Who lives well in Iceland? Country Iceland: description and interesting facts Story about Iceland for children

Iceland is a rich state with an independent foreign policy, a high standard of living, amazing beautiful nature, hospitable residents. But migrants and even tourists from Russia are extremely rare in this country. It is too far away, near the Arctic Circle, on a secluded island. And also its inhabitants speak a terribly difficult language, which, except for themselves, no one understands. Is it worth taking a trip to this country and even moving there for permanent residence? To answer this question, information about Icelandic legislation, the welfare of ordinary people, the climate, as well as the life of a few Russian migrants will be useful.

Migration policy

Iceland is not a country that encourages migrants. The country has a very tough policy towards people who want to stay here. Besides, the influx of migrants is hindered by the Law on the Preservation of the Nation. The foreigners' stay in Iceland is regulated by the Law on Foreigners and the Law on the Right of Foreigners to Work. Citizens of the country practically do not marry foreigners, and residents of non-Icelandic origin make up only 6% of the total population. Visitors are strictly obliged to respect the cultural characteristics of the country. Any decision about the fate of foreigners is made by the Immigration Office. Interestingly, at the beginning of the twentieth century, Icelandic laws even obliged immigrants to change their names to the original Icelandic. Only since the nineties of the last century, foreigners living in the country were allowed to leave their own names and surnames. The migration growth in Iceland is very small - just over 1% over the past few years. In total, there are about 20 thousand foreigners per 330 thousand of the population. Migration quotas are used to settle abandoned villages with newcomers. Icelanders often leave them, moving to cities due to urbanization.

Video: about life in Iceland

What are the migrants in Iceland

There is no massive influx of foreigners into the country, although many Europeans are working on the construction of various facilities. Mostly these are Germans and Poles. Donor countries from where people staying here for permanent residence are Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland. That is, they are citizens of neighboring states. Poles make up more than half of all immigrants. The number of Polish migrants is also evidenced by the fact that there are two Polish shops in Reykjavik - a rather rare occurrence for Iceland. Poles and Lithuanians practically do not speak Icelandic and are not integrated into society. The Preservation of the Nation Law does not oblige the government to facilitate this integration. There are also migrants from other continents in Iceland, but in very small numbers. These are mainly citizens of China, Thailand, the Philippines. But unlike migrants from Europe, foreigners from poorer countries have temporary residence status. Thus, immigrants in Iceland are divided into two groups:

migrant workers from Western, Northern and Central Europe,
a very small number of people who have received refugee status.

But it is possible that the immigration situation in Iceland will change in the coming years. The country is experiencing economic growth, and there are no more workers. It will be difficult to compensate for this shortcoming by natural population growth, because Iceland belongs to the “aging nations” and more than half of its inhabitants are retirees. Therefore, according to the organization Business Iceland SA, which unites the largest corporations in the country, Iceland should invite about two thousand specialists from abroad a year so that the level of welfare does not fall. This is especially true of the tourism business, where foreigners have been hired for a long time. The small population also leads to the fact that family marriages begin to be concluded, and from this genetic diseases occur. Therefore, the government begins to encourage alliances with foreigners.

Iceland and refugees

The decision on granting refugee status to foreigners is made by the Immigration Office. If it is positive, the applicant is granted a temporary residence permit. It is issued for a period of a year, but then this status can be renewed almost automatically. During the examination procedure, applicants are accommodated in boarding houses and hotels. They receive financial assistance of about 150 euros. But those who managed to obtain refugee status cannot officially work. It is very difficult for them to transport their relatives to Iceland. Since the refugees do not work, the country has a program of minimal material support for such people, but after that they have no prospect of becoming citizens of Iceland.

There are no social programs to support migrants. Iceland's immigration laws are such that it is almost impossible for visitors from the “far abroad” to stay permanently. If you want to come here and then move to another European country, then you have the right to become a temporary immigrant. In fact, there are two ways to stay in the country permanently:

get an invitation to work (long-term contract);
get married.

But Icelanders themselves are not ultranationalists at all. They are quite friendly and sympathetic towards migrants. During the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis, the Icelandic government announced that it could only accept 50 refugees. However, more than 12 thousand people through social networks revealed a desire to shelter those in need of help, especially children, and even pay for their plane tickets to Iceland.

Icelandic life as it is

Due to its isolation, Iceland differs from other European countries. Its citizens are considered conservatives, but they also keep up with many modern world trends. The descendants of the Vikings, as the Icelanders proudly call themselves, value work very much. Mining, fishing and agriculture are traditionally considered the main sectors of the country's economy. The main wealth of the state is based on these "three pillars". But lately, the service market and tourism business have been developing rapidly in Iceland. Cities in this country are new, but their population is growing. Icelanders are very law-abiding, they do not like conflicts. There are practically no accidents here, and the drivers wait patiently until a pedestrian crosses the road or another driver finishes a conversation on the phone. They are pedantic, like the Germans, but during the festivities they like to "gul", drink strong drinks and eat a local "delicacy", which makes many Europeans stomach aches. This is "haukarl" - rotten shark meat.

A little about politics

Iceland is the only country in the world where, according to the Constitution, residents vote online. Therefore, the state can be considered not only the oldest democracy (the Icelandic parliament was founded in 930), but also the first model of the electronic expression of the will of the people. There is a state religion in Iceland - the Lutheran Evangelical Church. At the same time, there are about 20% of atheists in the country, as well as 2,500 neo-pagans. Although Icelanders are very conservative, especially when it comes to family traditions, legalization of same-sex marriage did not provoke any protests from them and was taken quite calmly. Therefore, Iceland can be called a state where a certain balance is observed between traditions and modernization, globalization and a unique cultural heritage. The Prime Minister of the country was an openly lesbian, Johanna Sigurdardottir, but 96% of the population trust politicians. About 80% of voters vote in elections.

Happy people

To understand if the citizens of Iceland are doing well, you need to know the statistical facts about income per capita or GDP. And you should also compare these data with the opinion of people living in this country about their standard of living. 80% of Icelanders are officially employed, which is an excellent European indicator. An ordinary family, after deducting all taxes, receives a "net" income of about 24 thousand US dollars. Almost every resident has his own house and a car borrowed. There are many good social programs for homeless people, troubled teenagers, or people with disabilities. But these people can be counted on one hand, and social workers know them all by name. The average annual salary is about $ 40,000 per year (taxes included) or approximately $ 3,300 per month. The Icelanders themselves are happy with this amount and even consider their life to be carefree. But education in the country is not at a very high level - 70% of the population graduated from secondary school. There are many retirees in Iceland, but the retirement age is not officially determined. People can work as long as they want and, on average, retire after 66 years. 85% of Icelanders feel satisfied and even happy. This is facilitated by the social model of society, characteristic of the Scandinavian countries, and the ecology, and the level of health care.

