Fact 1: The Land of Unusual Names
Iceland has a strict and unique naming system managed by the Icelandic Naming Committee which determines what new names are allowed. Names not only must be grammatically compatible with the Icelandic language, also must historically be associated with the country. Moreover, surnames usually consist of the father's (or mother's) first name followed by "son" or "dóttir."
Fact 2: A Nobel Laureate Nation
Halldór Laxness, the revered Icelandic writer, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. He remains the only Icelander to have won this prestigious international award, emphasizing Iceland's rich literary heritage originated from the sagas of the medieval period.
Fact 3: Home to the World's Oldest Parliament
The world's first parliament - Althingi, was established in Iceland in 930 AD. It is still in operation today, making it the globe's longest-running parliamentary institution. The early Althingi events were outdoor assembly gatherings held in Thingvellir National Park, which provided a natural amphitheater.
Fact 4: A Heaven for Bookworms
Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world. The majority of these books are published in the period leading to Christmas in a national tradition known as the "Christmas Book Flood". Reading books is indeed a time-honored holiday activity for many Icelanders.
Fact 5: Short Days and Long Nights
During the summer solstice in June, Iceland enjoys 24 hours of daylight, famously known as the midnight sun. Conversely, in winter, the country sees only 4-5 hours of daylight. This phenomenon is due to Iceland's position just below the Arctic Circle.
Fact 6: A Land Without Mosquitoes
Despite having the perfect conditions for mosquitoes, there are no mosquitoes in Iceland. The reason is believed to be that although mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, which Iceland has in abundance, they do not get enough time to develop due to Iceland's variable and generally cooler climate disrupting its life cycle.
Fact 7: Active Volcano Central
Iceland has a high concentration of active volcanoes, with around 130 in total. The nation's geographical location straddling the mid-Atlantic Ridge is the reason behind this, and volcanic eruptions occur every 4-5 years on average.
Fact 8: A Country Without an Army
Iceland is one of the few nations in the world without a standing army. Instead, it has a Coast Guard that maintains peace and order, primarily focusing on maritime defense and sea rescue operations. Iceland is also a member of NATO, fortified by a bilateral defense agreement with the United States.
Fact 9: Highest Electricity Consumption Per Capita
Iceland has the world's highest electricity usage per capita, but this isn't due to wastage. An abundance of renewable energy sources, primarily geothermal energy and hydroelectric power, provides cheap electricity, which Icelanders use to heat their homes and swimming pools and for industrial processes.
Fact 10: World's First Democratically Elected Female President
In 1980, VigdÃs Finnbogadóttir made history by becoming the world's first democratically elected female president in Iceland. Her presidency, which lasted for 16 years, has played a significant role in shaping Iceland as a global leader in gender equality.
Fact 11: Puffin Paradise
Iceland is home to the most significant Atlantic puffin colony in the world, with the charming bird population exceeding 10 million. Every summer, the cliffs and coastal islands of Iceland are filled with puffins raising their chicks.
Fact 12: Icelandic Horses, A Pure and Unique Breed
Icelandic horses are a unique and pure breed that have been kept isolated from other breeds for over a millennium. They are small, hardy, and possess a unique gait known as "tölt," which no other breed has.
Fact 13: TV Blackout For Entertainment
Until the 1980s, there was no television in Iceland on Thursdays as it was meant to be a day for people to indulge in various forms of non-televised entertainment. Even when the policy was dropped, the tradition of spending quality time without TV on Thursdays still thrives among some families.
Fact 14: Home to the First Openly Gay Prime Minister
Iceland made history in 2009 when Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir was elected as the prime minister. She was not only Iceland's first female Prime Minister but also the world's first openly gay head of government.
Fact 15: Icelandic language
The Icelandic language has remained mostly unchanged for a thousand years. In fact, today's Icelanders can still read and understand ancient texts written in Old Norse, the language of their Viking ancestors.
Fact 16: Ecological Role Model
Iceland is a global leader when it comes to renewable energy and environmental conservation. Nearly 100% of its electricity and heating is generated from hydroelectric and geothermal resources.
Fact 17: High Internet Use
Around 98 to 99% of Iceland's population uses the internet, one of the highest percentages worldwide. Even among the elderly, internet usage in Iceland is significantly high.
Fact 18: A Long Lifespan
Icelanders have one of the highest life expectancies in the world, averaging around 82.9 years. A combination of a healthy lifestyle, good healthcare, and clean air likely contributes to their longevity.
Fact 19: A Country That Believes in Elves
Many Icelanders believe in the existence of the hidden people also known as elves, or huldufólk in Icelandic. Building projects are sometimes even altered to avoid disturbing areas that, according to local folklore, are supposed to be elf habitats.
Fact 20: The Country with No McDonald's
There are no McDonald's restaurants in Iceland. The fast-food chain closed its doors in 2009 due to the financial crash and has never returned. Instead, Icelanders enjoy a variety of homegrown fast food outlets alongside global chains like Subway and Domino's.