Sitting at the junction of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans is the ruggedly beautiful island of Iceland. It is Europe's second-largest island after Great Britain.
Geologically, Iceland is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge — a wee bit of the oceanic crust sitting just above a mantle plume, hence all the showy volcanic eruptions and lava flows.
The interior of Iceland is usually referred to as the central highlands or as the locals call it — Halendid — which roughly translates to Highlands in Icelandic. It is considered one of the last great wilderness areas in all of Europe, covering nearly 40,000 square kilometres. Truly one of the last untamed regions on earth. Halendid contains high concentrations of waterfalls, volcanoes, glaciers, and rivers. Large expanses of black sand, lava fields, and fragile vegetation are found throughout the region.
Still, one of the features that make this region so unique are the rivers. These rivers carry glacial runoff and sediment from the interior of the island to the ocean. Along the way, this mix of minerals and water produces dramatic colours, complex systems, and vibrant patterns.