About weather and nature

The climate in Iceland is windy, even very windy. It often rains and snow falls in winter and spring. But in general, the temperature for the subarctic climate, in the zone of which the country is located, is rather mild. In winter, the average temperature is about 0 ° С, and in summer + 10 ° С. This absence of strong temperature drops is explained by the action of the Gulf Stream - a warm current. This country has stunning landscapes. She lives in the middle majestic mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and amazing beauty of fjords, freezing waterfalls and hot geysers. In summer, all this is illuminated by the bright sun, and in winter - by the northern lights. These landscapes make an amazing impression on visitors. You feel as if you are in another world. There are almost no trees here, only shrubs and grass. You can also stand in the "corridor" between Europe and America - in the Pingvallir nature reserve, where the tectonic plates of both continents converge. In 2015, Iceland was ranked second in terms of "environmental friendliness" in the world. Public transport it runs on hydrogen fuel to reduce the percentage of exhaust gases in the atmosphere, and houses are heated with hot spring water. The same thermal fluid is supplied to greenhouses, which allows the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, including bananas. By the way, in Iceland you cannot drink except from the sea. The water in lakes, rivers, streams, from the tap is suitable for drinking. The purity of the air is explained by the minimum number of large industries that can poison it. No wonder the life expectancy of the average Icelander is about 80 years.

How Russians live in Iceland

According to the Russian Embassy in Iceland, there are about three hundred Russian citizens in this country, and Russian-speaking "compatriots", that is, immigrants from the former USSR- about a thousand. The Russian community was formed mainly in the 90s of the last century as a result of labor migration, when people independently left in search of better life... Iceland concluded labor contracts with individual Russians - mainly sports coaches (gymnastics, handball, volleyball, basketball). Russians also moved here, marrying Icelandic citizens.

First of all, the Russian-speaking population is concentrated in the capital of the country - Reykjavik, as there are the best job opportunities here. There are Russians who live in small towns - Akureyri, Egilstadir. Some even live in villages. But not all of them are engaged in skilled labor. Most of them work in the fishing industry, in fish processing enterprises, and on construction sites. Few have become translators, doctors, teachers, sports coaches.

Salaries range from job conditions. Because you can work as a waitress (s), dishwasher, etc. with free accommodation and meals. At the same time, any salary allows you to live with dignity (normally) in Iceland. You can search in the field of social. help - homes for the elderly, help for the disabled, hospitals.

http://foreigniceland.forum2x2.ru/t4819-topic#9483

It should be borne in mind: the laws of the country require that the number of foreigners, especially non-EU citizens, does not exceed 49% in certain sectors of the economy - for example, in local airlines.

What is the status of equality and non-discrimination

The standard of living of Russians in Iceland corresponds to the social stratum to which they belong. Prices and wages are approximately the same throughout the country. And after the 2008 crisis, when the national currency fell, the cost of food even decreased. There is no discrimination in the area of wages or employment. Children can learn Russian at four colleges in Iceland on an optional basis (if they wish), as well as at the University of Iceland. Currently, 20 people are studying Russian there. Several libraries in the country have Russian-language books (mainly the library of the municipality of Kopavogur). TV programs in Russian in Iceland can be received via satellite TV. These are Channel One Europe, Vesti, RTR-Planeta.

The first public organization uniting Russian speakers was established in October 2007. It is called "Compatriots. Organization of Russian-speaking compatriots in Iceland ”. This organization is a rather motley association of people, often with opposing interests. It is rather formal, and many Russians living in Iceland rarely communicate with each other.

Adaptation of Russians in Iceland (reviews)

Arriving in Iceland, Russians are mostly shocked by the prices of housing and food - in this country they are higher than the average in Europe and even than in Moscow. Another stumbling block is the need to learn Icelandic. He is very difficult and distinctive. Since this language has practically not undergone changes over several centuries, any Icelander can easily read the early medieval saga. Although most local residents knows English, it is impossible to find a good job and become "your own" in this society without knowing the language.

In Iceland I feel no worse than at home, the only problem is the language, but I will work on that.

IneSHock

http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t13237.html

However, working conditions, attitude towards people, measured and calm rhythm of life are doing their job - the majority of Russians who find themselves in Iceland are not going to leave there. Although some complain of boredom and monotony, long winters evoke feelings of depression and melancholy.

Life in Iceland, if interesting, is in a different manner than in "civilized" countries. First of all, there is nature, which you never tire of wondering at. There is, of course, little urban entertainment there, especially outside Reykjavik, but there are good opportunities for sports and outdoor recreation. Another thing is that the local situation, where nothing changes and nothing happens, can start to get on your nerves, and then Iceland will already be a burden.

deardron

http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t7474.html

The nuances of getting a job

To find a job for Russians, you must have an official permit. The most popular options for obtaining such a permit is to be a professional athlete or a qualified professional (for example, a seismologist). Moreover, in the latter case, the employer must prove that there are no Icelanders or EU citizens among the applicants. Russian emigrants are also hired for seasonal work. The latter can mean not only work, for example, on a farm, but also a device in travel company... The season usually starts in April and ends in September. But such work, as a rule, necessarily requires knowledge of the Icelandic language. There are Russians who are hired by large companies as engineers. Then you have to be fluent in English, since all documentation is usually not only in Icelandic - it is often duplicated in two languages. It is possible not to learn Icelandic only at construction sites, where the majority of workers are Poles and Lithuanians.

On wages and workers' rights

Wherever Russian emigrants work, they always receive decent wages, on average no less than the native inhabitants of the country. When applying for a job, they are offered to sign a collective labor agreement, where all the nuances of cooperation with the employer are spelled out. In order to read this agreement carefully, it is also very important to know the Icelandic language. In the event of conflicts, disagreements in the interpretation of the contract and other problems, they turn to the trade union, which protects the rights of workers, regardless of their origin. In general, Iceland has a five-day work week and hourly wages. It is not customary to work overtime because the work is expensive and employers do not like to pay for it.

