Iceland is home to abundant fresh, clean water.  According to the World Bank, Iceland ranks #2 in the world for highest renewable freshwater resources per capita, second only to Greenland.  Iceland boasts 495,050 cubic meters of water per inhabitant as compared, for example, to the United States, which ranks number 57 with 8,760 cubic meters per person.  Fantastic tasting drinking water is available at any tap all over the country.

Iceland has an active sports culture with men's and women's teams in major team sports such as football (soccer), basketball and handball that compete throughout the year.  Alvotech is a proud sponsor of KR, a favorite local team in a number of sports.  In 2016, the Icelandic male national football (soccer) team reached the semifinals of the UEFA EuroCup, where Iceland won a stunning victory over the English National team. Handball is also a very popular sport in the country, which boasts local teams that includes professionals that play during the active season.  In 2008, Iceland won the silver medal in men’s handball at the Beijing Olympics.

Ever since the early days of settlements in Iceland, locals have enjoyed bathing and swimming in geothermal pools across the island.  In modern Iceland this has translated into a pool culture where you can find a swimming pool in nearly every town across the country that is accessible to all. 

Iceland is renowned for its inclusiveness.  Regardless of your gender, your ethnicity, or your sexual orientation, Iceland is a welcome location for all.  In February 2009, Johanna Sigurdardottir became the first openly LGBT head of state.  Alvotech itself is roughly split equally between genders and adheres to equality policy that is core to our comprehensive sustainability strategy.

Iceland is host to an active and productive music scene.  Local musicians as well as global acts routinely come to Iceland to play at the country’s esteemed concert hall (HARPA) or at a number of the music festivals that occur throughout the year.  Despite its size, Iceland has produced some well-recognized musical talents that are popular across the globe.

Tourists from all over the world, particularly between the months of September and April, flock to Iceland to get a glimpse of the famed Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.  On occasion, when the lights forecast is positive, the city of Reykjavik will dim the lights to magnify the show.

Raising and riding horses in Iceland is a popular pastime.  These horses (don’t call them ponies) were brought to Iceland around 1100 years ago from Norway and is a unique horse that is the only breed in the world that can perform 5 unique gaits.