{"id":106124,"date":"2020-01-14T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/?p=106124"},"modified":"2026-08-25T10:48:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T08:48:03","slug":"fakta-om-island","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/","title":{"rendered":"Facts about Iceland - 30 things you (might) not have known"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ta_ads_container\" class=\"takeover-container has-clientside-condition loading run-count-0\" data-ttl=\"86400\"><div class=\"takeover-bar\"><a class=\"blog-logo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" title=\"FREEDOMtravel - Sweden&#039;s largest travel magazine - \" rel=\"home\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FREEDOMtravel-resemagasin.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel - Sveriges mesta resemagasin\"><\/a><a class=\"home-link close-takeover\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\">Go to FREEDOMtravel<\/a><\/div><div class=\"takeover-content\"><div class=\"label\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-2996347589\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-computer-1920x900px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1024x480.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-768x360.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-224x105.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-600x281.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1536x720.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-433x203.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1200x563.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" width=\"1920\" height=\"900\"   \/><\/a><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {if( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709_timeout\" ) ) {if( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\" ) ) {var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = parseInt( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\" ) ) + 1;} else { var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = 1; }} else {var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = 1;advads.set_cookie_sec(\"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709_timeout\", \"true\", 86400 );}advads.set_cookie_sec(\"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\", advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709, 86400 );});<\/script><\/div><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Writer: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated: August 2026<\/em> | Iceland is the land of volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, Viking history and a language that has changed surprisingly little over the centuries. We have traveled to Iceland several times and I (Helena) have also lived here as an exchange student. Here we have collected 30 fun, exciting and sometimes quite unexpected facts about Iceland.<\/p><div class=\"sharethis-buttons\"><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"twitter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/twitter.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Tweet<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"facebook\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/facebook.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"linkedin\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/linkedin.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"pinterest\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/pinterest.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Pin<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"reddit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/reddit.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"digg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/digg.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad6f6135cb29\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ad6f6135cb29\" checked aria-label=\"toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#Fakta_om_Island\" >Facts about Iceland<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#1_Island_blev_republik_1944\" >1. Iceland became a republic in 1944<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#2_Alltinget_grundades_redan_ar_930\" >2. The Althing was founded as early as 930<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#3_Island_valde_varldens_forsta_kvinnliga_president_i_ett_demokratiskt_val\" >3. Iceland elected the world&#039;s first female president in a democratic election<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#4_Pa_Island_bor_farre_an_400_000_manniskor\" >4. Fewer than 400,000 people live in Iceland<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#5_De_flesta_islanningar_har_inga_vanliga_efternamn\" >5. Most Icelanders don&#039;t have common surnames<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#6_Island_ar_med_i_EES_men_inte_i_EU\" >6. Iceland is part of the EEA but not the EU<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#7_Nastan_all_elektricitet_kommer_fran_fornybara_energikallor\" >7. Almost all electricity comes from renewable energy sources<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#8_Glaciarerna_tacker_omkring_en_tiondel_av_Island\" >8. Glaciers cover about a tenth of Iceland<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#9_Island_har_omkring_30_aktiva_vulkansystem\" >9. Iceland has around 30 active volcanic systems<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#10_Surtsey_foddes_ur_havet_pa_1960-talet\" >10. Surtsey was born from the sea in the 1960s<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#11_Island_ligger_pa_tva_kontinentalplattor_som_glider_isar\" >11. Iceland lies on two continental plates that are sliding apart<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#12_Island_har_fortfarande_ingen_jarnvag\" >12. Iceland still has no railway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#13_Island_har_betydligt_fler_trad_an_ryktet_sager\" >13. Iceland has significantly more trees than rumor has it.