Unlike other European countries, there are no illegal workers in Iceland. This Island state with such a small population that the foreign worker will not go unnoticed. He is very quickly figured out and sent back, without the right to enter not only Iceland, but also the European Union. If Russian emigrants do not find a job or lose it, they apply for an allowance, which is paid in an amount decent for any European country.

Citizenship, benefits and lack of bureaucracy

After three years legal residence in Iceland and employment, you can apply for permanent residence. And after seven years of legal life, Russian migrants are already thinking about obtaining an Icelandic passport. Moreover, since 2003, dual citizenship has been allowed in the country.

Russian migrants who left for permanent residence in connection with marriage with an Icelander can apply for a passport of this country after four years of legal cohabitation (but the total period of legal residence must be at least five years). Since there is no illegal work in Iceland, those who get a job must become members of the pension fund. But this is for the best, because the pension in Iceland is decent.

Russian pensioners are no different from Icelandic ones in terms of their well-being, and therefore their income depends solely on how much and where they worked and when they went on vacation. Russian pensioners live there, in Iceland, but sometimes, following the example of local elderly people, they move to warmer regions. All of them are exceptionally well provided here.

Having children in Iceland is beneficial, including for migrants. The state stimulates an increase in the birth rate and pays significant benefits. Everything in the country is computerized. Therefore, wherever people live, they do not need to go to the "center" to receive benefits, apply for required documents, licenses and references. The Internet is available anywhere, even on remote farms, and everything you need, including your tax return, is submitted electronically. Therefore, Russian migrants can arrange everything they need “on the spot” and without suffering from bureaucracy.

Video: this is how they are, Icelanders

And how do the locals behave with Russians?

The approach of the Icelanders to the Russians, and to the rest of the migrants, is restrained and benevolent. They are quite open, and they treat foreigners without any prejudice. Therefore, there are not very many conflicts or xenophobia on a domestic basis, it is easy to make acquaintances. Icelanders are very communicative, and informal relationships, including at work, and with the authorities are in the order of things. Since almost everyone in the country knows each other, they will also call you by name and will not surround life with unnecessary ceremonies. But if you showed the Icelanders that you are able to use the openness of society to the detriment, you will be very seriously put in your place, and from that moment they will communicate with you in a completely different way.

I love the Icelandic mentality! maybe he annoys someone, but I just somehow tuned in to this wave ... Probably, the main thing is to respect the country that has become your home, then everything will be just wonderful! The attitude towards foreigners is striking ... I don't know if there is another country that treats them like that?

http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t11664-2.html

How and what is the difference between the life of ordinary people in Iceland and in Russia

The phrase has already become hackneyed that all the best is learned in comparison. Therefore, in order to better understand the difference in living standards between Iceland and Russia, one should compare the situation in these countries based on the main indicators. Although such a comparison will not be entirely correct in many ways. If only because in Iceland there are no regional differences between prices and wages, while in Russia they are very large. But let's try.

Table: Comparison of food prices, rental housing and wages in Russia and Iceland

So, if you compare the prices of basic foodstuffs, then in Iceland a grocery basket will cost significantly more. Rental prices are also higher. But utilities in Iceland are cheaper, thanks to the use of thermal springs and hydrogen fuel.

The average salary of Icelanders is such that, despite the high cost of food and housing, an ordinary family with children is quite happy with their life. After all, they earn so much more that the difference in the price of food, rent and other benefits is not felt. Therefore, the average standard of living in Iceland is higher than in Russia and the rest of Europe (excluding the Scandinavian countries). And if we talk about social security, then Iceland has "bypassed" Russia. And in terms of security, Iceland is generally "ahead of the rest of the world." According to the State Statistics Committee and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the number of crimes per year ranges from 2,500 to 3,500, and more than 10 murders are committed per 100,000 inhabitants. And in Iceland, the murder rate is 0.3 (for example, in 2013 there was 1 murder). This is the lowest level of violence in Europe. There are about 200 criminals in the Icelandic prison, most of whom are allowed to go home from time to time to see their relatives. There are 700 police officers in the country who do not carry weapons as they are unnecessary.

Table: Pros and Cons of Living in Iceland

Living conditions in Iceland look attractive enough for the average Russian, despite the fact that the country is far and difficult to get to. The legislation here is harsh in relation to foreigners, the language is the most difficult in Europe, and the prices are higher than the average in Russia. But the stability and safety of life, amazing nature and the cleanest ecology, friendliness of local residents are important criteria. Although, like any country, Iceland has its drawbacks. To some, it will seem too boring and insipid, but life here is devoid of passion and adrenaline. But in any case, this country is amazing, unusual and fully rewards those who decided to call it their second homeland.

1. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a population of about 320 thousand people, and before the Second World War the population of the country was only 50 thousand.

2. Since everyone in Iceland knows each other, when parting or divorcing, the couple always tries to maintain a good relationship. Cases when an ex-boyfriend does not communicate with an ex-girlfriend or ex-spouses do not talk to each other are extremely rare, because in any case they have almost all friends and acquaintances in common.

3. Instead of surnames in Iceland - patronymics, that is, an analogue of our patronymic. The particle "sleep" (that is, son) or "dottir" (if it is a daughter) is added to the father's name, it turns out, for example, Silia Palmarsdottir, that is, Celia is the daughter of Palmars.

4. In the event that the father for some reason does not recognize the child, the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but by the mother's name.

5. Since everyone in Reykjavik knows each other, the doors of houses are often left unlocked, car keys are thrown in cars, and children in strollers are left unattended at the entrance to a cafe, bar or shop.

6. In Reykjavik it is considered normal to go to the nearest grocery store in pajamas.

7. Residents of Reykjavik almost always pay for purchases with bank cards, even if they order coffee at a bar. Cash is not accepted here.

8. Icelanders are sure that blowing your nose is bad for your health, so in winter everyone here sniffs, that is, sorry, suck snot into themselves.

9. But spitting, on the contrary, is not considered indecent, even girls spit without any problems on the street and in public places.

10. In fact, Iceland in winter is not as cold as we used to think, the temperature here rarely drops below -6 degrees.

11. But in winter it is dark in Iceland, December 21 - on the shortest day of the year, dawn comes at 10.30, and the sun sets at 16.00. Summer shift long nights long days come, in comparison with which the white nights in St. Petersburg are simply not about anything, in June Iceland the sun sets for only a couple of hours.

12. The lack of sunlight in winter is to some extent compensated by the northern lights, it can be observed constantly, so after a couple of weeks you no longer pay attention to it.

