The name Iceland is a misnomer.
But that is just a myth.
Truth is, Iceland had many names in the past.
Later, when Swedish Viking Garar Svavarosson arrived, he named the island Gararsholmur (Garars Isle).
In the 9th century, a Viking named Floki Vilgerarson went in search of Gararsholmur.
When he reached there he was very ill-prepared for the winter.
While waiting for spring one day, heclimbed a mountainand was disheartened to see a fjord full of icebergs.
It was sheer disappointment that led him to give the island its current name.
But here is the thing: Iceland is notoriously expensive.
Its a vicious circle.
So Iceland imports tons of ice from Norway, Britain and even the United States.
This ice is sold to grocery stores to keep produce as well as meat and fish fresh.
A typical Icelandic landscapewaterfalls and lots of greens.
It makes more economic sense to use theircheap electricityfor more power intensive operation such as aluminum smelting.
This also includesas you have guessedice.
Importing ice to Iceland is tax free, which helps to keep prices low.
A lonely house stands near the Eyjafjallajokull glacier on the south coast of Iceland.
Photo credit:Vincent Moschetti/Flickr
