Iceland
Guide for dating in Iceland helps you to meet the best girls. This dating guide gives you tips how to date Icelandic women. You will learn rules where and how to flirt with local Icelandic girls. We advise how to move from casual dating to the relationship and find the real love. We also tell the best dating sites in Iceland. In this article below you will find more information where to meet and date girls in Iceland, Europe.
Girls in Iceland:
- Looks of girls: 3.5 / 5
- Attitude of girls: 3 / 5
- Loyalty of girls: 3 / 5
- Education level of girls: 4.5 / 5
Dating in Iceland:
- Chance of arranging dates: 4 / 5
- Casual dating culture: 4 / 5
- Online dating popularity: 4 / 5
Sex in Iceland:
- Women's sexual activity: 4 / 5
- One-night stands: 4 / 5
More about Iceland:
- Nightlife in general: 3.5 / 5
- Locals' English level: 4.5 / 5
- Budget per day: US$50 - $1000
- Accommodation: US$20 - $500
Contents
Dating
Iceland is a small island located off the coast of Europe between Norway and Greenland with a population of slightly more than 350,000 people. Despite the name, the terrain of the island is a mixture of sand, mountains, glaciers and rocky lava fields. Iceland enjoys a cool, temperate maritime climate, with refreshing summers and surprisingly mild temperatures in winter. Icelandic culture has been shaped by isolation and the extreme forces of nature. These conditions have created a resilient people, where family ties are close, the sense of tradition is strong, and the bond with nature is tight. As a country, the capital and largest city is Reykjavik situated on the southwestern part of the island with almost one-third of the country's population.
It is said that Iceland has one of the most open sex cultures in the world. With its closely-knit society, the people of this island openly talk about sex. The local girls are beautiful and open-minded and dating them is quite easy provided that you know how to keep them interested. Whether you want a long-term relationship or just a casual date, Iceland is the right place for you. While many countries have inhibitions on dating, Iceland’s location has resulted in the country not being influenced in any way.
Dating Culture
Iceland has one of the most open dating cultures in the world. With such a relatively small population, the island has a website dedicated to tracing everyone's ancestry. This is to ensure that no one dates their relatives as is bound to happen in any small population. Icelanders are also known for their simple hookup style. Once two people are interested in each other, they simply start spending time together and once they establish that they are not related, they slowly move from friendship to relationship. Icelanders have a different view of dating as compared to what is considered to be the western way. While in many places the couple spends considerable time getting to know each other before escalating things to the next level, Icelanders consider this to be a waste of time and would rather get straight to the point.
Sugar Dating
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Online Dating
Dating in Iceland can be a bit tricky due to not knowing if you have a solid connection, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you venture to the night club or bar, so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Iceland and get to know them on a personal basis before you meet in person. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting.
Webcam Dating
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Women
Iceland has a population of about 365,000 people spread over an area of about 40,000 square kilometers. Of this, more than 70% are to be found around the capital area of Reykjavik and the surrounding region in the southwest. The rest of the population is sparsely distributed over the countryside making Iceland one of the least densely populated countries in the world.
Iceland is one of the best countries to be a woman in the world. 88% of employable women in the countries have jobs, 65% of students attending university are female, while 41% of members of parliament are women. Iceland was the first country to have a female president, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, elected in 1980. For the past five years, Iceland has topped the rankings of the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report. The score is based on good results in terms of political empowerment and educational attainment and improvements in women's economic participation.
With this, the average Iceland woman enjoys more privileges than many women in the world. The first type of woman in Iceland is the students in universities and colleges. These girls are young and spend their time between classes during the week. Over the weekend the students will be found walking around time window-shopping and also go to the beaches to swim. As the evening comes along, these girls pour into the entertainment joints. Unlike their colleagues elsewhere who will always expect the man to pick up the tab, these young girls are comfortable sharing the bill with the men.
