50 Fun Facts About Iceland

From its vibrant culture to its dramatic landscapes, Iceland offers a plethora of interesting facts that make it a unique destination. Let's dive into 50 fun facts about this fascinating country. We'd love to hear which of these facts about Iceland you found surprising.

Geography and Nature

1. Iceland is Growing: Thanks to the divergent tectonic plates upon which it sits, Iceland is expanding by approximately 2.5 centimeters per year.
2. Volcanic Activity: There are around 130 volcanic mountains in Iceland, many of which are still active.
3. Waterfalls Galore: Iceland is home to thousands of waterfalls, with new ones being discovered as glaciers melt.
4. Geothermal Power: Over 85% of all houses in Iceland are heated by natural geothermal energy.
5. The Northern Lights: Iceland is one of the best places in the world to witness the Aurora Borealis, especially from September to March.
6. Midnight Sun and Polar Nights: During the summer solstice, the sun sets just after midnight and rises again before 3 AM, while in winter, some parts of Iceland see only a few hours of daylight.
7. Iceland Has Very Few Trees: Historically, the country was heavily forested, but settlers  chopped down most trees for building materials and fuel. Now only about 2% of the country is covered in trees.
8. Glaciers Cover 11% of the Country: The largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull, is in Iceland and covers more than 8% of the country’s surface.
9. No Mosquitoes: Interestingly, Iceland is one of the few countries in the world that does not have mosquitoes.

Culture and People

10. Literature Lovers: Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world.
11. The Icelandic Language: Icelandic has changed so little over the centuries that Icelanders can still read old Norse writings.
12. First Parliament in the World: The Alþingi (Althing) was established in 930 AD and is considered the oldest surviving parliament in the world.
13. Population: Iceland's population is around 375,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated countries in Europe.
14. Reykjavik – The Smoky Bay: Reykjavik, the capital and largest city, means "Smoky Bay", named after the steam from the hot springs.
15. Elf Belief: Many Icelanders believe in elves or "hidden people". Roads and buildings are sometimes designed to avoid disturbing areas believed to be inhabited by these mystical beings.
16. Unique Cuisine: Traditional Icelandic food includes hákarl (fermented shark), singed sheep heads, and blood pudding.
17. No McDonald's: The last McDonald's in Iceland closed in 2009. Today, locals can still visit the preserved last burger and fries, which show little sign of decomposition.
18. Chess Superpower: At one point, Iceland had more grandmasters per capita than any other country.
19. Music Scene: Known for its vibrant music scene, Iceland has produced internationally renowned bands and artists like Björk, Sigur Rós, and Of Monsters and Men.

History and Landmarks

20. Viking Heritage: Iceland was settled by Norsemen, mainly from Norway, in the late 9th century.
21. National Day: June 17th, the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, leader of Iceland's 19th-century independence movement.
22. Banned Beer: Beer was banned in Iceland until March 1, 1989; now the date is celebrated annually as "Beer Day".
23. Whale Watching Capital: Iceland is one of the best places in the world for whale watching, with Husavik being particularly renowned.
24. The Icelandic Horse: A breed developed in isolation for over 1,000 years after they were  brought to Iceland by Norse settlers. They are known for their unique tölt gait.
25. Blue Lagoon: One of the most visited attractions in Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in a lava field.
26. First Female President: In 1980, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was elected as the President of Iceland, becoming the world's first democratically elected female president.
27. No Surnames: Instead of family names, Icelanders use a patronymic or occasionally a matronymic system.
28. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Þingvellir National Park, a site of geological and historical significance, is one of several UNESCO sites in Iceland.
29. Film and TV Location: Iceland has been a favorite location for filmmakers, with scenes from "Game of Thrones" and movies like "Interstellar" filmed here.

Oddities and Miscellaneous

30. Driving In Iceland: There are no railways in Iceland, and Icelandic law prohibits off-road driving to protect the delicate environment.
31. The Cod Wars: A series of confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland about fishing rights in the North Atlantic. To the shock of many, Iceland won this war.
32. Unique Wildlife: The Arctic fox is the only native terrestrial mammal in Iceland.
33. Iceland's Only Native Reptile: The slow worm, a legless lizard, is thought to have been introduced in the 1970s.
34. Church Attendance: Despite a high percentage of the population belonging to the Church of Iceland, regular church attendance is relatively low.
35. Unique Airport Code: Keflavik Airport is denoted as KEF, which stands for Keflavíkurflugvöllur.
36. Green Energy: Almost 100% of Iceland’s electricity comes from renewable sources: geothermal and hydroelectric power.
37. Icelandic Police: The Icelandic police do not carry firearms. Crime rates are among the lowest in the world.
38. Island of Peace: Iceland has no standing army, and the country was ranked as the most peaceful in the world by the Global Peace Index.
39. Icelandic Names: Names not previously used in Iceland must be approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee.
40. Icelandic Wool: The wool from Icelandic sheep is unique in that it has two layers, making it waterproof and perfect for the harsh climate.
41. Plastic-free Supermarket: Iceland aims to be the first country to have a supermarket chain that goes completely plastic-free.
42. Surprising Sport: Despite its cold climate, golf is a popular sport in Iceland, with courses offering midnight sun games in summer.
43. No Starbucks: Like McDonald's, Starbucks has not made its way to Iceland.
44. Largest Banana Producer in Europe: Thanks to geothermal energy, Iceland has one of the largest banana greenhouses in Europe. However, the bananas grown are not sold or exported because it takes too long and is too costly to do. 99.9% of bananas consumed in Iceland are imported.
45. Iceland's Most Famous Volcano: Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010, disrupted air travel across Europe for several days.
46. Tourist Boom: The number of tourists visiting Iceland multiplied several times over in the decade leading up to 2020.
47. Unique Museum: Iceland is home to some unique museums like the National Penis Museum, which is likely the only museum in the world dedicated to phallic specimens.
48. Subarctic Oceanic Climate: Despite its northern location, Iceland enjoys a relatively mild climate due to the Gulf Stream.
49. Iceland Without Ice: In some areas, particularly the Southern Peninsula, the ground is so geothermally active that snow rarely stays on the ground for long.
50. A Leader in LGBTQ Rights: Iceland is known for its progressive attitudes towards LGBTQ rights, being one of the first countries to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010.

Iceland is a land of storytelling, from its sagas to the stories the landscapes themselves tell. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or simply in search of something different, Iceland offers an array of wonders that make it unlike any other place on earth.