Iceland � Naturally What is the first thing you think of when your hear the word �Iceland�? Yes, the answers are undoubtedly numerous, yet a great many say �nature.� Beautiful, wild, pristine nature - in a unique setting. That which makes Iceland so special is its youth, and God is still forming it. Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe, and among the most sparsely populated in the world. The interior highland region is uninhabited and while incredibly varied, its main characteristics is the constant conflict between fire and ice. Glaciers and lava fields, hot springs and glaciers: traveling in the highlands is like visiting planet earth as it was eons ago. So it should come as no surprise that the first NASA astronauts trained here. Over 62% of Iceland is wilderness, a wilderness evokes both fear and joy. The land is filled with enormous amounts of energy that touches the hearts and souls of everyone. In the highlands the individual is in direct contact with nature, and as such with his own God. Natural nuances An important part of Icelandic nature is the weather, weather that constantly changes. The air is pure and there are few trees, so the sun has direct access to the ground. The color of the landscape is always changing, creating new landscapes: the mountains never appear the same, lava fields are sometimes green or blue, sometimes gray and white. Sometimes black sands shine. Often in the morning or late evening the air is completely calm, and then suddenly gusts of wind sweep over the land causing ripples in lakes and then it�s quiet again except for the sounds of singing birds that have awakened from naps. Even when raining the sun sometimes shines through forming rainbows, or causing diamond-like tints in the landscape. No where is the weather such a key factor in nature as in Iceland. Living water Yet Iceland is firstly a land of water, with 11.5% of its land mass cover by water. And there are few places where water is so many changing forms as here. Most magnificent, though, is when it rushes down from mountains and over cliffs as waterfalls. And there are virtually innumerable falls in Iceland and no two are the same. During winter they freeze, and looking at them in this form makes one feel that time has stopped. The majority of water in Iceland, however, is frozen year-round: glaciers account for 10.5% of the country, the largest of which is Vatnaj�kull, larger than all other glaciers in Europe combined. Water is most compelling when hot springs flow under glaciers creating ice caves or when they erupt from deep below the snow. Yes, hot springs are incredibly beautiful in winter against pure white snow. Then there are the salmon fishing rivers, brooks, ponds and lakes, as well as powerful glacial rivers that seem so impatient to reach the sea. Icelandic water is pure and refreshing - Champagne of the North - and it is safe to drink everywhere. It is really very difficult to explain the water; the best method to understand it is simply to drink it. Vegetation The color green is so incredibly green in Iceland. Vegetation is varied, and while some areas may be space, its effect on the landscape become that much more. Green fields, grassy valleys with glaciers in the backdrop, or low forests near volcanoes, or green tufts along beaches with white surf in the background: it is vegetation that creates the warm image that is Iceland. Vegetation is the symbol of life in Icelandic nature. As soon as the snow begins to melt and frost releases the soil from its grip the first grasses begin to sprout, and as snow retreats vegetation intensifies, following the retreating snow up the mountains. But as soon as it makes its way to mountain peaks, autumn has arrived. People traveling the countryside For city dwellers it�s an unadulterated adventure to visit Iceland. It�s a unique feeling to travel in this wilderness, and if the mode of transport is an Icelandic horse, one plugs directly into nature: pure air, crystal clean water, and plenty of both. Iceland is the world�s lungs, as well as a wellhead. Perhaps Iceland is one of the best-kept secrets in the travel business, at least for those who love beautiful nature at its boldest. To bathe in hot-spring water in winter, surrounded by frost and dancing Northern Lights is a unique experience. To watch a sun rise above a glacier in early morning and see swans flying over a heath is a heavenly experience. To observe a large whale gently rise above the sea and then dive into the deep of a fjord bordered by high mountains is an indescribable feeling. More and more travelers are discovering Iceland, land of the midnight sun. Every year American tourists visiting Iceland increase by an average of 10%. Why? Because reading about it and looking at photos is not enough - Iceland must be experienced to be believed. For more information: www.goiceland.com