Iceland's most visited tourist attractions are both in south central
Iceland, a region renowned for its natural phenomena and historical sites.
May 19, 2006 (Press Release) --
Gullfoss & Geysir
Iceland's most visited tourist attractions are both in south central
Iceland, a region renowned for its natural phenomena and historical sites.
Gullfoss is a much photographed two-tiered waterfall, and when the sun is
shining (which isn't often), you're likely to see a rainbow through the
ample spray that forms. The site was once slated for sale to international
bidders for hydroelectric development, but has since been purchased by the
government and set aside as a national monument. Nearby is Haukadalur,
once one of southern Iceland's great seats of learning.
Just west of Gullfoss is Geysir, an area that contains the country's best
examples of spouting hot springs. The outstanding attraction is the 'Great
Geysir,' which first began erupting in the 14th century and ceased in the
early 20th century after thousands of tourists tried to set it off by
pouring in loads of rocks and dirt. When water levels inside the geysir
were artificially lowered, it resumed activity. However, earthquakes in
June 2000 now mean the geysir erupts to no specific timetable.
Fortunately, the Great Geysir has a stand-in - the nearby Strokkur. This
spring faithfully spouts and sprays up to 20m (65.5ft) every three
minutes, but photographers will have to be quick as the eruptions last
only a couple of seconds. Around the site are a number of other colourful
hot springs, steaming vents, warm streams, psychedelic algae and mineral
deposits.
Mývatn
Mývatn, in northeast Iceland, is considered one of the natural wonders of
the world. Although most of the interesting sights are volcanic or
geothermal topographical features, the reserve's centrepiece is a lovely
blue lake teeming with birdlife. What's more, thanks to its location in
the rain shadow of an enormous icecap, the reserve experiences some of the
finest weather in Iceland. Travellers can relax and settle in, spend a
week camping, or set out on excursions to the Kverkfjöll ice caves;
Námaskaro; or the Hverfell crater.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
Iceland's most visited tourist attractions are both in south central
Iceland, a region renowned for its natural phenomena and historical sites.
Gullfoss is a much photographed two-tiered waterfall, and when the sun is
shining (which isn't often), you're likely to see a rainbow through the
ample spray that forms. The site was once slated for sale to international
bidders for hydroelectric development, but has since been purchased by the
government and set aside as a national monument. Nearby is Haukadalur,
once one of southern Iceland's great seats of learning.
Just west of Gullfoss is Geysir, an area that contains the country's best
examples of spouting hot springs. The outstanding attraction is the 'Great
Geysir,' which first began erupting in the 14th century and ceased in the
early 20th century after thousands of tourists tried to set it off by
pouring in loads of rocks and dirt. When water levels inside the geysir
were artificially lowered, it resumed activity. However, earthquakes in
June 2000 now mean the geysir erupts to no specific timetable.
Fortunately, the Great Geysir has a stand-in - the nearby Strokkur. This
spring faithfully spouts and sprays up to 20m (65.5ft) every three
minutes, but photographers will have to be quick as the eruptions last
only a couple of seconds. Around the site are a number of other colourful
hot springs, steaming vents, warm streams, psychedelic algae and mineral
deposits.
Mývatn
Mývatn, in northeast Iceland, is considered one of the natural wonders of
the world. Although most of the interesting sights are volcanic or
geothermal topographical features, the reserve's centrepiece is a lovely
blue lake teeming with birdlife. What's more, thanks to its location in
the rain shadow of an enormous icecap, the reserve experiences some of the
finest weather in Iceland. Travellers can relax and settle in, spend a
week camping, or set out on excursions to the Kverkfjöll ice caves;
Námaskaro; or the Hverfell crater.
Source: http://www.yahoo.com
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