Iceland has one of the highest percentages of women involved in politics. With Iceland having been the first democratic country to elect a female president in 1980, many women were motivated to join politics. Many of them have ended up being elected at the national and local levels with some occupying government positions. Even those who do not get into elective positions end up in political agitation through activism and political parties.
As mentioned, Iceland has one of the highest ratios of women employed. The result of this is that many women that you will come across in the country are professional women employed in the companies and industries all across the country. With one of the highest divorce rates in the world, most of these women may have children but single.
Icelandic Girls (age 18 - 29)
Just like girls anywhere else in the world, Icelandic girls of this age undergo a transition from being children to becoming adults. With girls forming up to 65% of students in universities, the girls have a higher chance of progressing to the highest level than boys.
Many Icelanders get married after getting to 30 years of age meaning that at this stage, many of the girls are still in college and after college get jobs and continue staying with their parents or move out in their own apartment.
As the young girls get into adulthood, their bodies change in preparation for a life of parenthood. The breasts develop and become bigger and more succulent. The thighs and hips grow large. The freckles on the face which are common in teenagers disappear leaving the face looking smooth and beautiful.
Due to the slightly low temperatures that occur for parts of the year, the girls do not dress as skimpily as those in warmer parts of the world. However, their tighter clothes bring out the newly-developed features even beneath the layers of warm clothes.
Girls aged 18-29 years are the most outgoing in Iceland. This is because many are getting used to their new-found freedom and getting into the highly-liberal dating scene in Iceland. The girls are open to casual sex as they head towards the 30s when many of them settle down. If you are a tourist looking for a hookup, these are the best girls as many of them do not like getting into anything serious.
Icelandic Women (age 30 - 45)
This is the age in which many Icelandic girls settle down. Having dispensed with the pleasures of a young age, the women start gravitating towards getting someone that they can settle down with. Even as they get into relationships that may lead to marriage, these women will continue to exercise their freedom. Their ability and expertise at working hard and caring about their family, together with their strong personality, enables them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their chosen man and share all the responsibilities that come with a full-time relationship. Nearly everyone in this fine country is blessed with a beautiful, clear complexion, and the women maintain healthy, slim bodies. Indeed, some of these slender beauties like to keep fit through practicing some sort of sport, be it indoor or outdoor.
It is at this age that most women will start going for dates with the one person that they will be looking to settle down with. Dating a woman from Iceland is often very laid back. You might have found each other at a bar, on Tinder, Instagram or sent her a message on any social media platform out there and started chatting. Icelandic women are much more into getting to know someone on a friendlier basis and then deciding if it’s worth meeting up. Chill dates like grabbing a coffee, going for some jazz, sitting down with a beer and deck of cards or having ice cream work perfectly. One of the best features of Icelandic women’s character is this carefree attitude to dating formats. Their standards are simplified to essentials, and they are ridiculously opposite to others.
Icelandic Ladies (age 45+)
Iceland has the highest rate of single-parenting in the world. Some of the single parents are due to many young girls engaging in casual sex that results in babies being born and the two parents going their separate ways. The other single parents are due to the high divorce rate in the country. Even if the family breaks up, then, as a rule, both parents are equally involved in raising the child: one week he lives with his father and his new family, the other - with his mother and her family.
Many Icelandic women of this age, therefore, are single parents raising their children intermittently with the father.
Even as they raise their children, these women are ready and are always going out on casual dates. The financial situation of a man barely concerns these independent women, for many of them multitask and manage to do several jobs simultaneously and so they can comfortably meet all the costs of your dates. In Iceland, people and women, in particular, do not wait for anyone to come and give them what they want. From a young age, girls are taught to work if they want to get something. Putting an effort into everything you do is appreciated much in Iceland and thus an Icelandic woman would not be lazy even when she achieves everything she wants.
Foreign Girls (tourists, expats, students, etc.)
