| Things are looking up for Iceland this season. With | | | | sharp turn to the left and drops into a three-step |
| the latest UN Index on Human Development report | | | | "staircase". The water then plunges down twice, first |
| out, Iceland has finally overtaken Norway for the top | | | | 11m and then 21m, into a crevice. The crevice itself is |
| position. The UN index is a statistical measurement of | | | | 105ft (32m) deep, 60ft (20m) wide and 2.5km in |
| life expectancy, literacy education and standard of | | | | length. The average amount of water that plummets |
| living for countries worldwide. | | | | down the fall in the summer is 140m3 per second. In |
| For the last six years Norway has been in the top | | | | winter it's 80m3 per second. The largest flood to hit |
| position, but this year Iceland has taken over, | | | | the river was 2000 m3/s. |
| dropping Norway to second place by a mere fraction. | | | | Other features that add to the standard of living are |
| According to the report, free market countries | | | | the natural hot springs and the famous Blue Lagoon. |
| dominate the top positions. Currently the rankings are | | | | The Lagoon was named after the pure milky blue |
| as follows: Iceland, Norway, Australia, Canada and | | | | waters that are filled with natural minerals. Visitors |
| Ireland. The United States dropped from 8th place to | | | | come from miles around to experience the blue |
| 12th. The UK is down to16th, behind Austria. | | | | water's healing and tranquil properties. They enjoy |
| Iceland has a small population of only 300,000, which | | | | lying in the water while staring out at the lava fields |
| might have contributed to its high rank on the index. | | | | that surround them. |
| Iceland has also made technological advances over | | | | The landscape is filled with natural spas and springs, |
| the last couple of years. With the increased | | | | encouraging a healthy and relaxing lifestyle. However, |
| promotion of the country, it has become one of the | | | | with long black sandy beaches to walk on and the |
| most popular places for vacations. | | | | Landmannalaugar Hills to explore, exercise is also |
| With almost all-around-the-clock daylight in summer, | | | | actively encouraged. The hills are in the central |
| the weather is perfect for a holiday. There are | | | | highland, with hikes and 4X4 drives available. |
| day-tours around the country, which visitors can find | | | | It is not surprising then, that with all these natural |
| at tour operators in the capital, Reykjavik. The tour | | | | resources and comforts from nature, the life |
| operators also take visitors out to the country's | | | | expectancy and standard of living in this beautiful |
| spectacular waterfall, the Gullfoss. | | | | country has increased. Although the latest reports |
| The Gullfoss is an exquisite waterfall that drops in a | | | | show only a fraction between Iceland and second |
| staircase fashion from the highlands. About a | | | | place Norway, with all the promises of pleasure, it |
| kilometre above the large fall, the water makes a | | | | seems that Iceland will extend that gap in no time. |