In the south east of Iceland there is a place called Thingvellir. It is a site where, for good or for bad, the world’s first parliament was formed in 930 AD. It, and the laws set in place there persisted for hundreds of years, and still impact today’s Iceland.
Today it is a National Park and on the UNESCO World heritage register. It also happens to be the location of the eastern edge of the North American tectonic plate, defined by the small Almannagja Gorge. But it is the parliament that has greater importance to the Icelandic culture.
The volcanicness (if that is a word) of the area, with its geothermal heat is being used to great effect to provide heat to greenhouses. Iceland produces about 47% of the vegetables consumed in them currently.
Again, nearby there is a geyser called geysir, it having giving its name to that feature around the world. And another waterfall, Gullfoss.
This area is on the edge of the most popular tourist area near Reykjavik, so some of the farms are diversifying into catering for them.
A fitting finish to our Iceland journey to see where some of the food comes from that we have been enjoying.