13. Since the sun does not shine in Iceland in winter, all residents of the country, in order to avoid rickets and other unpleasant diseases, must take fish oil, but not in liquid form, but in tasteless capsules.

14. Almost all residents of Iceland have a Facebook profile, according to the latest data, Iceland is an active country in the social network.

15. Even if a resident of Iceland, for some reason, does not have a Facebook profile, it can still be easily found on the Internet. All residents of the country, of their own free will, register on the ja.is website, where they indicate their first and last name, telephone number, address and the place on the map where their house is located.

16. In Iceland, if a person is well disposed towards you, he demonstrates this by touching you every now and then.

17. There are an order of magnitude more blondes in Iceland than brunettes, so local residents like to dye their hair in a darker shade.

18. In order to spend the night with an Icelandic girl, long courtship is not required, most Icelandic women, as they say, are easy going, which is why Italians and Spaniards love to come to Reykjavik so much.

19. Icelanders are very tolerant, Reykjavik regularly hosts a gay parade, since 2010 homosexual marriages have been allowed here, and the percentage of bisexuals in the country is very high.

20. The most popular professions in Iceland are artist, musician or designer. Every second bartender or waiter tries to get an education in a creative profession, and at the same time plays in some rock or folk group.

21. For the reason described above, no one uses the services of designers, for example, to come up with a design for an apartment or a wedding dress. The inhabitants of Iceland are sure that each of them is his own artist, therefore they prefer to come up with the interior of the apartment and the design of the dress on their own.

22. Repairs in apartments are also done mainly with their own hands, without hiring workers.

23. Icelanders are crazy about Eurovision, they take the competition for young performers very seriously, and during the live broadcast the whole country follows what is happening on TV.

24. There are no McDonald's restaurants in Iceland, the latter closed in 2008 during the crisis.

25. The most popular names in Iceland are male - Yon and female - Guvrun. Also, old mythological names are still common, for example, aðalsteinn, which means "main stone".

26. Icelanders, like Russians, like to use abbreviated rather than full names in everyday life, so David in the diminutive Icelandic version will be Dubby, Guvrun - Gunna, Stefan - Steppi, Yon - Nonnie, etc.

27. The language of Iceland has practically not changed over the past 1000 years, so there are letters in it that have disappeared from English, plus the inhabitants of the country can read the ancient Viking sagas in the original without any problems.

28. The local population is generally very fond of reading, today, according to some sources, Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.

29. The price of wine in Iceland is often influenced not by the year of production or the quality, but by the strength. Thus, an expensive but light French wine can cost several times less than a 15-degree mumble.

30. There is no armed force in Iceland and the Coast Guard is to some extent fulfilling their functions.

31. Police officers in Iceland do not carry weapons, they are not given pistols.

32. Residents of Reykjavik for the most part park badly, they can throw their car right across the street. Having tow trucks and parking fines in the wrong place is of little help.

33. Icelanders try to use only renewable energy sources, gas and petrol are used here only to refuel cars and boats, and that is because electric cars have not taken root in the country.

34. There is no need to pay for water in restaurants and cafes, it is still poured from the tap. This water comes from local thermal springs, and therefore it is absolutely drinkable.

35. But hot tap water in Iceland smells of rotten eggs. The fact is that it also enters the water supply system directly from hot thermal springs, and they are rich in hydrogen sulfide.

36. Taking hot thermal baths is a popular option for evening entertainment in Reykjavik, the cost of the visit with the purchase of a subscription is about 5 euros.

37. The houses of Iceland, as well as in Russia, have a central heating system, which favorably distinguishes the country from Italy or France, where you have to pay for each activation of the heater.

38. Until the seventies of the twentieth century, Icelandic legislation allowed the inhabitants of the country to kill Turks with impunity. This is due to the fact that in the past, Turkish pirates have often robbed Icelandic ships and coastal villages.

39. To this day, Icelandic legislation allows the inhabitants of the country to kill polar bears for food.

40. Licorice is very popular in Iceland, it is added to any dishes, plus they produce chocolate sweets stuffed with licorice.

41. The national dish of Iceland - haukarl - rotten Greenland shark meat cut into small pieces. If you do not chew and just swallow it is still quite edible, but if you chew the meat, you will feel the "magic" taste of urea. The fact is that the Greenland shark does not have a urinary tract and its meat contains poisonous ammonia. In order for the meat to be eaten, it is left to rot out underground or in the basement for three months. The taste of this dish, among other things, was mocked by the creators of The Simpsons in one of the episodes of the animated series.

42. In Iceland, fish is mainly eaten, and all dishes are watered excessively with mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, after which the real taste of the fish may not be recognized.

43. Most Icelanders have very bad teeth, while Iceland is one of the main sugar-consuming countries, and Coca-Cola is also very popular here.

44. Most Icelanders still believe in elves and trolls, which makes it difficult to build a house or road. Before starting construction here, they consult with local "witches" on the subject of whether it is possible to move this or that stone, or whether an elf lives under it. Sometimes, in order not to "offend" the elf and move the stone, Icelanders have to perform magical rites, for example, keep the stone in honey for some time.

45.2,148 people in Iceland adhere to the pagan teachings of the Ásatrú Association, which is based on the revival of Icelandic and Norse pagan beliefs. This religion is officially accepted, and its ministers can perform a wedding ceremony, which is equivalent to the traditional registration of marriage.

46. In addition to the well-known Santa Claus in Iceland, there are 15 more Santa Claus of different types, by and large all of them are elves, in which the locals believe.

47. Every major store in Reykjavik has a playground.

48. All Icelanders wear lopapeysa - a knitted jacket made of sheep wool with a characteristic national pattern. We can say that this is the very example of a national costume that has not disappeared over time.

49. Icelanders pride themselves on having the oldest undisturbed parliament in the world, called Alþingi and founded in 930.

50. Residents of Iceland are very gullible, when applying for a job, they do not ask a foreigner for recommendations from a previous job, but simply take the newcomer's word for it.

51. In the Icelandic Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, the so-called "nekrostany", made from the skin of the lower body of a dead man, are on display. To get them, the Icelandic sorcerer had to enlist the consent of a person during his lifetime, and after death, dig up the body from the grave and flay the skin in one piece. Then the ritual demanded to steal a coin from the widow and put nekroshtans in the scrotum along with a special sign drawn on a piece of paper. It was believed that wearing pants like this would get rich quick.

