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Survey pivotal moments in Iceland's journey to becoming an independent country. See how the transformation from paganism to Christianity set the stage for the end of the Iceland Republic for centuries to come, the rise of Reykjavík as an urban center in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Iceland's official return to sovereignty in 1944.
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Begin your adventure into a fascinating world of fire and ice with an introduction to what makes Iceland such an unparalleled place to visit and explore. Discover how Iceland's people have existed throughout its history and learn how they were inspired to explore the land in many ways, including through beautiful poetry and epic sagas.
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Mighty glaciers have carved the landscape of western and eastern Iceland into beautiful, scarred fjords. First, visit Westfjords, where you'll find the oldest site in Iceland and one of the largest bird cliffs in Europe. Then, continue to Eastfjords: home to an artsy community in the heart of reindeer country and 286 square miles of forest.
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Iceland currently has a reputation as one of the coolest places on the planet to visit-and the growth in tourism has created some opportunities and challenges that you'll consider here. While we can't know what the future holds, if we look at Iceland's past, we can say that Iceland has always been resilient, adaptable, innovative, and remarkable.
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Don't be deceived by all that fire and ice. There's a diversity of plant life to be found in Iceland: trees and woody shrubs, moss and lichen, flowering plants and fungi. In addition to exploring the island's flora, consider the ever-changing relationship between humans and the environment, as seen in the Icelandic Sagas.
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The Icelandic people's relationship to food is tightly linked to their relationship with the land and sea. Iceland's unique food culture includes the sour, cheese-like milk known as "skyr"; the ubiquity of rye bread in Icelandic cuisine; and, of course, the infamous fermented shark that's considered a national dish.
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Whether you're on a mountain bike or hiking by foot, there are many spots in Iceland that offer visitors more remote, rugged experiences. Visit the Highlands, the focal point for wilderness tourism in Iceland; a nature reserve that serves as a reminder of the difficulty of Arctic living; the endpoint of the country's Northern Rift Zone; and more.
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Iceland represents a great example of how, when humans arrive at a new place where none presumably lived before, their footprint is large-and often destructive. Follow along as early Nordic settlers grow grains and cereals, then turn to sheep farming. Also, explore the impact of early settlers on the extinction of the Icelandic walrus.
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Travel back in time to the cultural birth of Iceland, which began with the arrival of the first humans. Where did these people come from? What ancient documents help scholars understand early Icelandic settlements, and how do modern tools corroborate these sources? And another thing: What happened to all the Icelandic sheepdogs?
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Before it was settled, around 65% of Iceland had vegetation. Now, only 0.5% of the country is forested. So, what happened to the forests? Get a closer look at the dangers of steep-slope erosion, as well as some of the natural difficulties currently challenging Iceland's century-long effort to reforest the country.
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Shift your attention to the rivers and wetlands of Botswana, where the opportunity to view wildlife from the water is like nothing else. Whether from a boat or a dugout canoe (or "mokoro"), and whether you are birdwatching or big-game viewing, a water safari is without a doubt the crown jewel of the African safari experience.
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Thus far, this series has covered where to go. Here, consider how to experience the safari. Should you soak it all up with the naked eye, or should you bring along your camera equipment to document it all? Whether you're using an iPhone or the latest and greatest DSLR, learn a few strategies for capturing your trip on film.
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The majority of safari experiences concentrate in the continent's fertile savannahs and wetlands, but the arid regions of Namibia and the Atlantic coast of Africa hold countless treasures. Here, journey into the oldest desert in the world, view the magnificent red sand dunes, and learn about survival in a seemingly inhospitable climate.
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While the most common image of a safari is one of riding into the bush in a 4x4 truck to get an up-close view of big mammals, a walking safari can be one of the most stunning ways to experience Africa. Step away from the bustle of the modern world, slow down, and pay attention to the many wondrous details you can see by foot.
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Trek into the tropical mountains and valleys of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to get a first-hand look at our closest living relatives. From studying gorillas to chimpanzees, there is nothing more enchanting than sitting on the damp forest floor and gazing into the eyes of a great ape.
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Now that you have surveyed the range of geographies and types of safaris, shift gears to begin a multi-episode unit on the flora and fauna you might see on your safari. Here, start with the predators: the crowd-pleasing carnivorous animals at the top of the food chain. Meet the "killer" cats and dogs.
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A night drive into the African bush offers a glimpse into a completely different world, from nocturnal animals to the breathtaking sky. This episode covers the basics of a night safari: what animals you might see, how they might behave, and what tools you need for successful and responsible viewing of animals at night.
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Venture on to Iceland's north-central region for a look at some of the many can't-miss sights. Among these are three spots for great seal viewing, a canyon that's one of the 10 most dangerous spots in the country, the spectacular Goðafoss waterfall, and a magical yuletide wonderland that's perfect for Christmastime visits.
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Whatever your flavor of literature (folkloric sagas, crime novels, poetry, literary fiction), Iceland has something for every type of reader. Discover how a combination of historical pride and rich storytelling skills make Icelandic literature, both past and present, so revered around the world.
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Sculpted by fire and ice, Iceland's parks and reserved are breathtaking to behold. Sites you'll explore in this survey include Iceland's three national parks and its nature reserves-both of which offer explorers unparalleled looks at lava fields, sea cliffs, black sand beaches, and other geological marvels.