The country of active volcanoes, hot springs and geysers - Iceland will captivate with the unique beauty of nature. This island-state is lost in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean near the Arctic Circle. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its natural attractions that you will not see anywhere else in the world.
(Total 15 photos)
1. In Iceland, there is practically no such thing as a surname; mostly they are citizens of foreign origin (10% of the population). The analogues of the surname are the patronym (a form derived from the name of the father) or matronym (the form derived from the name of the mother) with the prefix son for men and dóttir for women. For example, Björk Gudmundsdottir (daughter of Gudmund) is a famous Icelandic singer and composer. In rare cases, there is a combination of patronymic and matronymic. (Ben Husmann)
2. Crime in Iceland is practically zero. The police here do not bother to carry weapons, and mothers leave strollers with children right on the street. Therefore, do not be surprised if you see babies sleeping in a stroller near cafes or shops. (Sveinn Joelsson)
3. Locals prefer to leave their babies outside so that they can sleep peacefully and breathe fresh air. (Cassiano Rabelo)
4. The Icelandic Parliament is the oldest in Europe. For the first time, the so-called Althing (from Icelandic “general assembly”) took place in 930 on the territory of the modern Thingvellir National Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Meetings here continued until 1798. (Joe Michaels)
5. Now the Althingi Iceland building is located in Reykjavik. It is a unicameral parliament with 63 deputies. (Sergio Morchon)
6. Iceland is a country with a unique landscape. This is a volcanic plateau with peaks up to 2 km, hot springs, active volcanoes, geysers; 11.8 thousand km² out of a total area of 103 thousand km² are covered by glaciers. (Vincent Moschetti)
7. Despite the photographs of the mountain peaks of Iceland that you may have seen, there is actually not a single full-fledged mountain in the country. If you look closely at the photographs, you can see that almost all the mountains and hills have a flat top, because they, like their valleys, appeared due to glaciers. Iceland has been literally "carved out" by glaciers that have formed deep valleys and high mountain ranges. The country is also home to a number of volcanoes that the uninformed observer might mistake for mountains. (Trey Ratcliff)
8. Iceland is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. It is full of volcanoes, allowing the locals to use geothermal energy sources. In addition, Icelanders can also use abundant waterways as sources of energy. The country practically does not burn fossil fuels. (frigersson)
9. Iceland is one of two places on the planet where you can observe the divergence of plates (North American and Eurasian) not only under water, but also on the surface. Every year the gap between them increases by about 2 cm. Also, in the region of the northern coast of the country, divers have the opportunity to swim in the place of their fault. (Diueine Monteiro)
10. From 1915 to 1989, dry law was in effect in Iceland; at the same time, for the last 54 years, it has extended only to beer. Therefore, after the lifting of the ban, beer gained unprecedented popularity in the country. Beer Day is celebrated annually on March 1st. As part of the celebration, Icelanders consume a huge amount of this drink. It is also worth noting that beer can only be purchased at state-run liquor stores. Independent sellers are prohibited from selling alcohol in the country. (Didier Baertschiger)
11. In addition to beer, Icelanders are not indifferent to sauces and gravies, which are added to almost all dishes. (Chris Zielecki)
12. No matter what the temperature is outside, Icelanders barbecue. The grill here is not hidden in a closet even in winter, it is used all year round. And of course, grilled foods will be generously drizzled with your favorite sauces or gravies. (Mike)
14. Pause and talk out loud. You spoke on the exhale, right? Another thing that distinguishes the Icelanders is that they pronounce some words and even whole phrases not on the exhale, but on the inhale. This is typical of other Northern European languages as well. (Trey Ratcliff)
Each people of the world has its own characteristics, which are absolutely normal and ordinary for them, but if a person of a different nationality gets into their midst, he may be very surprised at the habits and traditions of the inhabitants of this country, because they will not coincide with his own ideas about life. We invite you to find out 10 national habits and characteristics of the Icelanders, which may seem surprising and a little strange to Russian people.
They don't have last names
When meeting an Icelander personally, it may seem that you have met the hero of an ancient saga, because you will introduce yourself as, say, Petur, the son of Bjorn, or Gudrun, the daughter of Vilhjalm. The Icelanders have preserved the custom of the Vikings to give the newborn the name of the father instead of the surname. In the past, when the population of these cold lands was very small, there was really no need for surnames. Today, however, in a typical Icelandic family of three, mother, father, and son will have different initials. Therefore, in order to successfully find someone in the Icelandic phone book, you will have to remember their family tree well.
Their country is ruled by sheep
Local jokers like to express the population of Iceland in sheep. It's a funny fact, but there are twice as many of those on the island as people. Charming woolen balls on short legs walk around for six months wherever they please, enjoying the green grass and incredible landscapes. This is really a sheep's paradise: in Iceland there are not even predators that are dangerous for cattle, so pet guards are not needed. When the grazing season (from spring to autumn) ends, farmers go in search of sheep throughout the country. How are they different, you ask? An ancestral system operates here: sheep are collected in large paddocks, and then sorted according to special marks on the ears, the appearance of which each farmer thoughtfully invented himself (there are even special catalogs of marks in the country). Sheep gathering in Iceland is a fun, noisy event that attracts entire families.
They knit all year round.
In the everyday life of Icelanders, knitting is as important as discussing the weather: men and women simply masterfully use knitting needles. The townspeople, however, today are already a little embarrassed to do this in public places, considering it a little old-fashioned, but in the villages there are many amusing stories about enthusiastic knitters. So, some farmers are noticed with knitting needles in their hands right at work - for example, during pasture of a flock of sheep.
