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Articles about Reykjavik Iceland
Although Iceland is known for many different things, it's very well known for the many glaciers that can be found there as well as all that's contributed by Iceland's glaciers. The beauty and environmentally friendly qualities that Iceland possesses can be greatly attributed to the many glaciers in Iceland. In fact, over 11% of the area of Iceland is covered with glaciers that are lying above volcanoes. The largest glacier in Iceland is Vatnajökull, which covers an area of 8,300 km. The depth of this glacier below sea level is 160 meters while some parts of it are up to 1,000 meters thick. This size is so large that it's equivalent to the combined size of all the glaciers on the mainland of Europe.
The type of glacier you'll see in Iceland depends on what part of Iceland you happen to be. Rock glaciers and small cirque glaciers are found in the central northern part of Iceland by the mountains. The landscaper in this area is filled with many cirques, horns and arêtes. Other glaciers, many of them outlet glaciers are referred to as ice falls and can be found in the outer areas.
When the volcanoes erupt under a glacier, the melting water that flows out may often cause an outburst flood of glacial lakes. The term used to describe a glacier in Iceland is jökull. Many of Iceland's smaller glaciers have almost completely disappeared due to the warm climate they've experienced the past ten years. The climate of the country has a lot to do with the presence of glaciers. If the warming trend in Iceland continues, experts believe that most of Iceland's glaciers will have completely melted away within the next 500 years. However, some glaciers are once again beginning to become visible. What's presently left of the glaciers is a thing of beauty and interest including glacial flutes, eskers, glacial sediments, moraine ridge systems and breath-taking landscapes. Students interested in geomorphology and glacial geology.
Tourists and vacationers come to Iceland for some great sightseeing adventures, including the beautiful waterfall, geysers and the many glaciers. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Iceland is a real site of beauty for tourists and is always listed on their vacation itinerary. Boat rides and tours are available for those that are interested in seeing where the icebergs break off from the glaciers. Seals splashing and playing among the large ice chunks is also a very common site in Iceland.
The glaciers in Iceland, along with the volcanoes play a major part in making Iceland a very environmentally friendly country, providing the residents with geothermal energy. This large amount of geothermal energy allows them to have five power plants. Heating, hot water and electricity is not a problem like it is in many other countries of the world. Thanks to the geological conditions in Iceland, they have a large surplus of energy. The glaciers help provide the country with their energy needs as well as making them a beautiful place for tourists and vacationers.
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If you're planning on taking a vacation to Iceland and lots of sightseeing and traveling is on your itinerary, you'd be best to check ahead on how you're going to get around as public transportation is quite limited in Iceland. As advanced as Iceland is in other areas such as nature resources and energy, they lack in public transportation, which is very underdeveloped with many areas served quite poorly. There is no subway, tram, railway or light rail services in Iceland.
Although many countries that are limited in public transport manage to have a train going through their area, Iceland does not. The major urban areas (Reykjavík and Akureyri) (are lucky enough to have limited service in the form of bus service. Although many of the major towns are linked by bus and nationwide coach services, a lot of the residents of Iceland use internal flights to transport them from major town to major town.
In spite of the public transportation being so limited in Iceland, many people own automobiles here in Iceland. In fact, Iceland has one of the world's highest automobile ownership rates. The ratio (580 cars per every 1,000 people) is very similar to what is seen in the United States. Because the area of Reykjavík is very widespread, you won't see near the amount of traffic congestion that's seen in the states. Another advantage of the area being so spread out is that there is not as much demand or need for public transportation. Surprisingly, economic development has not be slowed down much due to the lack of public transportation.
The past few years has seen and heard a lot of talk about building a railway service between Reykjavík and the Keflavík Airport, which is the main international airport in Iceland. However, considering that it's not located close to the capital, a coach service serves the area. Sea services such as ferries are also a means of public transportation here in Iceland. Ferries cover areas in the vicinities of Westman Islands, Faroe Island and the United Kingdom.
Iceland does have an airline that they're very proud of called Flugfélag Íslands. The Flugfélag Íslands are located in Reykjavík, Iceland is also called Air Iceland. The airline handles domestic flights that go to the Faroe Islands and Greenland, whose bases are Akureyri Airport and Reykjavík Airport. It actually provides a total of 15 destinations.
Flugfélag Íslands was formed in 1975 by Tryggvi Helgason. Although originally formed as Nordurflug, the airline was given the name Flugfelag Nordurlands when it became a corporation. In 1997 a merger between Norlandair and Icelandair Domestic resulted in the name being changed to its current name. Air Iceland or Flugfélag Íslands has over 220 employees today and is currently under the ownership of the Icelandair Group.
In spite of the public transportation situation in Iceland not being as efficient and complete as other countries, this has not limited the amount of tourists that have come to visit and spend time in Iceland as this country has much more to offer its guests.
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If you're one of the rare individuals that believe a horse is just a horse has never been to Iceland and seen or ridden an Icelandic Horse. This unique breed of horse is native to Iceland as well as being direct descendant of the horse the original Norse and Viking settlers brought into Iceland over a thousand years ago. The journey was a tough one and it almost become a matter "only the fittest survive" and this is one of many reasons why the Icelandic horse is so loved and appreciated. From the time the first Iceland horses were brought into Iceland, laws were passed prohibiting any foreign horses to be brought into Iceland as way to prevent contaminating the breed and passing equine diseases. Today the law is still in effect. In fact, a horse that leaves the country of Iceland cannot return.
Icelandic Horses possess many excellent qualities that make them special including being versatile, highly intelligent, athletic, good tempered and very hardy. Although they are not as large as other horses, they are very easy to handle and extremely docile, making them perfect for young children and beginners. They have a life span that may go up to thirty years or more because they are so hardy.
Icelandic Horses are also raised differently than other horses. Because the Iceland horse is very slow to mature, their training doesn't actually begin until they're around four years old, unlike most breeds that begin their training at two years of age. It's not uncommon to see the Iceland horses freely roaming on the Highlands during the summer months. They do get shelter, however, in the wintertime. They have unique for humans as well as their own even tempered personality. They are truly a horse everyone loves, which is probably why horse riding in Iceland is so popular.
Horse riding in Iceland is very enjoyable also due to a special gait they possess called a tölt. While performing this gait that every other breed is incapable of performing, they move their legs identical to how they do when they're walking. The difference is that this gait may range from a slow walk to a fast gallop, making this the smoothest ride a rider can imagine. Iceland horses are used for competitions, leisure and riding tours. Riding tours are a large industry in Iceland.
Many horse riding tours are available to residents as well as tourists. It's an experience that you really don't want to miss while you're here. Some of these include:
• 6-day sheep round-up- You'll enjoy the beauty in South Iceland as you help the farmers gather their many sheep from the mountains. Never before will you appreciate the sure-footedness of the Ireland horses quite like you will in the mountains.
• 4-day riding tour-This takes place on the outskirts of Reykjavik and is the perfect tour if your time is limited but you're still looking for a great time.
• 5-day Countryside tour is perfect if you're looking for a quick adventure that won't last too long. You'll see some fabulous sites in Iceland including Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Hot Spring.
• 6-day Beach ride on the Löngufjörur Beach will allow you to enjoy the black and golden sand while just enjoying the sites all around you.
• 7-day Countryside Riding Special is the ultimate in pleasure, fun and excitement. This Golden Circle tour will take you to Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, the hot springs region of Geysir along with a trip into Thingvellir National Park.
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