52. Every citizen of Iceland has access to the Íslendingabók website, a genealogical database containing information on the family ties of all Icelanders since the 18th century. The task of compiling such a base could be solved thanks to the not very large population of the state (just over 300 thousand) and the fact that Iceland throughout its history was weakly influenced by both emigration and immigration. Many young people use this site to check if their new lover is a cousin or cousin to rule out the possibility of incest. Another popular use of the site is to check the degree of relationship with famous personalities. For example, each Icelander can find out after how many generations he has been related by family ties with Bjork.

53. The most famous representatives of Icelandic folklore are the Huldufolk, or hidden people, who are often identified with the elves. These creatures are believed to hide in the mountains, although some Icelanders build small houses for them in their gardens and even small churches to convert elves to Christianity. Sometimes in Iceland, construction projects for buildings or communications are changed so as not to disturb the alleged habitats of elves, and in 2004 Alcoa even had to get a certificate from a government expert that the chosen site for the construction of an aluminum smelter was free of hidden people. Polls show that the number of Icelanders who admit or are sure of its existence is greater than those who doubt or completely deny the elves.

54. Iceland is mostly inhabited by coastal areas, and people travel around the country mainly along the coastal strip. Historically, Icelanders call the north-western edge of the island west, north - north-eastern edge, east - eastern edge, and south - Reykjavik region. Therefore, linguistic incidents are possible: heading from the northwestern outskirts towards the northeastern outskirts, the Icelander says that he is going "north", although in fact he is moving east, and heading from the southwestern outskirts towards Reykjavik, that is, in fact north, the Icelander says he is going south.

55. Until the 1990s, Iceland had a law according to which a foreigner wishing to take Icelandic citizenship must adopt an Icelandic name or change his name according to the traditions of the Icelandic language. But for celebrities, exceptions were made. When the Soviet conductor and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazi emigrated to Iceland, the country's government added a new name to the official list of permitted names - "Vladimir Ashkenazi".

56. In the Scandinavian countries, dishes made from rotten or fermented fish are common. For example, the Icelandic hakarl dish is made from rotten shark meat, and the Swedish surstroemming is made from sour herring.

57. Most of the inhabitants of Iceland do not have the usual surname, but are designated by name and patronymic. For example, Magnus Karlsson is Magnus, son of Karl, and Anna Karlsdottir is Anna, daughter of Karl.

59. The Scandinavian countries (Norway and Iceland) have the highest fertility rates in Europe among the indigenous rather than immigrant population. The Scandinavians initially focused on improving the quality of life of the child, and not on increasing the number of births.

60. Detifoss waterfall, located in Iceland, is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe: it discharges about 500 m³ of water per second. Splashes from it are visible at a distance of a kilometer, and in sunny weather the waterfall is certainly decorated with a rainbow.

62. For a long time, negotiations between representatives of the Scandinavian countries were conducted "in a Scandinavian way" (in Swedish, Norwegian or Danish), but in last years Scandinavian languages began to be replaced more often by English at the request of representatives of Finland and Iceland

63. The largest glacier in Europe Vatna-Yokul (“the glacier that gives water”, 8.5 thousand square kilometers, which is equal to the area of all glaciers of the European subcontinent) is located in the southeast of the country.

64. According to European Union statistics, more than 25% of the energy consumed by Scandinavians comes from renewable sources. For comparison, we note that for other European countries this figure is, on average, only six percent.

65. According to experts, Iceland, Germany and Norway finance most of all health care - more than 9% of the state budget.

66 Reykjavik is the northernmost metropolis in the world (64 north latitude), founded in 874. Reykjavik got its name for the eruption of geothermal vapors from geothermal springs, and literally it means "Smoky Bay".

67. The widest "boiling" river in the world - Deidartunguver north of Reykjavik. The water consumption in these cascades of boiling water from hot springs is 225 liters. per second.

68. The longest-lived creature on Earth was found off the coast of Iceland. It turned out to be a clam. Scientists have counted the number of rings on its shell and found that the creature is 405-410 years old.

69. The territory of Iceland covers 103,300 square meters. km, of which glaciers occupy 11,000 square meters. km, and lakes - 2,700 sq. km. The country is rich in forests, stretching over an area of about

1,511 sq. Km. The most big lake in the country it is called Dingvallavatn and the highest peak is Hvannadalshnukur. 70. More than 300,000 people live in the country, of which about 150,000 live in the capital. Part of the population settled along the coastal areas. Many interior regions of the country are not suitable for living. The average life expectancy of Icelanders is 80 years.

71. Since Iceland has many volcanoes, 30 of which have erupted over the past two hundred years, they are used to generate geothermal energy. The rivers flowing through the territory of the country provide it with hydroelectric energy. Since there are many rivers with hot water, the country receives heating that does not pollute the environment.

72. The Scandinavians settled in Iceland at the beginning of the 9th century. The founder of the capital is the Norse Viking Ingólfur Arnarson. Thus, people here use the Viking language, which has been perfected by many civilizations. The inhabitants of the island bear their father's names, not surnames. Consequently, members of the same family have different surnames, which can confuse foreigners.

73. Icelanders take advantage of the heritage of antiquity with some modern changes. They live in perfect harmony. There are many artists in the country who are specialists in the art of singing and composing.

74. At different times of the year, many colorful festivals are held here, themed exhibitions are often organized. The country has an excellent culinary tradition, where seafood delicacies play an important role. 75. Iceland is one of the first countries in the world to have a republican government. The country is now ruled by a parliament called Althing, with 63 members. These members are elected every four years. The head of state has no influence on the country's politics.

76. The country's economy is heavily dependent on fishing. Most of the people in the country work in the fishing industry and other related businesses. Today's government focuses on the tourism industry, and the export industry is also the second largest industry close to the fishing industry. The bulk of the country's income comes from the export of seafood.

77. Iceland is a recognized member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) .78. The many activities on the island are attracting more and more tourists. Among them are whale watching, bird watching, hiking, horse riding, skiing, cycling, fishing, kayaking and glacier excursions.

79. Less than one percent of the world's population will be able to pronounce the word Eyjafyatlayukutl. It is the most famous Icelandic volcano. Out of several thousand people surveyed, only 0.005% managed to pronounce this word.

80. Since July 1, 2010, striptease has been banned in Iceland. Today, this is the only European country where this kind of dance is prohibited. 81. Despite the strong physical condition of the majority of the population, the most widespread sport in the country is chess. In 1931, the parliament was dismissed for holidays due to the arrival of the famous Russian chess player Alexei Alyokhin.

