The White Falcon - 14.08.1943, Blaðsíða 8

8
Old style Icelandic farm cottage, increasingly common as one moves
away from population centers such as Reykjavik, SiglufjorSur and
Akureyri is of timber covered with turf, or “torfjiekja”.
Kerlingaxfjoll or
“Old Woman’s
Mountains” (right),
are typical of the
volcanic crests in Ice-
land which are snow-
capped throughout
the year. The result
of volcanic activity,
glaciation and eros-
ion by wind and wat-
er, Iceland’s topo-
graphy is stark and
rugged and is notable
for its sharply cleft
fjords.
panoramic
view (right) shows
Thingvellir, where
the first Althing
(Iceland’s parlia-
ment) met in 930.
Mountain climbing is an exceedingly popular
sport in Iceland. Here (above) aiwoman climber
examines the layers of eroded lava deposited
by glaciers as they advanced and receded in
pre-historic times.
The Icelandic pony, “hestur,” (above) with its shaggy
mane is a common sight here. Until recent years it
provided the sole means of land transportation and is
still indispensable for cross-country trips.
Oxararfoss (right), a high waterfall
near Iceland’s historic shrine at Thing-
vellir, is one of many on this North
Atlantic island. Heavy rainfall and
glacial flow assure on abundance of
water power.
Corn shocks are spac-
ed out evenly on one
of Iceland’s experiment-
al farms (right). Severe
weather and barren
soil restricts local farm-
ers to hardy crops such
as potatoes, but green
houses heated by near-
by hot springs provide
more exotic fruits and
vegetables and many
flowers. Cooperative
farming is developed to
a high degree here.
A waterfall (ab-
ove) on the Anda-
kilsa River in the
southwest corner
of Iceland indicat-
es the beauty of the
country despite its
sparse vegetation.
Streams such as
this abound in
trout and salmon.
r ■