Every year, more than two million visitors fly into Iceland. Although some of these may be students or expatriates, most of them are tourists who come in to visit the natural phenomena and enjoy the good time that the Icelanders are famed for. The small population of the city means that the number of visitors and local girls is almost equal. The foreign girls are an easy catch to hook up with as many of them come to Iceland and adapt to the lifestyle of the local girls. Unlike the local girls who are not easily impressed by sites and tours of the country, taking the foreign girl on a trip around the country will be exciting for her.
Sex
As mentioned before, it is not very hard to have sex with Icelandic girls in the country. The country has a very liberal approach to matters of sex and dating. The young girls, particularly those aged less than 30 years are easier to bed as they start settling down as they approach 30 years. However, this does not mean that you can get to bed any girl at any time, getting a girl interested may be the harder part as many of them are not easily impressed with the same things that would impress other girls. You will have to do different things in order to impress different girls.
Sex Culture
The country has a vibrant sex culture right from talking about sex to actively engaging in it. They do not attach any shame to the act of sex. It is seen as a natural thing and not something to be done only between couples etc. Casual sex is very common. The population of the country may be small meaning that there may be a risk of two people who are closely related to end up in bed together. This has not slowed the Icelanders down as they have developed a website and a mobile phone application that can quickly let you know if the person you are about to have sex with is your close relative.
One-Night Stands
One of the greatest contributors to the rampant one-night stands in Iceland is the use of mobile technologies. Popular social media platforms and dating applications like Tinder, Bumble, Happn are prevalently used to set up one-night flings. This is not to mean that the girls are always ready to let you get to them. You need to impress her first before she can give you some. The young girls are more into one night stands as they are just experimenting and not looking for anything serious.
Best Places to Meet Single Girls
Iceland has a long history and boasts of having the oldest democracy in the world. Its parliament is considered to be the longest-running in the world. With its long historic link in Europe and its vibrant culture, Iceland has a lot of interesting places that you can visit with the hope of running into beautiful single girls.
While many of the attractions are to be found around the capital city in the southwest of the country, the whole island has plenty of scenic views and beautiful mountains. Indeed, Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts; a place where fire and ice co-exist; where dark winters are offset by the summer’s midnight sun; a country where insular existence has spurred a rich and vibrant culture.
Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs
As mentioned earlier, much of the social and economic activity in Iceland takes place within and around the capital, Reykjavik. In recent years, Reykjavík has become widely known for its fast-paced nightlife, praised by locals, tourists and travel magazines from all over the world. Many of those who arrive at Iceland's shores are taken aback by the sheer array of entertainment venues, bars and restaurants on offer, all of which offer their unique insight into the capital's culture. Reykjavik hosts a great variety of clubs, bars, craft bars, more traditional settings, local tastes and an atmosphere to suit every preference.
In addition, Iceland’s inner cities feature some of the most underrated bars in Europe today. Aside from tourists, the locals themselves have been known to spend some time in their hometown bars.
- Slippbarinn: This club is located in Reykjavik and is reputed to be among the oldest in the city giving it a rich historical feel that keeps locals coming back again. It is not only one of the most popular bars in [Reykjavik], but all Iceland. The bar is located within the Reykjavik Hotel Marina, which is also another popular landmark. Many of the drinks are crafted with local ingredients, giving them an authentic taste.
- Austur: Austur is both the biggest and oldest nightclub in Reykjavik, located on the ground floor along Austurstræti – hence the name. One of the classier venues in town, there are two bars, a large dance floor, plenty of table space and, if you’ve got enough money, the chance to make use of VIP table service and have bottles delivered to your table.
- Kaffibarinn: This is also located in Reykjavik. The club is popular with younger folks looking for a bar that offers the trendiest live music and DJs. It offers a distinct party vibe, and city dive bar type feel. The bar itself is recognized as one of the most unique party spots in the capital. Although by day it is a coffee shop, it is a wonderful bar to check out by night.
- Paloma: If you are looking for a spot that never shuts its doors in the capital, Paloma is the place for you. This bar provides a lively feel at all hours and is known as the “Viking Bar”. The bar is a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
- Prikið: It’s the absolute cornerstone of Reykjavik nightlife – a great place for those who love ’90s contemporary hip-hop music. The small club feels like a jam-packed house party at weekends, with people crowding into the two-story house and dancing in every space available.