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#14_Island_ar_beromt_for_att_sakna_myggor\" >14. Iceland is famous for its lack of mosquitoes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#15_Islandshasten_ar_en_hast_%E2%80%93_inte_en_ponny\" >15. The Icelandic horse is a horse \u2013 not a pony<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#16_Reykjavik_har_ett_museum_fullt_av_penisar\" >16. Reykjavik has a museum full of penises<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#17_Starkol_var_forbjudet_fram_till_1989\" >17. Strong beer was banned until 1989<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#18_McDonalds_forsvann_fran_Island_2009\" >18. McDonald&#039;s disappeared from Iceland in 2009<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#19_Svid_ar_ett_traditionellt_islandskt_farhuvud\" >19. Svi\u00f0 is a traditional Icelandic sheep&#039;s head<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#20_Manga_islanningar_borjar_dagen_med_lysi\" >20. Many Icelanders start the day with l\u00fdsi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#21_THorrablot_bjuder_pa_nagra_av_Islands_mest_omtalade_matratter\" >21. \u00deorrabl\u00f3t offers some of Iceland&#039;s most talked-about dishes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#22_Island_har_13_jultomtar\" >22. Iceland has 13 Santas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#23_Islanningarna_skapar_garna_egna_ord_istallet_for_att_lana_in_dem\" >23. Icelanders like to create their own words instead of borrowing them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#24_Islandska_ord_har_nastan_alltid_betoningen_forst\" >24. Icelandic words almost always have the stress first<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#25_Huldufolk_har_en_stark_plats_i_islandsk_folktro\" >25. Hulduf\u00f3lk have a strong place in Icelandic folk belief<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#26_Islands_vintrar_ar_mildare_an_breddgraden_antyder\" >26. Iceland&#039;s winters are milder than its latitude suggests<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#27_Islendingabok_haller_reda_pa_islanningarnas_slaktskap\" >27. \u00cdslendingab\u00f3k keeps track of the kinship of Icelanders<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#28_Island_har_spelat_manga_andra_varldar_pa_film\" >28. Iceland has played many other worlds on film<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#29_The_Mountain_fran_Game_of_Thrones_ar_islanning\" >29. The Mountain from Game of Thrones is Icelandic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#30_Island_har_en_ovanligt_stark_litterar_tradition\" >30. Iceland has an unusually strong literary tradition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#Snabba_fakta_om_Island\" >Fast facts about Iceland<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#Fler_fakta-reportage\" >More factual reports<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#Peter_Bergstrom\" >Peter Bergstr\u00f6m<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/#Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\" >Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fakta_om_Island\"><\/span>Facts about Iceland<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland is a small country of great contrasts. It is home to some of Europe&#039;s largest glaciers, a large number of active volcanic systems, and landscapes that are constantly changing due to geological forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Iceland is just as interesting when it comes to history, language, traditions and culture. Did you know, for example, that beer was banned until 1989, that Icelanders still use a naming system with roots in the Viking Age and that the country has no railway? Here are 30 facts about Iceland!<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-4020864462\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88752\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-57820569 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1353530303\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-top-banner-588x158px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-toppbanner-588x158px.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-3972769107\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ullbadden.se\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider57820569 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-57820569\" );$freedslider57820569.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider57820569.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider57820569.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider57820569.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider57820569.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-124198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bla-Lagunen-Island-2-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peter and Helena in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-1-sjalvstandig-stat-forst-1944\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Island_blev_republik_1944\"><\/span>1. Iceland became a republic in 1944<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland became an independent sovereign state in 1918, but was then still in a personal union with Denmark and had the Danish king as head of state. On 17 June 1944, the Republic of Iceland was proclaimed after a referendum. Today, the date is Iceland&#039;s National Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87687\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islands-flagga.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-2-varldens-aldsta-annu-aktiva-demokrati\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Alltinget_grundades_redan_ar_930\"><\/span>2. The Althing was founded as early as 930<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland&#039;s parliament, Al\u00feingi or Althing, has its roots all the way back to the year 930. At that time, representatives from different parts of Iceland gathered at \u00deingvellir to make laws and resolve disputes.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3641975799\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88753\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-74708801 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-3913929045\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elmia.se\/husvagn\/for-besokare\/biljetter\/?utm_source=freedomtravel&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_campaign=elmiahusvagn_kop_biljett_mars-sep\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-4063619921\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale (588 x 158 px)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider74708801 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-74708801\" );$freedslider74708801.