I travelled for two weeks around Iceland to capture the beauty of the most eco-friendly country in the world.
Tourists know Iceland for its spectacular landscape, geothermal pools and strange food.

But the Nordic nation is special for another reason: people there live longer than almost anywhere else in the world…and after you see these images you can understand why.

More info: massimorumi.com

Nature and culture combine to make Iceland a truly happy place

Delightful to know that the tiny country jumped from ninth to second place in the list of happiest countries in the world.

Traffic lights were given a heart by the government to give people something to smile about while waiting at crossings

People in Iceland live longer than almost anywhere else in the world

Year after year, Iceland is one of the top-ranked countries for life expectancy. Its citizens survive to an average of 83, outlasting the residents of richer, better-educated and warmer corners of the globe.

Tourism in Iceland is growing very fast, as the country expects to reach 1.7 million visitors in 2016, compared to about 250,000 visitors in 2002

Today, tourism generates more foreign revenue in the country than any other industry.

In Iceland you may experience four seasons in one day

The Icelanders often say, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and you’ll get something different”.

Icelandic horses and sheep are set free to graze the countryside against rolling green hills

Beautiful views

Icelandic Horse

The Icelandic Horse is one of the oldest breeds of horse in the world for is pure beauty and strength

The Icelandic horse is in high demand around the world

Staying on an Icelandic farm is a great way to experience the rural lifestyle first-hand

The countryside in Iceland is dotted with beautiful old churches built with a uniquely Icelandic architectural style

Typical church with red roof on top

Iceland has become a mecca for photographers looking to capture the raw, mystical power of its natural northern beauty

Iceland is renowned for transforming its energy system

100% of its electricity production is provided by domestic renewable energy resources of hydroelectric power and geothermal reserves.

The Icelandic tradition of bathing outdoors in volcanically heated pools dates right back to Viking times

A few of these old pools survive today, often sited in spectacular locations.

An outdoor soak is an essential part of the Icelandic experience

Around mid summer in the northernmost parts of Iceland the sun will just go below the horizon for a short time

The sunset and the sunrise will appear to be one continous event.

The most beautiful sunsets are in the Westfjords in Iceland

The waterfalls in Iceland are countless. Every year new ones form from melting glaciers and every river has a few ones

The waterfall of the Gods is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland

Dettifoss is reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe

Hiding in even the calmest weather of Reynisfjara black sand beach there is an undertow so strong it’ll pull you out into the sea in a moment if it catches you

The Reynisdrangar are basalt columns sticking out of the sea in the beautiful Vik black beach

More than 10% of Iceland is covered by glaciers

In 1973 a United States Navy DC plane ran out of fuel and crashed on the black beach at Sólheimasandur, in the South coast of Iceland. Fortunately, everyone in that plane survived

Later it turned out that the pilot had simply switched over to the wrong fuel tank. The remains are still on the sand very close to the sea.

Dyrhólaey is a cape or headland 110 – 120m high, with a perpendicular cliff on the southern and western sides, and a narrow rock rim with an arch-shape opening through it

Small airplanes and boats can pass through the arch, hence the name Dyrhólaey. The name Dyrhólaey means “door hill island” in Icelandic.

Reykjavík’s immense white-concrete church (1945–86) dominates the skyline, and is visible from up to 20km away

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