- Gaukurinn: This club is located in Reykjavik close to the harbor. Gaukurinn is one of the last bastions of live music in the city after many venues shut down. While the club might resemble a dive bar, the friendly service and cheaper-than-usual prices more than make up for the slightly shabby decor. Expect alternative, rock and heavy metal live music when there are gigs on, and an all-inclusive ambiance at this establishment, which also hosts regular drag shows.
- Pablo Discobar : This club gives you a South American feel while in downtown Reykjavik. Though the drinks are on the pricier side, the colorful venue plays an infectious mix of electro, funk and hip-hop at weekends and serves tasty Latin tapas at the second-floor restaurant Burro, making this a go-to venue if you want to dress up for a fun night out.
- B5 Bar: The club is one of the few in the city with a strict dress code. B5 is a small, Miami-inspired club that draws in an Icelandic crowd who like to dress up for a night out. This venue serves premium drinks and has a two-for-one happy hour.
- Kíkí Queer Bar: This club presents the best opportunity for those seeking to go out and dance. The venue is lit with disco balls and the music choice is always on point: one minute it’ll be the latest pop and hip-hop songs, and the next, Queen Sing-alongs and show tunes. The club has a friendly vibe, and you’ll meet tourists and locals alike on the dance floor.
Shopping Malls
The convenience of getting everything in one place and the additional outlets have made malls a popular destination not just in Iceland but all over the world.
Some of the leading malls in Iceland include:
- Kringlan Mall in Reykjavik
- Grímsbær Mall in Reykjavik
- Smáralind Mall in Kópavogur
- Smáratorg Tower in Kópavogur
- Eiðistorg Shopping Mall in Austurströnd
Outdoors
Iceland is a country defined by its outdoors. Inspiring scenery at every turn, extraordinary landscapes, and astounding natural wonders; when visiting a country with nature so inspiring, it would be a waste to spend your time solely holed up in the cities without making time for exploration of the outdoors.
With its natural landscape, Iceland offers the best ground for hiking. Established trails throughout the country range from an hour to a week and the most popular include those at Landmannalaugar, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, and Skaftafell though the magic of Iceland is in creating your path. Opportunities for hiking are truly endless; just pull off to the side of the road and set off from where you have parked.
- Steaming Reykjadalur Valley: It is an active geothermal field sited on a tectonic plate boundary. It’s been 2,000 years since the last eruption here but in 2008 a powerful earthquake ripped through, bringing dozens of gurgling, sulfurous springs to life. A 3km trail leads up the grassy valley to a warm stream, where you can take a dip. Watch your step and stick to the path as the crust can be wafer-thin and springs are unfenced.
- Látrabjarg: It is a 14km-long cliff, rising over 400m, at Iceland's westernmost tip. Tens of thousands of puffins come ashore in May to nest in burrows and are easy to observe. Nearby, take a detour to Rauðisandur, a gorgeous beach, empty except for a few seals.
- Vatnajökull: This is an 8,100 sq km dome of ice (one-twelfth of Iceland's surface) up to 800m thick, protected in an eponymous national park. To explore the rumbling glaciers, hire a guide, who'll provide the gear and steer you safely through the jumble of crevasses and pinnacles.
- The Laugavegur: It is one of the great hikes of the world, yet is little known outside of Iceland. The four-day, 53km trek which begins in a lava field crosses Rainbow Mountains, passes bubbling pools and glacial ice and traverses a black-ash desert before finishing in green woodland at the foot of the infamous Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
- Northern Lights: From late August to March the ethereal Northern Lights can be seen all over Iceland. This celestial light show needs a clear, dark sky away from light sources. The solar particles that collide with the earth’s atmosphere work in cycles, so you have to check the forecast – and allow plenty of time.