They eat rotten fish
Imagine that in a gourmet restaurant the menu is replete with the positions “black pudding”, “pickled lamb testicles”, “sour whale meat”, “jelly from lamb horns and hooves”, “ram's head”, “rotten shark meat tenderloin” ... No , this is not a nightmare of a Parisian gourmet! Forced for centuries to live in difficult climatic conditions, the Icelanders have formed very special taste preferences. The bowels of Iceland are devoid of minerals, there were also no freezers for a long time, so the locals had to learn how to do without salt and somehow solve the problem of food storage. They dried the food, smoked it, waited for it to go rotten - they experimented, in general. For example, the dish haukarl is known - dried meat of the Greenland polar shark. It is poisonous fresh due to the high content of urea, so shark pieces are first kept in barrels with gravel for six months (during this time, excess juices will leave the meat), and then dried in the sun for about three more months. However, not only Icelanders have bizarre taste preferences. You can read about the strange gastronomy of other inhabitants of the planet in our article Unpleasant Appetite.
They still live in dugouts
How to build a house in a country where there has been practically no forest for many centuries? Using the meager possibilities of the ice island, the Icelanders built peat houses for housing, somewhat reminiscent of dugouts from ancient Russian fairy tales: original dwellings, half underground, with stone walls and a thick layer of turf on the roof and walls to keep warm. But after all, you had to fight for your life with colds and poverty in the distant past, what kind of dugouts can we talk about in the 21st century, you ask? But the Icelanders are an amazing people: today many of them will completely upgrade traditional houses from the inside, keeping the peat cover, and the roofs are not averse to planting a lawn. The choice in favor of eco-friendly housing made from natural materials turned out to be not only wise, but also fabulously beautiful!
They can go to the theater straight from the garden
If a domestic theatergoer decides to attend a dramatic production in Iceland, then in his evening dress he risks seeming an eccentric. Icelanders can safely watch the play right in their outerwear: jackets, coats and even hats. During the intermission, spectators with young children can climb onto the stage and wander among the scenery, and even on the stage itself, the most radical experiments with nature have been noticed more than once. Easier, gentlemen, in Iceland you need to be simpler.
They have priests - women, and churches - art objects
Despite the rather traditional way of everyday life in Iceland, the local religious institute works in a very original way. The official state religion on the island, Lutheranism, allows women to be priests on an equal footing with men. Agree, for Orthodox Christians the thing is unimaginable. Lutheran churches are scattered all over Iceland, and their appearance is even more striking - they look more like futuristic art objects than meeting places with God. The fact that the building is a church, and not a museum of modern art, can only be guessed by the presence of a cross, although that is often absent. The question is, why not?
They don't have orphanages
We can safely say that the family is the main value in the life of any Icelander. The country has created all the conditions for a happy and safe childhood: comfortable schools with a variety of curricula, centers for creative development, state benefits. But what inspires me the most is the lack of orphanages. In Iceland, there are only temporary shelters, where an abandoned child or orphan is quickly picked up by parents from a whole line of hospitable families ready to take him under their care. The first nursing homes, by the way, also opened quite recently, as traditionally younger children consider it their duty to move in with their elderly parents in order to provide them with a decent old age.
They don't know the word "crime"
Surely you have already heard that the crime rate in Iceland is almost the lowest in the world. Locals are not afraid of neighbors and strangers - you will not see high fences, iron doors and bars on the windows. Icelanders often do not lock the doors of houses and cars at all. Murders and other violent crimes happen once or twice a year, and then in the heat of passion. No deliberate plans for violence.
The sweater is their second skin
The saying "born in a shirt" in Iceland is definitely used a little differently: "Lucky, he was definitely born in a sweater!" Groups of people in colorful, patterned sweaters with the local name "lopapeys" against the calm, deep tones of the Icelandic landscapes - a familiar, cozy picture. The wool of Icelandic sheep will warm you better than any down jacket - however, products from it come out prickly. This material, although rough, can withstand penetrating drafts and has water-repellent properties. Amazing mutual assistance: the farmer takes care of his pets, and vice versa.
Of course, the main heroes of EURO 2016 were the players of the Icelandic team, who managed to snatch the victory from the England team, and, perhaps, this is the only team in the Championship, which is warmly treated by fans from all over the world. Today we publish a selection of 30 interesting facts about what kind of country Iceland is, and what kind of people live there.
1. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with a little over 320,000 people, and before the Second World War, the population of the island was only 50,000 people. About 30,000 fans came to the European Football Championship, that is, about 10 percent of the country's population.
2. If you paid attention, then all the names of the players of the Icelandic national team are similar, they end in “son”. The thing here is that in Iceland patronymics are used instead of surnames, in fact, this is an analogue of our patronymic. In boys, the particle "son" (son) is added to the name of the father, in girls - "dottir" (daughter). Thus, for example, if there are two children of different sexes in a family, then they will have different “surnames”, for example, the girl Palmarsdottir, that is, the daughter of Palmars and the son of Palmarsson, that is, the son of Palmars. In 1925, Iceland even passed a special law prohibiting citizens of the country from acquiring surnames in the classical sense. By the way, in the event that the father for some reason does not recognize the child, then the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but by the name of the mother.
3. However, this does not mean that the Icelanders do not at all strive to keep the surname, they simply do it in a peculiar way, some give the children the same names in a generation, that is, they call the child after their grandfather or grandmother, so that, so to speak, it was possible to trace the family line.
