Why is Iceland called Iceland if it is green and Greenland, Greenland if it is ice?

Answer 1

Read the history of the two lands when they were first discovered by the Vikings in the 10th century and how the climate was much different back then before the "little ice age" Proof that global warming is just a natural weather trend we are going through. Many areas in Europe also had similiar warm climate areas that have since been covered by glaciers which are now receding.

Answer 2

The theory goes that its called "Greenland" as there was far less ice there when the Vikings first conquered it, so much less in fact there were fertile areas to grow crops. However that was more than a 1000 years ago and things change.

I can't say for sure if thats the actual reason though.

Iceland I assume has always had the same landscape.

Answer 3

The Vikings wanted to keep their discovery of the lush Iceland to themselves and preferred to send other explorers to a place they didn't like.