Iceland is the second-largest island in Europe. It lies in the Arctic Region of Northern Europe. It is located between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a volcanic island and several of its volcanoes are active, meaning they can explode at any time.
Not many people live in Iceland, only about 350,000 people. They speak a language called Icelandic. The capital of the country is Reykjavik. If you think that’s hard to pronounce, try saying: Þórisvatn, it’s the longest river on the island.
If you’re really brave you can have a go at saying: Hvannadalshnukur. That’s the highest peak of the island, it’s 2110m (6922ft) high.
What is Iceland like?
Iceland has mountains, fjords and many waterfalls, hot springs and mud pools. Most of the island is covered by tundra and only 23% has vegetation. The temperature is not as cold as you might think! The warm waters from the Gulf Stream make summers mild and winters bearable.
During winter there are many days without light and in the summer there are days with 24 hours of sunlight.
Major cities
Reykjavik - the capital and largest city in Iceland. It is the smallest capital city in Europe and is one of the cleanest, greenest and safest cities in the world. It’s the cultural, economic and governmental hub of the island.
What is Iceland famous for?
Iceland is famous for its geothermal spas, glacier-fed waterfalls like Gullfoss, explosive geysers and whale watching.
