At the 43rd session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Vatnajökull National Park was approved for the World Heritage List.
The National Park now becomes the third site in Iceland which is featured on the World Heritage List, joining Thingvellir National Park (2004) and the volcanic island Surtsey (2008).
The decision to add Vatnajökull National Park to the list was based on its unique natural features which are invaluable to mankind and should be part of our legacy.
According to Magnús Guðmundsson, the director of the park: “Being on the World Heritage List is the greatest quality assurance any natural area can be granted worldwide”.
Vatnajökull National Park is an iconic volcanic region which covers nearly 14% of Iceland’s surface area and is home to the second Largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull Glacier.
