Fact 1: Iceland Has No Standing Army
This fact often makes people do a double-take: Iceland has no standing armed forces, which is highly unusual, especially since it is a NATO member. Iceland is one of only a handful of countries worldwide with no military of its own—no army, navy, or air force. The Icelandic Coast Guard handles maritime patrol and search-and-rescue operations, and a small police unit called the Viking Squad deals with counter-terrorism. For a nation that takes its Viking heritage seriously, this might seem surprising. Yet, Iceland has been one of the most peaceful, safe, and stable countries on Earth for a very long time.