The nature of Iceland is famous for its beauty. The pristine nature of Iceland: where new lands are born
Iceland does not have much species diversity in its fauna. This was largely due to the isolated position island state. The same fact determined the characteristics of the flora. The latter occupies about a quarter of the country's territory. Among the species diversity there are both introduced plants and endemics.
The diversity and growth patterns of plant and animal populations are also influenced by:
- climate;
- relief;
- short daylight hours in winter (about 5 hours).
Flora of Iceland
Due to the fairly cold climate and landscape, in which high mountain plateaus and lava fields are predominant, the leaders flora Iceland has mosses and lichens. They grow everywhere, on rocks, stones and near geysers.
Also found:
- fern plants;
- lycophytes;
- seaweed;
- mushrooms;
- various herbs, etc.
The list of plants also includes flowering herbs: polar poppy, round-leaved bellflower, forest grass, wild lupins, etc. Lupines have become a real disaster for the Icelandic ecosystem. The plant grows very quickly and entire fields of it are no longer uncommon. Wild lupins, in parallel with the growth of their population, are also actively displacing other plants, threatening mosses and lichens with extinction.
Forests are very rare in Iceland. Trees grow on only 1% of the entire country's territory. Most of them are birches, but birches are a little unusual. Strong winds affect them, bending the trunks and forcing them to grow at a greater angle.
Coniferous trees are also found in Iceland. They are not naturally occurring plants. Local residents planted them themselves, in accordance with the decision made by the local administration.
Wildlife of Iceland
During the period of settlement of Iceland by people, the arctic fox was the only animal that lived on these lands. Subsequently, deer were brought to the island. This event occurred at the end of the 18th century. Around the same time, the needs of the local population brought cows, sheep and horses to the lands of the island state. They are bred and kept as domestic animals to this day.
Also, small animals and rodents came to the island from the mainland: minks, rats, mice and foxes.
The bird world of Iceland is distinguished by great species diversity. There are about 80 species in total. On the territory of the country in its different regions you can find: geese, swans, waterfowl, terns, puffins, gulls, etc. Iceland is the only European country where the Barrow and Harlequin ducks are found.
There are two species of whales and seals in the waters off the coast. Iceland also has many species of fish, both river and sea. These are trout and salmon, cod and halibut, haddock and sea bass. Rich in water and seafood, such as shrimp.
There are also insects in Iceland, but it is almost impossible to notice them while walking around the island. Hiding from strong winds, they live in secluded places.
The main attraction of Iceland is its nature. Therefore, if you are traveling on your own, it is best to rent an SUV to see as much of the beauty of this country as possible, enchanting with its pristine nature.
Most tourists begin their acquaintance with the country from the capital and largest city islands - Reykjavik. You should not spend a lot of time exploring the city's attractions, since the main beauties are located outside the city. One or two days is enough to get acquainted. What to see in Reykjavik? The Lutheran Church of Hallgrimskirkja is definitely worth a look (and this is not the most difficult name in Icelandic). The church amazes and at the same time attracts and evokes respect with its simplicity. There is no pomp here. You can just come, sit on a bench and think about something lofty. There is also the opportunity to attend an organ concert. The organ is also a unique attraction. The instrument weighs 25 tons and its height is 15 meters. For an additional fee, you can climb the church bell tower, from which you can see the city at a glance.
After visiting the Lutheran Church, take a stroll along the northern embankment. The embankment offers a beautiful view of Mount Esja, named after one of the popular Icelandic female names. Fans of mountaineering can go to Esya. There are routes of various difficulty levels.
While walking along the embankment, pay attention to the unusual sculpture called the Sunny Wanderer. Although the sculpture externally resembles the skeleton of a warlike Viking ship, as conceived by its creator, it symbolizes progress and movement forward.
Being on the embankment it is impossible not to notice concert hall Harpa is perhaps the most unusual building in Reykjavik. The building somewhat resembles a beehive; its walls are made in the form of multi-colored glass honeycombs.
In the area of the same northern embankment there is Nauthólsvik beach - the only beach in Iceland, where you can swim. Don't miss the opportunity to plunge into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean! This small piece of coastline is fed by hot water from a geyser, thanks to which the water temperature near the shore reaches 14-18 degrees. After exploring all the beauties of Reykjavik, hit the road to meet glaciers, waterfalls, geysers and volcanoes. As you move from one attraction to another, stop at one of the moss-covered lava fields. You can take off your shoes and walk barefoot on the moss. The feeling is incredible! It’s like you’re walking on a huge cotton blanket, warm and very soft.
