Explore Greenland, Iceland, and Other Cold Climates in Google Maps

Sailing in a fjord in Iceland last May.

I've always loved maps and field trips. But there limitations to what a map can tell you about a place. And there are certainly limitations to where we can take our students on field trips. Google Maps Street View imagery allows students to virtually explore far-off places in a way that flat paper maps cannot. Some of the latest Street View imagery added to Google Maps can virtually take us to Greenland. The imagery takes us through fjords and the ruins of ancient Viking settlements on the island of Greenland.


Head south and east from Greenland and Google's Street View imagery can take you on a tour of cool places in Iceland.


Head very far south of Greenland and Iceland and you can explore parts of Antarctica in Google Maps Street View.

Explore Iceland in Google Street View

Getting ready for skiing at midnight
in Iceland. 

Iceland is of my favorite places in the world for vacation. I've been there twice (from where I live it's easier and cheaper to get to Iceland than it is to go to California). Iceland full of natural beauty that I've been fortunate to explore on mountain bike, skis, and sailboat. Now everyone can explore the natural beauty of Iceland through Google Maps Street View.

The latest update to Google Maps Street View includes imagery captured by driving on Iceland's Golden Road and imagery captured by people walking through Iceland's natural wonders like Þingvellir where I once pretended to hold Europe back from North America. Read the history and look at the Street View imagery and you'll see how I did that.

Iceland is known for its geothermal activity and waterfalls. You can see plenty of both in the new Street View imagery.


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Applications for Education
The new Google Street View Imagery of Iceland could be useful in starting conversations with students about how geothermal activities and shifting tectonic plates influence the landscape of a place.