Gumbo’s Pic of the Day September 9, 2013: Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

(Oxara River, Thingvellir National Park, Iceland)

Thingvellir National Park is of great historic and geologic importance in Iceland. This was the site of Iceland’s first parliament more than 1,000 years ago. The Icelandic tribes, descendants of the Vikings, gathered and camped here and at nearby “Law Rock” recited their laws and developed new ones. Geologically, it is a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian plates are slowly separating, easily appreciated here because of the cracking and moving apart of recent volcanic flows. Thingvellir National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a beautiful place to for a hike.

DrFumblefinger

Follow me on Twitter: @DrFumblefinger. "We do not take a trip, a trip takes us." – John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charley

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Hiking, Iceland, Nature, Oxara River, Picture of the Day, Thingvellir National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vikings

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11 years ago

I like the idea! We’ll put the idea out there as bait for our members. Anyone want to write about the origin of their country (or some countries that interest them), especially from a modern travelers perspective?

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