Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland, and like many, it's busy, hectic and has a vibrant nightlife. As well as being the focal point of the country's cultural activities, it's also used by many as a gateway to the country's superb landscapes.
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most famous geothermal pool. It's situated between the airport and Reykjavík and can be a little crowded at times. It's the number one tourist attraction as people are drawn to the milky-blue spa and mineral-rich warm seawater.
Another natural wonder is the Geysir. It first put on a show in the 14th Century, blasting powerful jets of water in the air. It had been quiet for decades, but after recent seismic activity it has started to erupt again. There are also many outdoor activities on offer in the Geysir area, such as river rafting, hiking and golf. A two hour drive away from Reykjavík is the Snaefellnes Peninsula, where there's an awe-inspiring glacier that can be seen from the capital city on a clear day. It was also the glacier that French Author Jules Verne chose as his gateway to the centre of the Earth.
Europe's largest national park, Skaftafell, is a bus ride away from the capital city. You'll see striking peaks and glaciers and the largest ice cap on Earth, except for the North and South Poles.
Iceland 's broad coastline is interrupted by many breathtaking fjords where most towns are sited because the interior of the island, the Highlands of Iceland, are too cold with inhospitable sands and mountains. With dozens of volcanoes and many geysers, Iceland is one of the most geologically active areas on Earth.
The fact that Iceland is quite often overlooked by tourists is both unfortunate and fortunate at the same time. On the one hand, it is unfortunate because much of the world does not realize just how beautiful Iceland truly is. On the other hand, it is fortunate that few tourists seek Iceland as a destination because it allows Iceland to retain its pristine natural beauty.
The following are a few of the most popular destinations in Iceland :
The Perlan is Reykjavik 's most impressive building serving as an observatory, a revolving gourmet restaurant that sits on top of four gigantic tanks which hold the city's supply of hot water after it is pumped from geothermal wells outside the city limits. The Perlan also houses a casual café and a conference hall.
There are regular flights to Reykjavík from other European countries, and from the USA. A ferry service also operates from northern Denmark, though this is a much slower way to travel. Inside the country there are domestic flights to major cities. There aren't any railways and the roads have a reputation for being underdeveloped.
The country enjoys a cool temperature climate, with warm summers and fairly mild winters. Iceland is a Nordic island country in northern Europe between the mainland and Greenland in the North Atlantic Ocean and just below the Arctic Circle. And it is Europe's second largest island after Great Britain . With a population of approximately 313,000, Iceland is the least populous of the Nordic countries, the second smallest.
In spite of its latitude, Iceland enjoys a relatively temperate climate and offers a comfortable habitat for its people as well as its vegetation, livestock and wildlife. Iceland was first populated in 874 by a few enterprising Norwegians who settled there permanently.