On your way, you will probably come across herds of sheep grazing on their own more than once. Summer in Iceland is short, so as the season begins, sheep are turned out to pasture to gain weight. It is incredible, but true, that there are several times more sheep on the island than people. There is also a high chance of meeting horses. There are, however, not as many of them in the country as there are sheep. Icelandic horses are a special breed, characterized by their short stature, stockiness and high endurance. It is worth noting that Icelanders are very protective of this breed and do not allow it to be mixed with others. There is even a law according to which it is prohibited to import horses of other breeds into the country.
Glaciers of Iceland
Iceland is quite suitable for independent tourism. Along the road you will see many signs pointing to some natural attraction. By the ending in the title, you can guess what awaits you ahead. For example, "jokull" is a glacier. The Myrdals glacier, where my friends and I found ourselves just by turning off the road following a sign with a name ending in “jokull,” turned out to be not at all like the glaciers that my imagination had pictured. From a distance it looked like just a gray-black mountain. The fact is that in 2010, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in Iceland, and because of the settled volcanic ash, the glaciers acquired such an unusual “dirty” color. However, if you go into the crevice of the glacier, you can please the eye with amazing color transformations: from gray at the top to white, turning into soft blue, at the bottom. It's worth seeing.
Three most interesting waterfalls
There are countless waterfalls in Iceland. I will dwell on three of them, truly majestic and beautiful:
- Gullfoss (translated as "Golden Falls"). Stunningly beautiful two-level waterfall. Powerful streams of the Khvitau River fall with a roar from a height of 32 meters (11 meters top level and 21 meters lower) into the canyon, the depth of which reaches 70 meters.
- Seljalandsfoss. This 60-meter-tall beauty is located on the picturesque slopes through which the Hamragardar River flows. It is famous for the fact that thanks to the indentation in the rock, the waterfall can be seen from all sides.
- Skogafoss. Located on the Skougau River. This is one of them largest waterfalls countries. Its height is 60 meters, width – 25 meters. To the place where the river begins its fall, a hiking trail, from which (of course, taking all precautions) you can take mesmerizing photos on the edge of a cliff with a waterfall in the background.
The most famous place in Iceland where you can see geysers is the Haudakalur Valley. There are about forty of them here, including the famous Geysir (translated as “Big Geyser”), from which all the hot springs get their name. Nowadays, Geysir erupts less frequently than before, only a few times a day, and may completely subside for an indefinite period. Other famous hot spring valleys of geysers - Strokkur geyser. It erupts every five to ten minutes. If you are wearing good waterproof clothing, even standing behind the fence at a safe distance, you can experience the force of the streams of water erupted by this geyser falling to the ground and now slightly cooled.
Surroundings of Krafla volcano
The center of volcanic activity in Iceland is the Krafla volcano. There is a hiking trail along the foot of the volcano, from which you can see pools of seething mud and “enjoy” the warm sulfur aroma that they exude. As for the landscapes in the vicinity of the volcano, they are simply unearthly: turquoise-milky puddles of water on cracked earth in all shades of yellow and brown.
Iceland in some unimaginable way combines on its territory the cold of glaciers, the melt water of which feeds the waterfalls, and the heat of volcanoes and geysers. I told only about a small part of the beauty of this amazing country, because beauty is synonymous with the incredible, pristine nature of Iceland.
Translated from Old Norse, “Iceland” means “ice country.” This is how the island was nicknamed by the first settlers who moved here from the Scandinavian Peninsula in the middle of the 9th century.
But contrary to its name and geographical location Iceland is located at the very Arctic Circle - it is by no means an Arctic country.
Icelanders are lucky - the shores of their country are washed by the Gulf Stream, which carries warm tropical waters from the Gulf of Mexico to the north.
But eternal ice There are still some in Iceland. Ice fields cover the central regions of the island, occupied by a plateau that rises almost two thousand meters above sea level.
There are many who like to drive around this Icelandic off-road. They even created their own club. Christian is one of its members.
Christian:
- We all have four-wheel drive jeeps. We are modernizing them - strengthening the suspension, installing wheels with variable tire pressure. I put a lot of effort and money into mine until I brought it to the required condition.
SUV lovers have their own base. Club chairman Arn showed me a modernized car that can drive through the deepest snowdrifts.
