Todaynin Iceland, the afternoon temperature is supposed to be just a littlenbit warmer than freezing. But there is going to be a brisk breezenthat is going to make it feel a lot colder than that.
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nHooray!nIt must be summer!
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nWh-wh-what?
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nDespitenthe cold temperatures found in Iceland in late April, the beginningnof summer is celebrated then. This year, it’s celebratedntoday!
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nThenidea of summer beginning in April goes back to the Old Norse calendarnthat divided the year into only two seasons, winter and summer. Evennwhen it snows on the First Day of Summer, Icelanders celebratenthe “arrival of summer” with parades, organized entertainment, sportingnevents, and family get-togethers.
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nDidnyou know…?
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nIcelandnis sometimes described as “where Europe meets America.” This isnbecause it is considered a part of Europe—and is fairly close to the northern parts of Europe, especially the British Isles—but is even closer tonGreenland, which is part of North America. n
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Actually,nIceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the place where two pieces ofnthe oceanic crust are spreading apart, making the Atlantic Oceannincrease in size (ever so slowly). The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs allnthe way from the Arctic to the Antarctic—but in the spot wherenIceland is, there is a mantle plume. That means that liquid rock is pushingnup in that one spot. The underwater volcanos formed above that plume eventually built up high enough to formnislands. n
Actually,nIceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the place where two pieces ofnthe oceanic crust are spreading apart, making the Atlantic Oceannincrease in size (ever so slowly). The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs allnthe way from the Arctic to the Antarctic—but in the spot wherenIceland is, there is a mantle plume. That means that liquid rock is pushingnup in that one spot. The underwater volcanos formed above that plume eventually built up high enough to formnislands. nn
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nIcelandnis greener than the very icy Greenland. n
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nGeothermalnenergy (harvesting the heat from the volcanos and the hot springs)nprovides about 80% of Iceland’s energy needs. That means that energynis very cheap there compared to other nations. Icelanders are evennable to heat some of the sidewalks of their cities during wintertime!
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nIcelandnis known for more than volcanos and hot springs. It’s got beautifulnfjords (narrow inlets of the sea), powerful waterfalls, interestingnlandforms, and (at times) breathtaking northern lights in thennighttime sky. Check out the beauties of Iceland here andnhere.
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nIceland Is features a changing gallery of gorgeous photos at the top ofnthe page and another at the “Iceland on Flickr” link at thenbottom. n
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nAlsonon this date:
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nPeppercorn Day in Bermuda
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nnWorldnPenguin Day
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nAnniversarynof the first seeing-eye dog in the U.S.
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