The Ring Road is the only highway around iceland. The interior is largely uninhabitated and accessible, especially in the winter, only with special vehicles. The Ring Road was completed in 1964--prior there was no paved road system, simply dirt and gravel tracks. The Ring Road is still dirt and gravel in many places. Two narrow lanes, built up in many places over the tundra, no shoulders at all--but full of bicyclists and sheep all summer. In the winter it is often covered in snow and ice--but vehicles are equipped with studded tires and conditions seldom stop folks from getting out.