Issue link: https://digital.meetinreykjavik.is/i/1541123
GENERAL FACTS Popula on 387,758 (2023): Mean age: 38,5 years Capital city Reykjavík. Polula on: 139.000. The greater capital area popula on: 243.000 Government Parliamentary cons tu onal republic. Time Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - all year Languages Icelandic Highest point Hvannadalshnjúkur peak at 2,110 m. Natural resourses Fish,hydropower, geotherman energy. 8 CURRENCY & VAT RATE All banks in Iceland provide foreign exchange and the Icelandic currency is krona. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Iceland and ATM machines are common. VAT (Value Added Tax) The refund will reduce retail prices by approximately 15%. A purchase of no less than 12.000 ISK per store is eligible for a refund. WEATHER IN ICELAND The summers are fresh and winters fairly mild. July is the warmest month and January the coolest. For further informa on on the weather browse Icelandic Met Office. Iceland has been dubbed the Land of the Midnight Sun and indeed around midsummer eve the sun is visible all day round. The flipside of the coin is the darkest day during winter sols ce when the sun is only visible for two and a half hours. This natural phenomena, however, is what creates the unique and beau ful light in Iceland. Ar sts and photographers are enthralled by it and strive to capture its varia ons in miscellaneous ways. Northern lights season in Iceland is from late August un l late April. The darker and brighter the skies, the be er for seeing the aurora borealis. We cannot guarantee sigh ng! GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT REYKJAVÍK - ICELAND FUN FACTS • Iceland has no military. It has coast guard and a volunteer-run search and rescue service. In fact, Icelandic police do not carry guns. Children play outside unsupervised from an early age, o en only returning when their dinner — or curfew starts! • Vigdís Finnbogadó r was the world´s first democra cally elected female head of state. • Today, nine out of ten Icelandic homes are heated with geothermal water. • The unique Icelandic language includes over 100 words for wind • Iceland has 13 Santas (kind of). In Iceland, in- stead of wai ng for Santa, children are visited by 13 mischievous Yule Lads who each leave gi s in their shoes over the 13 nights before Christmas. • In Iceland, parents can't choose any name — a commi ee approves names to ensure they fol- low Icelandic language and naming tradi ons.