- The Kjölur Trail: It is a historic route through Iceland's highlands, a 210km trek between two ice caps. The sure-footed Icelandic horses take it all in their stride, fording glacial torrents as they have done for centuries. There's always a herd of free-running horses so the riders swap mounts during the day.
- Thorsmörk: Wedged between glaciers in the deep south you’ll find a surprising oasis of green. This is the forested valley of Thorsmörk– named after the early Icelanders’ Norse god, Thor. The recommended way into this hiker’s paradise is by bus or, for more fun and thrills, by super-jeep.
Iceland is the perfect location for whale watching. The cold waters off the coast play host to a diverse marine life. During the summer months, in particular, the shores become a veritable feeding ground for multiple species of large marine mammals, giving visitors a chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
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Universities and Colleges
Some of the universities and colleges found in the city include:
- University of Iceland, Reykjavik
- Holar University, Holar
- Reykjavik University, Reykjavik]
- Iceland University of the Arts, Reykjavik
- The School for Renewable Energy Science, Akureyri
- Agricultural University of Iceland, Hvanneyri
- University of Akureyri, Akureyri
Relationship
As mentioned earlier, Iceland has one of the most vibrant and liberated relationship cultures in the world. The girls in Iceland are sociable and welcoming. However, the dating scene in Iceland is somewhat different from the dating scene in the west but still with some similarities. One of the main differences spins from the fact that Iceland's relatively low population means that there are chances of people who are related to each other stumbling upon each other and hooking up. To prevent this, the country has a dedicated website that enables one to check if any two people are closely related. This is useful given the casual nature of dating in the country.
Relationships here do not necessarily start with a first formal date in which two people conduct a form of an interview with each other before deciding to get into a relationship. The common approach is whereby two people spend time together with subtle hints leading up to two people getting a relationship.
Iceland women are some of the most empowered in the world and many of them are at par with their male counterparts in many areas of life. As a result of this, the women believe in equality and so once a relationship kicks off, the woman will not always be content to sit back and let the man take charge of everything. The need to be independent is somehow deeply encrypted into the Icelandic women’s psyche and persona. This reduces the pressure on the man having to lead the way in everything as women are comfortable splitting bills and other responsibilities that are usually the preserve of the men anywhere else in the world.
Holiday Romance
More often than not a holiday romance is intended to just last the duration of the holiday. At other times, however, it goes beyond the holiday and can blossom into a long-lasting relationship or even marriage. Holidays provide a perfect opportunity for us to get away from our usual activities and get time to breathe and recover our energy reserves. To ensure that a holiday is not restricted by time or lack of resources, many people often begin plan as early as a year for a holiday. The planning includes accumulating leave days but most importantly saving money.
Hooking up over the holidays comes with two main benefits. One is that since the two of you are both on holiday, you will both have enough time to hang out and tour the beautiful places that Iceland has to offer. Unlike during the normal working days when you have to balance your socialization and your working time, there is nothing else much to do during the holidays. The second benefit is that chances are very high that the two of you already have something in common, your love for traveling for vacation, this means that you may have common interests that will spice your holiday.
Tips for Successful Relationship
Whether you are looking for someone to spend time with during your holiday in Iceland, several ingredients will make your relationship enjoyable and fulfilling. Some of the components may vary depending on personality and preference but some requirements apply to any love relationship.
The first thing that will help you have a successful relationship is if the two of you create time to be physically present for each other. However busy the two of you may be, there comes a time when the two of you have to be physically present for each other. The more the two of you spend time together, the better bond the two of you will develop and the more you will learn about each other. This will help you to understand each other better.
As the two of you spend time together, you need to be open and honest with each other. This should start from the time you two meet and get to know each other. As the two of you are honest and vulnerable to each other, the relationship will develop from a point of knowing each other well hence there will be no surprises emerging along the way.
Whether the two of you live together or separately, communication is of uttermost importance. It is only through communication that the two of you can express your feelings, thoughts and emotions to each other. Without there being open and honest communication between the two of you, it will be hard to know the direction of the relationship and two of you may start resenting each other as there may be unfulfilled needs and desires.