82. Today, more than 11% of Iceland is covered with glaciers. Parliament in Iceland has been operating since the tenth century, namely since 930, and is considered the oldest working parliament in the world. It is still valid today.

83. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, the most northern capital planet earth. Back in the ninth century, the pioneer of the island built a farm on the site of the capital, from which the country grew in all directions. His name was Ingolf Arnarson. Translated from the ancient Celtic language, Reykjavik reads "Smoking Bay" .84. In 1963 new island Sertsey appeared in the ocean at south coast Iceland as a result of a volcanic eruption.

86. Iceland is the most big Island volcanic origin.

87. The Scandinavians settled in Iceland at the beginning of the 9th century. The first settler is the Norse Viking Ingolv Arnarsson (Ingólfur Arnarsson).

88. Iceland produces 4 times more books per capita than the United States.

89. Iceland has a dedicated phallogical museum displaying 150 penises from over 40 mammalian species, as well as a collection of related items. So far, there is no human phallus in the exposition, but the curator of the museum has already secured consent to receive this exhibit after the death of an eighty-year-old farmer who is still in a "sexual" order.

90. The central part of the island in winter is so harsh and so similar to the lunar landscape that NASA worked with its astronauts to reach the lunar surface in Central Iceland.

91. Vigdis Finnbogadottir is the first woman president in Europe and the second in the world. Icelanders are very proud of this fact. She was elected in 1980 and remained in office for 4 terms until 1996.

92. The area of the country is 7 times larger than the area of the Moscow region.

93. The 1 Icelandic crown coin depicts a cod, 10 crowns a herring, 50 crowns a crab and 100 crowns a sea bass. The Icelandic currency is called isk for abbreviated form.

94. There are no trees in Iceland. Rather, there are individual trees and artificial plantings, but there are no dense forests. The first Icelandic settlers are to blame for this. When the field was depleted, they burned new site forests and sowed barley on it. Gradually, the forests on the island disappeared, and today soil erosion is one of the main problems of the country.

95. Icelanders are very proud of their language, and in every possible way resist the pernicious, as it seems to them, influence of other languages on Icelandic. There is even a special language commission, the main purpose of which is to protect Icelandic from the penetration of foreign words. When a foreign concept or definition comes into use in a country, the commission deliberately invents or finds an Icelandic equivalent for it.

96. There are few cats in Iceland.

97. Iceland is completely absent railways... Traveling on normal Icelandic roads is preferable in a 4x4 jeep. Optimally - on a super jeep with huge, more than a meter, wheels.

98. Pride of Iceland and one without its national symbols - Blue Lagoon... This is a completely unique geothermal lake located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the southwestern part of Iceland. The size of the lake is about 200m wide and several kilometers long. The temperature of the water in it all year round+37 ° C. The bottom of the lagoon is covered with black basalt sand and silica - white soft mud. More than 300 thousand people visit the lake every year.

99. The most famous inhabitant of Iceland - ( remember a gift to her from the country). This elf-like singer has definitely become a symbol of Iceland in the 90s.

100. Iceland got its name from a Norse Viking named Floki, who, seeing icebergs off the coast of the island, began to call it Ice land. 101. A traditional Icelandic souvenir is an Icelandic Lopi sweater with a characteristic circular pattern around the throat. These sweaters are knitted from soft imported wool as souvenirs for foreigners. The sweater made from real Icelandic wool is quite prickly.

102. Iceland is a very literate country. 100% of residents, in addition to their relatives, also know English language... In terms of the number of books per capita, Iceland ranks 1st in the world. Icelanders say that if you have meaning in your life, then there should be books in it. To prove the truth of this statement, all Icelanders write. Some of them become professional writers, but in general writing is a national pastime. 103. There are practically no predators and mice on the island, but there are a myriad of fish off the coast in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The country's economy is heavily dependent on fishing. Fish export is the main item in foreign trade. A fisherman is the only well-paid profession in the country. Fishermen earn five times more than university professors.

104. The number of sheep in Iceland is more than 800 thousand. In the summer, they are driven out to graze freely in the mountain meadows, and in the fall, rural youth on small hardy horses, ponies, accompanied by dogs, go in search of sheep. According to the marks on the ears, the sheep are returned to the owners.

105. Icelanders are very fond of water. Most people in Iceland enjoy walking in the rain without an umbrella. Reykjavik has seven large public pools that are full from morning to evening. an obligatory attribute of each pool is a huge "tub" under open air with hot water from geothermal sources. A public pool is a must in any town or village.

3. Instead of surnames in Iceland, there are patronyms, that is, an analogue of our patronymic. The particle "sleep" (that is, son) or "dottir" (if it is a daughter) is added to the father's name, it turns out, for example, Silia Palmarsdottir, that is, Celia is the daughter of Palmars.

4. In the event that the father for some reason does not recognize the child, the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but by the mother's name.

6. In Reykjavik, it's normal to go to the nearest grocery store in your pajamas.

7. Residents of Reykjavik almost always pay for purchases with bank cards, even if they order coffee at a bar. Cash is not accepted here.

8. Icelanders are sure that blowing your nose is bad for your health, so in winter everyone here sniffs, that is, sorry, suck snot into themselves.

9. But spitting, on the contrary, is not considered indecent, even girls spit without any problems on the street and in public places.

10. In fact, Iceland in winter is not as cold as we used to think, the temperature here rarely drops below -6 degrees.

11. But in winter it is dark in Iceland, December 21 - on the shortest day of the year, dawn comes at 10.30, and the sun sets at 16.00. In summer, long nights are replaced by long days, compared to which the white nights in St. Petersburg are simply not about anything, in June Iceland the sun sets for only a couple of hours.

12. The lack of sunlight in winter is to some extent compensated by the northern lights, it can be observed constantly, so after a couple of weeks you no longer pay attention to it.

13. Since the sun does not shine in Iceland in winter, all residents of the country, in order to avoid rickets and other unpleasant diseases, take fish oil without fail, but not in liquid form, but in tasteless capsules.
14. Almost all residents of Iceland have a Facebook profile, according to the latest data, Iceland is an active country on the social network.

15. Even if a resident of Iceland, for some reason, does not have a Facebook profile, it can still be easily found on the Internet. All residents of the country, of their own free will, register on the website www.ja.is, where they indicate their name and surname, telephone number, address and place on the map where their house is located.

16. In Iceland, if a person is well disposed towards you, he demonstrates this by touching you every now and then.

17. There are an order of magnitude more blondes in Iceland than brunettes, so local residents like to dye their hair in a darker shade.

