Facts About Iceland

Climate

One of the most important facts about Iceland for the Icelanders is the warm Gulf Stream. The stream is the main reason for mild winters and fresh summers. It is also the reason for an unstable and often windy weather. Keep in mind though that the mean winter temperature in Reykjavík is higher than in Oslo or Helsinki!

Why not visit the Icelandic Meteorological Office?

Gullfoss Iceland

The great waterfall Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is in the southwestern part of Iceland, a short distance from Geysir. It is 32 m high and very majestic in it's beauty. It is on the river Hvítá. Take good care when you visit, the surroundings can be dangerous.

Size of Iceland

Iceland may be small on the map, ca. 103.000 square km, but the landscape is unbelievably diverse. Green valleys, volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers, mountains, deserted highlands.

Geysir Iceland

The one and only Geysir, "father" of all geysers, lies in southwestern Iceland, near the settlement of Haukadalur. Nowadays it doesn't spout often, but when it does, its height can reach around 61 m. A few meters away lies Strokkur, another hot spring which obliges visitors by spouting every few minutes, quite high sometimes.

Be careful, the water in the hot springs is VERY hot.

Other names people use for the great Geysir are e.g. geyser, geysers, geysirs and geisers.