Did you ever wonder why Iceland has comparatively less ice in the country (as compared to Greenland), but Greenland is covered with ice? Did the people who put the names on the map do this to fool people?
Here’s why Iceland is called Iceland – a long time ago, a Scandinavian named Flóki Vilgerðarson sailed over to the country to settle for the winters. He settled in the south coast, where the view of fjords (inlets from the sea with steep sides and water flowing in) was clear. One winter day, he was able to beautifully view drifting ice in the fjord from a tall mountain, and hence gave the island the name of Iceland, i.e. from where once can see ice. But aside from the fact that the view of ice is beautiful, and the fact that mountains in Iceland have heavy snowfall, Iceland doesn’t have much ice on it.
Now lets see why Greenland is called Greenland – even though 85% of the land is covered in ice! Here’s the legendary story – Once upon a time lived Norwegian-born Erik the Red. After being exiled from Norway for murder, he sailed to sea to find the land that was rumored to be to the northwest. (Of course they didn’t have Google Earth back then). Upon reaching the south coast, which was green and not covered by the glacier which occupies the rest of the country. Erik named the new found land as Greenland. Perhaps the Medieval ages were much warmer, and the southern part much more greener, hence the name stuck and is recognized on the globe.
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Erik The Red was first exiled from Norway, his son Leifur The Lucky found North-America. Iceland has glaciers and ice and is called the land of ice and fire, one eight of the country is covered with glaciers and ice. Iceland is an astonishing country and a great country to sepnd at least a week visiting, Reykjavik the capital of Iceland is listed as 22nd in top 25 places to visit in Europe on tripadvisor.com. Over 30% of the population have a university degree.
Hey dude Erik the Red named Greenland Greenland not only because where he landed but because he wanted lure other travelers to Greenland because it would take many workers to establish a settlement. Also, it is obviously warmer now than it was back then ever since the industrial revolution.