Euro Travel Pages

Interesting Iceland

If you’re looking for a different kind of travel adventure, you may want to consider taking a trip to Iceland. The country is widely known for its breathtaking natural scenery that you can’t possibly find anywhere else. Hot springs, glaciers, lava deserts, active volcanoes and various natural wonders can be found in this part of the world. But the country’s landscape, as they say, is just the tip of the iceberg. Iceland offers something more than just its natural beauty. It features an interesting culture and colorful tradition that is unique to this country.

History

The Republic of Iceland is located on the northern tip of Europe and is one of the least populous among the Nordic countries. The country’s history can be traced back to the period when Norsemen started to inhabit the area. From then it has gone through several different transitions due to its being ruled by Denmark-Norway in the late fourteenth century which lasted until the Napoleonic wars when the empire was split in two. It finally gained its independence from Denmark in 1904 and was established as a republic in 1944.

Interestingly, there is no separation of church and state in the Icelandic constitution in spite of the fact that freedom of religion is being recognized in the country. However the predominant religion in Iceland remains to be the National Church of Iceland which is considered a Lutheran sect. There are a few who are practicing Roman Catholicism but there are more people who are not affiliated with any religious group.

Language

The official spoken language is Icelandic which originated from the Old Norse and North Germanic language family. Many experts say that the country’s language is probably one of the purest Old Norse derivatives as it did not change a lot over the centuries. It has managed to maintain the old verb and noun inflection while developing new vocabulary but curiously, without having to borrow from the English language.

Other languages widely spoken in Iceland include Danish and English. There are also groups who speak German, Norwegian and Swedish. Since a substantial part of the country’s population is composed of immigrants, many different native languages are also spoken all across the country.

Culture

The culture of Iceland is greatly influenced by its Norse leanings. This is generally reflected on its literature, music and in its traditional beliefs. In spite of its being a technologically advanced nation, there are still a lot of people in the country who believe in the existence of elves.

What to look forward to

Night life in Iceland can be experienced in the capital city of Reykjavik. The largest city in the country features various attractions including all-night parties in some of the most interesting bars in the area. Various restaurants dot the whole city, offering a different taste of the local cuisine.

Another place that you will want to visit is the world renowned Pingvellir National Park. Listed as one of the World Heritage Sites protected by UNESCO, this area is popular for its untarnished natural beauty.