Iceland. Country located in the extreme northwest of Europe. Its territory is made up of some islands and islets. Its population is approximately 331,000 residents for an area of 103,000 km 2. Reykjavík is the capital city of Iceland according to itypejob.
Society
People: The majority (96%) Icelanders are descendants of Norwegian, Scottish and Irish immigrants. Religion: Protestants (95.8%), mostly Evangelical Lutherans (91.5%), who practice the official religion; Catholics (0.9%); non-religious (1.5%); others (1.8%). Languages: Icelandic. Main political parties: Independence Party (conservative); Popular Alliance (socialists); Progressive Party (center-left); Left-Green Movement. Main social organizations: Icelandic Federation of Workers. Confederation of State and Municipal Employees.
The youngest country in the world
The youngest country in the world, still in formation, is the last virgin border of Europe. Under glacial ice, deserts and black lava fields, the raging magma burns that makes the earth throb. This is beautiful and silent, strange and inordinate. It has 200 volcanoes, 30 of them active, 700 hot springs, hundreds of geysers, solfataras and boiling pools, 120 glaciers, including the third largest in the world, thousands of waterfalls and rivers, 59 nature reserves and 3 national parks. Iceland is occupied by ice and fire, frozen fields dominate ten percent, lava plateaus eleven percent. The capital is Reykjavik, the city that concentrates the largest number of residents of the island, international flights arrive there. It is a small city compared to other European capitals, but modern and active, with a rich cultural life that intensifies in summer.
Eastern region
The Eastern region offers incredible diversity. The fjords are deeply embedded between high mountains, each sheltering its small town, in addition to the rolling plains of the interior that join the highlands to the northeast of the Vatnajökull Glacier. The distance is short between the forest and the desert areas frequented by reindeer. Human presence is rare, hikers really enjoy the area.
North and west region
In the western region, maritime and rural landscapes, volcanic and geothermal phenomena predominate. To the north, the West Fjords are another story, with numerous birds and rugged mountains that look out to sea. North of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, at its end you can see the majestic volcano in the shape of Fuji-Yama. To the west is the wildest and least populated region of the country. The village of Ísafjörður, which is the starting point for excursions, on foot, by kayak or by motor boat. Provides breathtaking mountains, tree-covered valleys, glaciers and the best rivers with Salmon. In the North of Iceland are the lava fields with the largest extension in the world. The volcanoes in the area are still active. It has imposing mountains, great valleys and a sunnier and drier climate than to the south.
Reykjavik
Transport
Public transport
Reykjavik Bus Service – SVR, Borgartun 35, is the city’s main bus service provider. The two most important coach stations in the city are located in Hlemmur and Laekjartorg. Route 35 buses operate from 07.00-24.00 from Monday to Saturday and from 10.00-24.00 on Sundays. During daily days, the buses run every 20 minutes, while from 7:00 p.m. and on weekends they run every 30 minutes. The night bus service on weekends runs from 02.30-04.00. Tickets cost 220ISK and are paid directly to the driver (only the exact amount is accepted). If there is a bus transfer, the driver can issue a skiptimidi (transfer ticket), valid for 45-60 minutes from the time of issue.
There is the possibility of buying ten-ride vouchers at the bus terminals. The Reykjavik Card offers unlimited travel on the capital’s buses.
Taxis
All taxis are metered and charge standard rates. Tipping is not necessary and can be stopped on the street or reserved by phone. The main companies are Borgarbíll, BSR, BSH and Hréyfill. Taxis are expensive and a short ride around the city costs around ISK 1,000. Most taxi companies offer sightseeing tours of Reykjavik’s top attractions.
Limousines
The main limousine rental company is Limousine Service, although Private Tours; It also offers private limousine transfers.
Car rental
Car rental rates are prohibitive. In addition to the rental price, 24.5% VAT is added and mandatory supplements are charged for insurance and gasoline. The minimum age to rent a car in most companies is 23 and a foreign driving license is accepted.
The main companies with offices in the city are: Avis, Knarrarvogi 2 Malarhöfdi 2 and Hertz, Flugrallarvegur
Bicycle and motorcycle rental
The flat topography of the city makes bicycles one of the most suitable means of transport to get around. The Icelandic Mountain Bike Club offers advice and information on cycling around the country, always a tough and exhausting experience. Bikes can be rented from Borgarhjol Bike Rental, Hverfisgata 50 for ISK 1,700 per day.
Air Transport
Reykjavik International Airport is the second largest in Iceland. It concentrates all the domestic flights of Iceland, and internationally it operates with Greenland, the Faroe Islands and some charters and private flights to different parts of Europe. International flights are operated from Keflavik airport, the most important in Iceland. Just over 460,000 passengers traveled to Reykjavik airport during 2008. Buses and taxis connect the airport with the urban area. In turn, an express bus connects the airport with Keflavik International.
Illustrious people
- Vigdís Sinnpogadóttir. Born in 1930, she was a politician and president of Iceland from 1980 to 1996. With this appointment she became the first woman elected head of state by electoral means. Before her political career, she was a teacher and presenter of cultural programs on television. She is also a theater actress and director of the Reykjavik City Theater. As President I work to preserve Iceland’s cultural and national identity.
- Halldór Laxness. He was born in Reykjavik in 1902. A highly prestigious writer, he was awarded the Nobel Prize. He is considered the most important of the contemporary authors of his country. His work can be classified as impressionist with clear influences from post- World War I Europe. He was a socialist, impressionist, catholic, and surrealist.
