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Iceland - Way Up North Trivia Quiz

Just ten questions for those of you who know a lot or a little about Iceland.

A multiple-choice quiz by Valka. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Valka

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
297,683

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
582

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the climate of Iceland's coastal regions? Hint

Tropical

Cold oceanic

Polar ice cap

Humid continental

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Question 2 of 10

2. Architecturally, Iceland is a young nation. In the centre of the capital city there is a tall church which is considered a landmark by the city's inhabitants. What is the name of this church? Hint

Hallgrimskirkja

Thingvellir

Perlan

Landakotskirkja

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Question 3 of 10

3. Iceland has gone down in the history books for being the first nation to democratically elect a female head of state. What was that president's name? Hint

Vigdis Finnbogadottir

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson

Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir

Gudrun Osvifursdottir

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which is the odd town out? Hint

Akureyri

Gardabaer

Hafnarfjordur

Kopavogur

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1995, Iceland was twice hit by the same sort of natural disaster which claimed numerous lives and left the country deeply affected. What kind of natural disaster was this? Hint

Flooding

Hurricane

Famine

Avalanche

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the full official name of Iceland in Icelandic? Hint

Al��ulandi� �sland

Bananal��veldi� �sland

L��veldi� �sland

�sland�ka

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Question 7 of 10

7. Iceland is a relatively young nation. What is the year generally considered to mark the beginning of the settlement of Iceland? Hint

1144 AD

874 AD

535 AD

989 AD

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Question 8 of 10

8. A popular tourist activity is doing the Golden Circle, a route that takes in places of interest in Southern Iceland. The three main stops are Thingvellir (national park), Geysir (hot spring) and which large waterfall? Hint

Dettifoss

Glaumur

Smoky Falls

Gullfoss

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who is the only Icelandic person to have received a Nobel prize, and what was it for? Hint

Bjork Gudmundsdottir, peace

Halldor Kiljan Laxness, literature

Vigdis Finnbogadottir, peace

Einar Benediktsson, physics

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Question 10 of 10

10. In which month do Icelanders celebrate their national day? Hint

July

December

September

June

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the climate of Iceland's coastal regions?

Answer: Cold oceanic

The majority of Icelanders live by or near the coast. The average temperature for July is 10-13�C, although there are often warmer spells. The North Atlantic current keeps Iceland's climate relatively temperate and thus habitable.

2. Architecturally, Iceland is a young nation. In the centre of the capital city there is a tall church which is considered a landmark by the city's inhabitants. What is the name of this church?

Answer: Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja was constructed in the years 1945-1986 and takes its name from 17th century poet Hallgrimur Petursson, Iceland's most prolific writer of psalms.

3. Iceland has gone down in the history books for being the first nation to democratically elect a female head of state. What was that president's name?

Answer: Vigdis Finnbogadottir

Vigdis Finnbogadottir was elected president in 1980 and stayed in office for a full four terms, until her retirement in 1996 when Olafur Ragnar Grimsson was elected. Born in Reykjavik in 1930, Vigdis had previously worked in education, tourism and theatre. Since retiring from the presidency she has been extensively involved with matters of culture and welfare, both in Iceland and on an international level.

4. Which is the odd town out?

Answer: Akureyri

Akureyri is located in the north of Iceland, whereas the other three are all considered part of the Greater Reykjavik area, although each is an independent town with its own council.

5. In 1995, Iceland was twice hit by the same sort of natural disaster which claimed numerous lives and left the country deeply affected. What kind of natural disaster was this?

Answer: Avalanche

In the early hours of January 16, 1995, an avalanche fell on 15 houses in the small village of Sudavik in the western fjords, claiming 14 lives in total. Several months later, in late October, an avalanche fell on another village in the west, Flateyri, killing 20 men, women and children. In a country with a population of less than 300,000, this was an immense blow.

6. What is the full official name of Iceland in Icelandic?

Answer: L��veldi� �sland

This translates as The Republic of Iceland.

7. Iceland is a relatively young nation. What is the year generally considered to mark the beginning of the settlement of Iceland?

Answer: 874 AD

Ingolfur Arnarson, a Norwegian who arrived along with his brother and their people in approximately 874, is considered the first settler although there had previously been some temporary "guests".

Answer: Gullfoss

Gullfoss - "The Golden Waterfall" - is on the Hv�t� River. In summertime, the average amount of water is 140 m�/s, although the highest flood ever measured was 2000 m�/s.

9. Who is the only Icelandic person to have received a Nobel prize, and what was it for?

Answer: Halldor Kiljan Laxness, literature

Halldor Laxness (1902-1998) remains Iceland's most famous and widely read author. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955. His works have been translated into numerous languages, including English, German, Spanish, French and Italian.

10. In which month do Icelanders celebrate their national day?

Answer: June

The national day is June 17th, when Icelanders celebrate with parades, music, fun fairs for children and other events. Iceland only became fully independent from Danish rule on June 17th, 1944.

Source: Author Valka

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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