Perhaps it's because people in Iceland are so used to having a lot of space that they're notoriously sloppy parkers in confined urban situations. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Richard Eriksson. No edits were made. Iceland has but one native mammal, and it is the arctic fox. Fun facts about Iceland - Strange customs, weird laws and interesting facts. Icelanders in the know, all agreed that imitation beer was nowhere near as good as the real thing. We find it perplexing when people wear their boots indoors, but this might also have something to do with our weather. A few years later, spirits were allowed as well. And, in summer, you can catch the Midnight Sun around the 21st June the summer solstice. The people of Iceland are pretty proud of this. It could cost you 50 - and the money for the price of the ticket would be lost, too. No edits were made. Foreigners that come to Iceland seem to be very perplexed by the scale of many of the vehicles. Icelanders love to coat all their food in sauce, especially gravy, bearnaise sauce, and whatever other various dipping condiments are within arm's reach. Instead of one omnipotent Santa Claus, Icelandic kids have to contend with thirteen Yule Lads who visit one by one on the thirteen days leading up to Christmas. The rules have since changed and people can own dogs in Reykjavik if they get permission from the municipality and pay a registration fee. As for sauces on ice cream, Iceland has those, too! People in Iceland Have a Lot of Monster Trucks, 2. Iceland is not just peaceful in terms of population and quiet wilderness, it also doesnt have an army, air force or navy. Iceland has a population of around 375,00 people. Weve rounded up the most fascinating facts about Iceland to prepare you for your visit. You might only expect to see oversized personal vehicles such as these in places like Greenland, Alaska, and Texas. Translation goes as follows: "A woman goes to the magistrate and asks for divorce from her husband. If they have been bad, theyll awake to a shoeful of rotten potatoes. There is a belief that building roads through elf territory can result in terrible consequences, and the Icelandic belief in elves is so strong that the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration department has a five-page standard reply for queries and complaints about elves. If you go to the cinema here, there's always an intermission roughly in the middle of the film. When Icelanders meet again after a party or a gathering, we say "takk fyrir sast" or thank you for that last time. Discover the history and myths of the country with our guided tours in Iceland. This quickly became a popular drink, and other bars started making their version of this faux beer. Eventually, the beer ban was lifted on 1 March 1989. Basically, Icelandic horses are a pure breed (having been isolated for over 1000 years) and are prized across the world for their hardiness. All flats and houses have a designated area by the front door where you take off your coat, hats, scarves, gloves and shoes. The other mammals you might see in Iceland the cows, sheep, reindeer and horses were all brought by settlers. After a series of skirmishes, Iceland won without the use of an established military. The original bottles featured a white skull on a black label, resulting in a nickname that has stuck ever since: Black Death. Reykjavik may sit beneath the Arctic Circle, but it still boasts the title of most northerly capital in the world. A wise man once said that Icelandic people's sense of humor is as dark as their winters, and you'll realize the truth of this as soon as you make a couple of Icelandic friends. If you leave the paved Ring Road of Iceland, you might find yourself on a dirt track littered with pot-holes, glazed in ice, or broken up by glacial rivers. BACK IN THE DAY, YOU COULDNT WATCH TV ON THURSDAYS, OR IN THE WHOLE MONTH OF JULY! Bloggi okkar er ensku en a er strskemmtilegt engu a sur! In 1922 the government decided to allow Spanish wine because the Spanish were an important trading partner and they drove a hard bargain: Either Iceland would keep on buying wine from them or they would stop buying salted cod (Iceland's most profitable export at the time). When was Guide to Iceland founded and why? Iceland is not just peaceful in terms of population and quiet wilderness, it also doesnt have an army, air force or navy. Upplsingar og g r, hugaverir fangastair, skemmtilegar stareyndar og margt fleira. Photo from Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon. Iceland is a country completely free from hoof and mouth diseases, so we cannot risk re-importing a horse once it has left Icelandic soil. Or that its one of only three European countries without a McDonalds? Avoid the confusion of who gives way to who with one of our guided South shore tours in Iceland. On 1 February 1977, the last state-run milk store was closed. So there you have the fun facts about Iceland sausage-stealing santas, elves, beer bans and ancient democracies. This isn't strictly a law, but Icelanders do not take well to people barging into their houses in shoes. Once youve got to grips with the weird and wonderful folklore and legends, we have lots of tours and activities in Iceland that can bring these tall tales to life. How long ago did Icelanders live in turf houses? For a country whose inhabitants seem to love their alcohol, it's a surprise even to younger residents that beer was banned in the whole country for nearly 75 years until March 1, 1989. 