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider74708801.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider74708801.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider74708801.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider74708801.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Althing is often described as one of the world&#039;s oldest parliaments, although its operations have not been completely uninterrupted throughout history. The place where the historic meetings were held is now part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/03\/thingvellir-nationalpark-pa-island\/\">\u00deingvellir National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-Island-1024x578.jpg\" alt=\"fakta om Island - Thingvellir\" class=\"wp-image-87686\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-3-forsta-demokratin-att-valja-en-kvinnlig-president\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Island_valde_varldens_forsta_kvinnliga_president_i_ett_demokratiskt_val\"><\/span>3. Iceland elected the world&#039;s first female president in a democratic election<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1980, Vigd\u00eds Finnbogad\u00f3ttir was elected President of Iceland, becoming the world&#039;s first woman to be democratically elected. She remained in office for 16 years, until 1996, and became an internationally recognized symbol of women&#039;s political participation.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banner freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-2675028385\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-1335328900\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/firstcamp.se\/bra-att-veta\/incheckning-efter-stangning?utm_source=display&#038;utm_medium=Freedom-Travel&#038;utm_campaign=Freedom-Travel-sommar-2026\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-224x107.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-433x206.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"280\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"586\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-1024x586.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-132522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-1024x586.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-433x248.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-1200x686.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280-600x343.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/handshake-4017258_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-4-mest-glesbefolkat-i-europa\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Pa_Island_bor_farre_an_400_000_manniskor\"><\/span>4. Fewer than 400,000 people live in Iceland<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland had 394,324 inhabitants at the beginning of 2026. That&#039;s not very many considering that the country&#039;s area is just over 100,000 square kilometers. Large parts of the interior are also uninhabited, and a very large part of the population lives in Reykjavik and its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Reykjavik\" class=\"wp-image-106202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-centrum-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-5-islanningar-har-oftast-inte-slaktnamn\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_De_flesta_islanningar_har_inga_vanliga_efternamn\"><\/span>5. Most Icelanders don&#039;t have common surnames<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Icelandic naming system differs from the Swedish one. Most people do not have a family name that is passed down from generation to generation, but instead use a patronymic or matronymic.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banners-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-1106292298\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-874471740\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/wifi.se\/produkt\/hybrid-traveller-portabel-5g-router-med-backup-batteri-i-over-6-timmar-usb\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"freedom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/freedom.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"288\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, a son of a man named Bj\u00f6rn might be called Bj\u00f6rnsson and a daughter Bj\u00f6rnsd\u00f3ttir. In everyday life, people are therefore normally addressed by their first names \u2013 even the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-59-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Reykjavik\" class=\"wp-image-48382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-59-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-59-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-59-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-59-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-59.jpg 1198w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-6-island-ar-inte-med-i-eu\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Island_ar_med_i_EES_men_inte_i_EU\"><\/span>6. Iceland is part of the EEA but not the EU<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland is not a member of the EU, but it is a member of EFTA together with Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Through the EEA agreement, Iceland participates in the EU&#039;s internal market together with Norway and Liechtenstein. Iceland is also part of the Schengen cooperation.<\/p><div class=\"freed-placering-11 freed-entity-placement\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"freed-2705436343\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88783\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-938892339 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1581992175\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husvagnsbranschen.se\/medlemmar\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HRF new xl 2026-9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-2971408517\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/protect.checkpoint.com\/v2\/r02\/___https:\/www.kabe.se\/se\/nyheter\/kabe-roadshow-2026\/___.YzJlOmthYmU6YzpvOmVkZTIyYjJkNTMxZTZkZjM1YWVhOTViM2NkZTIxMzBlOjc6NDMyYTozYTBkNmIzNGEyZDExNmUyY2ZhYWU3MGNkNzExYmE4ZDUzNjRmYzI5NjgwOTNhNTk5MmZlZDQ2ZTVlNTA3NmVkOmg6VDpO\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"oaddtrip Kabe\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider938892339 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-938892339\" );$freedslider938892339.