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Iceland is said to be forged by fire and honed by ice. Iceland is considered a baby in geological terms. Geologists believe that Iceland began less than 20 million years ago from volcanoes on the ocean floor of the far North Atlantic Ocean. It is believed that volcanoes spewed lava creating many layers that became known as Iceland. Although Iceland is considered an Arctic country, the mainland of Iceland lies entirely below the Arctic Circle. Iceland is considered Europe’s second largest island. Greenland is to the west of Isceland and Norway to the east. Iceland climate is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream and the south-westerly winds. The average temperature on January is simalar to Milan, Italy, about 31° F in January and a cool 52° F in July. Iceland is on both sides of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs completely across Iceland from southeast to northwest. A belt of volcanic craters, hot springs, steam springs, and earthquakes marks the ridge. The belt is about 40km (25miles) wide in the north, and up to 60km (40 miles) across in the south, covering about a quarter of the country. Scientists and geologists are intrigued by Iceland’s volcanic activity because this is considered the opp