Wonders of nature
As a tourist on the North Atlantic islands, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a huge range of unique landscapes, wildlife and natural phenomena. All three islands offer spectacular, unspoilt scenery, genuine tranquillity and unique Arctic freshness.
Wildlife
There’s lots of wildlife on the islands, regardless of whether this wildlife can be found in the sea, on the land or in the air. Marine mammals such as whales and seals can be seen at close quarters and there are plenty of opportunities for fishing in rivers, streams and the sea.
In Iceland you can go on long rides on the famous Icelandic ponies, hike on the Faroe Islands amongst sheep grazing in the open terrain, whilst in Greenland you can go on a hike that takes you past reindeer and musk oxen or take a trip by dogsled.
All three islands have rich birdlife. This applies first and foremost to the millions of seabirds that breed during the summer months. The Arctic Ocean is teeming with fish and attracts various species of auk (such as the Atlantic Puffin), gulls, geese, etc. Other species include large birds of prey such as the white-tailed eagle, osprey, snowy owl and peregrine falcon.
Unique landscapes and geology
The Faroe Islands were formed during a volcanic period some 60 million years ago. The 18 closely grouped islands consist mainly of coarsely eroded volcanic basalt rock covered by a green layer of grass with bushes and scattered trees. The dramatic scenery with steep, rugged cliffs populated by huge numbers of birds facing out onto the Atlantic Ocean is in itself a wonderful sight.
Iceland bears witness to the enormous levels of geological activity in the region. The landscape has been shaped by the great volcanic activity that continues to the present day. There are a number of active volcanoes, and the almost lunar landscape is peppered with lush fields and groves. Iceland also has glaciers and its famous geysers.
Greenland’s gigantic Ice Sheet is the largest land-based ice cap in the world. The ice cap covers 82% of what is the world’s largest island. Greenland is home to some of the world’s most extensive systems of fjords, which cut through steep fells and glacier-covered mountains. In the northern hemisphere the island is known as a paradise for polar bears. At Isua, near the capital of Nuuk, there are beds of rock dating back 3.8 billion years, and which are thus the oldest known rocks in the world.
