Overview

Course No. 80210

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with a journey to an unforgettable land of fire and ice—and so much more. Though it’s quickly become a popular travel destination for tourists, there’s much that remains unfamiliar to the layperson about Iceland. How did the environment shape the country’s history? What are the roots of Iceland’s cultural traditions?

Armchair travelers and those planning an upcoming trip can finally get all the answers in a single, 24-lecture resource on a country where nature and humans collide and influence one another, both in the past and in the present. Professor Verdolin, a behavioral ecologist, makes for an engaging tour guide on the virtual adventure of a lifetime. Alongside her, you’ll travel in and around Iceland, from its bustling cities to its remote towns, from the tops of its glaciers to the depths of its geothermal pools.

You’ll visit volcanoes like Hekla: the largest, most active stratovolcano in the country. You’ll get up close and personal with Iceland’s fascinating flora and fauna, including the iconic Atlantic puffin and the ancient Greenland shark. You’ll learn about Iceland’s earliest settlements and its most recent efforts to promote carbon neutrality. You’ll also get tips on how to travel around the island, the best spots for hiking and sightseeing, overlooked gems that are well worth your time, and so much more.

Welcome to an unforgettable land of fire and ice, and so much more.

Video Lessons

01: Exploring Iceland

Begin your adventure into a fascinating world of fire and ice with an introduction to what makes Iceland such an unparalleled place to visit and explore. Discover how Iceland’s people have existed throughout its history and learn how they were inspired to explore the land in many ways, including through beautiful poetry and epic sagas.

Duration: 26 min

02: Volcanic Iceland Rises from the Sea

Iceland was born from volcanoes erupting in the ocean roughly 25 million years ago—and its story continues to be shaped by them. Explore how the various types of volcanoes, active volcanic zones, history of eruptions, and the continued expansion of the mid-Atlantic ridge make Iceland a geologically active region like few others on our planet.

Duration: 26 min

03: Frozen in Time: Iceland’s Glaciers

Beyond capturing the hearts and minds of photographers, geologists, and mountaineers, Iceland’s glaciers are deeply rooted in the country’s culture and history. First, look backward in time to learn how Iceland came to have so much, well, ice. Then, plunge into a world of ice tunnels, ice caves, and other extreme features.

Duration: 25 min

04: Iceland, a Land of Water

The waters hugging Iceland’s coasts play an important role in the country’s culture and economy. Investigate some of the many lakes, rivers, lagoons, waterfalls, hot springs, and geysers to be found. Among them are the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon; Gullfoss, the most visited waterfall in the country; and the thriving business of the Blue Lagoon.

Duration: 24 min

05: How Iceland Was Settled

Travel back in time to the cultural birth of Iceland, which began with the arrival of the first humans. Where did these people come from? What ancient documents help scholars understand early Icelandic settlements, and how do modern tools corroborate these sources? And another thing: What happened to all the Icelandic sheepdogs?

Duration: 23 min

06: How Settlers Modified Iceland

Iceland represents a great example of how, when humans arrive at a new place where none presumably lived before, their footprint is large—and often destructive. Follow along as early Nordic settlers grow grains and cereals, then turn to sheep farming. Also, explore the impact of early settlers on the extinction of the Icelandic walrus.

Duration: 23 min

07: Iceland’s Independence

Survey pivotal moments in Iceland’s journey to becoming an independent country. See how the transformation from paganism to Christianity set the stage for the end of the Iceland Republic for centuries to come, the rise of Reykjavík as an urban center in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Iceland’s official return to sovereignty in 1944.

Duration: 20 min

08: The Plants of Iceland

Don’t be deceived by all that fire and ice. There’s a diversity of plant life to be found in Iceland: trees and woody shrubs, moss and lichen, flowering plants and fungi. In addition to exploring the island’s flora, consider the ever-changing relationship between humans and the environment, as seen in the Icelandic Sagas.

Duration: 21 min

09: Iceland’s Freshwater, Sea, and Land Birds

Iceland’s volcanoes, craters, lakes, marshes, and coastal areas provide habitats for a breathtaking number of birds. Spend some time getting to know birds like razorbills, which live primarily out on the open ocean; the gyrfalcon, which can be found on the highest honor Iceland bestows to individuals; and the beloved and iconic Atlantic puffin.

Duration: 26 min

10: Iceland’s Fish, Sharks, and Crustaceans

Fishing as a livelihood shaped Iceland’s population for centuries. Dive below the surface for a fascinating look at Atlantic cod and the “Cod Wars” they sparked; at Greenland sharks, which reach maturity at around 150 years of age; at Atlantic salmon; at the three-spined stickleback; at crustaceans like the Norway lobster; and much more.