4. The classic names of the Icelanders are well known to many of us, because we met them in the ancient Scandinavian sagas. Yes, Ragnar, Sigur or Aðalsteinn, which means “main stone”, in Iceland the same normal human names as Ivan, Dmitry or Alexander in Russia. The most popular names in Iceland are Jon for men and Gudrun for women.
5. In Iceland, in everyday communication, especially long and complex names are abbreviated, for example, a young man named Aðalsteinn can simply be called Ali, Guvrun - Gunn, Stefan - Steppi, Jon - Nonni, and so on.
6. Until recently, it was generally accepted that the Icelanders are the descendants of the Vikings from Norway and Sweden, but a recent genetic examination has established that the gene pool of modern Icelanders is dominated by the genes of the Irish, who in Iceland in ancient times existed in the position of slaves. On the other hand, this is in perfect agreement with the local belief that the Icelandic Vikings stole all the beautiful women from England and Ireland for the purpose of love leaks, and, well, for reproduction.
7. The Icelandic language, due to the long isolation of the island from the rest of the world, has evolved very poorly compared to other Scandinavian languages, that is, the percentage of words borrowed from other languages is extremely small in it. Because of this, Icelandic is very close to the very language of the northern peoples, which the Vikings spoke in ancient times, and the ancient sagas of Icelanders can even read, as they say, without straining.
8. Icelandic household sagas, unlike other works of folk art, are a dry enumeration of facts, because of this, it is sometimes quite difficult for a modern reader to perceive them. That is, in the sagas there is no description of the feelings of the heroes or experiences, only a meticulous enumeration of events: he went there, conquered that, married such and such, killed such and such, was killed by such and such. At the same time, much attention is paid to where exactly this or that event occurred, and in what period of time it happened. Previously, largely due to the meticulous manner of presentation and the lack of an emotional component in the descriptions, many researchers considered the Icelandic household sagas to be historical documents that did not require careful verification and historical reconstruction, but now the sagas are perceived by scientists, rather, as works of art, and the facts stated in them are subject to verification.
9. Another reflection of this feature of national thinking is the names of geographical objects. In fact, complex and multi-stage words are just a definition of the place in question. So, Reykjavik means “smoking bay”, the name of the city of Kopavogur stands for “bay of a young seal”, and the hard-to-pronounce name of the famous volcano Eyyafyadlayokyudl, as “Island of mountain glaciers”.
10. At the same time, 90 percent of the country's population is fluent in English. No less curious is the following fact - in order to find a job in Iceland, a foreigner does not need knowledge of the Icelandic language - fluent English is more than enough. For this reason, many immigrants who have settled in Iceland do not speak Icelandic even after 10 years in the country; English is more than enough for both life and work. Another interesting thing is that if a citizen of another country has lived in Iceland for 6 years, he can apply for Icelandic citizenship and get it without any problems.
Pictured: Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavik
11. Including because very few people live in Iceland, there is practically no crime. As a result, young mothers, for example, easily leave their babies to sleep in strollers on the streets of Reykjavik, while they themselves go with their girlfriends to drink coffee in a cafe, car keys are often left in cars, and the Reykjavik prison is empty, and sometimes tourists even spend the night in it, not managed to find a room in a hotel. In addition, the police in Iceland do not carry weapons, and Iceland does not have armed forces, their functions are to some extent performed by the coast guard.
12. Today, the neo-pagan religion Ásatrúarfélagið, which is a slightly modernized cult of the Scandinavian gods, is very popular in Iceland. Priests of Ásatrúarfélagið are allowed, for example, to perform a wedding ceremony, it is considered an official procedure in the country, while clergymen can also marry homosexual couples.
In the photo: the priest of the church Ásatrúarfélagið and his follower
Today, 2,400 people officially rank themselves as followers of the Ásatrúarfélagið cult, and even now in Iceland a full-fledged temple of the Scandinavian gods is being built, this will be the first such building since the Vikings.
13. The traditional date for the adoption of Christianity in Iceland is 1000, which is curious, after that Icelandic Christianity developed without the close supervision of Rome, as a result, the Icelanders retained their ancient beliefs and traditions. For example, here they still believe in trolls (giants) or Hidden inhabitants (elves). Elves are huldufoulks, these are creatures that live in round stones of a certain type, mere mortals cannot see them, except in those cases when the spirits themselves decide to show themselves to people.
In the photo: stones in which, according to legend, spirits live
The presence of such a stone, for example, at the construction site of a road or a house can cause problems, because huldufoulks should not be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, before moving the stone, it is recommended to perform magical manipulations on it.
Pictured: Northern Lights over Reykjavik
In summer, long nights are replaced by long days, compared to which the white nights in St. Petersburg are simply nothing, in June in Iceland the sun does not set at all.
25. The government of Iceland is based on democracy, and these are not empty words. Here it is worth referring to the history of the country: as the island was settled in the regions of Iceland, tings were formed - an analogue of the ancient Russian veche. At the Things, courts were held, disputes were resolved and collective discussions of vital issues relating to the community took place. Once a year, at the beginning of summer, representatives from each community gathered for a general meeting - the Althing, in order to regulate relations between the regions. As a rule, successes during the Althing were achieved by those who had the strong support of wealthy landowners. The first Althing was held in Iceland in 930, and this year is considered to be the beginning of the era of democracy. True, in the thirteenth century Iceland fell under the rule of Norway, until the forties of the twentieth century it was under the rule of Denmark, in 1940 the island was captured by Great Britain, which, in turn, transferred Iceland to the USA. The country gained independence from the United States only on June 17, 1944. So, the victory over the England team for the Icelanders is a kind of revenge for the years of occupation.
