ICELAND

Iceland is fascinating in countless ways, and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/icelands-geothermal-power/">its geothermal pools</a> are no exception. Fed with heat from subterranean volcanoes, <a href="http://www.roughguides.com/article/top-10-hot-pools-in-iceland/">these stunning pools</a> are filled with hot, nutrient-rich water, and people have been traveling to bathe in the startlingly blue lagoons for centuries. In addition to having healing properties, these gorgeous pools have another useful trait; one that has been harnessed by the citizens in recent years: <a href="http://www.nea.is/geothermal/">geothermal energy</a>. Using the natural geothermal energy to create electricity is a technique that's growing by the day—in 2011, nearly 66 percent of Iceland's energy came from geothermal resources.

There are several pools around Iceland, all vibrant, blue, and steaming.

The geothermal pools are startling shades of blue, from cobalt to turquoise.

Warmed by subterranean volcanoes, these lagoons stay hot and steamy year-round.

People have been bathing in these pools since the Viking era.

Iceland's volcanic eruptions have devastated the country, but those same vents are also used for the nation's energy.

Sustainable and clean, geothermal energy allows Icelanders to veer away from fossil fuels.

These geothermal vents exist all over the island.

People congregate at the pools daily to socialize and bask in the balmy waters.

It's easy to understand why bathing in these pools is so popular!

Map of Iceland.