Iceland Natural Environment

Iceland has extensive volcanic and geothermal activity. The rift associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the European and North American tectonic plates, runs across Iceland from the southwest to the northeast.

This geographic feature is prominent at the Þingvellir National Park, where the promontory creates an extraordinary natural amphitheater. The site was the home of Iceland's parliament, the Alþing, which was first convened in 930.

About half of Iceland's land area, which is of recent volcanic origin, consists of a mountainous lava desert (highest elevation 2,119 m (6,952 ft) above sea level) and other wasteland. Eleven percent is covered by three large glaciers.

Twenty percent of the land is used for grazing, and only 1% is cultivated. An ambitious reforestation program is under way. Fossilized tree pollen and descriptions by the early settlers indicate that prior to human settlement in the 8th-10th century, trees covered about 30-40% of the island. Today, however, there are only small patches of the original birch forests left, the most prominent are Hallormsstaðaskógur and Vaglaskógur.

The inhabited areas are on the coast, particularly in the southwest; the central highlands are totally uninhabited.

Iceland has very mild, coastal weather. The average summer temperature in Reykjavik, the capital, is 11.8°C/53°F in July, with average highs of 24.3°C/76°F. Iceland has a pure, pollution-free environment. Industry is operated almost exclusively with clean hydroelectric and geothermal power. For more on nature in Iceland, click on the items on the right.