In the photo: the building of the Icelandic Parliament
However, the Icelandic Althingi was re-assembled in 1845, and today it is considered the oldest parliament in the world. In finalizing the last text of the Constitution of Iceland in 2012, the entire population of the country took part, the proposals of citizens were accepted through social networks and even through youtube. But, the most curious thing, with all this, the country has had one and the same president for the past 16 years - Olavur Ragnar Grimsson. He ruled the country from 1999 to 2016. For the second term, Grimsson remained due to the lack of contenders for the post of head of state, for the third time he won during the voting, for the fourth term he went again due to the lack of candidates for the presidency, and for the fifth time he again won the elections. On June 26, 2016, 48-year-old history teacher Gudni Johannesson became the new president of Iceland.
26. In Iceland - socialism, here everyone gets about the same salary and lives in the same houses. At the same time, it is believed here that “all professions are needed, all professions are important”, that is, it doesn’t matter if you work as a waiter or a scientist, you are equally worthy of respect. It is curious that many local celebrities, before fame fell on them, worked in not very honorable positions, for example, Hafthor Bjödnson is the most powerful person on the planet and who plays the role of Grigor "Mountain" Kligon in the Game of Thrones, like many Icelanders , for a long time not only engaged in bodybuilding, but also worked part-time in a restaurant.
In the photo: Hafthor Bjodnson as Grigor "Mountain" Kligon
In general, almost all Icelanders have not one job, but two, the first for money, the second for the soul. That is, almost every waiter or bartender here is also an artist, decorator, photographer, designer or jeweler.
27. And the local population is very fond of reading, today, according to some reports, the Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.
28. Iceland has an absolute tolerance for everything, gay marriages have been allowed here since 2010, the percentage of open bisexuals in the country is also very high, and a gay parade takes place in Reykjavik every summer. At the same time, all couples, regardless of whether they are hetero or homo, try to maintain friendly relations when parting, because the country is small and it will still not work to completely stop communication. Icelanders easily marry and divorce easily, in the event of a divorce, children, as a rule, live 50/50 with each parent. At the same time, almost all Icelandic girls are feminists, they do not allow to pay for themselves in restaurants, they themselves carry bags without any difficulties, make repairs, hammer nails, and so on. True, the pluses of tolerance also give rise to minuses, in Iceland with personal space it is extremely difficult, because everyone knows everything about everyone.
29. Iceland exists practically according to the rules of the Austrian economy, which is based on self-reliance and the construction of a system of closed reproduction of the community with minimal dependence on exchange with the external environment. No, of course, you can buy Western food here, but they are many times more expensive than local ones, and the choice is small. With wine, in general, it’s funny, it’s expensive regardless of the type, that is, a bottle of decent wine and frank chatter will cost about the same. Clothing is also mostly locally produced. And the main national thing that is in the wardrobe of any Icelander is with a recognizable national pattern. By the way, lopapeysa is quite expensive, but the thing is worn for years.
30. Iceland is statistically one of the most active countries on social media. Almost all of its inhabitants have accounts on facebook, however, in addition to facebook, there is also a local social network in the country, where all Icelanders, young and old, are registered. When registering on this site, users indicate not only their first and last name, but also their phone number, address and place on the map where their houses are located. So, if you want to meet one of the Iceland national football team players and he still lives in the country, look for him at www.ja.is
Iceland is a wealthy state with an independent foreign policy, a high standard of living, stunningly beautiful nature, and hospitable people. But migrants and even tourists from Russia are extremely rare in this country. She is too far away, at the Arctic Circle, on a secluded island. And its inhabitants also speak a terribly difficult language that no one but themselves understands. Is it worth taking a trip to this country and even moving there for permanent residence? To answer this question, information about the legislation of Iceland, the well-being of ordinary people, the climate, as well as the life of a few Russian migrants, will be useful.
Migration policy
Iceland is not a state that encourages migrants. The country has a very tough policy towards people who want to stay here. In addition, the influx of migrants is hindered by the Law for the Preservation of the Nation. The Aliens Act and the Aliens Employment Act regulate the stay of foreigners in Iceland. Citizens of the country practically do not marry foreigners, and residents of non-Icelandic origin make up only 6% of the total population. Visitors are strictly obliged to observe the cultural characteristics of the country. Any decision on the fate of foreigners is made by the Immigration Office. Interestingly, in the early twentieth century, Icelandic law even required immigrants to change their names to native Icelandic ones. Only since the nineties of the last century, foreigners living in the country were allowed to leave their own names and surnames. The migration increase in Iceland is very small - just over 1% over the past few years. In total, there are about 20 thousand foreigners here for 330 thousand people. Migration quotas are used to bring newcomers to abandoned villages. Icelanders often leave them, moving to cities due to urbanization.
