Atlantic Puffin
Puffins nest in Iceland's cliffs by the millions each summer and can carry dozens of small fish crosswise in their bright, striped beaks at one time.
Flag of Iceland
Field Report
Iceland is a small island nation sitting in the North Atlantic Ocean, just below the Arctic Circle, about halfway between North America and Europe. It is a land of dramatic contrasts — active volcanoes and vast glaciers share the same landscape, and the people who live there are descendants of Viking explorers who settled the island over a thousand years ago. Today about 370,000 people call Iceland home, and most of them have heard the name of Jesus but few have a personal faith in Him, which makes it a place worth knowing and praying for.
From the Field Notebook
Atlantic Puffin
Puffins nest in Iceland's cliffs by the millions each summer and can carry dozens of small fish crosswise in their bright, striped beaks at one time.
Arctic Fox
Iceland's only native land mammal, the Arctic fox turns white in winter to blend into the snow and has survived on the island for thousands of years without any predators to fear.
Icelandic Horse
The Icelandic horse is a small, sturdy breed brought by Viking settlers over a thousand years ago, and by law no horse may be imported to Iceland, keeping the breed completely pure.
Skyr
Skyr is a thick, creamy dairy product similar to yogurt that Icelanders have eaten since the Viking age and today enjoy plain or with berries for breakfast.
Lamb Soup (Kjötsúpa)
This hearty stew made from free-range Icelandic lamb, root vegetables, and herbs has warmed families through long, dark winters for generations.
Rye Bread (Rúgbrauð)
Icelanders near geothermal areas traditionally bake this dense, slightly sweet dark bread by burying a pot of dough in the ground near a hot spring and leaving it overnight.
Iceland sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two of Earth's tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart, which is why new volcanic eruptions happen there every few years.
In midsummer, the sun barely sets in Iceland and the sky stays bright enough to read a book outside at midnight — a phenomenon called the midnight sun.
Iceland has no standing army and has been at peace for so long that it is consistently ranked among the most peaceful nations on Earth.
The Icelandic language has changed so little in 800 years that many Icelanders today can read the original Viking-age sagas as easily as a modern newspaper.
Iceland generates nearly all of its electricity from renewable geothermal and hydropower sources, meaning hot water from underground volcanoes heats most of the homes in the country.
Daily Life
83
Years life expectancy
100%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Iceland is home to 6 distinct people groups — 1 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Most Iceland's people follow Christianity (90.3%). Evangelical Christians make up about 4.4% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Thai, Isan
1,700 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.