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider938892339.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider938892339.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider938892339.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider938892339.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-9.jpg 1199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-7-85-energi-fran-fornybara-energikallor\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Nastan_all_elektricitet_kommer_fran_fornybara_energikallor\"><\/span>7. Almost all electricity comes from renewable energy sources<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland has fantastic conditions for both hydropower and geothermal energy. In principle, all electricity is produced from renewable energy sources, primarily hydropower and geothermal energy. Heating is also special \u2013 around 97 percent comes from geothermal energy, according to Icelandic authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island - energik\u00e4llor\" class=\"wp-image-87587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strokkur-Island.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Glaciarerna_tacker_omkring_en_tiondel_av_Island\"><\/span>8. Glaciers cover about a tenth of Iceland<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Glaciers are an important part of the Icelandic landscape and cover about <strong>1<\/strong>0 percent of the country. The largest by far is Vatnaj\u00f6kull. But the glaciers are shrinking. Since the late 19th century, Iceland&#039;s glaciers have lost about 2,100 square kilometers in area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n-1024x573.jpg\" alt=\"J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n\" class=\"wp-image-52612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n-600x336.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n-1200x672.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/J\u00f6kulsarl\u00f3n.jpg 1206w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Island_har_omkring_30_aktiva_vulkansystem\"><\/span>9. Iceland has around 30 active volcanic systems<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland is located in the middle of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is one of the world&#039;s most volcanically active areas. The Icelandic Meteorological Institute says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/vulkaner-pa-island\/\">about 30 active volcanic systems<\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"freed-stor-banner-plats-14 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-1234075538\"><div id=\"freed-slider-88782\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-261826047 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1559625827\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale 588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-3782841596\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-XL-588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider261826047 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-261826047\" );$freedslider261826047.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider261826047.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider261826047.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider261826047.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider261826047.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the most famous are Hekla, Katla, Gr\u00edmsv\u00f6tn and B\u00e1r\u00f0arbunga. In addition, in the 2020s, the Reykjanes Peninsula has become very volcanically active again after several hundred years of relative calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Vulkan\" class=\"wp-image-104420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/bardabunga-4137509_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> B\u00e1r\u00f0arbunga, photo: Pixabay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Surtsey_foddes_ur_havet_pa_1960-talet\"><\/span>10. Surtsey was born from the sea in the 1960s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Icelandic island of Surtsey did not exist before 1963. A volcanic eruption beneath the sea surface south of the Westman Islands caused a completely new island to emerge from the Atlantic Ocean. The island has since been an important research area where scientists have been able to observe how plants and animals colonize completely new land. Regular visitors are therefore not allowed to go ashore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"V\u00e4stmanna\u00f6arna\" class=\"wp-image-52611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar-1200x674.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Vestmannayejar.jpg 1202w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Island_ligger_pa_tva_kontinentalplattor_som_glider_isar\"><\/span>11. Iceland lies on two continental plates that are sliding apart<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland lies on the boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. The plates move apart at a rate of about two centimeters per year, although the movement is not uniform everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In \u00deingvellir, the result is clearly visible in the landscape with faults and cracks. It is often said that you can \u201dwalk between two continents\u201d here \u2013 geologically the reality is a bit more complicated, but it is a good picture of what is happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1-1024x578.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island\" class=\"wp-image-134126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1-600x339.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Freedomtravel-i-Thingvellir-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peter in Thingvellir.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Island_har_fortfarande_ingen_jarnvag\"><\/span>12. Iceland still has no railway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland still lacks rail traffic. There are no regular passenger trains, metro or trams. Those who travel around the island are instead required to travel by car, bus, plane and in some cases ferry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Island-v\u00e4gar.