The origin of the names for any location encompasses its history, culture, and even geography. However, Iceland and Greenland seem to carry names that contradict these associations.
Iceland and Greenland, despite their seemingly simple names, have fascinating stories that delve deep into the history of both regions. According to the oldest known source, Íslendingabók (The Book of Icelanders), written in 1103, Iceland was first settled by Norse people between 870 and 930 AD. On the other hand, the Inuit are believed to have settled in Greenland first, migrating from North America around 2500 BC.
Another primary source regarding the initial settlement of Iceland, Landnámabók (The Book of Settlements), recounts the story of Flóki Vilgerðarson, the first Norse man to spend a winter in Iceland. Legend has it that the harsh winter caused the loss of his livestock. Discouraged, Flóki climbed a mountain in the spring and witnessed a fjord full of ice. This led him to name the region “Iceland”, almost as a warning to other explorers.
Names are often based on the characteristics of a region. Except in the case of Iceland – the land of ice, and Greenland – the land of green. These two lands bear names that are completely opposite to their nature, with Iceland being free of ice, while Greenland is snow-covered year-round.
However, the name “Greenland” was recorded when the Norse explorer Erik the Red arrived in the southern part of the island in 982 AD. This name seems entirely inappropriate for Greenland’s current climate.
Data from ice cores and mollusk shells indicate that southern Greenland was much warmer from 800 AD to 1300 AD. Witnessing a much greener landscape, Erik the Red named the area “Greenland” to attract more settlers.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the seas around Iceland are about 6 degrees Celsius warmer than those around Greenland. A warmer climate means that Iceland experiences lush summers, although 11% of its surface is still covered by ice.
What Makes Iceland and Greenland So Different?
Ice currently covers over 80% of Greenland’s area, but it hasn’t always been this way. Scientists conducting research on the Greenland Ice Sheet have uncovered a landscape hidden beneath the ice. The research team discovered organic soil frozen beneath the ice for 2.7 million years!
Even today, sheep and potato farms continue to thrive in the southwestern part of the island. However, due to natural climate change, this area has gradually become colder over time. Now, Eismitte, Greenland, is dubbed the second coldest place on Earth, with the lowest recorded temperature at -85 °F (-65 °C).
Iceland, although it may have been frozen when Flóki first saw it, has gradually become warmer. This warming could be attributed to the Gulf Stream, which makes the surrounding seas about 10°F (6°C) warmer than those near Greenland. Even with 11% of the country covered by permanent ice, Iceland still enjoys a lush summer each year.
According to data from ice cores and mollusk shells in Greenland, between 800 and 1300, southern Greenland was much greener than it is today. However, by the 14th century, the average temperature in Greenland dropped significantly. A decrease in temperature meant fewer harvests, and winters became brutally cold.
So Why Haven’t Iceland and Greenland Changed Their Names?
The solution may seem simple, but it’s not as straightforward as merely swapping names. Firstly, changing names would be a long process for both regions. Leaders and politicians would need to hold meetings to gain the approval of the majority. Climate change also plays a role in whether a name change is necessary.
The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet has cooled the North Atlantic waters, significantly slowing the Gulf Stream. If this trend continues, Iceland will experience colder temperatures while Greenland will become warmer, with alarming ice melt. The names Iceland and Greenland may not fit today’s realities, but climate change could ensure those names become relevant in the future.
Global warming is melting ice in Greenland, according to National Geographic, leading to a colder climate in the North Atlantic, which directly slows warm water currents. If this continues, Iceland will face colder conditions, potentially even experiencing frost, while Greenland will continue to warm and ice will melt. At that point, the names Iceland and Greenland would be entirely accurate.
Legend has it that Naddador was the first explorer to set foot in Iceland; he named it Snæland (Land of Snow) because it was snowing at the time. Following him was Garðar Svavarosson – a Swedish Viking who subsequently led to the island being named Garðarshólmur (Garðar’s Island). Unfortunately, Garðar’s island was not very welcoming to the next arrival – a Viking named Flóki Vilgerðarson. Flóki’s daughter drowned on the way here, and his livestock perished due to the long winter. It is said that in his despair and frustration, he climbed a mountain and saw only a small fjord full of ice. From there, the name Iceland was born. |
