Thingvellir National Park is located in southwestern Iceland. In 1928, it was declared a national park and is one of the most frequently visited tourist sites in the country. In the last few decades, research has made it clear that the history and biological diversity of Thingvellir meet the criteria for inclusion on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In the year 930, the oldest European parliament, Althing, was established at Thingvellir. It was here where laws were adopted and justice was rendered for several centuries. It was also here that Iceland embraced Christianity in the year 1000. In the 16th century, under the laws of the Danish Monarchy women were drowned at Thingvellir, accused of witchcraft and adultery, and men were beheaded.
Thingvellir National Park is a unique place both geologically and historically. The park is situated in a valley formed by a rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. The surface, cut with numerous deep and narrow rifts, proves that America and Europe grow apart at a speed of about two centimetres or 0.8 inches per year.
Volcanic rifts cross the entire region create lakes with clear water. The bottom of one of these rifts, known as Peningagja, which translates as "Coin Fissure", is littered with coins thrown there by tourists. People say that if you throw a coin, wish something, and are able to see your coin as it reaches the bottom, your wish will come true.
Thingvellir Park is crossed by the Oxara River that forms a waterfall named Oxararfoss. Lake Thingvellir is famous for its 3 of 5 variants of unique natural water, specific to Iceland.
Thingvallavatn, the largest natural lake of the country, is also located there. It is 84 sq. km (32.4 sq. miles) and the maximum depth is 114 m (374 ft). The laval rift, Silfra, is situated in Thingvellir and attracts divers. It is situated at the joint of lithosphere plates in the crust fracture and is filled with water, hence there are a lot of caves. Its depth reaches down to 50 m (164 ft). The annual water temperature is between 1 and 3 degrees Celsius (33.8 to 37.4 F).
Haukadalur Valley lies in the south of the country, to the north of Lake Laugarvatn and is situated in the Golden Ring of Iceland. There are many geysers in the valley. The most famous of them is Geysir (sometimes known as The Great Geysir) itself, which gave other hot springs of the planet its name. Geysir stopped erupting in the beginning of the ...
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall is very picturesque and the most popular one in the south of Iceland, therefore its photo can be found in many books and calendars.
This waterfall of the river Seljalandsa drops 60 metres (196.85 feet) over the cliffs of the former coastline. A deep shift behind the waterfall makes it possible to go there and look at Sel...
Skogafoss Waterfall of the Skoga River is situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline, in a small village of Skogar, a bit lower of the Eyjafjallajokull Glacier. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 km (3 miles) from the waterfall), the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coa...
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