Incredible Facts About Iceland
Fun fact, marriage isn’t nearly as popular in Iceland as it is in other parts of the world. More than half of all babies in Iceland are born to unwed parents. In comparison, only 32 percent of babies in the US are born to unwed parents. And that’s not to say parents are just having extra-marital affairs. The institution just isn’t as popular, and couples decide to raise families without getting officially married.
There are some exceptions to this, but generally speaking Icelanders don’t have surnames in the traditional sense. Most of them have a patronymic last name, meaning that their name is their father’s first name with the suffix “daughter” or “son” at the end. Women don’t change their last names when they get married either. People are always called by their first name anyway, even when you’re talking to a figure of authority.
Speaking of names, naming babies in Iceland is actually very serious. It’s actually regulated by the official Icelandic “Naming Committee”. They have strict rules on naming to ensure all names conform to the Icelandic language. They need to check the official register of approved names.
Since Iceland’s more densely packed than most countries, being on an island and all, some people are bit worried about dating. Namely, they’re worried about accidentally dating someone they’re related to. That’s why a group of college students made the app ÍslendingaApp, or “Book of Icelanders”. It provides information on Icelandic genealogy so you can find out if a potential date is your cousin or not.
In a lot of Scandinavian countries, babies are taken outside to nap outside. This might seem strange to a lot of westerners, but it’s completely normal there. Parents believe the fresh air helps to ward away illness. Some sleep experts even claim that the cooler air helps to induce a deeper slumber.
The beaches of Reynisfjara are blanketed by striking black sand. And laying right by its side is the unusually geometric basal cliffs. This strange beach is in Vík, the southernmost village in Iceland.
Iceland is already a country of great beauty, so the rivers there are no exception. These rivers originate from Icelands glaciers, appearing almost bejeweled due to their intricate flow. One glacial river in particular travels all the way to Thórsmork, Highlands.
Iceland is actually home to the first geyser recorded in a printed source. It’s located at a hot spring in southwestern Iceland and is the most visited geyser in the country. It was the first one known to modern Europeans after all. Of course, it’s also home to boiling mud pits and exploding water spouts as well. That’s why there’s a sign around the area giving you plenty of warnings of what not to do to stay safe. Although, Iceland, itself, absolves itself of all liability.
Iceland’s located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, sitting right on the tectonic plates that separate Eurasia and North America. Of course, since the plates are in constant motion, the spaces fill with magma and cause volcanoes to erupt. There are actually 130 different volcanoes in Iceland. And of that number, 30 of them are currently active.
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