Facts about Iceland
Here you will find the key facts about Iceland – figures, records, symbols and fun trivia. The page is intended as a handy reference for students, travellers and anyone who wants to know more about the country.
Geography
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Location | 63°23'–66°32' N, 13°30'–24°32' W |
| Area | about 103,000 km² |
| Length from east to west | about 500 km |
| Length from north to south | about 300 km |
| Coastline | about 5,000 km |
| Highest peak | Hvannadalshnúkur, 2,110 m |
| Largest glacier | Vatnajökull, about 7,700 km² |
| Longest river | Þjórsá, about 230 km |
| Deepest lake | Jökulsárlón, over 250 m |
| Largest natural lake | Þingvallavatn, about 84 km² |
| Northernmost point of the mainland | Rifstangi on Melrakkaslétta |
| Southernmost point of the mainland | Kötlutangi |
| Westernmost point | Bjargtangar |
| Easternmost point | Gerpir |
| Distance to Greenland | about 290 km |
| Distance to the Faroe Islands | about 420 km |
| Distance to Norway | about 970 km |
National symbols
- The flag – blue with a red cross outlined in white. The blue represents the sky and sea, the white the ice and snow, and the red the fire. The flag was adopted in 1915 and became the state flag in 1918.
- The coat of arms – a red cross with white borders on a blue shield, supported by the four land spirits standing on a slab of columnar basalt.
- The national anthem – Lofsöngur ("O God of Our Land") by Matthías Jochumsson and Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson.
- National Day – 17 June.
- The national flower – mountain avens.
- The Order of the Falcon – the republic's highest honour.
Population and society
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Population | about 390,000 (2025) |
| In the capital area | about 64% |
| Largest town outside the capital area | Akureyri |
| Life expectancy | about 81 years (men), 84 years (women) |
| Residents of foreign origin | about 20% |
| Religion | National Church largest, about 55–60% |
| Voting age | 18 |
Fun facts
- There are no mosquitoes in Iceland.
- Beer was banned in Iceland from 1915 until 1 March 1989. That day is now celebrated as Beer Day.
- Icelandic television did not broadcast on Thursdays until 1987, or in July until 1983.
- Iceland was the last large island in Europe to be settled by humans.
- In summer there are more sheep than people in Iceland.
- Horses may not be imported into Iceland.
- The longest word often quoted as a joke is "Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúraútidyralyklakippuhringur".
- Keeping dogs was banned in Reykjavík from 1924 to 1984.
- Iceland has finished second in the Eurovision Song Contest twice.
- Few countries in the world publish more books per inhabitant.
- Icelanders were the first to elect a woman president in a democratic election.
- There are no railways in Iceland.
- Surtsey, the country's youngest island, rose from the sea in 1963.
Weather and nature records
| Record | Value |
|---|---|
| Highest temperature | 30.5 °C, Teigarhorn 1939 |
| Lowest temperature | −38 °C, Grímsstaðir and Möðrudalur 1918 |
| Largest earthquakes of the 20th century | about magnitude 7 |
| Deadliest eruption | Laki fires 1783–1784 |
| Most powerful waterfall | Dettifoss |
| Highest-flow hot spring | Deildartunguhver |
More information on individual topics can be found in the site's articles, including those on nature, history, culture and society.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Iceland?
Iceland is about 103,000 km² and is the second-largest island in Europe.
What do the colours of the Icelandic flag mean?
Blue represents the sky and sea, white the ice and snow, and red the fire.
When was beer legalised in Iceland?
Beer was legalised on 1 March 1989 after a 74-year ban.