Iceland: The Land of Volcanoes

Written by: Natalie Yao

Geography and Nature

Iceland is a small European island that is located far west of the main European region. The country sits in between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, with the closest nations being Greenland, Norway, and Scotland. Iceland is a volcanic island and still experiences harsh volcanic activity today. Some active volcanoes include the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that last erupted in 2010, and the Hekla volcano that is almost five thousand feet tall. Shown through the nation’s name, it has ice covering large areas of land. In fact, eleven percent of the country is covered in ice! Most of the island is mountainous, so for this reason most people live in cities like its capital Reykjavik and Kopavogur.

When the country was first settled the only animals on the island were foxes. Yet as time went on, newcomers began to bring in more domesticated animals like the reindeer. Now, creatures like sheep, snowy owls, horses, mink, and ducks can be found across the island. In terms of plants, not many trees are found in Iceland because the volcanic soil doesn’t suit plant growth. However, in lower areas of the island there are small forests containing trees like willows, birches, and ash.

People and Culture

Most people in Iceland have a Scandinavian background, specifically Norwegian, with some Irish blood as well. Their ancestry dates back to over a thousand years ago, when Norwegian settlers first reached the island. The state church of Iceland is the Evangelical Lutheran church, but citizens have religious freedom to follow any faith. The official language is Icelandic, which was influenced by its Norwegian settlers. In addition, a lot of people in Iceland also speak English, German, and some Nordic languages. 

Icelandic cuisine focuses much on natural resources and the way that the country is isolated from other civilizations. Common ingredients for dishes in Iceland include lamb and fish as it was easily found with its direct access to the ocean. Additionally, high-quality milk is used to create popular dairy products like butter and cheese, but specifically skyr which is like a yogurt. 

Some dishes include: 

• Rúgbrauð: a dark and sweet rye bread

• Hangikjöt: smoked lamb, commonly served with potatoes and white sauce

• Pylsur: a hot dog made with a mixture of lamb, beef, and pork

• Plokkfiskur: a creamy stew made from mashed fish, potatoes, and onions

National Symbols

• National Anthem: Lofsongur

• National Animal: the Gyrfalcon

• National Flower: the Mountain avens

• National Sport: Glima (form of wrestling)