Duration: 26 min

11: Iceland’s Marine and Land Mammals

Enjoy meeting Iceland’s various mammals on land and sea. Rub snouts with Arctic foxes, remnants of the last Ice Age and the island’s top predators. Get a glimpse of harbor seals on the golden beaches of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Travel to Husavik, and other excellent spots, to sight humpback whales, orcas, and white-beaked dolphins.

Duration: 21 min

12: Iceland’s Non-Native Plants and Animals

Just like other places, Iceland is susceptible to the presence of non-native—and often invasive—species of plants and animals that now call the country home. Consider animals like the American mink, first brought to Iceland for fur farming, and plants such as Nootka lupine, a perennial herb that grows in seemingly inhospitable lava fields.

Duration: 24 min

13: Culinary Adventures in Iceland

The Icelandic people’s relationship to food is tightly linked to their relationship with the land and sea. Iceland’s unique food culture includes the sour, cheese-like milk known as “skyr”; the ubiquity of rye bread in Icelandic cuisine; and, of course, the infamous fermented shark that’s considered a national dish.

Duration: 27 min

14: Noir and Beyond: Iceland’s Literature

Whatever your flavor of literature (folkloric sagas, crime novels, poetry, literary fiction), Iceland has something for every type of reader. Discover how a combination of historical pride and rich storytelling skills make Icelandic literature, both past and present, so revered around the world.

Duration: 19 min

15: The Art and Music of Iceland

Start understanding Iceland’s contemporary art and music by looking into its history of stone and wood carvings and oral poetry. Then, explore the prevalence of animals and landscapes in paintings, the country’s vibrant street art and mural scene, the ways Icelandic folk music blends poetry and melody, and more.

Duration: 24 min

16: Iceland’s National Parks and Reserves

Sculpted by fire and ice, Iceland’s parks and reserves are breathtaking to behold. Sites you’ll explore in this survey include Iceland’s three national parks and its nature reserves—both of which offer explorers unparalleled looks at lava fields, sea cliffs, black sand beaches, and other geological marvels.

Duration: 21 min

17: Restoring and Reforesting Iceland

Before it was settled, around 65% of Iceland had vegetation. Now, only 0.5% of the country is forested. So, what happened to the forests? Get a closer look at the dangers of steep-slope erosion, as well as some of the natural difficulties currently challenging Iceland’s century-long effort to reforest the country.

Duration: 23 min

18: Long-Term Sustainability in Iceland

Given its deep connection to nature, Iceland has often been at the forefront of conservation and sustainability—despite its early destructive history. Consider vital efforts of soil conservation and carbon neutrality, the powerful use of storytelling as a conservation tool, and ongoing debates over Iceland’s whaling culture.

Duration: 22 min

19: The Capital and Beyond in Southwest Iceland

Stroll through the streets of Reykjavík, which started out as a small fishing village and later transformed into the hub of Iceland and home to most of its citizens. You’ll visit a museum with a biological collection like no other, an overlooked nature preserve in the southern peninsula, and the most photographed church in the world.

Duration: 26 min

20: Iceland’s Majestic Fjords

Mighty glaciers have carved the landscape of western and eastern Iceland into beautiful, scarred fjords. First, visit Westfjords, where you’ll find the oldest site in Iceland and one of the largest bird cliffs in Europe. Then, continue to Eastfjords: home to an artsy community in the heart of reindeer country and 286 square miles of forest.

Duration: 24 min

21: Spectacular Sights of Northern Iceland

Venture on to Iceland’s north-central region for a look at some of the many can’t-miss sights. Among these are three spots for great seal viewing, a canyon that’s one of the 10 most dangerous spots in the country, the spectacular Goðafoss waterfall, and a magical yuletide wonderland that’s perfect for Christmastime visits.

Duration: 23 min

22: Eastern and Southern Iceland’s Striking Sites

Continue your whirlwind tour of Iceland with stops along the eastern and southeastern parts of the island. This stage of your journey includes a fascinating art installation of egg sculptures, the largest ice cap in Europe, a dangerous beach with unpredictable waves, and the only waterfall where you’re virtually guaranteed to see a rainbow.

Duration: 22 min

23: Overlooked Treasures of Iceland

Whether you’re on a mountain bike or hiking by foot, there are many spots in Iceland that offer visitors more remote, rugged experiences. Visit the Highlands, the focal point for wilderness tourism in Iceland; a nature reserve that serves as a reminder of the difficulty of Arctic living; the endpoint of the country’s Northern Rift Zone; and more.

Duration: 22 min

24: The Future of Iceland

Iceland currently has a reputation as one of the coolest places on the planet to visit—and the growth in tourism has created some opportunities and challenges that you’ll consider here. While we can’t know what the future holds, if we look at Iceland’s past, we can say that Iceland has always been resilient, adaptable, innovative, and remarkable.

Duration: 27 min