Video: about life in Iceland
What are the migrants in Iceland
There is no massive influx of foreigners into the country, although many Europeans work on the construction of various facilities. Mostly Germans and Poles. Donor countries from where people staying here for permanent residence are Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland. That is, they are citizens of neighboring states. Poles make up more than half of all immigrants. The number of Polish migrants is also evidenced by the fact that there are two Polish shops in Reykjavik - a rather rare occurrence for Iceland. Poles and Lithuanians practically do not speak Icelandic and are not integrated into society. The Nation Preservation Act does not oblige the government to promote this integration. Migrants from other continents are also present in Iceland, but in very small numbers. Mostly they are citizens of China, Thailand, Philippines. But unlike migrants from Europe, foreigners from poorer countries have temporary residence status. Thus, immigrants in Iceland are divided into two groups:
- migrant workers from Western, Northern and Central Europe,
- a very small number of people who have received refugee status.
But it is possible that in the coming years the immigration situation in Iceland will change. The country is experiencing economic growth, and there are no longer enough workers. This shortcoming will be difficult to compensate for by natural population growth, because Iceland is one of the “aging nations” and more than half of its inhabitants are pensioners. Therefore, according to the organization Business Iceland SA, which unites the country's largest corporations, Iceland must invite about two thousand specialists from abroad a year so that the level of well-being does not fall. This is especially true of the tourism business, where foreigners have been hiring for a long time. The small population also leads to the fact that family marriages begin to be concluded, and this causes genetic diseases. Therefore, the government begins to encourage alliances with foreigners.
Iceland and refugees
The decision to grant refugee status to foreigners is made by the Immigration Office. If it is positive, the applicant is granted a temporary residence permit. It is issued for a period of a year, but then you can renew this status almost automatically. During the application review procedure, applicants are accommodated in boarding houses and hotels. They receive financial assistance in the amount of about 150 euros. But those who managed to obtain refugee status cannot officially work. It is very difficult for them to bring their relatives to Iceland. Since the refugees do not work, the country has a program of minimal material support for such people, but after that they have no prospect of becoming Icelandic citizens.
There are no social programs to support migrants. The immigration laws of Iceland are such that it is almost impossible for visitors from "far abroad" to stay for permanent residence. If you want to come here in order to then move to another European country, you have the right to become a temporary immigrant. In fact, there are two ways to stay in the country for permanent residence:
- get a job offer (long-term contract);
- get married.
But the Icelanders themselves are not ultranationalists at all. They are quite friendly and sympathetic towards migrants. During the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis, the Icelandic government announced that it could only accept 50 refugees. However, more than 12 thousand people through social networks revealed a desire to shelter those in need of help, especially children, and even pay for their plane tickets to Iceland.
Icelandic life as it is
Due to its isolation, Iceland differs from other European countries. Its citizens are considered conservatives, but they also keep up with many modern world trends. The descendants of the Vikings, as the Icelanders themselves proudly call themselves, appreciate work very much. Mining, fishing and agriculture are traditionally considered the main sectors of the country's economy. The main wealth of the state is based on these "three pillars". But recently, the service market has been rapidly developing in Iceland, as well as the tourism business. Cities in this country are a new phenomenon, but the population in them is growing. Icelanders are very law-abiding, they do not like conflicts. There are practically no accidents here, and drivers patiently wait for a pedestrian to cross the road or another driver to finish a phone call. They are pedantic, like the Germans, but during the festivities they like to "walk", drink strong drinks and eat a local "delicacy", from which many Europeans cramp their stomachs. This "haukarl" - rotten shark meat.
A little about politics
Iceland is the only country in the world where, according to the Constitution, residents vote online. Therefore, the state can be considered not only the oldest democracy (the Icelandic parliament was founded in 930), but also the first model of the electronic will of the people. In Iceland, there is a state religion - the Lutheran-Evangelical Church. At the same time, there are about 20% of atheists in the country, as well as 2,500 neo-pagans. Although the Icelanders are very conservative, especially when it comes to family traditions, the legalization of same-sex marriage did not cause any protests from them and was taken quite calmly. Therefore, Iceland can be called a state where a certain balance is observed between traditions and modernization, globalization and a unique cultural heritage. The prime minister of the country was an open lesbian - Johanna Sigurdardottir, but 96% of the population trust politicians. About 80% of voters vote in elections.
happy people
To understand whether the citizens of Iceland live well, you need to know the statistical facts about per capita income or GDP. And you should also compare these data with the opinion of those living in this country about their standard of living. 80% of Icelanders are officially employed, which is an excellent European indicator. An ordinary family, after deducting all taxes, receives a “net” income of about 24 thousand US dollars. Almost every resident has his own house and borrowed a car. There are many good social programs for the homeless, troubled teenagers, or people with disabilities. But such people can be counted on the fingers, and social workers know them all by name. The average annual salary is about $40,000 per year (with taxes) or approximately $3,300 per month. The Icelanders themselves are satisfied with this amount and even consider their life carefree. But education in the country is not at a very high level - 70% of the population graduated from high school. There are many pensioners in Iceland, but the retirement age is not officially defined. People can work as long as they want and, on average, retire at age 66. 85% of Icelanders feel satisfied and even happy. This is facilitated by the social model of society, characteristic of the Scandinavian countries, and the environment, and the level of healthcare.
