Iceland

The main attraction that drew us on this cruise was that it visited Iceland. Finally we were pulling into the port at Reykjavick, Iceland. Reykjavick is among the smallest capitols in the world. Water from nearby hot springs heats all of its buildings and the steam is also used to provide electricity for all of the country. Reykjavick means "smoke bay" after all the steam rising from the hot springs.
Iceland was not settled until the late 9th and 10th centuries and was originally ruled by Denmark but gained independence in 1944. The confluence of two tech tonic plates runs though the middle of the country and allows hot magma to come to the surface and heat the water. It is almost the only place in the world where you can view the Mid-Atlantic Ridge magma on dry land. This is one of the most active volcanic countries in the world.
The weather here is milder than might be expected because the Gulf Stream comes by the island. The average temperature is 32 degrees in the winter and 52.2 in the summer. It was cold and rainy the day we visited (59 degrees plus the chill factor). We drove past lava fields that cover the whole country. There were no trees. The only greenery came from moss or lichen covering the lava rocks. There are over 500 species of moss and lichen and 1200 species of fungi. A tour of a geothermal field revealed powerful jets of steam and multicolored pools of boiling mud, similar to Yellowstone National Park. The Blue Lagoon here is famous for its huge pool created by the water run-off from a huge steam plant. It is supposed to have healing properties especially for persons with psoriasis. There are no swimmers here but the people just stand around in the heated water. (sort of like many of the RV park pools.)
We visited the Viking Museum there that had a replica of a Viking ship and various historical artifacts. The Viking ship was about 70 feet long, 16 feet wide and weighs 80 tons. It would have carried a crew of 70. The Museum had the artifacts from an interesting grave of an ancient woman who was buried with a cart, horses, and values that signified that she was of great importance. The Icelandic horse has never been allowed off the island or other horses allowed in. So the horse is as 'pure' as in Viking days. It is small and sturdier that most modern horses.
The main industries of Iceland are fishing and pharmaceutical companies. The economy of Iceland has been hit severely by world economic downturn.but it was one of the most different places that we have visited.