Iceland Hotels

Within the North Atlantic Ocean lies the European Island Country of Iceland. The capital city is called ‘Reykjavik’ and the area is volcanically active. The interior landscape is surrounded by fields, mountains and glaciers, while the lowlands have glacial rivers that flow to the sea. The island has a ‘Norse Heritage’ and is the world’s 18th largest island. History In 874 ‘Ingolfr Arnarson’ who was a ‘Norse’ settler built a homestead in the present day capital of Iceland and other settlers followed his lead.

By 930 a Judiciary government was established. This lasted until 1262 when settlers became unable to cope with the policies. Also at this time Iceland came under Norwegian rule.

During the next few centuries Iceland became one of the poorest countries in Europe because of the climate, poor soil and the volcano. The Black Death killed a majority of the population in 1402 and also in 1494. In 1550 the main religion of Iceland was ‘Lutheranism’.

In the 17th and 18th centuries pirates raided the coasts and a small pox outbreak killed a third of the population. In 1783 the ‘Laki’ volcano erupted which killed half the regions livestock and created a famine which in-turn killed a quarter of the population. Later, in 1918, Iceland became a Sovereign State and in World War II Iceland joined Denmark as neutral.

‘Sveinn Bjornsson’ became the first president in 1944 of the new republic. Iceland joined the European Economy Area in 1994 and from 2003-2007 Iceland developed from its fishing industry to a great financial services economy, however, in 2008 Iceland saw a mass-migration due to the global financial crisis. Climate Iceland has a temperate climate Cuisine Iceland’s cuisine is based on fish, lamb and dairy products, traditional dishes include ‘Porramatur’ which is a selection of Icelandic foods such as meat or fish served with rye bread and butter, ‘Cured Shark’ or ‘Hakarl’ which is shark that has been left to ferment for several months.

It tastes like strong cheese, ‘Cured Ram Scrota’, single sheep heads, black pudding and ‘Skyr’ which is a dairy product like yoghurt. Places of Interest While visiting Iceland there are several places to visit including the ‘Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach’ ‘Reykjavik Art Museum’, ‘Hallgrimur’s Church’, ‘The Icelandic Horse Riding Tour’, ‘The Pearl’, ‘Gullfloss Waterfall’, ‘Videy Island’ and ‘Saga Museum’. Iceland is also great for fishing and hiking too.