Things are looking up for Iceland this season. With the latest UN Human Development Index report, Iceland has finally overtaken Norway for the top spot. The UN index is a statistical measure of life expectancy, literacy and living standards for countries around the world.
For the past six years, Norway has been in first place, but this year Iceland has taken over, leaving Norway in second place by a mere fraction. According to the report, free market countries dominate the top positions. Currently the classifications are as follows: Iceland, Norway, Australia, Canada and Ireland. The United States fell from 8th to 12th place. The United Kingdom has dropped to 16th place, behind Austria.
Iceland has a small population of just 300,000, which may have contributed to its high ranking on the index. Iceland has also made technological advances in recent years. With the increased promotion of the country, it has become one of the most popular places for vacations.
With daylight almost all day in summer, the weather is perfect for a vacation. There are day trips throughout the country, which visitors can find from tour operators in the capital, Reykjavik. Tour operators also take visitors to the country’s spectacular waterfall, Gullfoss.
The Gullfoss is an exquisite waterfall that falls in the form of stairs from the highlands. About a kilometer above the great fall, the water makes a sharp turn to the left and falls in a “staircase” of three steps. The water then plunges twice, first 11 m and then 21 m, into a crack. The crack itself is 105 feet (32 m) deep, 60 feet (20 m) wide, and 2.5 km long. The average amount of water that plummets in summer is 140 m3 per second. In winter it is 80m3 per second. The largest flood that hit the river was 2,000 m3/s.
Other features that add to the standard of living are the natural hot springs and the famous Blue Lagoon. The lagoon got its name from the pure milky blue waters that are full of natural minerals. Visitors come from miles around to experience the calming, healing properties of the blue water. They enjoy lying in the water while looking at the lava fields that surround them.
The landscape is full of spas and natural springs, which encourage a healthy and relaxing lifestyle. However, with long black sand beaches to walk on and the hills of Landmannalaugar to explore, exercise is also actively encouraged. The hills are in the central highlands, with hiking and 4X4 drives available.
It is no wonder then, that with all these natural resources and amenities of nature, the life expectancy and standard of living in this beautiful country has increased. Although the latest reports show only a fraction between Iceland and second place Norway, with all the promises of pleasure, it looks like Iceland will widen that gap before too long.