Iceland

Iceland is a stunningly beautiful place if you enjoy strange and desolate landscapes. Lava fields, lava tubes, plains of fractured rock, ice, fire and steam. Because it is so close to the Arctic Circle (a small island to the north of the main island crosses it), the amount of daylight varies dramatically by season. The sun sets briefly each night in June, but it doesn't get fully dark before it comes back up again. In March and September, days and nights are about equal, as elsewhere in the world. If you go in December, it's almost 24 hours of gloom or darkness. Summer is definitely the best time to go, and even then the tourist traffic is still mild. The midnight sun is a beautiful sight and one definitely not to be missed. It is easy to lose track of time when the sun is still high in the sky at 11pm. Early or late winter, however, can be surprisingly good times to visit. In late January, it is effectively light from about 10am to 5pm, prices are lower than in the high season, and the snow-blanketed landscape is eerily beautiful. (Some sites are, however, inaccessible in the winter).

People

Iceland was settled by Nordic and Celtic people in the 9th century AD - tradition says that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavik now stands. The Icelanders still basically speak the language of the Vikings. Iceland maintains another Norse tradition: the custom of using patronyms rather than surnames (an Icelander's given name is followed by his or her parent's first name (usually the father's) and the suffix -son or -dóttir, e.g. Guðrún Pétursdóttir (Guðrún, Pétur's daughter). Members of the same family can therefore have many different "surnames", which can sometimes create confusion for visitors. Because of the patronymic last names Icelanders primarily use first names, e.g. phone books are alphabetized by first name rather than last name. This also applies when addressing an individual. Icelanders would never expect to be addressed as Mr. or Ms. Jónsson/-dóttir no matter how important they might be. Iceland has received a great number of immigrants over the last 10 years. In the last 5 years the population of immigrants has doubled. Most of these people come for employment. Most of them come from Eastern Europe and South East Asia. Immigrants in Iceland now count as up to 10% of the population, giving Iceland similar proportion of immigration as Norway, Sweden etc.

Climate

Despite its name, Iceland is very mild for a country at that latitude owing to the warming effect of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. The weather is often compared with that of New England (though the winter winds can be bitter). However the rapidly changing weather has given rise to the local saying: 'If you don't like the weather, wait fifteen minutes'! It's the kind of place where it's not unusual to get rained on and sunburnt at the same time - some Icelandic people also believe that if the winter is hard and long then the summer will be good and warm.

Emergency 'phone number: 112 Iceland is among the safest places in the world, so there is next to no chance of getting robbed or harassed. This, however, excludes Reykjavík, which has recently begun to suffer of some petty theft, and monthly news of night-time rapes and beatings downtown. Also, use common sense when visiting the night life, partying in down town Reykjavik can get pretty wild and mixed with alcohol, you shoudn´t be surprised to see a lot of arguments and fights. If you see this happening, if anything just alert the next police officer you see, otherwise DON´T BE A HERO. There is a certain group of Icelanders who aren´t very keen to foreigners since Iceland is experiencing the largest immigration wave ever. (NOTE: FOREIGNERS HAVE BEEN ASSAULTED AND EVEN STABBED DURING THE WEEKENDS IN REYKJAVIK FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON) However this usually only applies to the more younger xenophobic generation, but nevertheless, bear in mind a little caution, but don´t let it prevent you from having fun. A good rule of thumb is to leave downtown Reykjavík before 3:30, as it's about that time things start to turn sour.

Nature

Iceland is a country where nature is the supreme ruler. Always do what the signs tell you to do. If there are no signs, be aware of cracks in the lava you are walking on, that the weather changes very rapidly, the sea is a cruel mistress and will take you, even if you stand on a beach. Also be wary of random volcanic eruptions of spewing lava. Several incidents of unwary travellers being incinerated have been reported in recent years. (just kidding)

Driving

Driving around Iceland can be difficult or even dangerous. Inform yourself on local conditions and make sure your vehicle and driving skills are up to the task. Be aware that many roads (even parts of the main country road) are unpaved and can turn into slippery mud during the summer. There have been a number of instances where foreigners, unprepared for "Icelandic roads", have been in accidents, some of them fatal. Since the roads are very quiet and the distances between settlements great, some Icelanders abuse this by speeding considerably. Sheep sometimes roam near the roads or even on them, so always have your eyes open and be on the look out for sheep. Check out the following website for up-to-date road-condition information: http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/

Drugs

The Icelandic Narcotics Police has a very strict policy on drugs, minimum fine for posession of under 1 gram of any illegal substance can result in a fine of over 30000IKR.

The medical facilities in Iceland are good and available free to European Union citizens with a valid E-111 form or its replacement ID card. Scandinavian citizens must show valid passport and medical insurance to be treated. Infectious diseases aren't a problem in Iceland. Inoculations aren't required except if you are arriving from countries that suffer from infectious diseases like cholera. The biggest threat to your health is likely to be accidental injury or bad weather. Always make sure you have more than adequately warm and waterproof clothing. Selection of appropriate clothing is especially important in Iceland and can even be a matter of life and death. The most known Icelandic outdoor wear brand is 66°North (the latitude of the Arctic circle) which has been tried and tested by Icelanders in rough conditions for 80 years. Exercise extra caution in geothermal areas.