Additional Information
1. This website is useful to get an overview of the culture in Iceland, and what things are important to Icelanders. You can learn how isolation, tradition and creativity is integrated in their culture, with the strong value that they place on the arts, including fashion, film, design, and literature. This website is the official tourism information site so it is helpful for travelers and visitors to the country as well. www.visiticeland.com/discovericeland/themes/cultural-iceland
2. This website called Guide to Iceland is entertaining and has many interesting articles about Icelandic culture including their social life, what the people in Iceland act like, and information about their language. You may enjoy this website because it has amusing articles about dating in Iceland, the oddest things you may encounter there, and famous people who live in Iceland. guidetoiceland.is/history-culture
![Picture](/uploads/9/9/4/5/99459066/slide-323579-3074899-free_orig.jpg)
This map of Iceland shows places of historical and cultural interest, such as the lighthouse near Akranes, characteristics of Icelanders, like the people in the bottom right wearing traditional clothing, animals, such as their famous bird and fish diversity, and other interesting facts. On the bottom left of the map is traditional food one will find in Iceland, such as Skyr, a yogurt dish. The countries sports include handball, skiing, cycling, and rafting which are shown throughout the map along with many recreational activities like hiking, bathing, and whale watching. This map not only presents many factors that make up the culture of iceland, but it shows famous natural landscapes such as the Langjokull glacier, and native plants such as blueberries and juniper shown in the upper left. The items and drawings on this map are what are important to Icelanders and make up and influence their culture.
Iceland Demographic Data
![Picture](/uploads/9/9/4/5/99459066/published/screen-shot-2017-03-02-at-10-26-19-am_1.png?1488475841)
Map Citation
Triska, Z. (2013, October 31). 'Maps' Showcases Every Region On Earth. Retrieved February 15, 2017, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/31/maps-_n_4181651.html
Gapminder Country Indicators (Changes in Unemployment and Population Growth)
![Picture](/uploads/9/9/4/5/99459066/screen-shot-2017-03-02-at-10-44-49-am_orig.png)
This is the long term unemployment rate in Iceland in 1995, which is about .7%. After 1995, the unemployment rate steadily decreased until its smallest number of .1% in 2007 shown above. Compared to the other countries in the world, Iceland's unemployment rate is relatively small but not the smallest on this graph. The U.S, South Korea and Mexico have a lower rate in this year.
What do these graphs tell us?
The longterm unemployment rate in Iceland has shrunk from .7% in 1995 to only .1% in 2007, and one of the reasons for this stems from the growing economy as many residents of Iceland are finding jobs more easily. The unemployment rate in 2007 was the lowest rate in Iceland in more than seven years. According to the staff at Icelandic Review, more software companies, engineering offices and banks increased the number of positions, and managers were trying to fill vacant positions. The unemployment rate was so low in Iceland that there was actually a shortage a workers, and employers could not find enough workers for shops, restaurants and hotels, as well as educated workers with engineering, computer science, economy and law degrees (Iceland Review, 2007). Unfortunately in 2008, the unemployment rate increased again, and it may have been due to the 2008 financial crisis in which many developed nations like Iceland were tied too. The reason for the reduced longterm unemployment rate from decreasing from 1995 to 2007 is most likely caused from economic growth and increased GDP.
However, if one looks at the increased population growth rate in 2006 shown in the graph above, the reduced unemployment rate could be related to that. The 2.35% population growth rate in Iceland could have led to more jobs causing the unemployment rate to decreased the following year. This is because an increased amount of children require more jobs in the childcare industry, more jobs in education, transportation, retail, and could even motivate parents of these children to be more productive in the workforce, as families strive for improved finances to support their children. When Iceland is compared to other European countries during 2006, it had the largest growth rate, with countries such as Sweden and Finland only having a .3-.4% growth rate. While many Eastern European countries and Germany had a negative growth rate, which means the population was declining. When the population shrunk in 2011 to about .311% in Iceland, this could be due to the aftermath of the financial crisis because more people may have been waiting to have children because of the money they lost in the financial crisis. According to Iceland Review, the population growth rate was so low in 2011 that this is the most significant decrease in population in Iceland in 22 years (Iceland Review, 2010). People are not certain what the cause is for the population decrease from 2006 to 2011, but it could be related to family planning, immigrants who become citizens and people who leave Iceland permanently. Yet, these simple graphs can tell us that the changes in unemployment rate and population growth are related in Iceland. If one looks at the the graph of 2007's low unemployment rate, and then 2006's high population growth above, one can observe that when Iceland's population grows the unemployment rate decreases.
