介绍:
Iceland
(Free talk)1.Before we introduce our destination today, I want to ask you guys, have you watched the European Cup this summer? If so, which national team left you the deepest impression?
(Well, as for me, Iceland…)
2.Speaking of Iceland, what comes to your mind first?
…After searching the Internet, I find that Iceland is much more fascinating a country than we might have imagine. Now, lets go on an exploration to Iceland, and listen to such a song of Ice and Fire from the Northern paradise!
General introduction
The Republic of Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of 332,000 and an area of 103,000 km2, making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active and is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. Its high latitude and marine influence still keeps summers chilly, with most of the archipelago having a tundra climate.佳琪
Landscape
Do you know that the movie Interstellar, the TV series Game of Thrones and many other fantasy movies are shot in Iceland? The superb glaciers, the magnificent waterfalls , the grand volcanoes there are far more breath-taking than special effects, rendering Iceland show up in magic movies as a planet from outer space. If you are blessed with a chance to travel to Iceland, the following landscapes are ones you can’t miss.馨媛
Northern lights
Iceland is the only country in the world that can watch the northern light, or aurora, within the whole country. Northern light can be viewed from September to March next year in the Arctic Circle. Every year, Photographers both at home and abroad come to Iceland for such spectacular scenery.张源
Blue lagoon
The water in the lagoon is anything but “frosty”. The temperature in the swimmable area averages about 40 Celsius, and the soothing, mineral-rich water is rumored to have curative power. It was created by run–off from the Svartsengi power plant, which pumps up the geothermally heated water from a full mile below the surface. After being used to generate both heat and electricity, the excess is ejected into lagoon.佳琪
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is called the “Golden Falls”, since on a sunny day the water plunging down the three step staircase and then tumbling in two steps down into the 32m deep crevice, it truly looks like golden. To stand at Gullfoss wallow in the beauty and the wonder of nature is an uplifting experience.
One feels more energetic when leaving Gullfoss than when arriving. That’s the impact these unique nature sites have on us.馨媛
Social Environment and Welfare
In 2016, the happiness index of Iceland ranked the 3rd place on the world list, while its crime rate is the lowest. There is no death penalty in Iceland, and the police don’t take guns on patrol. It also has the warmest social environment, in which 52% of the citizens helped strangers in last month. Young mothers often put sleeping babies in a pram on the street to let them get used to the cold weather, totally trusting the neighborhood. Besides, Iceland is also regarded as the country most friendly to women.张源
There are chiefly three reasons accounting for Icelanders’ high happiness index. One is its developed economy. Despite the bankrupt several years ago, Iceland now has a 4% GDP increasing rate, and 9th highest real GDP per capita, with all kinds of facilities perfect. The second reason is its welfare system. As a welfare state, Iceland applies for reimbursement of almost entire medical fee and tuition for every citizen. No one worry about the pension or subsidy of unemployment. And the third is about its social ideology. The gap between the rich and the poor in Iceland is small, and the culture advocate harmony, equality and inclusiveness.
With much wealth and little hatred, no wonder Icelanders can be this happy.馨媛
Interesting knowledge of Iceland
1. There are no mosquitos in Iceland.
2.99% of Icelanders have literacy, and books are there favorite gifts. It’s said that at least one has published a book in ten people.张源
3. Because of the world lowest crime rate, there is no need to feel weird seeing them taking selfies or playing with kids on the street.
4. There is only one Kentucky in Iceland, but no MacDonald or Starbucks.佳琪
5. Each Icelander plants 16 trees per year on average, ranking at the first place of the world.
6. The tap water here is from glacier, and the hot water is from hot spring.馨媛
How was that? Anyway, I have already taken Iceland as a destination on my bucket list. I can’t wait to get immersed in the hot spring water, to watch the magnificent aurora and to feel the warmth and philosophy spread by Icelanders. What about you, my dear friend?
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