Unusual facts about life in Iceland that surprise tourists from other countries (6 photos)

Iceland, often referred to as the “land of fire and ice,” attracts tourists from all over the world with its stunning natural landscapes and unique culture. Iceland is not only about natural wonders; it also has a thriving culture with ancient traditions and unique customs that have been shaped by the country’s isolated location.





In this article, we have collected interesting facts about life in Iceland, its nature, cuisine, traditions, and even laws that may seem unusual to tourists.

Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe

The population is about 380 thousand people. Most residents do not leave here, and those who come cannot always live long in this country. People do not often emigrate there, so the population is approximately at the same level.

Icelanders do not use surnames

In the usual sense for us, of course. Instead of surnames, Icelanders use patronymic or, less often, matronymic patronymics. This means that surnames are formed on the basis of the father's or mother's name, with the addition of a suffix meaning "son" (son) or "daughter" (dóttir).

For example, if a man's name is Jón and his son's name is Einar, the son's full name would be Einar Jónsson, meaning "Einar, son of Jón." If Jón has a daughter named Anna, her full name would be Anna Jónsdóttir, meaning "Anna, daughter of Jón."

Thus, the family name changes with each generation and serves as an indication of kinship, rather than belonging to a specific family or clan, as is common in most other cultures.

There are no mosquitoes in Iceland

It is one of the few places in the world where they are not found.



Sheep Outnumber People

There are about twice as many sheep in Iceland as people, at around 800,000. The large number of sheep is due to Icelandic agriculture, which has historically focused on livestock farming. Sheep farming has become an important part of the country's economy due to the abundance of pastures and the harsh climate, which makes growing grain difficult. Sheep provide meat, wool, and dairy products, and play a key role in Icelandic culture and life. For centuries, sheep farming has been a major source of food and income for the local population.

Icelanders have a long life expectancy

Men live an average of 81 years, while women live 84 years.

Icelandic cuisine includes some strange dishes

One of them is "hákarl" - fermented shark. And the traditional dish Þorramatur includes a variety of pickled and fermented foods.

There is no army in Iceland

The police and coast guard are responsible for the country's security.

Beer ban

Until 1989, Iceland banned the sale of beer with an alcohol content of more than 2.25%. This ban was part of a wider anti-alcohol measure introduced in 1915. Although the ban on wine was lifted in 1922, beer was considered dangerous due to its potential to increase drunkenness and antisocial behaviour. The restrictions were maintained on cultural and moral grounds, as well as economic interests related to foreign trade. For many years, beer remained unavailable legally, but was consumed through illegal channels. The ban was finally lifted on 1 March 1989, and this day is now celebrated in Iceland as "Beer Day".





Almost all electricity in the country is produced from renewable sources

Iceland is actively concerned about nature and strives to minimize its carbon footprint, so almost all electricity in the country is produced from renewable sources, such as geothermal and hydropower.

Geothermal energy is used due to the unique geological activity of the island, which provides access to hot springs. Hydropower, in turn, is generated on numerous rivers and waterfalls, which was made possible by the abundance of fresh water and mountainous landscapes.

These clean energy sources allow Iceland to almost completely abandon fossil fuels for electricity production. The country is also actively developing technologies to reduce emissions and recycle waste, maintaining high standards of environmental sustainability.



A committee chooses the names of the children

Iceland has a unique naming system, which is regulated by a special naming committee known as Íslensk Mannanafnanefnd. Parents must choose names for their children from an approved list of traditional Icelandic names, or seek approval for a new name. This system was introduced to preserve the cultural heritage of the Icelandic language and to prevent the introduction of names that do not comply with the linguistic norms of the Icelandic language.

The committee checks new names for grammar, spelling, and pronunciation, as well as for the absence of potential offensive meanings. These strict rules help to preserve the country's cultural identity and linguistic heritage.



Pride in their own unique features

Local airlines have cabin lighting that resembles the northern lights, and water is sold in glacier-shaped bottles.

Iceland's national sport is handball



And Iceland doesn't have rail transport. These are the unique features of life there. Would you like to visit this country?