About weather and nature
The climate in Iceland is windy, even very. It often rains, and snow falls in winter and spring. But in general, the temperature for the subarctic climate, in which the country is located, is rather mild. In winter, the average temperature is around 0 °C, and in summer + 10 °C. Such a lack of strong temperature drops is explained by the action of the Gulf Stream - a warm current. This country has amazing landscapes. She lives in the midst of majestic mountains, glaciers, volcanoes and the amazing beauty of fjords, freezing waterfalls and hot geysers. In summer, all this is illuminated by the bright sun, and in winter - by the northern lights. These landscapes make an amazing impression on visitors. You feel as if you have entered another world. There are almost no trees here, only shrubs and grass. And you can also stand in the "corridor" between Europe and America - in the Pingvallir reserve, where the tectonic plates of both continents converge. In 2015, Iceland was ranked second in the "greenest" category in the world. Public transport here runs on hydrogen fuel to reduce the percentage of exhaust gases in the atmosphere, and houses are heated with water from hot springs. The same thermal fluid enters the greenhouses, which makes it possible to grow vegetables and fruits, including bananas. By the way, in Iceland you can not drink unless from the sea. The water in lakes, rivers, streams, from the tap is suitable for drinking. The purity of the air is explained by the minimum number of large industries that can poison it. No wonder the life expectancy of the average Icelander is about 80 years.
How Russians live in Iceland
According to the Russian Embassy in Iceland, there are about three hundred Russian citizens in this country, and about a thousand Russian-speaking "compatriots", that is, people from the former USSR. The Russian community was formed mainly in the 90s of the last century as a result of labor migration, when people left on their own in search of a better life. Iceland entered into labor contracts with individual Russians - mainly sports coaches (gymnastics, handball, volleyball, basketball). Russians also moved here, concluding marriages with citizens of Iceland.
First of all, the Russian-speaking population is concentrated in the capital of the country - Reykjavik, since here the best opportunities to find work. There are Russians who live in small towns - Akureyri, Egilstadir. Some even live in villages. But not all of them are engaged in skilled labor. Most of them work in the field of fishing, at enterprises where fish is processed, at construction sites. Few have become translators, doctors, teachers, sports coaches.
Salaries vary depending on working conditions. Because you can work as a waitress, dishwasher, etc. with free accommodation and meals. Any salary at the same time allows you to live decently (normally) in Iceland. You can search in the field of social. assistance - homes for the elderly, assistance to the disabled, hospitals.
http://foreigniceland.forum2x2.ru/t4819-topic#9483
Keep in mind: the laws of the country require that the number of foreigners, especially non-EU citizens, does not exceed 49% in certain sectors of the economy - for example, in local airlines.
What is the status of equality and non-discrimination
The standard of living of Russians in Iceland corresponds to the social stratum to which they belong. Prices and salaries throughout the country are approximately the same. And after the crisis of 2008, when the exchange rate of the national currency fell, the cost of food even decreased. There is no discrimination in the area of wages or employment. Children can study Russian at four colleges in Iceland on an optional basis (if they are interested), as well as at the University of Iceland. Currently, 20 people study Russian there. Several libraries in the country have Russian-language books (mainly the library of the municipality of Kopavogur). TV programs in Russian in Iceland can be received via satellite TV. These are Channel One-Europe, Vesti, RTR-Planet.
The first public organization uniting Russian speakers was established in October 2007. It's called "Community. Organization of Russian-speaking compatriots in Iceland. This organization is a rather diverse association of people, often with opposing interests. It is quite formal, and many Russians living in Iceland rarely communicate with each other.
Adaptation of Russians in Iceland (reviews)
Arriving in Iceland, Russians are generally shocked by housing and food prices - in this country they are higher than the average for Europe and even than in Moscow. Another "stumbling block" is the need to learn the Icelandic language. It is very difficult and original. Since this language has hardly changed for several centuries, any Icelander can easily read the early medieval saga. Although most of the locals know English, it is impossible to find a good job and become "one's own" in this society without knowing the language.
In Iceland I feel no worse than at home, the only problem is the language, but I will work on this.
ineshock
http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t13237.html
However, working conditions, attitude towards people, a measured and calm rhythm of life are doing their job - most Russians who find themselves in Iceland are not going to leave from there. Although some complain of boredom and monotony, and long winters evoke a feeling of melancholy and depression.
In Iceland, if life is interesting, then in a different manner than in "civilized" countries. First of all, there is nature, which never ceases to amaze. Of course, there are few city entertainments, especially outside of Reykjavik, but there are good opportunities for sports and outdoor recreation. Another thing is that the situation there, where nothing changes and nothing happens, can start to get on your nerves, then Iceland will already be a burden.
dearron
http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t7474.html
The nuances of getting a job
To Russians to find a job, you must have official permission. The most popular options for obtaining such a permit are to be a professional athlete or a qualified specialist (for example, a seismologist). Moreover, in the latter case, the employer must prove that there are neither Icelanders nor EU citizens among the applicants. Russian emigrants are also hired for seasonal work. The latter can mean not only work, for example, on a farm, but also a job in a travel company. The season usually starts in April and ends in September. But such work, as a rule, necessarily requires knowledge of the Icelandic language. There are Russians who are hired by large companies as engineers. Then you have to know English perfectly, since all the documentation is usually not only in Icelandic - it is often duplicated in two languages. Not learning Icelandic is possible only at construction sites, where most of the workers are Poles and Lithuanians.
On wages and workers' rights
Wherever Russian emigrants work, they always receive decent pay, on average no less than the natives of the country. When applying for a job, they offer to sign a collective labor agreement, which spells out all the nuances of cooperation with the employer. In order to carefully read this treaty, it is also very important to know the Icelandic language. In the event of conflicts, disagreements in the interpretation of the contract and other problems, they turn to the trade union, which protects the rights of workers, regardless of their origin. In general, Iceland has a five-day work week and hourly wages. It is not customary to work overtime, because such work is expensive, and employers do not like to pay for it.
