Iceland — island of fire and ice. Without an army, with Europe's smallest population. 12 facts.
- Iceland has no army since 1869. Security is guaranteed by NATO and the USA (former US Naval Air Station Keflavík until 2006).
- Iceland is Europe's youngest island (20 million years). It's still forming — average 1 new island per decade. Surtsey (1963) — the youngest.
- 130 volcanoes in 103,000 km² 30 active. Eyjafjallajökull (2010) — stopped flights across Europe. Fagradalsfjall 2021-2024 — tourist attraction.
- All Icelanders have 'son of father' or 'daughter of father' surnames Magnús Magnusson = Magnús, son of Magnús. Phone books listed by first name.
- Iceland has 1 person per ~3 km² Europe's smallest population density. 380,000 residents, most in Reykjavík (130,000).
- 100% renewable electricity 70% geothermal + 30% hydro. Hence Europe's cheapest electricity (much cheaper than Poland).
- Blue Lagoon — artificial geothermal Created as waste from Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant (1976). Today Iceland's most famous attraction.
- Most books per person in the world 10 books/year/person. Tradition jólabókaflóð — 'Christmas book flood' — Christmas gifts are BOOKS.
- Iceland was Europe's last country settled (9th c. by Vikings). Earlier only Irish monks (papar).
- World's oldest parliament Alþingi since 930 AD (continuous). Met at Þingvellir (UNESCO) — rift between Eurasian and North American plates.
- Mosquitoes don't exist in Iceland One of 3 countries in the world without mosquitoes (plus Antarctica and Hawaii). Climate too cold.
- 100% tap water drinkable and very cold (4-5°C without cooling). Reykjavík has the world's most beautiful drinking water according to blind tests.
Sources: Statistics Iceland, Visit Iceland, UNESCO, Icelandic Met Office.