Arn:
- These cars have very large wheels. The air pressure in the chambers is very low. With such wheels, an SUV presses on the snow much less than a person’s legs.
Arn suggested that I see this for myself. It turned out that to do this you need to put your hand under the wheels of the jeep. I really didn't feel any pain.
The glaciers of Iceland, of course, are not only a huge testing ground for various exotic equipment. They feed mountain rivers.
Well, besides, no European country can boast of such an abundance of waterfalls - there are several hundred of them in Iceland.
There are only three in Iceland sunny days per year. Therefore, only when golden threads of the rainbow appear over the Goldfoss waterfall (Golden Falls) do you begin to understand why it was called that.
The sea and mountains, glaciers and waterfalls - the Icelanders inhabited all this with nature spirits, aesir gods and formidable giants.
Icelanders remained faithful to their ancient gods longer than other Scandinavian peoples. But in the year 1000, the Norwegian king, whose power extended to the island, demanded that they convert to Christianity. Supporters of the old and new faiths could not agree with each other. Then they decided that it would be as the wise law-speaker Thorgeir said.
He retired to a secluded place, where he indulged in reflection for a day. Returning, Thorgeir announced that Iceland should accept the Christian faith. He himself was immediately baptized, and threw the statues of pagan gods into a waterfall on the nearest river.
At the end of the 10th century, pagans symbolically said goodbye to their ancient religion by throwing columns with images of gods into a waterfall. Time and water swallowed up another story, and the waterfall acquired a name - Divine.
Since the 17th century, Lutheranism, one of the varieties of Protestantism, has been established in Iceland. The interior decoration of Protestant churches is characterized by simplicity bordering on asceticism... There are no wall paintings or icons, the veneration of which Protestants consider idolatry...
The only luxury is an organ or harpsichord, to the accompaniment of which the believers sing psalms in chorus during the service.
But the architectural appearance of Icelandic churches is striking in its diversity. There are also modest wooden buildings, as if straight out of a 17th-century painting. And very free modernist fantasies...
Recently, traditional Lutheranism has had a competitor: new paganism - Asatru. Modern Icelandic pagans did not choose the place to perform their rituals by chance.
The town of Thingvellir is a cult and historical center Iceland. The first meetings of the Icelandic parliament, the Althing, took place here. This parliament can be considered the first in Europe.
In modern, prosperous Iceland, worshiping ancient pagan deities is more of a hobby. It is unlikely that even among the newly-minted pagans there are those who believe that a volcanic eruption or an earthquake is a punishment sent by angry gods.
And it shakes here often. A tectonic fault runs through Iceland, so it is characterized by high volcanic activity.
In 1996, the Vatnajökull glacier, the largest in Europe, exploded. Liquid magma and boiling water rushed to the sea, carrying with it huge blocks of ice and crushing everything in its path.
The twisted piece of metal protruding picturesquely from the stones is by no means a figment of the imagination of a modern Icelandic sculptor. This is all that remains of the bridge that once connected the banks of the Skivirau River.
Iceland's glaciers are several hundred thousand years old. They are moving - slowly sliding towards the sea. It's warmer here than at the top, so the ice begins to melt.
The dark gray coating on the ice floes is by no means industrial soot. In terms of ecology, Iceland is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. This shows the volcanic ash that settled on the ice fields during numerous eruptions.
Huge pieces of ice break off from the glacier and form icebergs. They are, of course, far from the giant ice blocks whose homeland is Antarctica or Greenland. But still, they go about thirty meters under the water. Looking at the surface, it’s hard to believe.
Volcanoes cause more than just trouble for Icelanders. The ground here is so hot in many places that you can, for example, bake bread in it. You bury the form with the dough in a shallow hole - and you don’t need to do anything else. In a couple of hours the loaf is ready.
One of the manifestations of volcanic activity is geysers. There are a great many valleys and fields of geysers in Iceland. The word “geyser” itself, by the way, is of Icelandic origin. It is derived from a verb meaning “to gush.”
Today, the most active geyser on the island is Strokkur. At intervals of six to eight minutes, a column of water, steam and sand bursts out of it to a height of twenty meters. Many streams flow from this geyser, the water in the streams smells of sulfur, as does all the water here.
Icelandic geysers are not only a fascinating attraction for tourists. Geothermal sources are the main thing natural wealth countries. Eighty-five percent of Icelanders live in houses heated by them. This means that there is no need to burn petroleum products. From which both the treasury and the environment benefit greatly.
