Iceland is located on an island on the Norwegian Sea and it is a sovereign state. The Vikings are said to have founded this country while the Scandinavians are recorded as being the first settlers in 870. Iceland attained its independence from Denmark and is now a democratic republic from 1944.

Fact 1: Despite Iceland being largely covered by glaciers, ice and geysers, it has more than 15 active volcanoes.

Fact 2: The ice of glaciers in Iceland is over 1000 meters thick.

Fact 3: Due to the cold temperature in Iceland, sheep are the only farm animals that are reared for their wool and meat.

Fact 4: Despite being a very cold country, the geysers in Iceland sometimes reach a high temperature of approximately 100 degrees Celsius.

Fact 5: Most people who live in Iceland don’t have a surname or family name and they usually assume their father’s first name. For example, the son of Jakob will be called Adam Jakobsson; whereas the daughter will be called Eva Jakobsdottir.

Fact 6: Education is considered very important in Iceland to the extent that all educational services are offered free. Hence, no school fees are paid in Iceland.

Fact 7: The most well-known celebrity in Iceland currently is an actress and singer called Bjoerk. She played the lead role in the celebrated musical Dancers in the Dark.

Fact 8: There is one Iceland specialty called the Hakarl that takes quite a bit of getting used to since it is basically rotten meat of a shark and it also has a very strong smell.

Fact 9: The Iceland ponies are really strong and big. Actually, they are highly robust such that they can hang about outside on the vast fields in winter time.

Fact 10: Iceland as a country has the most waterfalls, geothermal vents, hot springs and mud pools.