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Island_har_betydligt_fler_trad_an_ryktet_sager\"><\/span>13. Iceland has significantly more trees than rumor has it.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The old joke about Iceland goes something like this: \u201dWhat do you do if you get lost in an Icelandic forest? You get up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the idea that Iceland has no trees or forests at all is a myth. Natural birch forests and planted forests exist, although forests only cover a small part of the country. Before human settlement, birch forests and shrubland are believed to have covered a much larger part of Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island: Tingvalla\" class=\"wp-image-87691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-224x126.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-590x332.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Island_ar_beromt_for_att_sakna_myggor\"><\/span>14. Iceland is famous for its lack of mosquitoes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland is usually considered one of the very few inhabited countries where common mosquitoes have not established themselves. At Lake M\u00fdvatn, there can still be enormous numbers of small flying insects. The name means roughly \u201dmosquito water\u201d, but the swarming insects are mainly whiteflies and other mosquito-like species that are not the same as our mosquitoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Hverir\" class=\"wp-image-52617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir-1200x674.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hverir.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hverir near Lake M\u00fdvatn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Islandshasten_ar_en_hast_%E2%80%93_inte_en_ponny\"><\/span>15. The Icelandic horse is a horse \u2013 not a pony<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Icelandic horse is small but strong and has lived in relative isolation in Iceland for more than a thousand years. Despite its size, the breed is considered a horse and not a pony. It is also famous for its extraordinary gaits. In addition to the walk, trot and gallop, many Icelandic horses can also t\u00f6lt.<strong>,<\/strong> and some even master flying passports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island-1024x578.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island - Islandsh\u00e4star\" class=\"wp-image-87692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island-600x339.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Islandsh\u00e4star-Island.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"16_Reykjavik_har_ett_museum_fullt_av_penisar\"><\/span>16. Reykjavik has a museum full of penises<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, actually. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2012\/09\/the-icelandic-phallological-museum\/\">Icelandic Phallological Museum<\/a> in Reykjavik has a large collection of penises and other biological objects from a wide range of mammal species. We&#039;ve been there \u2013 and it&#039;s definitely one of the more unusual museums we&#039;ve visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island\" class=\"wp-image-134004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-1200x673.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Snoppmuseum-1.jpg 1203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"17_Starkol_var_forbjudet_fram_till_1989\"><\/span>17. Strong beer was banned until 1989<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland introduced alcohol prohibition in 1915. Wine and spirits were later allowed again, but beer with a higher alcohol content remained banned until March 1, 1989. Therefore, March 1 is still celebrated as Bj\u00f3rdagurinn (Beer Day) in Iceland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Einst\u00f6k-bjor.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"18_McDonalds_forsvann_fran_Island_2009\"><\/span>18. McDonald&#039;s disappeared from Iceland in 2009<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland used to have McDonald&#039;s restaurants, but the last of them closed in 2009, following the financial crisis. The hamburger chain has not returned to the country since then. However, no burger-craving Icelander need go hungry \u2013 there are plenty of both local burger joints and other international fast food chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/fast-food-4023905_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"19_Svid_ar_ett_traditionellt_islandskt_farhuvud\"><\/span>19. Svi\u00f0 is a traditional Icelandic sheep&#039;s head<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of Iceland&#039;s more spectacular traditional dishes is svi\u00f0 \u2013 a boiled sheep&#039;s head. The dish originated in a time when it was important to preserve as much of the animal as possible. Svi\u00f0 is still eaten in Iceland and is often served in conjunction with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/03\/vad-ater-man-pa-island\/\">traditional Icelandic food<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"649\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-1024x649.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-1024x649.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-768x486.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-433x274.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-1200x760.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2-600x380.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-2.jpg 1203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Iceland.is<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"20_Manga_islanningar_borjar_dagen_med_lysi\"><\/span>20. Many Icelanders start the day with l\u00fdsi<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">L\u00fdsi, cod liver oil, has long been a part of Icelandic food culture. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, among other things \u2013 something not entirely unimportant in a country with dark winters. You can still come across the bottle at the breakfast buffet. A little hutt for breakfast, anyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"fiskleverolja\" class=\"wp-image-87928\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/lysi.