We all know that the famous "algorithms" exist. Those who spy on us through the camera to find out what we like, what we wear and the face we make when we go to the bathroom. We also know that they spy on us through the microphone, listening to our absurd conversations, activating itself when we are giving irrelevant data that matches the ads that we will see on Facebook in the future. They observe and listen to us during the talks we have on video call when we half pay attention to our listener, while we contemplate, with surprise, how our face deforms when we are in a state of relaxation. You sit up, you find your best angle. We all know that they spy on us. Because we have also googled it ...
Objection, speculation! ... Admitted
Google, who used to function as that weird friend from whom we got the answers from the test, today is a traitor, to whom we strangely continue to confer everything, from our personal data to our most specific concerns. And this is how this server can predict many things that seem (speculative) that they are the product of Big Brother. But here we do not come to talk about the sinister theories of the famous search engine, it just made me curious that, based on the algorithms that predict what you want to ask, Google formulates concerns that are possibly the most common ... in this case, about Iceland. Starting with the six basic questions (my journalism studies are finally paying off) and some bonus ones, I will answer the doubts about Iceland ... according to the Google predictor.
This is based on a search made in Spanish. Things may vary.
1. What …
... to see / to do? In Iceland there is a lot to see, especially nature. If you have never visited, my recommendation would be to go to the so-called Golden Circle. I think it is the main tourist route, there are the attractions that many want to see, in the most effective way. Personally, I think if you want to see something beyond, Vestmannaeyjar is the destination to go. About the things you can do, there are a wide variety of ecotourism activities, as well as places to relax and give yourself a gift of self-love. Of course, at a high price to consider.
... language is spoken there? Icelandic
2. Who …
... discovered it? It is speculated that Irish monks were the ones who came to the island, before the Vikings. However, there is no evidence to confirm this theory. Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson was the first to sail the seas of the future Iceland, a name that he himself assigned. But the first colony was established by Ingólfur Arnarson.
... governs? Iceland is a parliamentary democratic republic, where the president is the representation of the people and the prime minister leads the government. The current president is Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson while currently the prime minister is Katrín Jakobsdóttir.
3. When …
… (is it better) to go? It depends on what you want to do or see. For example, if you want to see the Northern Lights and the snow, you obviously don't come in June. But if what you want is to hike, ride a bike or go around the island by car… I think the best thing to do is to come in summer. Personally, summer is one of the best times to come and enjoy nature. BUT, there is also the consideration of prices and the amount of tourists. Obviously due to the pandemic, right now things seem to be more relaxed, although, I know from a trustworthy source, that prices rise especially in June-July, and December-January. Perhaps in terms of prices, the best is August-September (in September, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights) or February-March (although the cold seasons are the ugliest months).
...can you see the Northern Lights? From September to March. But, to avoid mistakes, you can check this page. It is worth mentioning that, although there is activity, sometimes they are not visible because it is cloudy, it is a matter of luck.
... was it discovered? It is thought that the monks arrived in the 8th century, but I insist, there is no conclusive evidence, other than literary ones. Flóki sailed the Icelandic seas in the 9th century, while Ingólfur would establish what is now Reykjavík in 874.
... does the sun set? It depends. Right now, never! [this was originally published in summer] But in winter, from 4:00 p.m. until the next day at 11:00 hrs. The shortest days have only four hours of light, compared to twenty-one hours of light on the longest days, during the summer. [Right now, in October, the sun sets around 6PM to 7PM].
4. Where ...
... is it / is it (located)? In the north, between Europe and America, in the Atlantic Ocean.
... to see the Northern Lights? You can see them wherever they appear, as long as you are not in places with light pollution (for example, under a lamppost).
… to go?*see above*.
...to sleep? Ideally on a bed. There are airbnbs, hotels and so on. In summer you could even camp in many areas that are available for these purposes. You can even rent campers.
5. Why …
… Is it a democratic country? Because it is a parliamentary republic that elects its representatives through voting. In Iceland, the president is popularly elected, while the position of prime minister is chosen by voting for the party. The party has a list of candidates, who can be excluded by voters during the process. Once obtaining the majority of votes, they form a government that is approved by the president.
… are there no mosquitoes? It is speculated that it is due to the climate, since it does not allow the mosquito to adapt to the changes within the winter seasons.
… isn’t it a member of the European Union? Firstly, because of the crisis of 2009. Secondly, the change of opinion around 2013, in which Icelandic citizens, apparently, no longer consider it appropriate. According to data from 2018, just over half of the population opposed joining the EU.
… is it called that? Because Flóki wanted it that way. When navigating between the fjords, specifically in Ísafjörður, Flóki noticed ice and snow in the landscape, hence the name.
