Green Odyssey: Rendezvous with Iceland, the land of ice and fire

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Iceland, the beautiful paradise known as the land of fire and ice is a beautiful country with rich geological landscape, extended cultural heritage and exotic eco system. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. Glaciers cover one-ninth of Iceland’s land surface and its coastline is speckled with a hundred fjords broadening out to form green and fertile valleys sometimes. The heartland of the island only consists of sandy stretches and tree-less mountains making it uninhabitable. Due to the island’s unique geological conditions the land is a haven for volcanologists and geologists.

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Eco-tourism in Iceland

Scenic beauty

The scenic beauty of Iceland will just leave you spell-bound. The places that you just cannot afford to miss are the Blue Lagoon, the Thingvellir National Park and the Jokulsarlon Lagoon. The Icelanders’ charm for technology, architecture, and design is heavily reflected in the panoramic city skyline making it one of the trendiest places in the world. It is abuzz with clubs, cafes, friendly pubs, and colorful wood houses making the old town one of the world’s most expensive cities. Blue Lagoon is the geothermal spa which adorns Iceland as a slice of pure bliss on earth. Its milky blue warm water comes laden with silica mud, mineral salts like sulphur as well as the blue green algae known to be excellent for your skin. Its unique situation in the middle of a lava field filled with warm seawater makes it the most sought after tourist spot in the island.

Other than the historical significance of Thingvellir National Park this is the only location in the world where you can have a good view of the tectonic plates moving away from each other. This tourist spot in Iceland is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jokulsarlon Lagoon is the remnant of the Breioamerkurjokull glacier that retreated swiftly from the year 1920 to the year 1965. You will be able to witness some chunks of ice crumble into the water of the lagoon. The other attractions are the Northern Lights that are visible in the clear crisp night skies during the months of September to April. Looking through the northern skies of the country, nothing can obstruct your view of the greatest natural wonder of lights dancing in the sky. The glaciers in Iceland become sturdier during the winter months and Glacial Trek are ideal during this time of year. It is a wonderful experience walking across those glaciers as you set free your explorer personality across this tourist spot in Iceland in the Arctic Circle.

Eco System

Considering the fact that 11% of Iceland is covered with glaciers and over 60% are lava fields or deserts the land animals of Iceland are limited to very few. The Icelandic coastal waters however act as a huge playground for marine animals and birds. There are around 350 “Icelandic” bird-species although the majority of these are visitors with only about 75 of them breeding on the Island. The only original terrestrial mammal in Iceland is the Arctic fox which is believed to have walked over the iced sea to this part during the ice ages. The plants of Iceland are prolific enough to support grazing animals like sheep, cattle and horses, all native to the island as well. Being an island many of the plants here have remained unchanged for centuries for example the Angelica, Juniper and Birch trees. A warm oceanic current, the Gulf stream, makes the coastal waters here rich in marine mammals. Minke Whales, White Beaconed Dolphins and Killer Whales can be easily spotted. Humpback whales, waving their flukes and sometimes leaping are an unforgettable visual delight that will remain with you forever. The rare ones to spot are the Sperm Whales and Pilot Whales. The Harbor seal being more common than the Grey seal is still counted in tens of thousands in these coastal waters. All the other seal species including some rare ones frequenting the arctic can be found along the shore.

Eco-adventure

Iceland offers a panoramic range of hiking trips conducted from Reykjavík, Skaftafell and Isafjörður in Iceland. Reykjavik and Skaftafell offers biking opportunities to explore better their natural topographical outlines. There are several thrilling adventure tours for visitors to Iceland’s thundering untamed rivers. Visitors get to experience the thrills and spills of white water rafting and canoeing on Iceland’s famous rivers. Icelandic adventure is incomplete without snowmobiling on the moving mass of Icelandic glacier. The view across the landscape alone is worth the trip on this snow truck. Apart from snowmobiling, you can also enjoy skiing in the clear white snow. Iceland also offers great opportunities for scuba divers and snorkelers from all over the world to have a rendezvous with marine life.

Green delicacies

The mouth-watering eco-friendly food items offered in Iceland are Brúnaðar Kartöflur - caramelised potatoes, Bláberjasúpa - blueberry-bilberry soup, Flauelsgrautur - velvet pudding, green bean medley, Kartöflustappa - mashed potatoes and Icelandic three grain brown bread.

Rich green culture

The prosperous and speckled culture of Iceland is well known for its literary heritage which stems from authors from the 12th to 14th centuries. This mid-Atlantic island boasts of the highest literacy rate in the world and thus literature, art, chess, and other intellectual pursuits are widespread here. There are four active folk dances forming the heart of its culture. The traditional arts of Icelanders include weaving, silversmithing, and wood carving. The Reykjavík area is also a major cultural hub dotted with professional theatres, symphony orchestra, opera, art galleries, bookstores, cinemas, and museums. This beautiful heaven lets you experience many colorful festivals and events like the Icelandic Festival of Porrablot, the Reykjavik Arts Festival, the Reykjavik Arts Festival, the in Iceland, the Sjomannadagur (Seafarer’s Day) in Iceland and Reykjavik Cultural Night.

Weather

Iceland’s highest air temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) in 1939 on the southeastern coast. The lowest temperature was -38°C (- 36.4°F) in 1918 at Grímsstaðir in the northeast of Iceland. Temperature records for Reykjavik are 24.8°C (76.6°F) on 11 August 2004, and -24.5°C (-12.1°F) on 21 January 1918.

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Considering the fragile nature of the natural climate of Iceland it is only better that 90% of its power are generated from geothermal and hydroelectric sources. This paves a smooth road to find greener modes of transport here. The favored options are Ford Focus FCV and Geothermal Electric Cars along with the traditional Boats and Cycles.