This unique heating plant heats the entirety of Reykjavik, a city where almost half of Iceland's population lives. Pipes with free steam and boiling water coming from the bowels of the earth stretch across the hills towards it.
They are sent to special heat exchangers, where they transfer heat to ordinary tap water. This is what goes into homes.
Underground heat is also used for numerous greenhouses and conservatories. The most exotic flowers and fruits are grown here. And this is at the very Arctic Circle.
Iceland, for example, does not import bananas - its own greenhouses are quite sufficient. Some greenhouses are essentially parks. One of these parks with tropical plants is called “Eden”. Residents of the capital come here to breathe the warm southern air and spend at least a short time among the greenery. After all, you won’t see it everywhere outside the greenhouse, even in summer. There are practically no trees in Iceland.
Forests once covered three quarters of the island, but now they cover barely one hundredth of it. The first Icelandic settlers are to blame for this. When their fields were depleted, they burned down new areas of the forest and sowed barley on them. Gradually, the forests on the island disappeared, and today soil erosion is one of the main problems of the country.
But the lack of forests worries mainly the Icelanders themselves. To the eyes of a visitor, the moss-covered hilly wastelands with the formidable cliffs towering above them are miraculously beautiful.
Most people think of Iceland as just a cold, small country somewhere in the north, close to the Arctic Circle, which is partly true. Iceland is a truly cold country with a subpolar oceanic climate. Its population is only about 325 thousand people and it is located in close proximity to the Arctic Circle, but if you think that Iceland is nothing but cold and ice, then you are mistaken. With a completely unique landscape that includes all sorts of, and sometimes almost incredible, natural beauty, this isolated country has become one of the world's most popular destinations for photographers, adventurers and travelers in search of unique experiences. Check out these twenty-five absolutely stunning photos of Iceland and see why so many people want to visit this beautiful country.
25. Iceland covers an area of over 100,000 square kilometers, but only approximately 325 thousand people live here. With a population density of just 3.1 people per square kilometer, it is the least populated country in Europe. However, it is the absence of a crowd that allows you to enjoy its incredible views.
24. And if you come across a village while wandering through the Icelandic countryside, it can look as amazing as this secluded picturesque house built in the middle of a green cliff.
23. Most people are unaware of the fact that, from a geological point of view, Iceland is a relatively young country. It is believed to have formed only 16 - 18 million years ago.
22. Waterfalls are some of Iceland's most legendary features. Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls formed by streams flowing approximately 900 meters from a lava plateau, is a very popular destination for photographers.
21. Waterfalls flow into the Hvítá River from ledges of less porous rock in the lava. Hvitau means "White River" in Icelandic.
20. Volcanoes are another legendary part of Iceland. This volcano is part of Eyjafjallajokull, a small ice cap located in southern Iceland. The volcano has erupted relatively frequently since the last Ice Age. Last eruption occurred in 2010, resulting in the closure of airspace over many parts of Europe.
19. Laki Volcano, located near a small village called Kirkjubaejarklaustur in southern Iceland, has not caused any problems recently. However, in 1783, a volcanic eruption caused widespread destruction throughout Europe, caused famine in Egypt, and interrupted the monsoon cycle in North Africa and India.
18. In total, there are hundreds of volcanoes in Iceland and approximately 30 volcanic systems are still active. Eruptions are sometimes accompanied by these lava cascades, which create truly breathtaking scenery.
17. Another dominant feature of the country are icebergs and glaciers. They can be found on Jokulsarlon, a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland. With a depth exceeding 248 meters, it is the deepest lake in the country.
16. The lake is also home to these strange black striped icebergs that attract photographers from all over the world.
15. There are 3 in Iceland national parks and several nature reserves. Fjallabak Nature Reserve, established in 1979, offers its visitors an amazing mountainous landscape formed by volcanoes and geothermal activity, covered with lava, sand, rivers and lakes. The reserve, covering approximately 47 thousand hectares, boasts more than 150 species of flowering plants.
14. National Park Vatnajökull National Park), covering an area of 14,200 square kilometers, is the second largest national park in Europe. It also includes Skaftafell, a protected area famous for its stunning ice caves.
13. Yes, even this photo is real and was taken in Iceland. What may appear to be an abstract painting is actually a bird's eye view of a volcanic river. Iceland has many of these amazing rivers that pass through glacial fields and volcanic ash.
