KNOCKIN ON HEAVEN'S DOOR

Home to some of the most majestic natural wonders, Iceland is the lesser traversed country in Europe. Whether you wish to explore the snowy peaks or the luminous northern lights, Iceland has got you covered for all

- KOMAL BHANDEKAR

ICELAND, THE COUNTRY OF "FIRE AND ICE," IS MARKED by hundreds of volcanoes. Home to one of the largest glaciers in Europe, it sits on the brink of the Arctic Circle and is being warmed by the Gulf Stream. On this windswept land, human handprints are few and far between. Needless to say, footprints fade quickly, but stories last forever.

CHRONICLES OF ICELAND The Icelandic flag was designed by Matthias Thordarson and was officially adopted on 17 June 1944. The flag is an amalgamation of three shades red, white and blue, where red represents lava or fire, white is for snow, and blue for representing the colossal Atlantic Ocean.

Starting with the history of Iceland, Ingolfur Arnarson, a Norseman, promised to establish his farm wherever they washed ashore when he first saw these shores over one thousand and one hundred 1 years ago. He cashed the wooden seat pillar that his chieftain's crew had tossed away. The pillars were discovered three years later, and a community was established. Iceland's capital, Reykjavík, was founded in that community. A city with a population of barely 1.23 lakh, where over 60 percent of Icelanders reside.

THE CAPITAL Iceland sometimes seems like the world's most remote location. Why? Because Reykjavík is one of those locations we aren't sure if it's a tiny city or a big town. And, that's the part of it that makes it so attractive. Although laid-back and hospitable, it has a vibrant cultural scene and ferocious innovation that rival major European capitals.

EXPLORE THE BEAUTY The majority of the structures in this region are modest, low, and colourful to stand out against the harsh North Atlantic winds and lift people's spirits throughout the long, gloomy winters. However, there is also monumental civic architecture in the area, with structures that are genuinely inspired by Iceland's natural beauty.