How Big Is Iceland?
Iceland covers approximately 103,000 square kilometers (40,000 square miles), making it roughly the size of Kentucky or Virginia and West Virginia combined. Despite its considerable landmass, Iceland is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with just over 380,000 residents.
The majority of Icelanders live in or around Reykjavik, leaving vast stretches of the interior virtually uninhabited. Glaciers cover about 11% of the country, including Vatnajokull, Europe's largest ice cap by volume.
The Ring Road (Route 1) stretches approximately 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) around the island. A complete circuit typically takes 7-10 days if you want time to explore properly, though the Golden Circle and South Coast can be covered in shorter trips from Reykjavik. Distances between towns can be significant, and services become sparse in remote areas, so planning ahead is essential.
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