It’s no secret I’m in love with Iceland. My list of things I love about this wonderful country keeps growing every day!
Obviously the gorgeous landscapes have me running to the mountains every weekend, but I can’t forget about these day to day things that also rock my world.
Here are some awesome facts about Iceland that I thought you should know.
Winter Solstice
Icelanders get through the long days of darkness by decorating with a lot of Christmas lights, lighting a bunch of candles, and calling it being “cosy”. I personally think this is adorable.
Summer Solstice
The summer solstice is around June 21st when the sun sets just after midnight and rises again around 3am. These long days energize people, and Icelanders take advantage by getting out and exploring. To celebrate the longest day of the year, there are all kinds of activities going on: midnight hiking tours, bar crawls, a half marathon, and a music festival.
Love of books
Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world. One in ten Icelanders will publish a book. December is known for jólabókaflóð, which translates to Christmas book flood. There are stacks of new books everywhere – even in the checkout lane at the grocery store! During this time, newly published books are released to the public, and books are one of the most common Christmas gifts.
Best water in the world
Everyday I drink my water straight from the tap, no filters needed! This is the purest and cleanest water in the world. My favorite thing to do while out exploring is fill up my water bottle with water from the mountain stream – it comes straight from the glaciers!
Use of renewable energy
Approximately 90% of the country’s energy use comes from geothermal energy. Geothermal power heats most of the houses in Iceland and is also used by many companies to manufacture products. Many sidewalks, streets and parking places are able to be cleared by the use of geothermal heat!
There is a swimming pool in every town
Big town, little town, indoor or outdoor, every town in Iceland has a pool. Icelanders love to relax in pools. It’s a place to go for exercise, keep the kids busy, or socialize with friends. How wonderful is that?
Low crime rate
Iceland is known for having one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Safety is a given, and police don’t carry guns.
If the local police don’t have a lot to do, they share photos on their awesome !
If the local police don’t have a lot to do, they share photos on their awesome !
Question: What is something you love about where you live?
26 Comments
Jasmin Charlotte
January 22, 2016 at 5:03 pmAh Iceland does sound dreamy! It reminds me of NZ a lot, they are also really into pools – so many in every town!
Jeannie
January 25, 2016 at 2:31 pmAbsolutely, Iceland and New Zealand have a lot of similarities! I love the concept of pools in every town, it is a great way to socialize and stay active!
Sarah Elizabeth
January 22, 2016 at 6:08 pmI’ve already been planning a trip to Iceland with my husband (it will be our delayed honeymoon… eventually…) and this post makes me want to just pack up or life and MOVE to Iceland.
Jeannie
January 25, 2016 at 2:32 pmBe careful girl, that is exactly what happened to us! We visited Iceland on our delayed honeymoon and then fell in love with it 😉 You are going to love Iceland, happy planning!
Vern
January 23, 2016 at 7:53 pmAm bringing my wife & daughters in March for 4 days and 3 nights. I know not enough time!! Any must sees?
Jeannie
January 25, 2016 at 2:35 pm4 days is not much time but you will still be able to see a lot! Making recommendations is always hard, it depends on what you like! I think Snaefellsnes/West Iceland is beautiful and not far from Reykjavik. There is a lot to see and the scenery is gorgeous. Otherwise I would recommend all of the main stops along the South.
Rachel
January 23, 2016 at 9:05 pmIceland is up there on my travel bucket list, it looks so beautiful!
Jeannie
January 25, 2016 at 2:41 pmIceland has so much beautiful scenery, I’m glad to hear it’s on your bucket list!
Angie
February 2, 2016 at 10:03 amIt’s incredible that the water is so pure!
Jeannie
February 2, 2016 at 11:11 amAbsolutely! I’m used to using a water filter at home or having to put iodine tablets in the water if I’m out camping/canoeing before drinking…it’s crazy!
Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels
February 2, 2016 at 4:58 pmnice post! #travel linkup
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:04 pmYay travel linkup! Thanks for stopping by, Tanja!
Beth @ Paces and Places
February 3, 2016 at 3:34 amWhen I visited Iceland this summer, the pools and hot pots were one of my favorite parts. I remember a morning where I ran a tough track workout and then immediately headed to the local pool for a shower, swim, and soak. It felt great!!
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:05 pmThats awesome, Beth! It’s so common for Icelanders to spend their weekends relaxing at the pool. I love that laid back lifestyle!
Stephanie 'The Travelling Teacher'
February 4, 2016 at 5:32 pmWhat a place to live! Wish England would adopt some more of the ‘pool’ culture would be lovely to take a warm dip when its cold outside.
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:06 pmHaha, exactly! Every town should have a pool to get through the winter months!
Jessi (Two Feet, One World)
February 5, 2016 at 1:25 amOoooh I loved Iceland when I visited it last year, and I love it even more now after reading these. I had no idea it was a bookworm nation – that is so awesome!
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:09 pmYes, its awesome that they love books so much but we’re at a slight disadvantage because we don’t yet read Icelandic very fluently! More motivation to learn?!
Frankie Winter
February 5, 2016 at 8:10 amI did not know about the books! That is very cool 🙂
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:09 pmIsn’t it great?! Such a cozy way to spend Christmas 🙂
Ayla
February 5, 2016 at 2:17 pmOh I so want to visit Iceland! It’s been on my wish list for ages and I was hoping to go later this year but you have now made my desire to visit even stronger. Plus look at all those books! It’s clearly the perfect place for me 🙂
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:13 pmExactly! Waterfalls and books, what are you waiting for?!
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles)
February 5, 2016 at 2:28 pmI love this post! It’s so great reading things about another culture. Iceland sounds like somewhere I really must visit. What’s most interesting about your post is that you’ve picked on some of the things you might not find out on a single trip. I really love the idea of the Christmas book flood and the candles and cosying up in Winter!
Jeannie
February 5, 2016 at 8:18 pmThanks so much Clare! The candles and books really are a great way to pass the winters 🙂
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
February 7, 2016 at 5:40 pmWho couldn’t love a country with an instagramming police force!
Jeannie
February 8, 2016 at 2:06 pmHaha, exactly! I want to be friends with them in real life.