| |
Daybreak |
Dusk |
| Jan. |
10:03 |
16:59 |
| Feb. |
09:13 |
18:11 |
| March |
07:46 |
19:35 |
| April |
05:55 |
21:10 |
| May |
03:50 |
23:04 |
| June |
24 hr. |
daylight |
| July |
24 hr. |
daylight |
| Aug. |
03:06 |
23:57 |
| Sept. |
05:17 |
21:35 |
| Oct. |
06:50 |
19:43 |
| Nov. |
08:18 |
18:03 |
| Dec. |
09:36 |
16:57 |
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| Glaciers and ice caps |
| Mostly located in the south, Iceland's massive ice caps are the largest outside of Greenland and Antarctica. Vatnajokull, the largest, is 8,300 sq km and up to 1,000m thick in places. Deeply crevassed valley glaciers are found on the fringes of the ice caps and reach almost to sea level in places. |
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| Rivers, lakes and waterfalls |
| Powerful glacial torrents continue to shape the land, carving spectacular gorges, while quieter clear-water rivers abound in trout and salmon. Typical of a youthful landscape are the many waterfalls. Lakes are plentiful with an abundance of trout and char. |
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| Wildlife |
| Arctic foxes aside, all land mammals in Iceland have been introduced since the settlement. Among them are reindeer, mink, mice and rats. 70 species of bird nest regularly in Iceland, including three that do not breed elsewhere in Europe. Huge numbers of sea birds, waders and wildfowl draw bird watchers worldwide. There are no reptiles and unlike other Scandinavian destinations, biting insects are rare. Rich coastal waters attract plentiful marine life such as whales, dolphins and seals. |
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| Flora |
| Only one quarter of Iceland has continuous plant cover, and only 1% is forested, yet the landscape is never dull. Abundant arctic and alpine flowers thrive even in the desert regions, among a staggering 500 or more types of moss. |
| |
| Touring |
| Most of the main "Ring Road" around the country and many minor roads are paved and can be travelled on by car or public buses. To visit the uninhabited highlands you will need a four wheel drive jeep, or to take a coach tour which includes such areas on the itinerary. |
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| © RTH Sigurdsson |
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Iceland
