ICE TEA: Iceland - warm northern country!

Iceland – the country for those who likes to spend the rest exclusively alone with the nature. There you will not find any significant monuments as in continental Europe. On this biggest volcanic island in size with 103 thousand sq. km, lives only 320 000 population! 20 thousand from them – Poles who have in large quantities left on this island after the introduction of Poland into EU. And with an ulterior motive: following the results of 2007 Iceland is recognised by the United Nations the best country for a life in the world.

But then yet there was no crisis after which the stream of immigrants has considerably decreased. The local crone has fallen to 60 %, having put the country almost on a bankruptcy side.

It was necessary to count Iceland only on itself as the country is not a member of EU - has disagreed with EU decision on distribution of quotas for fishing – 35 % of incomes of the country.

However times vary, and the country has already submitted the official demand for the introduction into EU. Today it already consists in "shengen - union", therefore the separate Icelandic visa should not be received.

Iceland very hospitable. Tourism - one of the basic sources of the income of the country. A standard dinner of an order 10-15 euros (also it is the prices already after crisis!). Average cost of daily excursion about 50-70 euros. In the summer hotels-hostely should be reserved in advance since not always there are places.

Some the interesting facts:

- In transfer the word "Iceland" is meant "the ice country";

- Reykjavic – the most northern capital of the world;

- From November till February in the country the night-time prevails;

- Is absent the Ry;

- In capital and vicinities lives 70 % of the population of the country;

- The Icelandic language so has not changed eventually that nowadays the population can freely read sagas of XIII century. Language is very strongly protected from anglicisms, giving to foreign words the Icelandic basis;

- In connection with absence of candidates the local president corrected 4 terms successively! (Till January 2009);

- There is no standing army;

- There are no surnames (there is a name and a patronymic which is coming to an end on "– a son" for men and on "-douhtir" for women);

- Before receiving of independance in 1944 Iceland belonged to Denmark, and to Denmark - Norway;

- The most known Icelandic performer (abroad, but not in the Iceland) - Bjork;

- In Iceland there is the biggest glacier and the most powerful falls of Europe;

- Despite northern arrangement, mid-annual temperature of the country of 4 degrees thanks to warm Gulf Stream (in the winter–1 degree, in July of +10 degrees);

- On territory of the country of an order of 30 active volcanoes;

- In any way it is necessary to mention complexity of the Icelandic language – words long and compound, its very difficult for studding.

Reykjavic from different directions is surrounded by fjords - sea gulfs deeply running into a land with rocky coast.

Iceland is mostly 1-2 stage country...

Every morning buses carry tourists at excursion on the country.

The central church of Reykjavic on restoration.

Behind the church a monument of Lejfru Ejrikson. Lejfr Ejrikson - the first European who has visited the North America approximately in 1000 (long before Columbus!).

Good advice directly on city walls.

Cause of steady rains Icelanders at cleaning of fields protect hay a film.

In the summer – at the height of a tourist season - on the country many off-road cars rented by tourists travel about. And all country is switched to English language that does almost impossible to disassemble, where local population, and where tourists.

Since in vicinities of Reykjavic lives about 70 % of the population of the country, other population is presented by small cities or here such farms.

To reach such dwellings hard in snow winters, therefore children leave for study for couple of months.

The Icelandic summer. Pay attention to a temperature indicator.

Akureyrarkirkja – the city of Iceland second for number, with the population in 15 thousand persons.

Ancient dwelling of Icelanders.

In the absence of woods (only 1 % of territory of Iceland) dwellings are under construction mainly in the earth. Local Icelandic joke: if you have lost the way in wood – rise.

In the country it is a lot of falls. It is 12-metre falls of Godafoss on the river Skjaulvandaflout. These falls are used by extreme amatours for descent to kayaks.

Falls of Detifoss on the river Yokjulsau ау Fyotljum – the most powerful falls of Europe, 193 cubic km/s, 45 metres of the height, running into gorge Yokjulsaurgljuvjur.

One of 300 Icelandic geothermal zones.

One of 7 thermal stations of Iceland, supplying with warm water of an order of 90 % of houses of the country. Hot water undertakes directly from bowels of volcanoes, where its temperature on depth of 1000 metres составляетя from 150 to 375 degrees of Celsius.

Warm soil near to thermal sources – the free furnace. Local residents leave here for the night in the earth the dough, and got fresh bread in the morning.

Northern city of Akjurejry in which fjord one week prior to my visit the family from 5 whales swam away on couple of days. Here this everyday occurrence.

Double falls of Gjutlfoss (13 + 20).

The Icelandic source with the name "Geyser" became a common noun for all geysers of a planet. Now it any more so is active and is thrown up only three times a day. But its "colleague" each five minutes:

Reservation of Tingvetlir. A building at bottom – summer резеденция the prime minister. The mountains surrounding a reservation, – Aurmannsfetl, Skjaldbrejdjur, Tindaskagi, Hrapnabyorg. As it is heavy to utter it!