The Republic of Iceland 冰岛 The Republic of Iceland

Preview

On the way

Some characteristics of the country National bird——The white Falcon National flag—— Blue: ocean Red: fire White: snow National Emblem National Flower——Pansy currency——Krone

Location Iceland is located between the UK and Greenland island, in the middle of the north Atlantic, near by the Arctic Circle and which is Europe’s second largest island. The total area of the country is 103 square kilometers, one eighth is covered by glacier, and three fourth is plateau, whose altitude is between 300 meters and 400 meters.

Location In terms of it’s location, it is always considered to be one of the five Nrodic countries. Iceland is in 0 Time Zone and adopts Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and doesn’t practice daylight saving time. So its time is 8 hours later than Beijing,

Population The population of Iceland is extremely homogeneous, being almost entirely of Scandinavian and Celtic origin. Beginning in the 1940s a large-scale movement to the coastal towns and villages has occurred. Some 92 percent of the people now live in cities and towns. The population of Iceland (2010 estimate) is 318452. The overall population density is 3.1 persons per sq km.

A temperate marine climate Iceland has a relatively mild and equable climate, despite its high altitude and its proximity to the Arctic. Because of oceanic influences, notably the North Atlantic Drift (a continuation of the Gulf Stream), climatic conditions are moderate in all sections of the island. The mean annual temperature at Reykjavík is about 5°C with a range from -1°C in January to 11°C in July. In the northwestern, northern, and eastern coastal regions, subject to the effects of polar currents and drifting ice, temperatures are generally lower.

Climate Windstorms of considerable violence are characteristic during much of the winter season. Annual precipitation ranges between about 1,270 and 2,030 mm (about 50 and 80 in) along the southern coast, and is only about 510 mm (about 20 in) along the northern coast. The southern slopes of some of Iceland’s interior mountains receive up to about 4,570 mm (about 180 in) of moisture per year.

Climate

Iceland is remarkable for the number of its volcanoes, craters, and thermal springs and for the frequency of its earthquakes. More than 100 volcanoes, including at least 25 that have erupted in historic times, are situated on the island. Thus, Iceland is recognized as the Kingdom of fire and ice.

Religion and language The most famous church——Evangelical Lutheran church，with which about 90 percent of the people are affiliated. Complete religious freedom exists, however. Free Lutherans and Roman Catholics make up a small minority. And it’s also the national church.

Religion and language The official language is Icelandic, which has remained closer to the Old Norse of Iceland’s original Viking settlers than to the other Scandinavian languages, and most people of there can speak English.

Food Iceland is famous in the world of all kinds of smoked fish, salmon and smoked trout is the best taste delicious, is one of the most visitors to Iceland would be not taste good food, in Europe only four star hotel breakfast before providing the salmon.Iceland beef without the "mad cow disease" pollution, quality worthy of trust.In Iceland can also enjoy the world's rare whale meat, mutton taste similar to, but not very tender meat.

There is a service called H á Karl food, is buried in the sand for 3 to 6 months to complete disintegration of the corruption of shark meat, the odor can make foreign visitors dare not flatter.

Travel to Iceland The best time to travel is from June to September, If you travel there in winter, you may see the Northern Lights. seaside Northern Lights

waterfall  northern lights  Blue Lagoon

waterfall Spring

Important holidays and festival January 1st——New Year’s Day

Viking Food Day From January 20th to February 21th the restaurants and families will prepare some special foods such as boiled sheep’s head meat, seals, fin, the rotten shark meat ,etc. Donut Day February 7th On the day, families, restaurant, and especially bakeries will prepare donut made of cream, which are in different shapes. On the day, the children will get up very early and wake parents up with a small stick made of colorful paper and ribbons. They will get many donuts for parents.

Oktoberfest March 1th On the day, every family prepare beer adequately, and hold large-scale activities in the square, Getting together drinking beer, singing songs and dancing. 濯足节(Maundy Thursday) The time is the Thursday before EASTER, on the day, the abbot will help clear Monastic feet.

Sailor Day June 5th On the day, a variety of races are coming, such as parades, boat races, swimming competitions and sea rescue game.

National Day June 17th Especially in the capital——Reykjavik, there will be parades, street performances and dance. The day is Iceland National Movement leader Jon Sigurdsson’s birthday

EASTER From March 25th to March 28th, It’s holiday that people like dessert, no matter you are child or adult. During the time, the country will prepare its own chocolate eggs of different sizes. in which are diverse sweet, chocolate, and historical stories and small piece of paper with folk proverbs. The families in beautiful clothes go to the church, and enjoy the traditional EASTER food, such as roasted lamb with yellow stem juice and roasted sweet potatoes.

Besides mentioned above, there some other festival, for example, Reykjavik Jazz Festival Reykjavik blast music festival Lantern festival Whit Monday Whit Sunday Christmas Day Christmas Eve

Thank you!