THIS IS LIFE IN ICELAND: The strangest country in the world?

Curiosities about Iceland and curious facts about its history, geography, landscapes, culture, traditions, customs, how they live, what to see, and much more.

[mjbucar]

Iceland people are wonderful people - polite, great sense of humor, excellent command of English, and straight forward when communicating. We LOVED our visit there.

[bicyclist]

Believe it or not, Iceland has the unique distinction of being the only Country in the whole World to arrest their National Bankers, and charge them with a crime, for running up a huge debt. The bankers tried to get the population to pay for their huge losses. Thankfully the economy recovered and is doing great. Imagine how things would change here if we were to do that! The entire population is less than a million people. I hope to go visit some day. Thank you.

[BasedSaxon]

Iceland, if you want to keep your beautiful country and beautiful people, lock your boarders. England used to be lovely. Germany too

[randy]

I was stationed in Hofn Iceland from 1976 to 1977. Now as a 68 year old, I harbor many memories of such an interesting place. Ahhh to be 20 again.

[wilfredb]

I visited Iceland last year with my family. One of the best places I have visited and would go back there again. Icelanders are very friendly people and treat everyone with respect no matter what you look like. Wonderful country with wondeful people.

[robertrobert]

I spent 10 days in Iceland in the 1990s and toured on a tour bus package. I loved it, There are so many Icelandic Horses roaming free that the owners may not know exactly how many they own, and the many colors of the Icelandic Horse are astounding. When I visit Norway or Denmark, I always go via Iceland Air and spend a few days in Iceland to ride the horses.

[MichaelP-qokn]

I lived in Iceland from June 80 through June 81 with the USAF. Enjoyed it tremendously. Will be returning soon for a long overdue visit this time taking my wife with me. Such a beautiful country.

[steveb]

I had an Icelandic friend in second grade. He didn’t tell me much about his homeland, I remember him as a really easy going kid. I never saw him get mad.

[bristuhan]

I spent almost two years in Iceland (April 1985-September 1986) when I was in the US Navy. I loved Keflavik and became good friends with an Icelander named Gunnar Gunnarsson, who worked on the base. I'll share some of my memories. There were no cows in Iceland, fish and lamb were the staple foods. Their white fish is called Ysa. There was also a fast food burger restaurant called Toma Burger that served lamb burgers. On a trip to the glacier with friends, we noticed a geyser go off and stopped the vehicle. There was a large field of geysers. No one was around, no fences, no parks, just geysers, some reaching 20 feet. I experienced two 'Charlie' class blizzards while there where you couldn't see more than 3-4 feet in front of you. In the summer, friends played football after our evening watch shift, at midnight. In the summer, the sun set around 10:00 pm and rose at 2:00 am. I saw the first large music concert held in Reykjavik in several years in 1985, Madness with Fine Young Cannibals. I left there shortly before Sugarcubes/Bjork became popular. I could go on but this is long already. Iceland is beautiful and I would love to go back again.

[littleforest]

I visited Iceland in winter. The trip was short, but hugely impressive to me. I felt I was the only one who was enjoying the travel at that time of year, late November and early December. I was deeply impressed by the sheer beauty of the country, the other-worldly atmosphere, the northern light coupled with the moon seen on a hill by the sea, and seemingly mysterious rocks by the road, which looked like monsters or strange humans. I want to visit the country again then in other season than winter.

[jelink]

My wife and I visited Iceland in 2018, and loved it. The scenery was gorgeous and eye-popping, but most amazing to me was the utterly cosmopolitan nature of non-European fellow touristis: Chinese, Indians, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Phillipinos, Indonesians, Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese, Koreaans----and that's just from Australo-Asian side, and not to mention the many people from Central and South America. The fact that so many hundreds of millions of people now have the money to visit places like Iceland---and that there are so many flights to Iceland from everywhere--makes me marvel at how small or world has become. (I went overland across Asia in 1973, and very seldom encountered other Westerners. A completely different world.)

[malectric]

Had I not been born in New Zealand, Iceland would have been the place I would have chosen. Although I like where I am, much of what Iceland has to offer appeals greatly, particularly the volcanoes, the auroras, the great outdoors and scenery, the wildness of it all.

[polonium]

My wife and I traveled to Iceland for ~3 weeks in Sept/Oct 2019. We've visited many countries, and we rank Iceland as among the most interesting/beautiful of all. I'm a geologist, so my interest in Iceland is a given. We would like to return in a year or two, to drive the entire Ring Road.

[patricklindsay]

I had the privilege of spending two solo weeks in Iceland in June 2015. One of the best trips of my life. Explored Reykjavik and its environs for a few days, then rented a car and drove around the country on Ring Road. I will never forget the beauty of this country.

[BigJaja]

I'm from Africa currently living in Brazil but still want to travel to Iceland cos is my dream country and i love traveling ❤

[donaldgoodinson]

The only country in the world to ban McDonalds.Sounds like paradise to me.

[MissTina]

I lived 5 years in Iceland, lived and worked in Reykjavik, I am Danish so for me it wasnt a huge culture difference but it sure was for the amazing Nature and outlife., sadly its very expencive living there.I especially loved go to "sund" in the evening and enjoy the hot pools outside while snow was falling down...omg, I have so many good memories from my time there.Hope to go back again soon❤❤

[helgioskarsson]

I am born and raised a Viking Icelander and I can say most of these facts are absolutely true 😀 Don't hesitate to drop me a message if you have some more questions about our beautiful island.
I got to say though that the sheep's head is true and delicious! But the Hákarl and Brennivín (fermented shark and black death 'vodka') is mainly just for tourists... we don't actually eat or drink that regularly 😄 But yes! We do have best hot dogs in the world! Fact!

[richardhicks]

I spent a year in Iceland when I was in the Marine Corp. I was there from December 4, 1982 till December 4, 1983. We had a training day every week where we would go to different spots around the inland. I hope to go back some day.

[FerrauBarrera]

Whoa, Iceland seems like a unique adventure! Can't wait to explore its strangeness and beauty. Thanks for sharing this glimpse!