Facts About Iceland That Make It Unlike Any Other Country

Snowland?

The first known Viking to reach Iceland in the ninth century was named Naddodur. He was actually swept off course and dragged westwards from the Faroes when he discovered a large country with no sign of civilization.

 

Alamy Stock Photo by Alexey Stiop

 

According to legend, he was surprised by the snow in September and decided to name the island 'Snowland.'

Someone Tried Selling the Northern Lights

Icelandic poet and lawyer Einar Benediktsson, born in 1864, was editor of Iceland’s first daily newspaper and tried to sell the northern lights.

 

Alamy Stock Photo by David Noton Photography

 

Benediktsson believed foreign investment could better utilize Iceland's natural resources, so he spent years touring Europe to try to find a buyer and hopefully raise some capital for Iceland.