15. gst 2022. You won't be disappointed! To diminish the spread of the tapeworm, that caused horrible symptoms and blindness, dogs were banned in Reykjavk in 1921. We can also eat ice cream all year round. After the Second World War, paper was one of the few things that was not rationed and since then, the gifting of books at Christmas became ingrained in Icelandic festive culture. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, byHjortur Hjartarson. There's no need to act surprised if you hear it; it's just a way of the tongue, not an offended gasp. Primarily served in a chilled shot, Brennivin is also consumed with beer and used as a base in cocktails, often replacing gin. For most people in Iceland, their last name is patronymic; in other words, it's composed of their father's first name with the suffix of -dottir (-daughter) or -son attached. It's no surprise that a town that once burned witches hangs on to a bit of its prudish past. Icelanders have the most beautiful women in the world per capita because we won the Miss World competition four times (afact that Icelandic men love to boast about.). Keeping your baby outside, therefore, was beneficial for its health. Most people just get naked, shower, and move on. If there is a car coming from the other direction make sure it will give way and if not, you must give way. Driving across the Icelandic countryside, you might come across single-lane bridges, passing over crystal-clear, glacial rivers. It's even a catch-phrase: "Island, best i heimi" (which translates to "Iceland, best in the world"). This practice may seem neglectful and unsafe to people from countries with higher crime rates or more sensational media. Its estimated that theres one cat for every ten residents in Reykjavik. It might sound odd but it's a way to acknowledge that we did really enjoy the last time we spent time together. However, ice cream is most often eaten in the car instead of while running. All countries have their set of weird customs and laws and Iceland is no exception. The marriage eligibility inquiry shall take pace in the administrative district of the home of either person to be married. There was only one TV channel in Iceland, and it didnt broadcast on Thursdays. The laws regarding marriage in Iceland changed on February 1, 2013 and may affect the ability of U.S. citizens to marry in Iceland. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Nobel Foundation. The first ever tavern to open in Iceland was Gaukur Stng in downtown Reykjavk, where the bartenders started blending Pilsners with vodka or whisky to make a so-called imitation beer which had an alcohol percentage of roughly 5%. The Yule Lads used to be a lot more terrifying, but in 1746 parents were officially banned from winding their children up with scary tales of monsters. Therefore, this list will delve into some lesser-known and more recent Icelandic oddities. A flag stands at the spot where the parliament first gathered. While showering before swimming is standard worldwide, few places insist you do it naked and, in some cases, publicly. Icelanders Have Barbecues All Year Round, 6. Prohibition was abolished in 1935, but beer remained banned because some believed it made people drink more and its cultural ties with Denmark were seen as unpatriotic after Iceland gained independence. While beer was still banned in Iceland between 1935 and 1989, Icelanders could still buy as much wine and spirits as they wanted. McDonalds had always struggled to win over the Icelandic public anyway, with locals favouring the Hambrgarabllan restaurant (Tommis Burger Joint) instead. Sauce truly is part of daily life in Iceland. Iceland is theonly remaining Nordic countryto forbid boxing, clinging to a 1956 ban even in the face of changes of heart from Norway and Sweden, which also long opposed the sport. Known for longevity, happiness, and well-being, Icelanders rank amongst the healthiest peoples in the world. One place you certainly have to take your shoes off is at the geothermal lagoons and pools in Iceland. It's hardly the worst concession one can make while traveling. If the thought of it embarrasses you, the best course of action is to simply grit your teeth, close your eyes, and