Unlike other European countries, there are no illegal workers in Iceland. It is an island nation with such a small population that a foreign worker will not go unnoticed. He is very quickly calculated and sent back, without the right to enter not only Iceland, but also the European Union. If Russian emigrants do not find work or lose it, they apply for benefits, which are paid in amounts decent for any European country.
Citizenship, benefits and lack of bureaucracy
After three years of legal residence in Iceland and having a job, you can apply for permanent residence. And after seven years of legal life, Russian migrants are already thinking about obtaining an Icelandic passport. Moreover, since 2003, dual citizenship has been allowed in the country.
Russian migrants who left for permanent residence in connection with marriage to an Icelander can apply for a passport of this country after four years of legal cohabitation (but the total period of legal residence must be at least five years). Since there is no illegal work in Iceland, those who get a job must become members of the pension fund. But this is for the best, because the pension in Iceland is decent.
Russian pensioners are no different from Icelandic ones in terms of their well-being, and therefore their income depends solely on how much and where they worked and when they went on vacation. Russian pensioners live in the same place, in Iceland, but sometimes, following the example of local elderly people, they move to warmer climes. All of them are exceptionally well endowed here.
Having children in Iceland is beneficial, including for migrants. The state stimulates an increase in the birth rate and pays significant benefits. Everything in the country is computerized. Therefore, wherever people live, they do not need to go to the "center" to receive benefits, to issue the necessary documents, licenses and certificates. The Internet is available anywhere, even on remote farms, and everything you need, including the tax return, is submitted electronically. Therefore, Russian migrants can arrange everything they need, “on the spot” and without suffering from bureaucracy.
Video: these are the Icelanders
And how do local residents behave with Russians?
The approach of Icelanders to Russians, and to other migrants, is restrained and benevolent. They are quite open and treat foreigners without any prejudice. Therefore, there are not many conflicts or xenophobia on everyday grounds here, it is easy to make acquaintances. Icelanders are very contact, and informal relationships, including at work and with superiors, are in the order of things. Since almost everyone in the country knows each other, they will also call you by name and will not furnish life with unnecessary ceremonies. But if you show the Icelanders that you can use the openness of society to your detriment, you will be put in your place very seriously, and from that moment on they will treat you in a completely different way.
I love the Icelandic mentality! maybe he annoys someone, but I just somehow tuned in to this wave ... Probably, the main thing is to respect the country that has become your home, then everything will be just fine! The attitude towards foreigners is amazing... I don't know if there is another country where they are treated like this?
http://valhalla.ulver.com/f300/t11664-2.html
How and how the life of ordinary people in Iceland and in Russia differs
The phrase has already become hackneyed that all the best is known in comparison. Therefore, in order to better understand the difference in living standards between Iceland and Russia, one should compare the situation in these countries based on the main indicators. Although such a comparison would be largely untrue. If only because in Iceland there are no regional differences between prices and salaries, while in Russia they are very large. But let's try.
Table: comparison of food prices, rental housing and wages in Russia and Iceland
So, if you compare the prices of basic foodstuffs, then in Iceland a grocery basket will cost much more. Rental prices are also higher. But utilities in Iceland are cheaper due to the use of thermal springs and hydrogen fuel.
The average salary of Icelanders is such that despite the high cost of food and housing, an ordinary family with children is quite satisfied with their lives. After all, they earn so much more that the difference in the price of food, rent and other benefits is not felt. Therefore, the average standard of living in Iceland is higher than in Russia and the rest of Europe (not counting the Scandinavian countries). And if we talk about social security, then Iceland is much "bypassed" Russia. Yes, and in terms of security, Iceland is generally "ahead of the rest." According to the State Statistics Committee and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the number of crimes per year ranges from 2,500 to 3,500, and more than 10 murders per 100,000 inhabitants are committed. And in Iceland, the murder rate is 0.3 (for example, in 2013 there was 1 murder). This is the lowest level of violence in Europe. There are about 200 criminals in an Icelandic prison, most of whom are allowed to go home from time to time to see their families. There are 700 police officers in the country who do not carry weapons as unnecessary.
Table: pros and cons of living in Iceland
Living conditions in Iceland look quite attractive for the average Russian, despite the fact that this country is far and difficult to get to. The legislation here is harsh with respect to foreigners, the language is the most difficult in Europe, and prices are higher than the average for Russia. But the stability and safety of life, the amazing nature and the cleanest environment, the friendliness of the locals are important criteria. Although, like any country, Iceland has its drawbacks. For some, it will seem too boring and insipid, and life here is devoid of passion and adrenaline. But in any case, this country is amazing, unusual and fully rewards those who dare to call it their second homeland.
Evgeny Melnik
Composes music, poetry, prose. He reads and writes a lot: about art, football, rock and nu-jazz. Crazy about Dada, Iceland and Mamlei prose.
Iceland is one of the most mysterious places on earth. This is the place where the rights of elves are legalized in the constitution, and the postmen and policemen play football better than the guys who can spend 250,000 euros on champagne in one night.
Perhaps now you want to learn more about the Land of Ice and Fire, or maybe even start saving your salary so that you can someday go to this mysterious island. And you will have to save a lot, since the prices in the country of sheep and puffins are among the highest in Europe.
Anthony Doudt/Flickr.com Products and prices
Iceland is known for its high food prices. A liter of milk here costs a little less than a euro, a kilogram of potatoes - 1 euro, bread - 2 euros. At the same time, meat prices are fantastic. For example, one kilogram of pork is sold for 14 euros, chicken - for 17 euros. But this is not the worst.
