Iceland - download topographic map set
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Total in map set8 maps of36Mb Updated inJanuary 2015 (added 4 maps) Selected in map set7 maps of28Mb
In order to view additional information go to images of maps coverage and click on the map square concerned. The latest added maps are indicated in yellow.
Download topographic maps coverage for Google Earth: iceland--maps.kmz
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| Maps | Size | Language | Price | |||
| Soviet military 1:500 000 (~1980) | 4 | 14Mb | Russian | 1 € | ||
| US military 1:1 000 000 (~1957) | 1 | 3Mb | English | 1 € | ||
| US military 1:1 000 000 (~1974) | 2 | 11Mb | English | 1 € | ||
| US military 1:500 000 (~1993) | 1 | 8Mb | English | 1 € |
Soviet military 1:500 000 (~1980): 4 maps |
1 € |
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US military 1:1 000 000 (~1957): 1 maps |
1 € |
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US military 1:1 000 000 (~1974): 2 maps |
1 € |
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US military 1:500 000 (~1993): 1 maps |
1 € |
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Iceland is an island state in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean (to the northwest of Great Britain). The total area of the country is 103,000 sq km, 11,800 sq km of which is covered by glaciers.
Relief. Almost all of the territory of Iceland is a volcanic plateau with peaks up to 2 km which abruptly ends near the ocean and creates thousands of fjords. Numerous active volcanoes (Hekla, Askja, Laki, etc.), geysers, hot springs, laval fields and glaciers occupy almost the whole territory of the country.
Volcanoes. Iceland is located on the above-water projection of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The formation of the island is connected with intensive volcanic activity at the beginning of Alpine orogenesis. It is volcanism together with glaciations that Iceland owes its singularity to. Iceland has volcanoes of all types: from effusive clefts to explosive craters. The highest peak of the country - Hvannadalshnjúkur – is a volcano as well.
Rivers. The rivers of Iceland are: Þjórsá, Jökulsá á Fjöllum, Ölfusá, Skjálfandafljót, Jökulsá á Dal, Lagarfljót, Héraðsvötn, Blanda.
Lakes. The largest lakes in Iceland are Þórisvatn, Þingvallavatn, Blöndulón, Lagarfljót, Mývatn, Hóp, Hvítárvatn, Langisjór, Kvíslavatn, Sultartangalón, Jökulsárlón, Grænalón.
Waterfalls. Iceland is famous for its waterfalls, of which there is a great many in the country. The most well-known and beautiful of them are Goðafoss (Gods` Falls), Gullfoss (Golden Falls) on the Hvítá River, Skógafoss, Dettifoss (Cascade Fall) in the north of the country. Other waterfalls are: Glymur, Háifoss, Fossa, Hengifoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gullfoss, Hreinejafoss, Þungnaa.
Geysers. Iceland is the place with the greatest density of geysers in the world. Frequent geyser fields make the landscape look wonderful and fantastic. 100 km to the east of the capital, at the foot of the Langjökull glacier the unique geyser valley Haykadalur is situated. Here the famous “Grand Geyser” is situated. Its 3 km wide crater alternately fills with hot turquoise blue water with high concentration of minerals and then dries out again revealing the tufa bottom.
National Parks and Reserves. Great tourist attraction belongs to Þingvellir, Mivatn-og-Lahsau, Skaftafell and Jökulsárgljúfur National Parks. The last – “The Grand Canyon of Iceland” – has numerous thermal springs and lakes with hot mineral water. The parks are used as spa resorts, and their landscapes arouse admiration even in the most experienced traveller.
Sightseeing. The trademark of the island is its fanciful volcanic landscapes with numerous tiny lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Dozens of active and extinct volcanoes are scattered throughout the country, and multiple geyser fields and mud volcanoes made the scenery virtually fantastic.
The capital if Iceland – Reykjavík (“The Smoky Bay”) – was in 2000deservedly announced one of the world cultural capitals. This small and cosy town sea-washed from three sides and having a layout, completely untypical for a capital, is considered one of the world rarest cities.
Reykjavík neighbours the massive extinct volcano Esja (906 m) which is a good place for tracking and active holidays. Farther southward a large lake Blauloun, or the Glacial Lagoon, connected with the ocean by a strait, is located.
Another place of interest is the Hengil region near Reykjavík, the hot water of which is used for heating of the capital and of the numerous open pools.
Geyser fields are the country`s trademark by themselves. In total there are more than 250 groups uniting upwards of 7,000 separate hot springs – the world greatest rate of geysers. The vast geyser field Haudakalur with once the greatest geyser in the country - Geyser (“The Grand Geyser”) – is situated in the south of Iceland. Other places worth seeing are the Torfa glacier region to the east of the volcano Hekla, the volcano Kverkfjöll, the Grim lakes region near the Vatna glacier, the Nama, the Kerlingar and the Kverk Mountains regions, the Krisy Bay, the Kjolur, Landmannalöygar, Nesyavellyr, Onavfelsnes, Reykir and other geothermal fields, hot springs and areas of “motley land” near the city of Hveragerdy.
Eastern Borgarfjord in the extreme east of the country possesses the rock Aulvarborg which, according to Iceland fairytales, is the home of elfs and their king and queen.
The city of Akürkeiry is called the northern capital ans is situated on the beach of the picturesque Eiafjord. Next to it one can see the nonfreezing Mývatn Lake.
Tourism. Iceland is one of the world centres of sport fishery and extreme tourism. The country provides many possibilities for rock climbing, hiking and “safari” on any kind of transport, horse trips (horses of local breed are considered one of the sturdiest in the world and for a long time were exported to many countries), trout and salmon fishing in rivers, brooks and lakes, original diving in mineral pools and under the foot of iceberg, and also for more traditional sports everywhere in the country and throughout the year.
Climate. The climate of Iceland is subarctic maritime, much moderated by the warm Gulf Stream. Due to air warming by its waters, brought from the equatorial latitudes, the climate is considerably milder than it could be expected; still, it is very windy. Strong winds blow almost permanently. The average temperature in August is around +10˚C, in January -1˚C. Annual precipitation oscillates from 500 and 4000 mm.