do it. With just over 340,000 people, Icelanders suffer from a small nation complex. Weve got a selection of guided tours and activities to help you get to know this strange but wonderful country isolated in the wild North Atlantic. Experience the purity of Icelandic horses first-hand on a tour that includes horseriding. Its not the raucous bacchanalia that tourists envisage (like, perhaps, Oktoberfest), but you dont have to wait until March 1st to enjoy drinking beer like a Viking warrior. A lone outpost of the US burger chain operated in central Reykjavik for a few years, but the financial crisis saw its demise in 2008. While many locals would like to blame the worst of this on tourists, it's a problem that comes from all corners. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If you think government interference is high now, imagine if youd not be allowed to watch TV or go online for one day a week. Iceland Is the Best in the World, per Capita, 4. Each year, Christmas Eve sees most of the country curl up with a mug of something hot and a new book. Now Iceland celebrates beer day on March 1st every year. Sure, people use and abuse sauces in other countries, but not to the same degree as Icelandic people. People in Iceland Have a Unique Sense of Humor, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by The Blanz, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Max Naylor, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Dontworry, Locally Hosted Reykjavik Beer & Food Tour at the Old Harbor, beer was banned in the whole country for nearly 75 years until March 1, 1989, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, byBjarins Beztu Pylsur, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Richard Eriksson, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Nobel Foundation, Excellent 12 Hour Super Jeep Tour of Landmannalaugar & Hekla Volcano with Transfer from Reykjavik, visiting places in the Icelandic Highlands, Crystal Blue Ice Cave | Super Jeep from Jokulsarlon, pictures of the country's worst parked cars, Wikimedia, Creative Commons, byMaria Eklind, What's an Icelander? In 1924, a complete ban on dogs was enforced in Reykjavk. Fun facts about Iceland - Strange customs, weird laws and interesting facts. These were originally opened due to increased demand for cleanliness regarding agricultural produce. Chocolate, luxury chocolate, caramel, licorice, and one for almost every fruit are the most popular choices. Also, people in Iceland are tired of foreigners constantly referring to their cuisine as "disgusting." This system means that a family member will have a different last name from both parents and siblings of a different gender. Don't worry if you see it happening; no doubt, the infant is still under the watchful eye of a nearby parent. If we count all the tourists as well, we've long since surpassed one million; last year alone, Iceland received almost two million travellers. They may not cause children embarrassment, girls must be named girl names and boys boy names. In 1915, a complete prohibition was in place across Iceland. As a result, in winter youve got a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights if you head just outside the city limits away from the light pollution. Prohibition was abolished in 1935, but beer remained banned because some believed it made people drink more and its cultural ties with Denmark were seen as unpatriotic after Iceland gained independence. Link. In 1915, alcohol was banned in Iceland. The Jolabokaflod (roughly meaning, Christmas book flood) is when the publishing houses of Iceland gear up to an evening of gift-giving on the 24th of December, with most Icelanders receiving a new book and reading it through the night. Even in Reykjavik, the crime rates are incredibly low, particularly violent crime (and ignoring financial crime rates). As a direct response to boxings ban, alternative martial arts like judo, karate, MMA, and Taekwondo havegained popularityin the country. Eventually, the beer ban was lifted on 1 March 1989. Its estimated that theres one cat for every ten residents in Reykjavik. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The other mammals you might see in Iceland the cows, sheep, reindeer and horses were all brought by settlers. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Regulations are still strict for dog owners in Reykjavk, who need to get a permit and show proof that the dog is vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed. When you read about strange things in Iceland, you'll notice that they mainly focus on how many native Icelanders still believe in elves, how they have 13 terrifying trolls instead of one jolly Santa, and how they still eat disgusting food. All countries have their set of weird customs and laws and Iceland is no exception. 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