Citations:
Review, I. (2010, August 17). Iceland faces population decrease. Retrieved March 2, 2017, from http://icelandreview.com/news/2010/08/17/iceland-faces-population-decrease
Iceland Review. (2007, August 14). Lowest unemployment rate in Iceland in seven years. Retrieved March 1, 2017, from http://icelandreview.com/news/2007/08/14/lowest-unemployment-rate-iceland-seven-years
Religion in Iceland
![Picture](/uploads/9/9/4/5/99459066/published/map-religion.png?1489199146)
Map Source
Landkarten, R. (2014, October 29). Landkartenblog. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://landkartenindex.blogspot.com/2014_10_01_archive.htm
Religions start in a particular location, and then they spread. Where did the different religions in your country start?
Most of the early settlers who came to Iceland worshipped Norse Gods and called themselves Pagans. Iceland’s king, Hákon Haraldsson of Norway is the first ruler to introduce Christianity to Iceland, but it was not practiced. In the year 995, King Ólafur Tryggvason became king ,and his goal was to unite Iceland and covert all of Iceland to Christianity. Christian missionnaries traveled to Iceland and baptized the chieftains so they would adopt the religion, as well as their followers. In the year 1000, two devoted Christian men from Norway, Gizurr and Hjalti Skeggjason, came to gather supporters who were armed (Short, 2017). The Christians had a brief civil war between the Pagans, and soon the whole country became split over what the national religion should be. Since two separate Icelandic states were forming, a Pagan lawmaker named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði, was appointed to resolve the question of what the national religion should be. This lawmaker chose Christianity, so it became the national religion of Iceland in year 1000, and it required all Icelanders to be baptized. However, in the privacy in Icelandic homes, Norse gods could still be worshipped. By around 1100, temples were converted in churches, and a Christian church hierarchy was established with local chieftains in charge, and new priests and bishops traveled to Iceland (Short, 2017). In the 13th century, Norway gained control over Iceland. The King of Norway, Christian III, was influenced by the current Protestant Reformation beginning in the early 15th century, so he brought Lutheranism to Iceland. By 1550, Lutheranism was the official religion. Today, the National Church in Iceland is called the Evalengical Lutheran State Church and about eighty percent of Icelanders are members (Inspired by Iceland, 2017). The Roman Catholic Church and the Free Church of Iceland are the second largest Christian denominations with about eight percent of the population being part of one of these churches (CIA Factbook, 2016). One percent belong to The Independent Congregation and four percent of Icelanders are part of other religions, such as the Pentecostal and Asatru Association.
What has been the role of religion in the social development or culture of your country? How is this evident in this country? What are some cultural norms related to religious beliefs/practices?
The role of religion in social development and culture in Iceland is interesting and unique compared to other countries because Iceland is within the top ten most atheistic countries, and Iceland is rapidly becoming more secular (Hallowell, 2012). Unlike most countries, religion in Iceland does not divide the nation but it brings a sense of cohesiveness, unity and caring for other citizens. Religion does play a large role in national festivals, local rituals, and family activities. For example, some Icelandic parents pray to their children before bedtime, families read hymnals, sermons and catechisms and participate in church activities. Old Norse literature is incorporated into popular culture, movies, T.V, and children’s games. But, whatever religion one practices in Iceland, the Icelandic culture will demonstrate tolerance and even acceptance. As Petur Petursson from the University of Iceland puts it, “Icelanders are highly materialistic, practical, and even secular, yet at the same time highly religious in their own way. The basic character of this religion, he suggests, is rationalism and tolerance” (Pétursson, 2014). One cultural norm that shows this tolerance is the indifference to having children out of wedlock. The church and family would do everything to make the illegitimate child a legitimate one. In fact, of more than two-thirds of Icelandic babies, 67%, are born to parents who are not married” which is one of the highest rates in the World (Weir, 2016). There is no religious stigma or social consequences if a child is born out of wedlock. Another cultural norm that shows tolerance is that most Icelandic people value both science and religion equally. According to an article in the Washington Post, “about 40 percent of the country’s younger generation still consider themselves Christian, but none of them believe that God created the Earth” (Noack, 2016). In Icelandic schools, you may still be Christian and study Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution. Perhaps the most prominent feature of religion in Icelandic culture is found in the literature. According to Pordarson, “there was a joke in Iceland that the number of religious books published in the country was enough to pave the road all the way to the pope in Rome, and publishing religious books was the most lucrative part of Icelandic publishers’ trade (Thordarson, 2015). The Hymns of the Passion and Vídalínspostilla are the two most famous religious texts that influenced Icelandic culture. The importance of power and energy, faith, and nature are discussed in these texts, and still affect Icelandic culture to this day.
