I’ve been in Iceland for one month as an artist-in-residence and will stay until April 1 at the invitation of NES in Skagaströnd. I’ve eaten smoked whale, sheep’s head, blubber, pickled ram’s testicle and fermented shark (tasted and spit out) among other delicacies — horse is a common food here but not for me.
I also learned that Iceland has over 130 words for wind (true fact). See below for one powerful kind of wind.
Some other random facts include: Iceland is a leading country for book publishing (Iceland publishes more books per capita than any other country in the world). Apparently, one in ten people in Iceland will publish a book in their lifetime!!
Iceland has no military.
Iceland doesn’t have any mosquitoes.
It’s illegal to own a pet snake, lizard or turtle in Iceland, and there aren’t any reptiles or amphibians in the country!
Iceland has the highest consumption of Coca-Cola per capita than any other country.
It has been said that 54.4% of Icelanders believe in the existence of huldufólk, invisible elves & trolls.
Iceland has a naming committee for prospective parents. There is an official register of approved and banned given names.
Iceland was the first country to have an openly queer Prime Minister.
Iceland had the first woman in the world elected head of state in a national election (1980–96).
There are 13 Santas in Iceland, and each have a name based on their specific behavior, such as Sausage Snatcher or Pot Licker. Children put a shoe in their window for 13 nights leading up to Christmas day and receive a present every evening.
The only native mammal in Iceland is the Arctic Fox, which came from Europe during the Ice Age.