Iceland, a Nordic nation, is an island characterized by spectacular landscapes with volcanoes, geysers, spas and lava fields. The national parks of Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull protect massive glaciers. Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavík, which is powered by geothermal energy. Reykjavík is home to the National Museum of Iceland and the Saga Museum, which trace the island’s Viking past.
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west. The capital, and largest city, is Baghdad.
The Republic of Ireland occupies most of the island of Ireland, off the coast of Wales and England. Its capital, Dublin, is the birthplace of writers such as Oscar Wilde and Guinness beer. The 9th-century Book of Kells and many other illuminated manuscripts are on display in the library of Trinity College in Dublin. Nicknamed “the emerald island” for its green landscape, it is dotted with castles, including the medieval Cahir Castle.