Religions have sacred places. Where are the sacred places for the religions in your country located? Are any inside your country?
Iceland is not exactly as sacred as a place like Jerusalem or Mecca, but there are a few specific sacred places that many visitors and Icelanders go to pray, gain religions knowledge and seek spiritual guidance. One place is the Hallgrímskirkja, a Lutheran church in Reykjavik, which is the tallest and most famous church in the country. The Domkirkjan is a historical site and church built in 1796 where Icelandic independence was first officially endorsed, and Iceland’s first national hymn was sang. A sacred catholic site is the Landakotskirkja church, (formally named Basilica of Christ the King) is the main Catholic cathedral of Iceland, which is located in Reykjavik. This church was built in 1929, and the only catholic school in Iceland located here. Another interesting sacred site is in Ísafjarðardjúp, in a farm called Heimabæ ,which is where Pagan rituals are practiced still to this day as well as heathen ceremonies for visitors and tourists (Einarsdottir, n.d). In Reykholt in Borgarfjörður and Hólar in Skagafjörður, one can see where the Icelandic Norse sagas were written and learn about Norse mythology.
Are there any connections between the government and any religions in your country?
The connections between government and religion in Iceland is similar to the United States in terms of freedom, but the church and the state are not separated in Iceland. The Constitution of Iceland gives citizens the right to practice any religion. For example, one can freely practice Judaism, but the Icelandic government does not officially recognize it because Jewish people have not requested it. Due to the fact that the official religion in Lutheranism, the government finically supports and protects the Evelangical Lutheran church. According to the U.S Department of State, the Icelandic government “directly pays the salaries of the 140 ministers in the state church, and these ministers are considered public servants under the Ministry of Judicial and Ecclesiastical Affairs” (2007). The government reserves land for the construction of churches, and the state radio broadcasts worship services. If one has a registered religious organization, he or she is required to submit an annual report to the Ministry describing the organization's operations each year. The government requires that the leader of a religious organization must be at least 25 years old and pay taxes in the country. In terms of education, the state funds almost all schools in Iceland. What most people do not know is that the government requires instruction in Christianity, ethics, and theology, from ages 6 through 15. While the government does support the national religion and church, the government also allows other religions to be publicly worshipped and schools can choose to focus more on philosophy than religious instruction. There is no report of forced conversion, anti-Semitism or discrimination based of spiritual beliefs in Iceland.
Your concluding thoughts on the role of religion in the country today:
Religion has a smaller role in Iceland when it comes to the Icelandic culture, in terms of social conventions, customs, and the country’s identity. This is why a growing number of Icelanders are advocating for the government to separate from the Lutheran Church. In fact, sixty five percent of the nation is in favor of separation of church and state (Gunnarsson, 2006). Icelandic people believe religion is personal and every individual has their own interpretation of it and how they should believe or not believe in it. Interestingly, a revival of Paganism, called Neo-Paganism, is becoming more popular, and the first heathen temple in Iceland is being constructed soon (Mcmahon, 2015). This Viking religion might be the oldest in Iceland, but Neo-Paganism stresses acceptance in terms of race, gender, sexuality and cultural background. I think the role of religion in Iceland still has some influence, such as in schools, celebrations, marriages, and funerals, but as the world is globalizing, Iceland’s youth is less focused on going to church, and families do not place a large role on Christianity anymore. Iceland has many international influences and diverse immigrants who come to Iceland, which is causing Icelanders to become increasingly tolerant and accepting to other beliefs. Unlike the history of most countries such as Israel, Iceland has rarely been to war or been conflicted over religion. Therefore, the religion in Iceland is mostly able to exist in harmony with atheism, science and liberal culture.
