Why iceland is called iceland

The current names come from the Vikings. Norse custom was to name a thing as they saw it. Ice core and mollusk shell data suggests that from A.

This means that when the Vikings first arrived, the Greenland name would make sense. But by the 14 th century, maximum summer temperatures in Greenland had dropped.

Lower temperatures meant fewer crops and more sea ice, forcing the local Norse population to abandon their colonies. Permanent settlement began soon after. A century later, Iceland was a growing democracy and the home of Erik the Red, who was banished from the country after killing three people in a feud. He sailed west in search of a new home—and found it. Thus, Iceland was named by a sad Viking and Greenland is the slogan of a medieval marketing scheme.

The rapidly melting Greenland ice sheet has resulted in cold temperatures in the North Atlantic, which has significantly slowed the Gulf Stream. Should the trend continue, Iceland will likely suffer much colder temperatures and even sea ice, while Greenland will continue to grow warmer and shed icebergs at an alarming rate. In a century or two, it could very well be that the globe will make more sense, and Iceland and Greenland will better resemble the names they were given a thousand years ago.

As Digital Nomad, he completed over 30 assignments for National Geographic, including his epic overland journey from Washington to Antarctica on public transportation. You can follow his adventures at LettersFromEarth. All rights reserved. Share Tweet Email. Ripped Off by Car Rentals? Secret Waterfall. Can you tell me more about the delicious Icelandic lobster? Mariska Moerland February 21, Ask Iceland Review a Question.

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