12. What could be more beautiful than a volcanic river? Volcanic lake. Many of Iceland's volcanoes, especially in the western volcanic zone, have crystal clear lakes formed in their craters.
11. After spending some time among the nature of Iceland, you will simply get used to the fact that almost everything around you is incredibly beautiful. Then, when you see a church like this, you will no longer be surprised. Hofskirkja Turf Church, built in 1884, is one of only six turf churches still standing in the country.
10. Thanks to its unique location near the Arctic Circle, Iceland offers its guests another amazing miracle - the northern lights. Northern Lights, one of the most impressive natural phenomena on Earth, can be observed in Iceland usually from mid-September to mid-April.
9. A volcanic eruption with rare red northern lights in the background is an amazing combination that you can only see in Iceland.
8. Rangá Hotel, located in the countryside of southern Iceland, is known for its excellent viewing conditions. The absence of air and light pollution in this area allows you to enjoy this wonderful phenomenon in the best possible way.
7. Iceland is also the location large quantity fantastic mountain ranges that could keep any traveler occupied for a lifetime. Covered with ice caps and icebergs, the ridges look like something from another planet.
6. mountain range Thorsmork Moutain Ridge, located in the south of Iceland, between the Tindfjallajökull and Eyjafjallajökull glaciers, is often considered the most popular area for hiking in the country. Thorsmörk, accessible every day from the capital Reykjavík and other cities, always offers incomparable scenery.
5. Some people say that Iceland and New Zealand have quite a lot in common, as both countries have geysers and hot springs, which are some of the greatest natural features of the two countries. Iceland has many geysers, including the famous Geysir and Strokkur. Strokkur, located in a geothermal area in the southwestern part of the country, erupts every 4-8 minutes, usually reaching 15 - 20 meters in height, sometimes even 40 meters.
4. However, Iceland's hot springs differ from New Zealand's hot springs due to their low ambient temperatures and close proximity to ice and snow. The tourists in the photograph are swimming in the famous Blue Lagoon Hot Springs, located near Reykjavik.
3. Oddly enough, Iceland also boasts beautiful beaches. These aren't the type of beaches you're probably used to, but they're certainly worth a visit. Reynisfjara Beach, located near the village of Vik on the south coast of Iceland, with typical black basalt sand and stunning rock formations, is one of the most popular.
2. However, since ice is such a distinctive feature of Iceland, you can also visit these beautiful beaches with pieces of ice scattered around.
1. Iceland's pristine and breathtaking nature is home to numerous species of animals. Local wildlife is particularly rich in seabirds and marine mammals. For example, coastal cliffs provide ideal nesting sites for a large population of Atlantic puffin.
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The extraordinary and harsh nature of Iceland can fascinate any tourist. You can find a lot of interesting things here - active volcanoes and powerful waterfalls, raging geysers and endless glaciers. Weather conditions can be very diverse. During the day you can see all four seasons, which replace each other. Here you can meet huge icebergs And glacial lakes, rain and sun, wind and snow. It is not for nothing that Iceland is considered the arena of the eternal struggle between heat and cold.
The nature of the island is extremely vulnerable, therefore local residents they protect her in every possible way. Live in close proximity to people rare species birds that can only be seen in Iceland. Vast expanses of the islands are empty, so for the birds there is real freedom and freedom. Even some species of birds fly from the southern pole of the earth almost to its northern part, which indicates favorable conditions for them on the island, which residents of the state greatly enjoy. For almost three decades now, birds have chosen one of the islands - Surtsey, which rose from the bottom of the ocean. Thanks to the warm flow of the Gulf Stream, the island's territory is covered with grass, many representatives of the animal world live there, and there are also bird nests. This amazing area has been declared a nature reserve, which is prohibited from visiting. Unfortunately this unique place is decreasing in size due to its absorption by the ocean, but no one knows how long it will last. Among representatives of other animals of Iceland, on the island you can meet reindeer and polar bears, which live in the vast expanses of glaciers.
The Scandinavian island has practically no forests, but nevertheless, its nature is charming and beautiful. The vegetation of Iceland is not particularly diverse; most of the territory is occupied by rocky areas, large lichens and mosses. Vast meadows covered with cereal crops are common, and you can find beautiful birch groves and peat bogs.
The island's wildlife is carefully protected. For this Four national parks, many natural monuments and reserves have been created. Agricultural areas occupy a small area, most of them are designated as pastures.
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