Pictures of Religion
![Picture](/uploads/9/9/4/5/99459066/religion1-620x370_orig.png)
Young people in Iceland and some older people are becoming less religious. This chart above shows that Iceland is in the top ten countries that are experiencing a decline in religiosity. Today, many of Icelandic youth are atheists, or believe in a general sort of God, but not exactly a specific God.
Citations for Religion Information and Pictures
CIA Factbook. (2017). Retrieved March 8, 2017, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html
Einarsdottir, K. S. (2013, January 24). Elves, Vikings and Norse Gods in Iceland. Retrieved March 9, 2017, from https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/elves-vikings-and-norse-gods-in-iceland
Gunnerssson, S. (2006, August 13). The status of religion and religious life in Iceland today. Retrieved March 8, 2017, from http://sidmennt.is/2006/08/13/the-status-of-religion-and-religious-life-in-iceland-today/
Hallowell, B. (2012, August 09). Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://www.theblaze.com/news/2012/08/09/these-are-the-10-most-atheistic-and-religious-countries/
Inspired by Iceland. (2017.). Retrieved March 9, 2017, from http://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/quick-facts
McMahon, N. (2015, February 14). Iceland's Asatru pagans reach new height with first temple. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31437973
Noack, R. (2016, January 23). In this country, literally no young Christians believe that God created the Earth. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/01/23/in-this-country-literally-no-young-christians-believe-that-god-created-the-earth/?utm_term=.ba81b30532b0
Sacred Destinations. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/iceland/sacred-sites
Short, W. (2017). Hurstwic: The Conversion in Iceland. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/mythology/religion/text/conversion_in_iceland.htm
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (1998, July 20). National Church of Iceland. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/National-Church-of-Iceland
Thorsdarson, S. (2015, November 21). Icelandic culture and religion – tradition applied. Retrieved March 10, 2017, from http://www.sigurdurarni.is/2015/11/21/icelandic-culture-and-religion-tradition-applied/
What Iceland Eats
Iceland cuisine is distinct from any other country because of their unique viking culture and geographical location. The main foods in Icelandic cuisine are lamb, skyr, potatoes, fish, and other seafood including cod, haddock, monkfish, herring, salmon and lobster which is found in their Arctic coastal waters. Potatoes are a staple vegetable and are grown in greenhouses powered by Iceland's geothermal energy. Icelanders eat Skyr in any meal time and it is exported to many international grocery stores. If you have not heard of Skyr it is pasteurized skimmed milk and a bacteria culture similar to yogurt. Icelanders also eat whale called Minke shown below which can be eaten raw or cooked. It tastes like beef but softer and less fatty. It costs about 16.70 a kilo in a grocery store.
Iceland cuisine is distinct from any other country because of their unique viking culture and geographical location. The main foods in Icelandic cuisine are lamb, skyr, potatoes, fish, and other seafood including cod, haddock, monkfish, herring, salmon and lobster which is found in their Arctic coastal waters. Potatoes are a staple vegetable and are grown in greenhouses powered by Iceland's geothermal energy. Icelanders eat Skyr in any meal time and it is exported to many international grocery stores. If you have not heard of Skyr it is pasteurized skimmed milk and a bacteria culture similar to yogurt. Icelanders also eat whale called Minke shown below which can be eaten raw or cooked. It tastes like beef but softer and less fatty. It costs about 16.70 a kilo in a grocery store.
Icelanders eat pylsur which is their own version of a hot dog, but instead of beef, the hot dog is made with lamb. The picture below shows a famous hot dog place in Reykjavik called Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which translates to "the best hot dogs in town. Other meats that Icelanders eat is horse, reindeer, sheep's head, and fermented shark.
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Other types of food that we do not normally eat in America but is popular in Iceland is sheep head's, called svid, in Iceland, and harðfiskur which is dried fish, eaten with lots of butter on top to make it more palatable. Icelanders eat "Lundi" which is puffin meat, which is the national dish of the Westman Islands and considered a delicacy. Puffin meat is usually smoked or boiled in milk sauce. The national drink of Iceland is Brennivín, which literally means Black death. Brennivín is a schnapps made from fermented potatoes and caraway shown below.
