Iceland is Europe's westernmost country, the second largest island in Europe, a little over 3 hours flight from London, Paris, Amsterdam or Copenhagen. It´s unique position on top of the Mid-Aatlantic Ridge means that it is almost exclusively build of volcanic rocks. It is geologically a young country and still in making, with about 30 active volcanic areas and on average, one eruption, usually of magma, occurs every four years. About 11% of Iceland is glacier, on highlands or individual mountains.

The first settlers came to Iceland from Norway and Ireland in the 9th century. Iceland was the last European country to be settled, mostly by Norsemen in the 9th and 10th centuries. They came mainly from Norway and elsewhere in Scandinavia, and from the Norse settlements in the British Isles, from where a Celtic element was also introduced. The language and culture of Iceland were predominantly Scandinavian from the outset, but there are traces of Celtic influence in some of the ancient poetry, in some personal names and in the appearance of present-day Icelanders. The Althingi, the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, was established in the year 930 AD.

The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Króna abbreviated ISK. For the current value of the Króna compared to other currencies see: Universal Currency Converter

The national language is Icelandic, but most Icelanders have good communication skills in English and commonly also in German, French or one of the Scandinavian languages.

The present horticultural and greenhouse town Hveragerdi started developing in 1902, when a carding factory was built by the waterfall Reykjafoss. At that time it was a part of Olfus County.  The natural thermal area in the centre of town was harnessed for the heating of greenhouses and dwellings. Nowhere else in the country are there more greenhouses in one spot than in Hveragerdi. Many people living in the capital area make weekend trips to the town to buy flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables. The farmers have prolonged the growing period with artificial lightning and thus limited the need for import of these products during winter.


Many foreign visitors are quite astonished to see the inhabitants walking about taking care of their daily chores with all this boiling hot water under their feet and the earth shaking every now and then. All services for visitors are rendered in the town and many recreational opportunities are on offer. The town also boasts of a very good hotel with a golf course, a health resort and good trout and char  rivers in the area. Many renowned artists and authors live in town. Hveragerdi received its municipal rights in 1987. The distance from the capital is 45 km.