A committee on the protection of animals in Iceland estimates that there are currently more than 20,000 cats in Iceland, and more than 20,000 dogs too, and yet it seems like there are more felines faffing about on the streets. This might be because dogs are more often found in the countryside.
Can cats live in Iceland?
Cats can be spotted all over town, but people living in the old and large houses in downtown Reykjavík are more likely to have these furry pets than those living in apartment blocks in some of Reykjavík’s suburbs. Likewise, you can very likely spot a cat around farms in the Icelandic countryside.
There are always stray cats somewhere in some place, but if they are found we have a very good cat shelter where they are always welcome. The shelter is always lacking funds so a contribution to Kattholt shelter or even a membership is highly appreciated if you’d like.
What is forbidden in Iceland?
Not only is it illegal to sell panties, boxers, thongs, and jock straps with the Icelandic flag on them (that would be disrespectful), it is also illegal to sell or advertise items of foreign origin if the image of an Icelandic flag has been put on them (that would be unpatriotic).
Why were dogs banned In Iceland? Dogs were banned from Reykjavik at a time when the population was growing quickly, and there were many stray dogs in the city scavenging for food. Some of the dogs were carrying parasites that could pass to humans, including tapeworm.
What do cats say in Iceland?
Mjá = meow. Often used as a hello when coming across a cat: mjá-mjá is a typical hello. Keep learning Icelandic with us!
Are there dogs in Iceland?
The Icelandic sheepdog is the only native dog in Iceland and was brought to the country by the Viking settlers in the 9th century. The Icelandic breed originates from the Nordic countries and similar types are the Norwegian Buhund, the Shetland Sheepdog and the Welsh Corgi.
Are dogs allowed in Reykjavík?
Dogs are forbidden Strictly speaking, it is forbidden to own dogs in Iceland. In 1971, a complete ban on dogs was enforced in Reykjavík, but 13 years later the rules were changed, and people could own dogs if both owner and dog met a few conditions.
What alcohol is native to Iceland?
Brennivín A distilled brand of schnapps that is considered Iceland’s signature liquor. It is sometimes called Svarti dauði, meaning Black Death. It is made from fermented potato mash and is flavored with caraway seeds.
What are the cats of Reykjavík?
Many visitors ponder over the number of cats roaming the streets of Reykjavík. These furry friends often behave like they own the place, taking no notice of passing people or cars. Most of them are well-behaved and friendly, though some you might consider a bit arrogant.
Why is beer illegal in Iceland?
Even today alcohol sales in Iceland are highly regulated and government run liquor stores (Vínbúðin) are the only places to buy alcohol in Iceland. The somewhat shaky logic behind the beer ban was that access to beer would tempt young people and workers into heavy drinking.
How many murders are there in Iceland?
Are there homeless in Iceland?
Homelessness in Iceland has been on the rise, as the country continues to experience aftershocks of the 2008 economic crisis. Iceland has a population of 364,134 (about half the size of Seattle). Between 2009 and 2017, the city of Reykjavík experienced a 168% increase in the number of homeless citizens.
Does Iceland smell like a fart?
Everything smells like farts The water in Iceland is heated by harnessing the volcanic landscapes geothermal energy, which then then runs straight to your tap. So whilst it is super fresh, it is also super sulphuric, making it smell like you’re changing the diaper of a baby grown on a diet of Indian food and asparagus.
Why did Iceland Ban McDonald’s?
Iceland was home to 3 or 4 (sources differ) McDonald’s restaurants until the country’s financial crisis in 2009. With the collapse of the country’s currency, the cost of importing the restaurants’ required food products reportedly doubled, forcing all locations to shut down.
Why are turtles illegal in Iceland?
Later that decade in Iceland, a turtle infected its owners with Salmonella. “The main reason why snakes and turtles are banned is because they are a common source of Salmonella,” explains Þorvaldur”and the infection can be deadly.
Who is Jólakötturinn?
The Yule Cat, known as Jólakötturinn, a huge and vicious cat who is described as lurking about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and eating people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas Eve. He is the house pet of Grýla and her sons.
What is cat in other languages?
Can you smoke in Iceland?
Smoking in Iceland is banned in restaurants, cafés, bars and night clubs as of June 2007. A large majority of Icelanders approve of the ban. At the time the ban went into effect, almost one in four Icelandic people were smokers.
Why are there no trees in Iceland?
Iceland Deforestation ” An Almost Treeless Land A large number of sheep contributed to soil erosion, causing a reduction of the areas which could support trees. Lava from volcanic eruptions has also covered some locations that had previously been fertile areas.
Is alcoholism a problem in Iceland?
Problem drinking is on the rise in Iceland, with 32% of men and 27% of women having consumed what is considered to dangerous amounts of alcohol in 2017, RÚV reports. These percentages are up two points from 2016.
Is it legal to own a gun in Iceland?
Laws on gun ownership in Iceland. Gun ownership is strictly regulated in Iceland. Collectors must hold a firearms license for five years and maintain appropriate storage facilities for the weapons before they are allowed to apply for a collector’s permit”a necessity for obtaining semi-automatic weapons.
What is the divorce rate in Iceland?
Number of divorces is similar Although the number of divorces has increased slightly, from 545 in 2000 to 687 in 2020, the divorce rate calculated as divorces per 1,000 inhabitants, is quite stable. The divorce rate was 1.9 in 2020 showing a slight increase from 1.8 in 2000.
Is there wolves in Iceland?
