Traditions
In Iceland, what famous holiday does an Icelandic Ash Wednesday resemble?
A) Easter
B) Halloween
C) St. Patrick's Day

B) Halloween
Instead of Lent, they have a 3 day feast, and children go around and collect candy... like Halloween!

The majority of Icelanders believe in which mythical beings?
A) Unicorns
B) Trolls
C) Elves

C) Elves. They have many legends or 'sagas' involving trolls, but Icelanders no longer believe in trolls.

A volcano erupts (roughly) every how many years?
A) 4
B) 11
C) 20

A) About every 4 years.

Iceland's capital city is also the world's northern-most capital. What is the capital of Iceland?
A) Gullfoss
B) Reykjavík
C) Strokkur Geysir

B) Reykjavík

There are how many letters in the Icelandic language?
A) 14
B) 32
C) 49

B) 32

How many bank holidays, meaning no school or work days, occur in Iceland?
A) 7
B) 15
C) 42

B) 15

Due to the location of Iceland, what is possible to see at night?
A) The moon and the sun out at the same time
B) The Northern Lights
C) Santa Claus

B) The Northern Lights

There are how many volcanoes currently in Iceland?
A) 125
B) 145
C) 230

A) 125

True or False: Behind the Skógafoss waterfall is a cave where, according to an Icelandic legend, a long time ago an Icelandic troll hid a gold-filled treasure chest for those who were brave enough to enter.
A) True
B) False

A) True

Which of the following fast-food chain will not be found in Iceland?
A) McDonalds
B) Papa John's
C) Taco Bell

A) McDonalds

October 9th is also known as what?
A) Christopher Columbus Day
B) Leif Erikson Day
C) Marco Polo Day

B) Leif Erikson Day

True or False: 60% of the population of Iceland live in the capital city of Reykjavík?
A) True
B) False

A) True

Which of the following geographic features will you not find in Iceland?
A) Forests
B) Lakes
C) Waterfalls

A) Forests. The Vikings chopped down the forests for their boats, but Iceland is currently trying to replant their trees.

Outside of the capital city is a natural outdoor spa and pool of mineral-rich geothermal water located in the middle of a lava field. What is this tourist place called?
A) The Blue Lagoon
B) The Golden Waterfall
C) The Lava Flow

A) The Blue Lagoon

'Goðafoss', the thundering northern waterfall, is roughly translated as what in English?
A) Waterfall of the Arctic
B) Waterfall of the Gods
C) Waterfall of the North

B) Waterfall of the Gods.
It stretches some 90 feet across and tumbles more than 35 feet into a glacial river.

What happens on The First Day of Summer in Iceland?
A) Children Receive a Gift From Their Parents
B) Parades and Live Entertainment
C) Both A and B

C) Both A and B are Correct

What ancient warriors once called Iceland home?
A) Mongols
B) Vikings
C) Zulu

B) Vikings

What percentage of the country can be powered due to harnessing hydro and geothermal energy?
A) 42%
B) 62.7%
C) 80%

C) 80%

What color of sand makes up the entire coastline beach of Vík í Mýrdal in southeastern Iceland?
A) Black
B) Red
C) White

A) Black; which is all volcanic sand

How would you say "thank you" in Icelandic?
A) Takk
B) Ja
C) Speak

A) Takk

One of the biggest Icelandic holidays is called Thorrablot. This day celebrates which one of the original 'Avengers'?
A) Captain America
B) Iron Man
C) Thor

C) Thor
It is celebrated from mid-January to mid-February. The ancient Viking month of Thor, commemorating the Norse god of Thunder

Police officers in Iceland do not carry which piece of protection?
A) Handcuffs
B) Guns
C) Tasers

B) Guns

On what continent is Iceland on?
A) Asia
B) Europe
C) North America
D) Both B & C

B) Europe, although part of Iceland is also sitting on top of the North American tectonic plate; including the country's capital city.

Both Lundey (or Puffin Island), and Grimsey Islands are known as places to go bird-watching for what type of birds?
A) Arctic Owls
B) Penguins
C) Puffins

C) Puffins

How would you say ''hello friends" while we're in Iceland?
A) Hallo
B) Hæ vinir
C) Hæ

Hæ Vinir

What is a traditional food eaten on Ash Wednesday?
A) Cream Puffs
B) Fermented Shark
C) Horse (maybe listed as 'Foal')

A) Cream Puffs
On Bolludagur or “Buns Day”, (which is two days before Lent; usually in February or March) people consume as many cream puffs or “buns” as they can. They can come in different shapes and sizes, and are filled with cream or jam.

Which of the following is considered a delicacy?
A) Ice Cream
B) Lamb Eyes
C) Raw Puffin Hearts

C) Raw Puffin Hearts

True or False: In 1963, the world witnessed on film the birth of its newest island, Surtsey.
A) True
B) False

A) True
Surtsey is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is not yet ready for human use.

The capital city of Reykjavík has a 210-foot-tall church dedicated to which Viking explorer?
A) Christopher Columbus
B) Leif Ericsson
C) Marco Polo

B) Leif Ericsson

On Good Friday, what is it illegal to do in Iceland?
A) Be Outside
B) Gamble
C) Sleep

B) Gamble
