Fun facts about Iceland

1. Iceland is the oldest democracy in the world.
2. People from Iceland colonized Greenland in 986.
3. Iceland acceded to Norwegian rule in the 13th century. In later centuries it was under Denmark's rule.
4. In the past, Iceland's economy relied on subsistence agriculture and fishing
5. Following World War II, Industrialization of the fisheries brought prosperity to Iceland.
6. Iceland's economy is prosperous, consisting of manufacturing, finance and biotechnology.
7. Iceland is considered to be part of Europe for political, historical, cultural and practical reasons.
8. The world's first democratically directly elected female president was an Icelander.
9. Iceland was the last land in Europe to be settled and populated.
10. Iceland is the 18th largest island in the world and Europe's second largest island after Great Britain.
11. East Iceland has the country's largest forest, lush farmlands, and many natural harbors with fishing villages.
12. Iceland has one of the greatest concentration of geysers in the world as well.
13. West Iceland is one of the island's most geologically diverse regions of the world.
14. North Iceland has dramatic lava fields and hills carved out by rivers with turbulent waterfalls.
15. The Reykjanes lava fields are a geothermal wonder.
16. Vatnajokull glacier is the largest ice cap in Europe. It is actually larger than all the other glaciers in Europe combined.
17. Iceland was formed from the divergence of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plate.
18. Iceland conducts commercial whaling as well as scientific whale hunts.
19. Iceland is the most eco-friendly country in the world in terms of their energy sources.
20. Iceland is the most sparsely populated nation in Europe, with less than three inhabitants per square kilometer.
21. The nation's official language, both spoken and written, is Icelandic, descended from Old Norse.
22. The people of Iceland have a seriously strong work ethic, working some of the longest hours of any industrialized country.
23. Icelanders carry patronymic surnames based on the first name of their father
24. Lamb is by far the most commonly eaten meat and is served either smoke-cured or salt-preserved.
25. Coffee is a popular beverage for every meal and an afternoon treat.
26. Iceland is one of the few places worldwide where it is possible to eat Minke whale.. Its mainly served to tourists.
27. Polar bears occasionally arrive on an ice flow from Greenland but do not live in Iceland.