Iceland

Iceland, a volcanic island in the North Atlantic, is one of the world's most geologically active places — sitting on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American plates are pulling apart. Lava fields, hot springs, geysers (the word 'geyser' comes from Geysir, Iceland), glaciers, waterfalls, and the northern lights make it extraordinary. 100% of Iceland's electricity and heating comes from renewable sources (geothermal and hydroelectric). Iceland has a population of 370,000 — roughly the size of a medium city — yet has produced Björk, Sigur Rós, and a disproportionate number of musicians and writers. It has the world's oldest functioning parliament (Althing, 930 CE), is among the world's most equal societies, and topped world happiness rankings for years. Eyjafjallajökull's 2010 eruption disrupted European aviation for 6 days.