If you want to boo with some fair-haired lady in a restaurant, then you should take out a loan, because for a three-course dinner you can easily shell out more than a hundred euros! But there is an alternative - go to the local fast food and eat for "some" 15-20 euros.
/~helmar/Flickr.com But for the souls, exhausted by Narzan, it is better to stay at home. Icelanders are known for their ability to get drunk. At the same time in the morning they go to work as if nothing had happened. But your head may start to hurt after you get acquainted with the cost of "fire water" in Iceland.
For a bottle of ordinary wine, you will have to pay about 15-18 euros, beer - 2-4 euros. The stronger the drink, the more expensive it is. So a bottle of chatter can cost more than a bottle of good but light French wine.
When simplicity is better than theft
Vegetables in Iceland are also very expensive, as they are grown in greenhouses. Vegetable shops are just on the street, only there are no sellers in them. Prices are written on the plates, and there are scales and boxes for money nearby. Yes, yes, people themselves come, weigh, put money in a box, take change and move on. This is not easy to believe, so it is better to go to Iceland and see for yourself.
The doors in the houses here are also not locked, but this is not the most unusual thing. It is interesting that a complete stranger can enter a lonely house lost in the mountains, and they will immediately give him water, feed and put him to bed. At the same time, if you are a prominent man, and there is only one defenseless woman in the house, the balance and attitude will not change in any way - it has been verified from our own experience.
Freedom of views
Freedom of opinion on certain taboo topics is legendary in Iceland.
For example, it is well known that one of the prime ministers of Iceland, Johanna Sigurdardottir, was known as the first person in history to rule the government in the status of an open bisexual. Such a free attitude to orientation is not surprising, because it is absorbed with mother's milk.
How? The country has many geothermal springs, which are visited not only by tourists, but also by local residents. It is necessary to take a shower before visiting them.
Shriram Rajagopalan/Flickr.com There are showers in Iceland, although they are located in public places, while most of them do not have doors and walls. And the fact that it is customary for Icelanders to ask the name of a partner only after sex, and even then not always, is probably known to many.
Nation of multi-machine
In Russia, the concept of "multi-station" is usually associated with a life-tormented person who spins at several jobs to feed his family. Oddly enough, the Icelanders also have something similar.
Here, people do not order designers for themselves and make repairs exclusively by themselves. Every second Icelander considers himself a great artist, a creative person. For this reason, many things, which sometimes include tailoring, furniture selection, home improvement, they do exclusively with their own hands.
But that's not all. In Iceland, a comic musician can become a prominent politician, a barber's son can become a president, and a bank CEO can become a fisherman. The world-famous commentator Gudmundur Benediktsson is not even a professional commentator, since his main place of work was the Reykjavik football club, where he served as an assistant coach.
And the hairdresser's son, President Olafur Grimsson, has been in office for 20 years. At the end of the fourth term, he wanted to resign from his duties, but the citizens did not let him in.
Iceland and its music
Music in Iceland is not only self-sufficient, but also influential in the context of world culture.
In 1997, the now cult band Sigur Ros appeared here. Their music is called "magic", "heavenly", "divine". They play a mixture of ambient, post-rock and minimalism. The band's leader Jónsi Birgisson is known for his ethereal falsetto, as well as being openly homosexual and playing the electric guitar with a bow. At the same time, of all the participants, only he alone has the appropriate education.
Icelandic compositions are often used as soundtracks. If the titles of the films "Vanilla Sky", "The Immortals: War of the Worlds", "Penelope", "Slumdog Millionaire" tell you something, then it's time to listen to the Hoppipolla track.
Iceland is a land of amazing proportions
Gary Lineker (legendary English football player) admired the fact that there are more volcanoes in Iceland than professional football players.
There are actually more volcanoes - 126 versus 120. There really are a lot of "more than people" things here, so it's not surprising that people master many different professions. For example, there are more sheep than homo sapiens - 420,000 versus 332,500.
But there are even more charming puffin birds in Iceland, of which there are as many as 4 million!
David Reid/Flickr.com On the other hand, there are absolutely no ants on the island, and scientists do not know why.
About conservatism
From an outside perspective, Iceland may seem like an extremely liberal country. Doors in the houses are not closed here. As a long-awaited guest, they accept any person from the street. There is no army in the country, almost no police either. Products stand on the street without any sellers. Being naked in a public place is commonplace, and sexual orientation does not have conservative social labels. But in fact, Iceland is one of the most conservative countries in the world.
Getting a residence permit here is extremely difficult. Moreover, Icelanders are so meticulous that they even have a special language commission. For what? If a foreign word is introduced into the language, then the commission creates a local equivalent for it. For this reason, the Icelandic language is perhaps the only one that has almost no archaic forms, words with an emasculated meaning, and other relic phenomena.
In what language did the Skalds write the Elder Edda 1,000 years ago, in the same language they read it now. Iceland is very zealous about everything national, here literally everything is shrouded in traditions. Each encyclopedia says that the local parliament (Althing) is considered the oldest in Europe - it is 1,000 years old. Icelanders also wanted to join the EU, but changed their minds.
In general, if you decide to splash in the geysers and admire the northern lights - fill your suitcases with Icelandic crowns and go on a trip! True, in this country it is better to use credit cards, since it is not customary to pay in cash here.
Interested in how waiters and other service personnel live without a tip? Yes, they live great! Leaving a tip in Iceland is considered an insult.