… does it have a small population? Due to geographical and climatic circumstances, living in Iceland, before the 1940s, was a titanic task. Today, the quality of life, thanks to modernity, has improved, even under the same environmental conditions.
... is it a green country? A strange question. On the one hand, I want to assume that people are referring to nature, since Iceland has miles of nothing, being quite difficult to urbanize certain areas of the country. Therefore, the landscapes give the impression of being intact. In another way, it could be that they refer to the ecological quality of the region, since, being a country with great volcanic activity, geothermal energy and derivatives are used as a resource to provide the inhabitants with services such as electricity and water.
... did it emerge? By the submarine volcanic eruptions in the so-called Mesoatlantic ridge, which separates the tectonic plates of America and Eurasia.
...is it a developed country? What a difficult question! And with so many answers. In short, we can talk about the policies that have raised the human development index, as well as the concern to build an egalitarian society (as far as possible). The type of economy, which is mixed, aligned with the intervention of the State, has influenced which are the political decisions taken, to provide the population with well-being conditions, as well as the participation of the private sector. Historically, we can say that Iceland benefited from industrializing its fishing sector, along with the aid received after the Second World War, by the Marshall Plan. Iceland received economic aid, even being neutral during the war, being an exception within the countries involved. The short answer could be summarized as "being in the right time in the right place."
... is it so safe? All this is speculative, because it can be all these reasons and none at the same time. Among the reasons are: equality between social classes, gun control, equality in other aspects (sex, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc.), the number of inhabitants, the rapid response of the authorities to a complaint ... It should be clarified that, although it is safer than other destinations in the world, it does not mean that it is free of crime or violence.
... there are no trees? It is speculated that the Vikings razed the forests within the island, which covered between 25 to 40% of the surface.
6. How ...
...to emigrate / to live there / to immigrate? A complex question. It depends. First, your nationality. Then, if due to your nationality you would need a residence permit (like for example me, being Mexican). There are different types of permits and for each type, a procedure to follow. Check here for more information
...to get there? By plane. I do not recommend that you take a boat.
... is life there? It depends on many factors. Personally, living here is strange. I dare to say that, in general, people live peacefully.
... was it formed?* see above *.
... is it? Physically, it is an island that looks like it has a hand or a crest. In summer, it is a rock with moss and grass. In winter, it is a rock with snow. Most of the population lives in the capital, so you can travel on the road and see nothing but the road.
Bonus trivia
7. How much/ How many
... inhabitants / live there? 368,792 inhabitants, as of January 1, 2021
... does it cost to travel? Uff! It depends. According to one site, in 2018 they estimate that for 10 days, certain activities, accommodation and transportation could be around 1,500 euros. In another source from 2019, they estimate that around 1,300 euros for 9 days. A Mexican page makes an estimate of $ 35,000 mxn, that is 1,700 usd approx. Today I guess this must be a bit more expensive. To mention an example, these articles talk about WOW Air, a company that is no longer in operation and that it offered low-cost flights.
... does it cost to live? Iceland is VERY expensive. It is the fourth most expensive country in the world. According to one site, they estimate that a person lives with 414,861 isk which is equivalent to 2,829 euros (approximately).
... does the day last?* see above *.
... does a house cost? Buying a home, as in all places, varies depending on your location. A house, in the capital region, built between the years 1960 to 2021, of between 40 to 250 m2, on average costs 83 million isk (or 446,000 per m2).
8. Related questions
What is the standard of living? Good. According to statistics, Iceland has a high standard of living.
What is its religion? Much of the population (63.4%) belongs to the Lutheran church. While 22% do not practice or follow an organized religion.
What is the minimum wage? In a sense, there is not such, as this is established by the unions every year. In this year, 2021, it is 368,000 isk per month.
What Is needed to work? Your will!, jk. Bureaucratically, in principle, a number called kennitala.
Where is Icelandic spoken? In Iceland
What is an atheist country? A country in which a large part of its population does not profess any religion
How do surnames work? Very simple. Literally that is to say "son / daughter of X". If it is a boy add -son (son) and if it is a girl -dóttir (daughter). Suppose your name is Stefán. In Icelandic your name is declined, meaning, it changes according to the relationship between the verb, the object and the verbal action. I know I'm confusing you, but let's go back then. Your name is Stefán, your declension in genitive is Stefáns (from Stéfan) now you add if it was a boy or a girl and voilá! Stefánsson. That explains, for example, that Sigurður's daughter is Sigurðardóttir or that Helgi's son is Helgason (and why some surnames are with double s and others are not).
How many hours do you work? Normal working hours are 40 hours a week (08: 00-16: 00). But recently, the reduction of the working day to 36 hours a week has been approved. Within those hours, it is contemplated that you have your break. In other words, yes, you get paid to have your food at work.