18. In order to spend the night with an Icelandic girl, long courtship is not required, most Icelandic women, as they say, are easy going, which is why Italians and Spaniards love to come to Reykjavik so much.

19. Icelanders are very tolerant, Reykjavik regularly hosts a gay parade, since 2010 homosexual marriages have been allowed here, and the percentage of bisexuals in the country is very high.

20 ... The most popular professions in Iceland are painter, musician or designer. Every second bartender or waiter tries to get an education in a creative profession, and at the same time plays in some rock or folk group.

21. For the reason described above, no one uses the services of designers, for example, in order to come up with a design for an apartment or a wedding dress. The inhabitants of Iceland are sure that each of them is his own artist, therefore they prefer to come up with the interior of the apartment and the design of the dress on their own.

22. Repairs in apartments are also done mainly with their own hands, without hiring workers.

23. The Israelites are crazy about Eurovision, they take the competition for young performers very seriously, and during the live broadcast the whole country is watching what is happening on TV.

24. There are no McDonald's restaurants in Iceland; the latter closed in 2008 during the crisis.

25. The most popular names in Iceland are male - Yon and female - Guvrun. Also, old mythological names are still common, for example, aðalsteinn, which means "main stone".

26. Icelanders, like Russians, like to use in everyday life not full, but abbreviated versions of names, so David in the diminutive Icelandic version will be Dubby, Guvrun - Gunna, Stefan - Steppi, Yon - Nonnie, etc.

27. The language of Iceland has remained practically unchanged over the past 1000 years, so there are letters in it that have disappeared from English, plus the inhabitants of the country can read the old Viking sagas in the original without any problems.

28. The local population is generally very fond of reading; today, according to some sources, Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.

29. The price of wine in Iceland is often influenced not by the year of its production or its quality, but by its strength. Thus, an expensive but light French wine can cost several times less than a 15-degree mumble.

30. Iceland has no armed forces, and the Coast Guard performs their functions to some extent.

31. Police officers in Iceland do not carry weapons, they are not given pistols.

32. For the most part, Reykjavik residents have a terrible parking lot, and may throw their car right across the street. Having tow trucks and parking fines in the wrong place is of little help.

33. Icelanders try to use only renewable energy sources, gas and petrol are used here only to refuel cars and boats, and that is because electric cars have not taken root in the country.

34. There is no need to pay for water in restaurants and cafes; it is still poured from the tap. This water comes from local thermal springs, and therefore it is absolutely drinkable.

35. But hot tap water in Iceland smells like rotten eggs. The fact is that it also enters the water supply system directly from hot thermal springs, and they are rich in hydrogen sulfide.

36. Hot thermal baths are a popular nightlife option in Reykjavik, and the cost of a visit with a subscription is around 5 euros.

37. In the houses of Iceland, as in Russia, there is a central heating system, which favorably distinguishes the country from Italy or France, where you have to pay for each activation of the heater.

38. Until the seventies of the twentieth century, Icelandic legislation for the inhabitants of the country to kill Turks with impunity. This is due to the fact that in the past, Turkish pirates have often robbed Icelandic ships and coastal villages.

39. To this day, Icelandic legislation allows the inhabitants of the country to kill polar bears for food.

40. Licorice is very popular in Iceland, it is added to any dishes, plus they produce chocolates filled with licorice.

41. Iceland's national dish is haukarl - rotten Greenland shark meat cut into small pieces. If you do not chew and just swallow it is still quite edible, but if you chew the meat, you will feel the "magic" taste of urea. The fact is that the Greenland shark does not have a urinary tract and its meat contains poisonous ammonia. In order for the meat to be eaten, it is left to rot out underground or in the basement for three months. The taste of this dish, among other things, was mocked by the creators of The Simpsons in one of the episodes of the animated series.

42. In Iceland, fish is mainly eaten, while all dishes are watered excessively with mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, after which the real taste of the fish may not be recognized.

43. Most Icelanders have very bad teeth, while Iceland is one of the main sugar-consuming countries, and Coca-Cola is also very popular here.

44. Most Icelanders still believe in elves and trolls, which makes it difficult to build a house or road. Before starting construction here, they consult with local "witches" on the subject of whether it is possible to move this or that stone, or whether an elf lives under it. Sometimes, in order not to "offend" the elf and move the stone, Icelanders have to perform magical rites, for example, keep the stone in honey for some time.

45. 2,148 people in Iceland adhere to the pagan teachings of the Ásatrú Association, which is based on the revival of Icelandic and Norse pagan beliefs. This religion is officially accepted, and its ministers can perform a wedding ceremony, which is equivalent to the traditional registration of marriage.

46. In addition to the well-known Santa Claus, there are 15 more Santa Claus of different types in Iceland, by and large all of them are elves, in which the locals believe.

47. Every major store in Reykjavik has a playground.

48. All Icelanders wear lopapeysa, a knitted lambswool sweater with a characteristic national pattern. We can say that this is the very example of a national costume that has not disappeared over time.

49. Icelanders pride themselves on the fact that they have the oldest undisturbed parliament in the world, called Alþingi and was founded in 930.

50. Residents of Iceland are very trusting, when they are hired, they do not ask a foreigner for recommendations from a previous job, but simply take the newcomer's word for it.

And China is considered real and understandable.

Old house in Iceland

But for the Russians, who are used to living in the far north in the tundra and in the mountains of the Urals and the Caucasus, to be drawn to an even greater adventure, something extremely tempting must happen that will bring benefits. But in connection with the events taking place in Russia and Ukraine, in 2020 many began to consider all possible options for moving to calm countries with a higher standard of living.

However, not everything is predictable, sometimes fate makes such turns that it is impossible to prepare for, which you learn about at the moment of committing. If fate gives you a one-way ticket to Iceland, should you refuse? Maybe there you will find a paradise for your soul.

It is impossible to compare the mentality of the Icelanders with the European, but it is somewhat similar to the Scandinavian. Until the middle of the 20th century, this nation lived very ascetic, due to its remoteness from the mainland. The descendants of the Vikings have kept their traditions, they honor them today. True, modernity has not bypassed the island, which we will talk about further.

Panoramic view of Reykjavik

People here are hardworking, accustomed to making money with their own hands: fishing, farming, mining. When the United States and Great Britain considered Iceland to be their "territory", the inhabitants of the island responded to this intervention in a peculiar way, turning the situation in their favor.

