Iceland - Useful information for your trip

Iceland is a insular country of Northern Europe surronded by the Atlantic Ocean.

Its landscape is characterized by the volcanic and geothermical activities because of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, on which Iceland is located. Therefore, most of its territory boasts mountains, that somewhere let places for wide uplands and glaciers. The coasts are jagged and host several fjords on the north, while on the south they present more gentle shapes and are sandy.

Iceland owns more than 200 active volcanoes. Beyond the primary volcanic activities, there are also geysers, springs of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by steam.

This nation try to take advantages from this natural events. In fact, thanks to the use of the geothermical power, it is possible to produce heat for houses in a sustainable way.

The weather is extremly heterogeneous according to its different parts. Because of a perennial low depression zone, the precipitations are abundant and regular, sometimes they show aggressive storms. But, although the proximity to the Arctic Circle, its winters have not eccessive frigid temperatures, thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream. The latter, in fact, mitigates the southern and the south-western sides. Summers are short and cool.

Beacuse of the avverse weather conditions, Iceland could not develop a strong agriculture, although its territory is very fertile. The main product of agriculture is potato. While, fur farming and breeding of sheeps are higly developed, as fishing, which provides many fine fishes. Therefore, the secondary sector is devoted to the activities that work products derivated from fishes.

The tourist sector is also strongly developed. Visitors are attracted by the natural beauties of the island, as Vatnajökull, a glacier located on the south-eastern part, below which are concentrated several active vulcanoes. The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, that is truly a surreal place! Here, an uncountable number of iceberges floats on an emerald lagoon, that also hosts beautiful seals. Also the pictoresque villages are worth visiting. The town of Reykjavik provides amazing alleys where are located little colourful houses. This city, during the summer is flooded by 22 hours of light, while during the winter it is subject to suggestive storms. It also offers many museums of local history and nature. They show the wide cultural heritage belonging to its inhabitants.