스크랩 아이슬란드 Iceland

Iceland  아이슬란드

인구

아이슬란드는 유럽에서 가장 인구밀도가 낮은 나라로서 평균km2당 3명이 사는 셈이다. 거의 국토의 4/5는 거주하지않으며 살수없는 곳이다.  인구의 대부부은 좁은 해안지역이나 계곡과 서남부에 집중되어있다

아이슬란드의 인구는 약 313,000명으로 그들의 3/2가량이 수도인 레이캬비크( Reykjavik)와 그 주변지역에 살고있다.  아이슬란드는 높은 수준의 생활과 고도의 기술 및 교육수준을 갖는 발전된 현대의 유럽사회이다.

Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe with an average about three inhabitants per square km. Almost four-fifths of the country are uninhabited and mostly uninhabitable, the population being concentrated in a narrow coastal belt, valleys and the southwest corner of the country.
Iceland's population is around 313.000, 2/3 of them live in the capital, Reykjavik, and surrounding areas.
Iceland is a progressive modern European society with a high standard of living and a high level of technology and education.

Over 300,000 people call Iceland home. Imagine spreading the city of Cincinnati across the entire state of Ohio?that's how much space we have. As one of the least densely-populated countries in the world, Iceland remains one of the purest places on earth.

Icelanders have lived in Iceland for over a millennium. The people are largely descended from Norse Vikings and Celtic settlers and still share a strong bond with Scandinavia today. Family is of ultimate importance and traditional family gatherings are a way of life. Children are a priority and Iceland boasts a higher birth rate than any country in the European Union. Pure products and a healthy natural environment have blessed Icelanders with one of the longest life expectancies in the world.

As a whole, Icelanders are creative and self-reliant. They are highly-educated, well-read, and share a deep love for arts and music. Most can speak English very well.

Like anyone else, Icelanders like to have fun. They work hard and play hard and love sharing their country with visitors. It's no exaggeration: if you've been to Iceland once, you always have friends in Iceland.

History

Iceland is a timeless land where humans have lived in harmony with nature for over a thousand years. The story of Iceland is one of survival based on innovation and self-reliance in the face of awesome challenges. Thanks to the great sagas, Icelanders know their history well.

Discovery

Ancient Greek explorers, Irish monks, and Norse Vikings all happened upon Iceland?some by accident, others in search of peace or new wealth. Each newcomer tried to describe the intense natural beauty of the land?the sun, the snow, and the grass?but the Viking Flok?discovered icebergs and called it ‘Ice Land'. The name stuck.

Settlement

The first Icelanders were adventurers who sailed from Norway in open boats packed with horses and timber. They built homesteads and benefitted from the natural hot springs while learning to live with the surrounding volcanoes. Today in Reykjav?k, you can still visit the remains of a farm that was built in 874 AD.

Democracy

Iceland was as founded as a country of free men without a king. To protect their freedom, the early Icelanders gathered in 930 AD and established the Althing?the world's very first parliament. Leaders met every summer in the valley of Thingvellir to decide the laws, try important cases, and arrange weddings. In 1000 AD, the Althing adopted Christianity as the national faith.

The Sagas

A wealth of Icelandic literature and poetry burst forth after the 12^thCentury, thanks largely to the great sagas of Snorri Sturlusson. These intricate stories recount in detail the colorful times of Iceland's ‘Golden Age' and have preserved the country's vast history to this day.

Foreign Reign

Yet while Iceland prospered, the battle to control its riches grew stronger. Eventually, Iceland fell subject to foreign kings, first to Norway in 1262 and then to Denmark in 1397. Throughout the 15^thCentury, English and German ships fought for access to Icelandic cod and by the 1600s, the Danish crown had imposed a strict trade monopoly on Iceland.

Reformation

Lutheranism in Denmark led to reformation in Iceland. The country's Catholics resisted for decades but Protestantism finally won over. Thanks to an Icelandic translation in 1584, Icelanders were able to read the bible in their own language long before most other Europeans could do the same.