Are there wolves in Iceland? There are currently no wolves in Iceland. However, in the ninth century, at the time of settlement, numerous wolves roamed the landscape. Due to this, the wolf has become a popular feature of Icelandic mythology.
What is Black Death in Iceland?
Brennivin, better known as “Black Death”, is the Icelandic’s distinctive spirit. It was created from the “aquavits” introduced by Danish merchants in Iceland in the 17th Century. The exact translation for Brennivin is “Burnt Wine”. This refers to how the “aquavit” is produced: distilled over an opened flame.
What is the Icelandic drink Black Death?
Black Death (Brennivín) Black Death is schnapps made out of fermented potato mash, flavored with caraway. This alcohol is only made in Iceland and only in one distillery. It’s traditional to drink your Brennivín neat and frozen.
What is the drinking age in Iceland?
The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20. Grocery stores only have low-alcohol beer; all other alcohol is sold in state-controlled stores called Vínbúð, with limited opening hours.
Can you drink on the streets in Iceland?
Reykjavik at night is a place where mass public drinking is completely socially acceptable from Thursday evening to Sunday morning, even though it is technically illegal. It might seem confusing at first, but there’s a reason for everything, including Icelandic drinking habits and nightlife.
What is the main dish in Iceland?
The most typical food in Iceland involves fish, lamb, or Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt). These have been the main elements in the Icelandic diet for over a thousand years. Icelandic meals are commonly meat-based due to the lack of farmable lands in the past.
What is the warmest time of the year in Iceland?
The summer months ” July and August ” are Iceland’s warmest, and have long been the most popular time to visit. And June, with its 24 hours of daylight, sees just about as many tourists as the peak of summer. But even during this season, bad weather (rain and intense winds) is not uncommon.
What do Icelanders think of America?
As a tourist you should not notice “hostility” from Icelanders. Yes there are mixed feelings with the US politics, but it’s goes in both directions. In fact USA has been one of Iceland’s most important allies for the last 50-60 years. You will be welcomed and treated as every other tourist that comes here.
What is the most common crime in Iceland?
By far, most of the crimes committed were traffic offenses, followed by penal violations. Most of the crimes were registered in the Capital region, which is also where most of the inhabitants in Iceland live.
Are there drugs in Iceland?
This is a side of Iceland rarely seen by visitors. Under current laws, possessing illegal drugs in Iceland can result in heavy fines and jail time. Hash and marijuana are the most-seized drugs by police officers, followed by amphetamines, with only small amounts of ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin seized.
How is Iceland so rich?
Iceland ($52,150) Tourism, exports and investment have driven Iceland’s GDP growth, according to the IMF. The IMF also predicts that the growth of the country’s tourism industry is also expected to be long-lasting.
Who is the richest person in Iceland?
Thor Bjorgolfsson, born on March 19th, 1967, is an Icelandic entrepreneur and businessman, based in London. As of October 2019, Forbes listed him as the richest person in Iceland and the 1,116th richest in the world. In fact, he is the only billionaire in all of Iceland.
What is life really like in Iceland?
Life in Reykjavik ” Life follows a very specific rhythm in the Capital city, probably everywhere in Iceland. In general, the pace of life was much slower than I was used to. Icelanders work hard and they play hard, to use an old cliche. Icelanders take long vacations, some up to 4 weeks in the summer!
Can you drink tap water in Iceland?
Yes, the water is perfectly safe to drink in Iceland! Unless marked otherwise, tap water is considered safe, and because of where it comes from, you know you’re getting it in its purest form. Nearly all of Iceland’s tap water is sourced from groundwater ” stored deep in wells under the earth’s surface.
Does everyone in Iceland speak English?
English is almost universally spoken in Iceland, with many people very fluent as well. Icelanders learn English from a very early age and are exposed to English language film and TV a lot and so are very proficient at English. Almost the entire population can speak it to some degree.
Why does Iceland have so little crime?
It was found that the low crime rate in Iceland is largely due to a culture of nonviolence in Iceland itself as well as a nearly homogeneous population and other unique factors.
Does Iceland have an army?
Iceland is the only Ally that does not have its own military forces. As a founding member, and engaged in a bilateral defence agreement with the United States, Iceland provided facilities and land for NATO installations as its main military contribution to the Alliance until the 1990s.
Is there Starbucks in Iceland?
There’s no Starbucks in Iceland So we tend to prefer Icelandic shops, and we already have two pretty big café chains, Kaffitár and Te og Kaffi, plus a lot of local or smaller cafés.
Do they have KFC in Iceland?
While Iceland does not sell official KFC but is doing a fried chicken bundle capable of feeding four people for £5. It includes a choice of chicken thighs, wings or strips as a main, a side including wedges, onion rings and corn, and a drink.
What should you avoid in Iceland?
What is a typical breakfast in Iceland?
Hearty is the name of the game when it comes to breakfast: One of the items most central to an Icelandic breakfast is hafragrautur, or oatmeal, according to Serious Eats. To make the dish, oats are simply cooked with water or milk in a pot.
Can you wear shorts in Iceland?
If you travel to Iceland in summer, you might find a purpose for all kinds of clothes. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during a heatwave, you might wear shorts to go on day trips or walks. A light jacket may be enough as well. You’ll even find use for your swimsuit.
What is the weirdest Christmas tradition?
Spider webs, Ukraine The legend of the Christmas spider explains that a poor widow and her kids cultivated a Christmas tree from a pine cone but couldn’t afford any decorations… then, on Chrissy morning, they woke up to see their tree blanketed in cobwebs, which sunlight then transformed into gold and silver.