In summary, Icelandic cuisine is characterized by lots of seafood and lamb thats gone through a preservation method such as fermentation, so the meat can be kept through the cold winters. Hunting, fishing and foraging from the Viking age and early settlement period helped Iceland develop it's culinary traditions and keep its people alive. Icelanders took whatever they could from the land and sea because of the extremely short growing season, it is not uncommon to eat fish stomach, fish balls, tongue, and blubber. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a fairly new addition to the Icelandic cuisine and are now used in many dishes. All these unique Icelandic dishes may seem odd or too adventurous to try but an Icelandic dish I personally would love to try is "Pönnukökur" which are Icelandic pancakes shown below. These thin crepe-like pancakes can be filled with Skyr, jam, whipped cream or rolled up with sugar.
Popular Dish in Iceland and Recipe
Background:
A popular dish is Iceland is called kjötsúpa, which is meat soup. According to the Icelandic Review, "Apart from taking lýsi (cod liver oil), kjötsúpa is the best cure for short-day depression and a vitamin boost for those suffering from a relentless cold". The soup is usually made with lamb and dates back to the viking age. Lamb and sheep were brought to Iceland by the vikings. Kjötsúpa is often served with flatbread and butter. Rúgbrauð and flatkökur are the two most popular types of breads in Iceland and flatkökur is a type of flatbread that dates all the way back to 874 AD.
Here is the recipe from:
(https://diaryofatomato.com/2014/01/24/kjotsupa-icelandic-lamb-soup/)
2 pounds lamb shoulder (preferably with some bone)6 cups water, plus more if necessary
2 teaspoons sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 onion or leek, chopped
1 – 2 tablespoons mixed dried herbs (see note above)
1 pound rutabaga (or turnips), peeled and chopped
½ pound carrots, peeled and chopped
½ pound potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped green cabbage
– Trim some of the excess fat off the meat, and cut into chunks. Place it in a large pot, add 6 cups cold water and heat slowly to a boil. Skim the broth, then add salt, pepper, onion, and dried herbs. Simmer, partly covered, for about 45 minutes.
– Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. They should be chunky, large enough that each piece is a separate spoonful. Add the rutabaga, carrots and potatoes to the soup, and continue simmering for 15 minutes more.
– Add the cabbage and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Lift the meat out from the soup, and separate out the bones, sinew and excess fat. Chop the meat up into bite-sized pieces and add them back into the soup. If needed, add a cup or two of more water, and adjust seasonings. Let soup sit overnight for flavors to develop. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if available. Serves 4 to 6 as a main course
Background:
A popular dish is Iceland is called kjötsúpa, which is meat soup. According to the Icelandic Review, "Apart from taking lýsi (cod liver oil), kjötsúpa is the best cure for short-day depression and a vitamin boost for those suffering from a relentless cold". The soup is usually made with lamb and dates back to the viking age. Lamb and sheep were brought to Iceland by the vikings. Kjötsúpa is often served with flatbread and butter. Rúgbrauð and flatkökur are the two most popular types of breads in Iceland and flatkökur is a type of flatbread that dates all the way back to 874 AD.
Here is the recipe from:
(https://diaryofatomato.com/2014/01/24/kjotsupa-icelandic-lamb-soup/)
2 pounds lamb shoulder (preferably with some bone)6 cups water, plus more if necessary
2 teaspoons sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 onion or leek, chopped
1 – 2 tablespoons mixed dried herbs (see note above)
1 pound rutabaga (or turnips), peeled and chopped
½ pound carrots, peeled and chopped
½ pound potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped green cabbage
– Trim some of the excess fat off the meat, and cut into chunks. Place it in a large pot, add 6 cups cold water and heat slowly to a boil. Skim the broth, then add salt, pepper, onion, and dried herbs. Simmer, partly covered, for about 45 minutes.
– Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables. They should be chunky, large enough that each piece is a separate spoonful. Add the rutabaga, carrots and potatoes to the soup, and continue simmering for 15 minutes more.