Nationalism

Iceland's capital city of Reykjav?k was founded in 1784 after the trade monopoly was relaxed. Throughout the 1800's, Icelandic intellectuals rallied for a free and independent Iceland, led by the national hero J?n Sigurdsson (whose face now appears on Iceland's 500 kr?nur note). The Althing was re-established in 1845, and in 1871, Iceland's national anthem was performed for the first time at the country's millennial celebrations.

Independence

After two world wars and a national referendum, Iceland was declared independent on June 17, 1944. Self-government paved the way for independent trade. Iceland only gained exclusive rights to fish their own waters after the “Cod Wars,” a series of conflicts that lasted until the 1970s.

Cool Iceland

The world began to take notice of little-known Iceland in the 1980s when the country made bold steps forward: electing the first woman president, hosting the Gorbachev-Reagan summit in 1986, and opening the ultra-modern Keflav?k Airport in 1987. Traditional Icelandic creativity rippled through the fields of fashion, design, art, and haute cuisine, while Reykjav?k's independent music scene exploded into the worldwide fame of artists likeBj?rk and Sigur R?s. By the 1990s, North Americans began to realize that Iceland had something unique to offer. Tourism grew by leaps and bounds.

Iceland Today

The 21^stCentury has seen Iceland embrace globalization while playing a unique new role in helping the rest of the world deal with new challenges. Iceland's keen sense of survival kicked in after the global recession of 2008 opening the door for a quick and stable recovery, while its trademark clean energy sources inspire other nations in the fight against climate change. As the rest of the world continues to discover Iceland?through travel or its unique products?a new chapter of the story unfolds.

Travel

Travel
The island of contrasts, where heaven and earth meet, and where the Sagas of the Vikings were written, a land of glaciers, erupting volcanoes and the magnificent midnight sun. In Iceland you will find everything you need to make your vacation, conference or incentive successful and memorable. Hotels, conference facilities, support services and modern comforts are as good as anywhere in the rest of Western Europe. There is a multitude of bars and fine restaurants in Reykjav?k.

What makes Iceland stand out as a venue is its unique natural beauty and absence of pollution. Dramatic volcano and glacier scenery-and conversely, action packed incentives are there waiting to be enjoyed by visitors. Reykjav?k, the capital city is next door to nature. Iceland is only about a 3-hour flight from most European cities and 5 hours from the North American Eastern seaboard. From Reykjav?k you can fly to many towns and tourist attractions around the country, such as Akureyri, the capital of the north, with its beautiful surrounding scenery, or the Westman Islands.

Message from the Icelandic Tourist Board:

"While Iceland and most other countries are currently dealing with a serious financial crisis, business in Iceland is being conducted as usual. All services - including banking services ? are functioning as on any other day. Hotels, restaurants, airlines, car rentals, currency exchange facilities, offices, shops, etc. are all open for normal business. Visitors can be assured that they will be treated with same friendly hospitality that Icelanders have become known for throughout the travel world."

Leisure

Icelanders work hard - they average one of the longest working days in Europe - but they also play hard. Weekends in downtown Reykjav?k are a special experience. You will find many opportunities to enjoy fine food and entertainment.

One of the advantages of living in Iceland is the endless and ubiquitous flow of geothermal water streaming from the earth. This hot water is used for open-air swimming pools all around the country, which serve as health spas and as pleasant places to meet people. Horse riding is an extremely popular leisure pursuit. There is a wealth of opportunities for healthy and adventurous pursuits - like river rafting, whale watching, salmon and trout fishing, sea angling, glacier trips and unforgettable 4 x 4 expeditions over the highlands.

The best way to enjoy Iceland is to come here: magnificent landscapes, stunning skies, and real adventure make Iceland one of the most coveted travel destinations in the world. Far more people visit Iceland than live here?a testament to its irresistible draw.

In Iceland, you can experience some of the wildest terrain on the planet while enjoying the warmth and comfort of first-class travel. Our pristine nature and laid-back personality make a great combination. Plus, there are certain things you can only do in Iceland?like standing at the edge of Europe's largest waterfall or watching the northern lights from a natural outdoor hot tub.

Now that the secret's out, savvy travelers are spreading the word: Iceland is the trip of a lifetime.  Come visit us now.

