land. Summer visitors may be surprised by the pleasant weather but ice is always present in central areas and on the peaks of Iceland’s mountains. One such peak…
Dettifoss Waterfall is reputedly the most powerful waterfall in Europe, drops 148 ft (45m) into Iceland’s largest canyon, the Jokulsargljufur Canyon. Situated on the Jokulsa a Fjollum river, which flows from the Vatnajokull glacier, Dettifoss lies within the Vatnajokull National Park. The famous composer, Jon Leifs, wrote his work ‘Dettifoss’ after being inspired by the…