Serene Pictures of Iceland

Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland is a country in northern Europe, comprising the island of Iceland and its outlying islets in the North Atlantic Ocean between the rest of Europe and Greenland. It is the least populous of the Nordic countries and the second smallest; it has a population of about 313,000 and a total area of 103,000 km². Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík.

Due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is volcanically and geologically active on a large scale; this defines the landscape in various ways. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterized by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while many big glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Because of the Gulf Stream, Iceland has a temperate climate relative to its latitude and provides a habitable environment and nature.

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Iceland Reykjanesta

Iceland Glacier

Iceland Horse

Kerlingarfjöll - Ísland

Somewhere, central desert - Ísland

Iceland Lake Deepwater

End of Seydisfjördur - Ísland

Eastern fjörds - Ísland

Iceland Rainbow

Iceland Sunset

Hverfell - Ísland

Skeidarársandur - Ísland

The opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India. It was a vibrant, colourful and brilliant display of India's varied culture in a plethora of cultural showcases.

The ceremony set the stage for 11 days of intense competition, which will see over 7000 athletes from 71 countries vying for honours.

A spectacular laser fireworks show lit up the evening sky and India took a giant leap, 28 years after it hosted the Asian Games.

The past few weeks of negative publicity that had dogged the nearly Rs 70,000 crore mega-event was quickly forgotten as the glittering opening ceremony, which encapsulated a fascinating mix of culture and modernity, kept the spectators enthralled for more than two hours.

Against the backdrop of an early October sunset, the spanking new Jawaharlal Nehru stadium turned into a golden hue as the Rs 44 crore aerostat lifted into the skies and a bevy of puppets danced and over 800 drummers heralded the event.

Let the Games begin!
Athletes from the Cook Islands arrive onto the field of the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi

England athletes led by flag bearer Nathan Robertson take part in the opening ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi

Brunei Darussalam athletes led by flag bearer Ampuan Ahad take part in the opening ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi

The Australian contingent at the opening ceremony.

Athletes from Canada take part in the opening ceremony of the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi

A memorable performance indeed!

School children perform during the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi

India showcases to the Commonwealth its culture and tradition at the opening ceremony of the Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

A grand tribute to the tricolour.

A performer hits a giant drum at the Ceremony.

Giant puppets from Rajasthan left the viewers awestruck.

Fireworks light up the Jawaharlal nehru Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Pyrotechnics set off as the aerostat rises.

An interior view of the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium at the start of the XIX Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, left, Britain's Prince Charles, second from left, Indian President Pratibha Patil, extreme right, attend the opening ceremony.