Relationship experts and scientists have postulated that every human being has one of five preferred expectations from a relationship. These preferences have been dubbed the five love languages. These are acts of service; words of affirmation; gifts, quality time and physical touch. Each one is important and expresses love in its own way. However, everyone has one language that is dominant over the others. Learning your partner's and your own primary love language will help create a stronger bond in your relationship.
Depending on where you are, a little public display of affection goes a long way to galvanize your relationship. By nature, one of the things a girl craves is affirmation especially in public. In a country like Iceland where subtle gestures like holding hands while walking together in public are tolerable, you should shy away from doing such provided decency is still maintained.
Love
As repeatedly mentioned before, Iceland has one of the most liberal approaches to love and relationships. From the way a girl is approached to the dating life, it is a simple affair without the norms that characterize dating in the western world. One major deviance from normal trends is that in Iceland, a couple may go for as long as 15 years in a form of partnership and even have children without formalizing their marriage.
The tendency to delay or skip marriage contributes to Iceland having the world's highest out-of-wedlock birth rate at around 67%. Many children are also born to single mothers, who suffer far less economic disadvantage or social stigma than other countries. This is due to benefits such as nine months paid parental leave and affordable daycare, which means women are not financially set back in the year after childbirth, and don't struggle with expensive childcare on returning to work or study.
As also mentioned earlier, women in Iceland have an enhanced sense of responsibility and equality and will only fully sit back during the initial approach by a man. Once this is done, she will step up to the plate and share responsibilities with you. A part of this is attributed to the Viking ancestry of the Icelanders. As part of the separation of roles, the Viking men often rode off to war and spent long periods away from their families. As a result, the women left behind learned to take charge and take care of their families.
How to Make Sure She Is the One
Even in a country as liberal as Iceland, you would want to get someone with whom you would be comfortable spending your time with. While you will never get someone who will check all your boxes in terms of the qualities you want, some desirable universal characteristics will help you to decide if she is the one for you.
Before the two of you become lovers, you will need to be friends. As friends, you are bound to be more open as you get to learn and understand each other. A good girl will be ready to start from being your friend and have the friendship escalate into a relationship over time. There will be times in the relationship that your friendship is what will hold you together.
As the two of you seek to build a future together, a good girl will make you feel secure. While it is the traditional role of the man to provide physical and financial security to the family, a man requires emotional security from the woman. This is the calm assurance that once the two of you start dating, there will be no competing for her attention with anything or anyone else.
A good woman will seek to become familiar with the people around you as she comes into your life. This is because a relationship brings together two people having different sets of family and friends. A good girl will seek to know your family, relatives and even your close friends. She will not only want to know these people but if there are any of them that you hold dear, she will also try to create a special relationship with them.
In a relationship, the two of you will always have your personal goals and ambitions in life. Once the two of you begin dating, there are plans which will be changed to fit your collective context while some will be retained. A good girl will want to know about your personal goals and will be willing to go the extra mile to support you to achieve them. This support may be as simple as encouraging you and as engaging as giving material and financial support.
It is often said that the true character of a person comes out in the face of strangers. A girl will try and be polite to you and even those close to you just to please you. Even as this is good and commendable, you will be able to know her true nature how she treats strangers and those who may be considered to be less privileged. These include doormen, waiters in a restaurant and strangers on the streets. A good girl for you will display the same level of kindness that she shows you to these people
Marriage
Iceland has some of the easiest marriage laws in the world. However, more than 65% of children born in Iceland are born by unmarried mothers. The minimum legal age for one to get married Iceland is 18 years. Same-sex marriages are legal in the country. If one or both of the members of the couple have been married before then they will need to provide proof of divorce or death. All documents that are sent in will need to be original, and only need to have an accompanying translation if they are not in English or any of the Scandinavian languages.
All the documents must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the date of the wedding, but to make things easier it's possible to e-mail the documents first and hand over the original documents in person, no later than 5 days before the wedding date. If you hire a wedding planner, they can do this for you.
