And Iceland had no native inhabitants, and so hasn't had to deal with the wrenching ethical problems that this has posed for Alaska. Many Icelanders farm, but like coastal Alaska it's too cool to grow the lush gardens of Interior Alaska. Instead they grow mainly hay for their horses and sheep as well as potatoes, cabbage and other extra hard crops. Iceland relies heavily on fishing and tourism. Icelanders export wool like Alaskans export furs.
Many towns receive hot water produced by the intense volcanic activity.
This heats homes, thaws icy streets and provides electricity. It heats greenhouses so effectively that bananas and pineapples can be grown. The hot springs are so common that even tiny villages have heated swimming pools and hot tubs. Hydroelectric power is more controversial. A geologically young island, Iceland boasts hundreds of waterfalls and racing rivers spewing down rainsaturated mountains.