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"21_THorrablot_bjuder_pa_nagra_av_Islands_mest_omtalade_matratter\"><\/span>21. \u00deorrabl\u00f3t offers some of Iceland&#039;s most talked-about dishes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2017\/11\/islandska-traditioner\/\">the winter festival of \u00deorrabl\u00f3t<\/a> Traditional Icelandic food, \u00de\u00f3rramatur, is served. Here you can find things like fermented shark, sheep&#039;s head, black pudding, liver sausage, smoked lamb and various preserved parts of sheep. The food is sometimes accompanied by the brandy Brenniv\u00edn, which is usually called the &quot;Black Death&quot;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island\" class=\"wp-image-134156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-1200x673.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1-600x336.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thorramatur-22-1-1.jpg 1202w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Iceland.is<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-22-det-finns-13-jultomtar\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"22_Island_har_13_jultomtar\"><\/span>22. Iceland has 13 Santas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Iceland, you don&#039;t have to settle for just one Santa Claus. Here you can find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2009\/12\/pa-island-finns-13-jultomtar\/\">13 Christmas gifts<\/a>, Santa Claus, who traditionally descend from the mountains one by one during the 13 nights before Christmas. Each one has its own personality and quirks. Among them are Skyrg\u00e1mur, who loves skyr, and Hur\u00f0askellir, who enjoys slamming doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-308396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-224x149.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-18x12.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-433x289.png 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"23_Islanningarna_skapar_garna_egna_ord_istallet_for_att_lana_in_dem\"><\/span>23. Icelanders like to create their own words instead of borrowing them<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2012\/09\/det-islandska-spraket\/\">The Icelandic language<\/a> to create new words from old Icelandic components instead of automatically borrowing English expressions. For example, telephone is called <strong>phone<\/strong>, an old word for wire, and computer is called <strong>toll<\/strong>, a modern word formed from <em>speak<\/em> (number) and <em>v\u00f6lva<\/em> (fortune-teller).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"Leifur Eiriksson\" class=\"wp-image-47263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson-1200x674.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Leifur-Eiriksson.jpg 1203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"24_Islandska_ord_har_nastan_alltid_betoningen_forst\"><\/span>24. Icelandic words almost always have the stress first<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A practical rule for anyone trying to pronounce Icelandic is to put the main stress on the first syllable of the word. That makes at least a small part of the language easy. Then all that&#039;s left is things like Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull, \u00deingvellir and Eyjafjar\u00f0arsveit...<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12993\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull.jpg 438w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Eyjafjallaj\u00f6kull-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"25_Huldufolk_har_en_stark_plats_i_islandsk_folktro\"><\/span>25. Hulduf\u00f3lk have a strong place in Icelandic folk belief<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elves, trolls and <em>Hulduf\u00f3lk<\/em>, the hidden people, have a long tradition in Icelandic stories and folklore. There are plenty of stories about rocks and places where supernatural beings are said to reside. How many Icelanders literally believe in them is another question, however, so it is wise to distinguish between living folklore and actual religious belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Tingvalla\" class=\"wp-image-87701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Thingvellir-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"26_Islands_vintrar_ar_mildare_an_breddgraden_antyder\"><\/span>26. Iceland&#039;s winters are milder than its latitude suggests<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The name Iceland doesn&#039;t exactly sound warm, and the country is far north. Yet winters along the coast are relatively mild thanks to the North Atlantic and ocean currents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Reykjavik, temperatures often hover around freezing in the winter, but strong winds, precipitation, and rapidly changing weather can make it feel much bleaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ridtur-pa-Island.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"27_Islendingabok_haller_reda_pa_islanningarnas_slaktskap\"><\/span>27. \u00cdslendingab\u00f3k keeps track of the kinship of Icelanders<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland&#039;s long tradition of genealogy has resulted in the large genealogical database <em>Icelandic Book<\/em>, where Icelanders can search for relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It has given rise to the enduring story of a special \u201ddating app\u201d that Icelanders use to check that they are not related before going home together. It\u2019s a funny story \u2013 but an exaggerated one. The database is primarily a genealogy tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-7-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-60784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-7-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-7-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reykjavik-7.