These documents are:
• Marriage notification
• Birth certificates of both parties. Originals can be returned after the wedding ceremony.
• Certificate of marital status that needs to be issued within 8 weeks before the wedding date.
• A divorce decree, if either party is divorced.
• If the bride/groom is a widower, a document detailing that the estate of the deceased has been divided/finalized.
• Valid passports of both parties.
After the ceremony has taken place it is possible to obtain a wedding certificate in English from the National Registry, Þjóðskrá.
Wedding
With a majority of the population being Christian, many people choose to have their weddings in churches. Icelandic weddings today still observe some traditional customs, such as seating by gender and the high table. Traditionally men sit on the groom’s side while women sit on the bride’s side. The father of the groom joins his son at the altar and they greet everyone who enters with a curt bow. The mothers greet the visitors as they enter the church itself in the foyer. Once the mothers take their seats the guests know that the bride has arrived, she is led by her father to the altar where they take their seats on the bride’s side.
Once the newlyweds arrive an honorary toast is made before dinner commences. Immediately after dinner a couple of speeches are held. The bride and groom jointly cut the wedding cake (usually a multi-tier). Once cake and coffee have been served the newlyweds dance the first dance together, traditionally a bridal waltz. After the first dance they are joined by their parents and next of kin and then other guests on the dance floor The bride tosses her bouquet over her shoulder to the assembled unmarried women; the woman who catches it, superstition has it, will be the next to marry. The process is repeated for unmarried men with the groom tossing the bride's garter for the same purpose.
Family Life
Family in Iceland is especially important, as the country is so small. Icelandic families are often larger than other Northern European countries. Extended family members usually don’t live together but uncles, aunts, and grandparents often help with childcare. Since most people in Iceland have been there for a very long time, charting family history is a popular hobby for many Icelanders. In Iceland culture and tradition, housework is shared by the whole family. Icelandic youth are taught to be self-sufficient and they are expected to clean their bedroom, change the linen, vacuum-clean or wash the floors, do the laundry, prepare meals and clean the kitchen after general use.
Violence within the family, as violence in general in the society, is strictly forbidden. It is illegal to use violence on one’s partner or children, neither mental nor physical. Violence within the family may be charged to the police and in cases of violence towards children, it must be reported to the government agency for child protection or to the police.
Regions
| Southwest Iceland Home of the capital, Reykjavik and the majority of the island's population |
| West Fjords Sparsely populated, rugged geography |
| West Iceland Snæfellsjökull glacier, the islands of Breiðafjörður and more |
| North Iceland Dramatic lava fields, turbulent waterfalls |
| East Iceland More fjords and the only international passenger ferry terminal |
| South Iceland Home to the most popular tourist attractions, including the Golden Circle |
| Interior Glaciated mountains |
Cities
- Reykjavik (REYG-ya-veeg) — The capital of Iceland and is the largest city
- Akureyri (Ahk-oo-rey-ree) — Capital of the North and the largest town outside the Southwest
- Egilsstaðir (AY-yell-stath-er) — Main town in the East, has some of the best weather Iceland has to offer
- Hafnarfjörður (HAP-nar-FYERTH-er) — Cozy town on the outskirts of the capital region
- Höfn (HERP'n) — Main town on the southeastern coast
- Húsavík (HOOS-ah-veek) — One of the world's most reliable whale watching sites during the summer
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- Keflavik (KEP-la-veek) — The location of the international airport, but also an interesting town in its own right
- Ísafjörður (EES-ah-FYERTH-er) — Biggest town of the West fjords of Iceland
- Selfoss (SEL-fos) — South Iceland's largest town, hub of the main agricultural region
- Stykkishólmur (STICK-is-hole-mur) — Main town on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, gateway to the islands of Breiðafjörður
- Seyðisfjörður (SEY-ths-fjorth-ur) — A town and municipality in the Eastfjords of Iceland
See Also
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