The geography of Iceland

• Geography
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

The Geography of Iceland

Who are Iceland's near neighbours?

What is the capital of Iceland?

Tectonic plates

Iceland lies on the divergent boundary between the Eurasian plate and the North American plate. 

Find out what 'divergent' means.

What happens at a divergent boundary?

1. Plates move away from each other
2. Plates collide
3. Plates slide past each other

What ocean borders Iceland?

1. Southern Ocean
2. Atlantic Ocean
3. Indian Ocean
4. Arctic Ocean

Reykjavik

The Majority of the Country Lives in the Reykjavík Area. 

Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature. 

Northern Most Capital City of a Sovereign State in the World. 

Dogs Were Once Banned in Reykjavik. 

No Starbucks or McDonald's in the City. 

Puffins and Whales can be seen in the area.

Smoky Bay

According to tradition, the name Reykjavík (“Smoky Bay”) was inspired by steam rising from local hot springs. 

Reykjavík was founded in 874 by the Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson. 

However, a town began to develop in that location only centuries later. Before the 18th century most of what is now Reykjavík consisted of farms. 

In the 18th century a settlement was established to support the local wool industry.

What does Reykjavík mean in English?

1. Smoky Bay
2. Hot Springs
3. Cold Water
4. Northern Lights

PEOPLE & CULTURE

Icelanders take care to preserve their traditions and language. Some Icelanders still believe in elves, trolls, and other mythical characters that date back to their Celtic and Norse beginnings. Most Icelanders live in the southwest part of the country.

PEOPLE & CULTURE

School is free for all Icelanders all the way through college. Every student is taught to speak both Danish and English in school. Handball and soccer are the two most popular sports for children, but they also enjoy swimming and horseback riding.

Is education free for Icelanders through college?

1. Yes, education is free for all.
2. No, only primary school is free.
3. No, only for some
4. Yes, if you are clever

Handball

Horse riding

NATURE

Foxes were the only land mammals in Iceland when it was settled. Newcomers brought in domesticated animals and reindeer. Most of the wildlife is under conservation and protection. There are four national parks and more than 80 nature preserves.

Fauna

Flora

NATURE

Vatnajökull, or Vatna Glacier, is an extensive ice field in southeastern Iceland, which covers 3,200 square miles (8,400 square kilometers) with an average ice thickness of more than 3,000 feet (900 meters).

NATURE

Iceland contains about 200 volcanoes and has one-third of Earth’s total lava flow. One-tenth of the total land area is covered by cooled lava beds and glaciers. Because Iceland is volcanic, almost all of their electricity and heating comes from hydroelectric power and geothermal water reserves.

What percentage of land is lava beds?

1. One-tenth of the land area
2. One-fourth of the land area
3. Half of the land area
4. One-third of the land area

NATURE

The Gulf Stream current and warm southwesterly winds make the climate more moderate and pleasant than one might expect from a northern country.

NATURE

Iceland is known for explosive geysers, geothermal spas, glacier-fed waterfalls like Gullfoss (Golden Falls), and whale watching. More than 270,000 tourists visit each year.

HISTORY

The colours in the flag represent three of the elements that make up the island: Red is for the island's volcanic fires; white for the snow and ice fields of the island; and blue is for the surrounding ocean.

The unique landscape of Iceland is worth visiting.

Absolutely, it's breathtaking and unique.

Not really, I've seen better places.

I prefer cultural experiences instead.

The landscapes are overrated and cold.

My favourite thing about Iceland...