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"28_Island_har_spelat_manga_andra_varldar_pa_film\"><\/span>28. Iceland has played many other worlds on film<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland&#039;s dramatic landscapes have attracted numerous international film and TV productions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scenes have been shot here for Game of Thrones, Interstellar, Prometheus, Batman Begins, Die Another Day and several other major productions. Lava fields, glaciers and black beaches apparently work perfectly as everything from fantasy realms to alien planets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"677\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-87689\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark-600x339.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark-1024x578.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tingvalla-nationalpark-433x244.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"29_The_Mountain_fran_Game_of_Thrones_ar_islanning\"><\/span>29. The Mountain from Game of Thrones is Icelandic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Haf\u00fe\u00f3r J\u00fal\u00edus Bj\u00f6rnsson is both an Icelandic strongman and actor. He became internationally known as the enormous Gregor \u201dThe Mountain\u201d Clegane in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/03\/infor-game-of-thrones-sasong-8-stor-guide\/\">Game of Thrones<\/a>. He has also competed in some of the world&#039;s largest strongman competitions and won World&#039;s Strongest Man 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Fakta om Island: Game of Thrones film locations\" class=\"wp-image-87888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Game-of-Thrones-1.jpg 1202w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"30_Island_har_en_ovanligt_stark_litterar_tradition\"><\/span>30. Iceland has an unusually strong literary tradition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iceland&#039;s literary history stretches back to the medieval sagas and the works of Snorri Sturluson. In 1955, Halld\u00f3r Laxness was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even today, books play a big role in Icelandic culture. A particularly strong tradition is the J\u00f3lab\u00f3kafl\u00f3\u00f0i\u00f0, the \u201dChristmas Book Flood,\u201d when lots of new books are published before Christmas and books are popular Christmas gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280-1024x587.jpg\" alt=\"B\u00f6cker\" class=\"wp-image-106205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280-600x344.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280-433x248.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/book-1659717_1280.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container faktaruta uagb-block-d196b5f7 default uagb-is-root-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Snabba_fakta_om_Island\"><\/span>Fast facts about Iceland<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Highest mountain:<\/strong> Hvannadalshn\u00fakur, 2,110 m.a.s.l.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Longest river:<\/strong> \u00dej\u00f3rs\u00e1, approximately 230 km<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Second largest city:<\/strong> Kopavogur<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biggest lake:<\/strong> \u00de\u00f3risvatn, approximately 86 km\u00b2. The lake has become larger through hydroelectric development; \u00deingvallavatn is the largest natural lake.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sea:<\/strong> North Atlantic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Main sports:<\/strong> Football and handball, as well as basketball, among other things<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nearest country:<\/strong> Iceland is an island and has no land borders. The nearest country is Greenland, about 290 km away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate:<\/strong> Cool maritime climate, which is considerably milder than its latitude would suggest due to the influence of the sea. Winters are relatively mild and windy, summers are cool and the weather can change quickly. The inland highlands are considerably colder than the coastal areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fler_fakta-reportage\"><\/span>More factual reports<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/10\/fakta-om-irland\/\">Facts about Ireland<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/05\/fakta-om-polen\/\">Facts about Poland<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2021\/02\/fakta-om-schweiz\/\">Facts about Switzerland<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2021\/02\/fakta-om-estland\/\">Facts about Estonia <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2021\/07\/fakta-om-tjeckien\/\">Facts about the Czech Republic<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2022\/05\/fakta-om-sverige\/\">Facts about Sweden<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/roliga-fakta-om-lander\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-220149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-224x126.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-433x244.png 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta-600x338.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Roliga-fakta.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many fun facts that you (maybe) didn't know? Click on the image!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"vcard\">\n<div class=\"has-image\">\n<figure class=\"profile-picture\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/influencers\/peter-bergstrom\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"328\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/FREEDOMtravel-i-Budapest-1-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-small size-small wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/FREEDOMtravel-i-Budapest-1-1.jpg 328w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/FREEDOMtravel-i-Budapest-1-1-259x300.jpg 259w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/FREEDOMtravel-i-Budapest-1-1-193x224.jpg 193w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/FREEDOMtravel-i-Budapest-1-1-10x12.jpg 10w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/FREEDOMtravel-i-Budapest-1-1-281x325.jpg 281w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 328px) 100vw, 328px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"list-header\">Follow Peter here:<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"social\"><li class=\"youtube\"><a