They managed to establish the fishing industry with the sale of products to these countries, and then around the world. The state grew rich before our eyes. To this day, residents work in their traditional sectors of the economy, the service sector, for example, tourism, began to develop in part.

Europeans may consider Icelanders a redneck because of their habits from the past rural life, because the urban population has become relatively recent. They are simple people, but honest and accustomed to following the rules and laws. Sometimes pedantic, however, they have great fun and walk on holidays, pouring non-stop strong drinks and eating haucarle.

Haukarl - Iceland's national dish

This national Icelandic dish will seem to our taste completely disgusting and terrible in fact, since it is rotten shark meat. The Vikings also came up with such a way of eating the meat of Greenland sharks so as not to be poisoned by the poisonous compounds contained in it.

Another feature that is attributed to the national mentality is love for one's neighbor.

There are almost no accidents involving pedestrians in the country, since not a single motorist will allow a collision and let a person pass, even if it takes a long time to wait.

The same happens with other cars: Icelanders let each other pass courteously or wait obediently in a traffic jam while two drivers in front blocked traffic due to dialogue.

In the country, more than 98% of the inhabitants are indigenous Icelanders, they care about the purity of the nation and rarely mix with other peoples; there are very few visiting foreigners and they are obliged to strictly follow the local rules of life, so immigration to the country is insignificant.

Hospital building in Iceland

A high standard of living is manifested in the personal position of each citizen in relation to the whole society and the future. So, about 96% of the inhabitants of the island have true friends and, in general, trust politicians; voter turnout reaches 80% and embodies the good citizenship of the population. About 85% of people are satisfied with their lives and consider themselves happy.

Iceland Economy

Let's talk in more detail about work, because it is thanks to constant income that a person buys goods and services and is the engine of trade that contributes to the development of the region's economy as a whole.

We have already said that 80% of the active adult population has a job, and 90% are people with a diploma. Men are more employed than women, but the difference is small.

The average annual salary in Iceland is $ 40,000 or $ 3,300 per month: 20% of people each receive incomes above and below average, but in general the state provides equal opportunities, regardless of gender, age and education.

There is practically no long-term unemployment in the country, only about 13% of the active population are currently looking for work.

Now let us touch on the issue of pensioners, which become citizens (about half of all) at the age of 65–69 years. Perhaps, among all Europeans, these are the most courageous and risk-taking retirees, because there is no age limit in order to retire. A person can do this earlier, but then his income will be very small in comparison with others, so people work as much as they want.

This model exists in all Scandinavian countries, which probably explains the stable social life. Pension in Iceland averages 1550 US dollars, which is again comparable to all Scandinavian countries and is considered quite high in Europe.

Prices for staple foods in metropolitan Reykjavik in 2015: water costs US $ 2, the same price for bread; a dozen eggs will cost twice as much; 1kg of chicken breasts sells for US $ 20, while a bottle of wine costs US $ 17 on average.

As you can see, the prices are much higher than in Moscow. A liter of gasoline costs US $ 2.07, which is again higher than today in our capital.

A similar high cost of living applies to housing, be it rent or purchase. own apartment... 1 sq. m of housing in a residential area of Reykjavik costs $ 2,200 against $ 2,800 in the city center.

Residential building in Reykjavik

You can rent a one-room apartment in a residential area for $ 880, and for $ 1170 in the center. True, for a three-room apartment in the center, you will have to pay only $ 1,800. This is more or less the same with the Moscow rental market.

World Bank Headquarters

Since the collapse of the USSR, our countries have been perfectly cooperating on a number of economic agreements. Dialogues on increasing the volume of fishing, the aluminum industry and tourism are especially promising.

Iceland and the European Union

Iceland's relations with the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU) are complicated. Back in 2009, an application for membership was submitted; the current president of the country won the election on promises to improve the quality of life of the population after Iceland becomes a member of the EU.

Many expected that membership would take place by 2011, but the situation had changed dramatically by 2013. The fact is that the main income of many Icelanders is still associated with fishing, the quotas for which the EU decided to reduce in order to redistribute them among other coastal states.

fishing boat in Iceland

This situation did not suit the Icelanders, and they demanded that the government hold a referendum. It was there that it was decided to withdraw the application. A proud nation decided not to belong to the European Union. Someone did not like it, there were rallies, but in general, the life of the Icelanders remained the same.

Iceland is not a member of the European Union and will not enter it with the conditions that Brussels put forward to it. In 2015, she withdrew her application to join the EU.

Iceland and the Schengen Agreement

Since 1996, Iceland has been a member of the Schengen zone, and it has been granted the right to visit all other countries that are parties to the treaty. It also left a significant positive imprint on her foreign policy since neighboring countries and the rest of the world.

Internal migration among the Schengen countries remains at about the same level, although less developed countries are losing their inhabitants in favor of rich countries. External migration of the population is practically absent in Iceland. There are very few states in the world that can boast of the absence of foreign residents.

The nature here is inspiring and the people are very friendly.

This island will not leave you indifferent. Not surprisingly, Iceland has a huge number of writers - the environment can motivate people to create something interesting and unusual.

In Iceland, you can also see many unusual things, and here you will learn about the most interesting of them.

1. The most popular food in Iceland is hot dogs. They are sold almost everywhere - at gas stations, in restaurants and in roadside establishments.

2. In 1998, a study was carried out, as a result of which it turned out that the majority of Icelanders believed in the existence of elves.

Some believe that elves can be of different sizes, from a few centimeters to 3 meters in height.

They can live in houses, sometimes high-rise ones, and if left alone, they will just go about their business.

Iceland on the map

3. Almost all electricity and heating in Iceland comes from geothermal and hydroelectric power plants.

4. In Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, there is the Phallological Museum, which displays preserved mammalian penises.

5. Since 2010, strip clubs have been prohibited by law in Iceland.

10. Reykjavik is the northernmost city of all cities in the independent states.

Life in Iceland

11. In Iceland, in frosty weather, you can see strollers with children, whom their parents left to breathe fresh air while the kids are sleeping.

12. In most cases, Icelanders do not have a surname in the usual sense for us. Their surname is actually the name of their father, but with the prefix -dottir (-daughter) or -son (son). For example, Olafur Jónsson means that Olafur is the son of Jónsson.

13. Until 1989, beer was prohibited in Iceland.

14. Iceland has the best pool per capita ratio in the world. Thanks to the wealth of geothermal energy, anyone in the country can visit a pool, even an outdoor one, for a modest price.