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ICELANDICELAND – FAST FACTS About Iceland Where is Iceland? Iceland is located North of the Atlantic Ocean on the edge of the Arctic Circle between Greenland and Norway. As you look at the world map, Iceland is above and to the left of the United Kingdom.  Geography One of the youngest counties on the planet geographically speaking, Iceland, often referred to as ‘the land of fire and ice’, covers an area of 103,000 square kilometres. Its land mass comprises glaciers (12,000 square kms), lava (11,000 square kms), sand (4,000 kms squared), water (3,000 square kms) and pasture (1,000 square kms). Its landscape’s extreme beauty is characterised by waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, black sand beaches and otherworldly steaming lavafields. Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano last erupted in 1980.  One of the least polluted places on the planet, geothermal heat provides warmth and power for the entire population. What time zone is it in? Iceland uses GMT year-round. So the time is the same as the UK except during the summer months when it is one hour behind. What is the capital city? The buzzing capital Reykjavik, literally “Smoky Bay”, is so-called after the steam seen arising from its geothermal springs by Iceland’s first official original Viking settler from Norway. Ingólfur Arnarson named it in 874 after casting his high-seat pillars overboard for the pagan gods to wash ashore at the place where they wished him to make his home. Reykjavik, home to two-fifths of the country’s population, is located on the south west coast of Iceland.  What are the different regions? The country can be roughly split into seven geographical regions: Reykjavik and the capital area, West Iceland, the sparsely populated Westfjords, North Iceland and Iceland’s second largest city Akureyri with one of Iceland’s most diverse landscapes, East Iceland site of Europe’s biggest glacier Vatnajökull, South Iceland where nature and culture combine, and the barren Central Highlands. Iceland’s Central Highlands are uninhabited with the majority of the population living in costal towns and villages and lowland areas. Population The entire population of Iceland is 294,300 with 185,000 of those living in Reykjavik. It is one of the least densely populated countries in the world. What are Icelandic people like? Icelanders are descended from Vikings but with a strong Celtic influence according to somewhat surprising recent research. By nature, Icelandic people are very hospitable if initially shy. Iceland uses the old system of patronymics once common throughout Scandinavia. Children are surnamed with their father’s first name followed by a suffix “son” or “dóttir”, son of or daughter of.  Language Icelandic is the national language directly derived from the ancient Norse language of the first Viking settlers. English is widely spoken however, and English signage at attractions and menus in restaurants are widely available. Religion Ninety per cent of the population belongs to the Lutheran Church, about one per cent are Roman Catholic with various denominations accounting for the rest. Climate Warmed by the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate climate. The temperature in summer averages 11 degrees Celsius, the warmest months being from June to September when you are likely to witness the midnight sun. Alternately, Iceland’s coldest months are November, December and January with the winter temperature averaging zero degrees Celsius each day. However, the weather is very changeable and travellers should be prepared for the unexpected.  Before you travel What are Iceland’s entry requirements? All visitors to Iceland must hold passport valid for three months from entry. Citizens of the European Union, the majority of other European countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA are not required to have a visa to visit Iceland for up to 90 days. How do I get to Iceland from the UK? Icelandair, the country’s flag carrier, serves Keflavik from London Heathrow Airport, a three hour flight, twice daily and Manchester with five flights per week. It also has five flights per week departing Glasgow which take two hours. (www.icelandair.co.uk / Tel: 0870 8500 737) Iceland Express (www.icelandexpress.co.uk / Tel: 020 7874 1000) flies to Keflavik from London Stansted with a daily service, supplemented by a second daily flight five times per week. British Airways (www.britishairways.com / Tel: 0870 850 9 850) operates five flights per week from London Gatwick Smyril Line (www.smyril-line.com/uk / Tel: 01595 690 845) operates a weekly overnight car and passenger ferry between early May and early September from Lerwick in Shetland. What currency should I take? The currency is the Icelandic "króna" (ISK). At the time of writing 1GBP = 114 ISK. Coins are in denominations of 100 kr., 50 kr., 10kr., 5 kr. and 1 kr. Bank notes are in denominations of 5000 kr., 2000 kr.,1000 kr., and 500 kr. Icelandic banks provide foreign exchange and are generally open on weekdays from 9.15 am to 4.00 pm. All major credit cards are accepted and cash can be obtained at ATMs through out the country. What should I pack? Iceland’s weather can be rather unpredictable and more on the ‘fresh’ side so be sure to take bring a wind and waterproof jacket, warm casual clothing, a fleece, sturdy walking boots, thermal underwear, gloves, a hat and some sunscreen. And don’t forget your swimwear and towel for the Blue Lagoon and hot springs! Where can I get further information about visiting Iceland? Visit the Icelandic Tourist Board’s website for further information (www.visiticeland.com). Rough Guide, Lonely Planet and Insight Guides each produce comprehensive guides to Iceland. Footprint produce the only English language guide to Reykjavik. While you are there Business hours Office hours are generally 9 am – 5 pm and 8 am – 4 pm during June, July and August. Shops are generally open from 10 am until 6 pm during the week and from 10 am to 4.00 pm on Saturdays. Although some supermarkets are open to 11 am seven days a week. One or two supermarkets in Reykjavik are open 24 hours. Transport: Air Keflavik International Airport is 48 kms from Reykjavik and the gateway to Iceland. Keflavik is connected with Reykjavik by Flybus services that make regular departures to coincide with flight arrivals. Some major hotels offer free Flybus pick-up. There is an extensive network of domestic flights operated by Air Iceland (www.airiceland.is /Tel: +44 (354) 570 3030). Access to smaller airfields is provided by Íslandsflug “Icebird Airlines” (www.islandsflug.is /Tel: +44 (354) 570 8090). Charter flights and air sightseeing is also available from operators Fugflélag, Vestmannaeyjar, Ernir Air and Myflug. Land Driving in Iceland is a pleasure. The roads are quiet and many of the routes through the landscape offer breathtaking views. Car and 4x4 hire is available everywhere from around ten different companies, most of whom will deliver vehicles to your door. The roads do tend to be quite narrow and are raised slightly from the terrain. Care needs to be taken not to veer from the road surface. There is also an extensive bus network. Long distance routes are operated by a consortium BSI (www.bsi.is /Tel: +44 (354) 562 3320) although some routes do close during the winter months. The dramatic landscape provides some fantastic cycling, but beware of punctures caused by unforgiving lava rock. Hire is available in Reykjavik, Akureyri and Myvatn. Taxis are available in most large towns although even short journeys tend to be quite expensive. Sea There are several ferry routes to islands such as Grimsey and Flatey as well as connecting some costal locations. 
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