– Add the cabbage and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender. Lift the meat out from the soup, and separate out the bones, sinew and excess fat. Chop the meat up into bite-sized pieces and add them back into the soup. If needed, add a cup or two of more water, and adjust seasonings. Let soup sit overnight for flavors to develop. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if available. Serves 4 to 6 as a main course
Food and Culture
Iceland has some food that is related to tradition and religion. During January to mid February the ancient month of Thorri takes place in Iceland which marks the time for the thorrablot feast. Thorrablot was a sacrificial midwinter festival offered to the gods in pagan Iceland of the past. During the Thorri feast, people come together to eat and drink traditional Icelandic food, which includes fermented shark’s meat (hákarl), boiled sheep’s head, (svið) and congealed sheep’s blood wrapped in a ram’s stomach (blóðmör). Another holiday Icelanders celebrate is called Bolludagur which means "bun day". This takes place two days before lent and gets people to eat delicious buns in the form of sweet cream puffs filled with cream and jam and drizzled with chocolate to get people filled up before fasting. Sprengidagur is the last meal before lent, which means "bursting day" to fill up on food. Typically salted lamb with a serving of pea soup is served on Sprengidagur. On St. Þorlákur's Day, Icelanders celebrate the end of the Christmas fast and consume putrefied skate. This holiday is a remnant of Catholisicm when people fasted until Christmas and did not consume meat, as this holiday celebrates Icelandic saint Thorlákur. A holiday that celebrates Iceland's fishermen and sailors is Sjómannadagur, where lots of fish is consumed and is on display. Similar to America traditions, Icelanders celebrate Easter, and candy and chocolate filled eggs are eating. As one can see, types of Icelandic food can be identified with certain religious holidays and traditions.
Food in Iceland is very clean and fresh. Levels of pollution are much lower compared to other countries, so Icelandic soil and air produce toxin-free produce and healthy meat. Most of Icelandic produce is grown in greenhouses using sustainable energy. Icelandic farmers do not use pesticides or hormones, and many of the farm animals are free-range.Factory farms are much more rare in Iceland than in the United States. Almost all of the lamb eating in Iceland is produce in Iceland as well, and the lamb is typically grass-fed on hilly mountainsides. As mentioned earlier, fish is Iceland is caught from the nearby ocean and many sustainable fisheries that Iceland has. Almost all cheese consumed in Iceland is also produced in Iceland with over one hundred different types of cheeses made in the country.
Iceland has some food that is related to tradition and religion. During January to mid February the ancient month of Thorri takes place in Iceland which marks the time for the thorrablot feast. Thorrablot was a sacrificial midwinter festival offered to the gods in pagan Iceland of the past. During the Thorri feast, people come together to eat and drink traditional Icelandic food, which includes fermented shark’s meat (hákarl), boiled sheep’s head, (svið) and congealed sheep’s blood wrapped in a ram’s stomach (blóðmör). Another holiday Icelanders celebrate is called Bolludagur which means "bun day". This takes place two days before lent and gets people to eat delicious buns in the form of sweet cream puffs filled with cream and jam and drizzled with chocolate to get people filled up before fasting. Sprengidagur is the last meal before lent, which means "bursting day" to fill up on food. Typically salted lamb with a serving of pea soup is served on Sprengidagur. On St. Þorlákur's Day, Icelanders celebrate the end of the Christmas fast and consume putrefied skate. This holiday is a remnant of Catholisicm when people fasted until Christmas and did not consume meat, as this holiday celebrates Icelandic saint Thorlákur. A holiday that celebrates Iceland's fishermen and sailors is Sjómannadagur, where lots of fish is consumed and is on display. Similar to America traditions, Icelanders celebrate Easter, and candy and chocolate filled eggs are eating. As one can see, types of Icelandic food can be identified with certain religious holidays and traditions.
Food in Iceland is very clean and fresh. Levels of pollution are much lower compared to other countries, so Icelandic soil and air produce toxin-free produce and healthy meat. Most of Icelandic produce is grown in greenhouses using sustainable energy. Icelandic farmers do not use pesticides or hormones, and many of the farm animals are free-range.Factory farms are much more rare in Iceland than in the United States. Almost all of the lamb eating in Iceland is produce in Iceland as well, and the lamb is typically grass-fed on hilly mountainsides. As mentioned earlier, fish is Iceland is caught from the nearby ocean and many sustainable fisheries that Iceland has. Almost all cheese consumed in Iceland is also produced in Iceland with over one hundred different types of cheeses made in the country.