target=\"social\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/freedomtravelnews\" title=\"YouTube\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>YouTube<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"www\"><a target=\"social\" href=\"https:\/\/freedomxplore.com\/\" title=\"Web\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Web<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"influencer-country-flag\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Flag_of_Sweden-300x188.png\" alt=\"Sverige\" title=\"Sweden\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<h2 class=\"name\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Peter_Bergstrom\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/influencers\/peter-bergstrom\/\">Peter Bergstr\u00f6m<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"excerpt\">Peter is the CEO, writer and publisher of Sweden's most popular travel magazine, FREEDOMtravel.se and FREEDOMtravel.se\/husbilsresor. My wife and I travel for around eight months of the year, searching for new gems to experience and to inspire you, our readers, with exciting new destinations. We also run the travel agency FREEDOMxplore.com in collaboration with Your Brand Travel. The focus is on unique, hand-picked experiences.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div id=\"freed-3508075118\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_2 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><form method=\"post\" id=\"ft_newsletter_subscribe\" action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/\" class=\"ft-newsletter\" data-ajax-url=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php\" data-trp-original-action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/01\/fakta-om-island\/\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"stage\" value=\"subscribe\" \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\"><\/span>Subscribe to our newsletter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"form-field\" data-missing=\"This field is required.\" data-invalid=\"Please enter a valid email address.\">\n<label for=\"ft_newsletter_email\">Email address<\/label>\n<input id=\"ft_newsletter_email\" name=\"ft_newsletter_email\" type=\"email\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" aria-required=\"true\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<input class=\"signup button newsletter-meta-button\" type=\"submit\"  name=\"subscribe\" value=\"Subscribe\">\n<div style=\"position: absolute; left: -4200px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ft-newsletter-protect\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"98d0b92c63fae1c39c28d2024aa82be8e0ab74fe\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\"><\/div>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"trp-form-language\" value=\"en\"\/><\/form><\/div><div id=\"freed-2536697238\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_3 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 35px;\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" aria-label=\"FREEDOMtravel Exit\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel Avslut\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-224x75.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-18x6.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-433x144.png 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\"   \/><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>G\u00e5 vidare till FREEDOMtravel Advertisement Annons Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: Augusti 2026 | Island \u00e4r landet med vulkaner, glaci\u00e4rer, varma k\u00e4llor, vikingahistoria och ett spr\u00e5k som f\u00f6r\u00e4ndrats f\u00f6rv\u00e5nansv\u00e4rt lite genom \u00e5rhundradena. Vi har rest p\u00e5 Island flera g\u00e5nger och jag (Helena) har dessutom bott h\u00e4r som utbytesstudent. H\u00e4r har vi samlat 30 roliga, sp\u00e4nnande och [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":87586,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[253],"tags":[88823],"class_list":["post-106124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-island","tag-fakta-om","has-featured-image"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",1200,675,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-768x432.jpg",700,394,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-1024x576.jpg",700,394,true],"influencer":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",224,126,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",1200,675,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",1200,675,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",18,10,false],"startpage_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-433x244.jpg",433,244,true],"popular_product":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",520,293,false],"startpage_camping_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-433x675.jpg",433,675,true],"campervan_food":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",590,332,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",1200,675,false],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-320x320.jpg",320,320,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-600x338.jpg",600,338,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de-100x100.jpg",100,100,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg",120,68,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Helena","author_link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":28,"uagb_excerpt":"G\u00e5 vidare till FREEDOMtravel Advertisement Annons Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: Augusti 2026 | Island \u00e4r landet med vulkaner, glaci\u00e4rer, varma k\u00e4llor, vikingahistoria och ett spr\u00e5k som f\u00f6r\u00e4ndrats f\u00f6rv\u00e5nansv\u00e4rt lite genom \u00e5rhundradena. Vi har rest p\u00e5 Island flera g\u00e5nger och jag (Helena) har dessutom bott h\u00e4r som utbytesstudent. H\u00e4r har vi samlat 30 roliga, sp\u00e4nnande och&hellip;","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Gejser-omr\u00e5de.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106124"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106124\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":308811,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/106124\/revisions\/308811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/87586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=106124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}