What
Mind-blowing scenery, vibrant wildlife, dramatic horseback riding, and the soothing warmth of our natural hot springs. Truly, there is no place on earth quite like Iceland.

When
You can travel to Iceland any time of year?every season offers a whole new travel experience. Come in summer for the midnight sun, the cute baby puffins, and stellar hiking, or come in winter for the northern lights, the snowy peaks, and great nightlife. Our many hot springs are open all year round.

Where
Visit the cool capital Reykjav?k, delve into our wild interior, disappear to our quiet coastal islands, or take time to check out our diverse regions. Iceland has it all.

How
Icelandair offers direct flights to Iceland from major airports in the United States and Canada. In fact, we're famous for our great deals. Once in Iceland, it's easy to get around by public transportation, domestic airline or rental car.

Why
Iceland is much closer than you think. It's exotic, affordable, and a must-see for any true traveler. What's more, Americans and Canadians require no visa to visit Iceland.

Folklore

The national knack for storytelling helps Icelanders explain their strange and beautiful landscapes to outsiders?lava rocks, the shifting mist and the midnight sun all inspire a deep and wonderful folklore. Iceland's hulduf?lk are the “hidden people” who live among the odd-shaped stones and demand reverence towards nature, while the much more wicked trolls turn into stone under Iceland's bright sunlight. Elves, spirits, and magical spells all play a role in tales from the past.

Few may realize that Iceland's rich folklore inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's “Lord of the Rings” and that the famous author was an avid student of Old Icelandic legend. Exploring Iceland today unveils the same sort of enchanted places described in “Middle Earth”. Icelanders no longer battle dragons or trolls, but the belief still remains?how man must live with nature and that in the end, good overcomes evil.

Did you know?

·         Iceland boasts four guardian spirits?a dragon, an eagle, a bull, and a giant?depicted on the national coat of arms.

·         Iceland's flag is a red and white Nordic cross on a blue background, symbolizing fire, snow, and the clear sky.

·         The national anthem is ?Gud Vors Lands or “God of our Land”.

·         The national flower is the glacier poppy, or j?klas?ley.

·         The national bird is the gyrfalcon.

Food

Pure & Simple

Long before there was “organic”, there was Iceland.  Our culinary traditions favor pure, wholesome products that deliver bright, fresh flavors.  Rich, unpolluted landscapes and abundant clean water offer the perfect environment for growing the best food.  Our tight regulations enforce the highest standards in hygiene, taste, and appearance.  The proof is in every delectable meal we serve and in every wild blueberry picked from our hillsides. 

Long before there was “free-range”, there was Iceland.  In spring, lambs are sent high into the mountains to graze on the bounty of our clean volcanic soil then rounded up by horseback in the fall.  The tradition still goes on and explains why Icelandic lamb tastes so perfect and delicate.  Our meat never lives in a factory.  

Long before there was “artisanal”, there was Iceland.  Whether we're making cheese, butter, chocolate, or vodka, our product stands out for its purity and homemade flavor. Iceland is a country without any additives, preservatives, or chemical-enhancement.  Our food follows the same philosophy and you can taste the difference:  a bite of Iceland tastes 100% natural.

Fresh Fish
In Iceland, cod is life.  We understand fish and depend on it, which is why our standards for healthy, sustainable fisheries are so rigorous.  To ensure the ultimate in fresh flavor, Icelandic fish are fresh frozen at sea and shipped directly to you.  Iceland's coastal waters are protected from pollution by strict laws to guarantee the highest quality fish.  Our proximity to North America makes us the quickest source for fresh cod, haddock, and all your favorite North Atlantic fish.

The Art of Dining
Armed with the purest ingredients and their raw ingenuity, Icelandic chefs dish up an artistic experience that wows all the senses.  Our restaurants have a reputation for putting the best of sea, land, and sky onto your plate and always with an unexpected twist. In Reykjav?k, dining options range from the iconic to the experimental and with so many restaurants to choose from, your palate never gets bored. Blending unique global flavors with the fresh, organic, and traditional staples of Iceland?our colorful gourmet scene is a destination unto itself.