The Lands of Ice and Fire

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Historical Dictionary of the Vikings By Katherine Holman p252 scarecrow press 2003 discusses that both Scottish and Irish slaves were in Iceland See also: Accession of Iceland to the European Union Nordic prime ministers and the president of Finland visiting the White House in 2016, with Iceland's Sigurður second from the left The Icelandic Commonwealth lasted until the 13th century when the political system devised by the original settlers proved unable to cope with the increasing power of Icelandic chieftains. [33] The internal struggles and civil strife of the Age of the Sturlungs led to the signing of the Old Covenant in 1262, which ended the Commonwealth and brought Iceland under the Norwegian crown. Possession of Iceland passed from the Kingdom of Norway (872–1397) to the Kalmar Union in 1415, when the kingdoms of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden were united. After the break-up of the union in 1523, it remained a Norwegian dependency, as a part of Denmark–Norway. In contrast to other Nordic countries, Icelanders place relatively great importance on independence and self-sufficiency; in a public opinion analysis conducted by the European Commission, over 85% of Icelanders believe independence is "very important", compared to 47% of Norwegians, 49% of Danes, and an average of 53% for the EU25. [243] Icelanders also have a very strong work ethic, working some of the longest hours of any industrialised nation. [244]

Many political parties remain opposed to EU membership, primarily due to Icelanders' concern about losing control over their natural resources (particularly fisheries). [143] The national currency of Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK). Iceland is the only country in the world to have a population under two million yet still have a floating exchange rate and an independent monetary policy. [144] The population of the island is believed to have varied from 40,000 to 60,000 in the period ranging from initial settlement until the mid-19th century. During that time, cold winters, ash fall from volcanic eruptions, and bubonic plagues adversely affected the population several times. [15] There were 37 famine years in Iceland between 1500 and 1804. [209] The first census was carried out in 1703 and revealed that the population was then 50,358. After the destructive volcanic eruptions of the Laki volcano during 1783–1784, the population reached a low of about 40,000. [210] Improving living conditions have triggered a rapid increase in population since the mid-19th century—from about 60,000 in 1850 to 320,000 in 2008. Iceland has a relatively young population for a developed country, with one out of five people being 14years old or younger. With a fertility rate of 2.1, Iceland is one of only a few European countries with a birth rate sufficient for long-term population growth (see table below). [211] [212]Populations by religious and life stance organizations 1998–2022". Archived from the original on 20 September 2022 . Retrieved 20 September 2022. Iceland ( Icelandic: Ísland, pronounced [ˈistlant] ⓘ) [d] is a Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is linked culturally and politically with Europe, and is the region's most sparsely populated country. [12] Its capital and largest city is Reykjavík, which is home to about 36% of the country's roughly 380,000 residents. The official language of the country is Icelandic.

Helgason (28 March 2006). "Hvaða heimildir eru til um Tyrkjaránið?"[What are the sources of the Turkish Abductions?] (in Icelandic). University of Iceland. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021 . Retrieved 9 March 2021. How volcanoes can change the world". CNN. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011 . Retrieved 27 October 2014. Iceland has a very low level of pollution, thanks to an overwhelming reliance on cleaner geothermal energy, a low population density, and a high level of environmental consciousness among citizens. [232] According to an OECD assessment, the amount of toxic materials in the atmosphere is far lower than in any other industrialised country measured. [233] The island was governed as an independent commonwealth under the native parliament, the Althing, one of the world's oldest functioning legislative assemblies. Following a period of civil strife, Iceland acceded to Norwegian rule in the 13th century. The establishment of the Kalmar Union in 1397 united the kingdoms of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Iceland thus followed Norway's integration into that union, coming under Danish rule after Sweden seceded from the union in 1523. The Danish kingdom forcefully introduced Lutheranism to Iceland in 1550. [16] See also: Icelanders Reykjavík, Iceland's largest metropolitan area and the centre of the Capital Region which, with a population of 233,034, makes for 64% of Iceland's population. (Numbers from 2020)

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Some 500 Icelanders under the leadership of Erik the Red settled Greenland in the late tenth century. [215] The total population reached a high point of perhaps 5,000, and developed independent institutions before disappearing by 1500. [216] People from Greenland attempted to set up a settlement at Vinland in North America, but abandoned it in the face of hostility from the Indigenous residents. [217] The redistricting change was made to balance the weight of different districts of the country since previously a vote cast in the sparsely populated areas around the country would count much more than a vote cast in the Reykjavík city area. The imbalance between districts has been reduced by the new system but still exists. [68] See also: Education in Iceland and Science and technology in Iceland Reykjavík Junior College ( Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík), located in downtown Reykjavík, is the oldest gymnasium in Iceland. Main article: Sport in Iceland The Iceland men's national handball team (pictured) won the silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Handball is considered Iceland's national sport. [282]

Commercial whaling is practised intermittently [95] [96] along with scientific whale hunts. [97] Whale watching has become an important part of Iceland's economy since 1997. [98] Singer-songwriter Björk received international acclaim for her starring role in the Danish musical drama Dancer in the Dark, directed by Lars von Trier, in which she plays Selma Ježková, a factory worker who struggles to pay for her son's eye operation. The film premiered at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, where she won the Best Actress Award. The movie also led Björk to nominations for Best Original Song at the 73rd Academy Awards, with the song I've Seen It All and for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. [266] Keflavík International Airport (KEF) [172] is the largest airport and the main aviation hub for international passenger transport. It serves several international and domestic airline companies. [173] KEF is in the vicinity of the larger metropolitan capital areas, 49km (30mi) [174] to the WSW of Reykjavík centre, and public bus services are available. [175]Iceland has a left–right multi-party system. Following the 2017 and 2021 parliamentary elections, the biggest parties are the centre-right Independence Party ( Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn), the Progressive Party ( Framsóknarflokkurinn) and the Left-Green Movement ( Vinstrihreyfingin – grænt framboð). These three parties form the ruling coalition in the cabinet led by leftist Katrín Jakobsdóttir. With Christianity came the tools of literacy. Over time, the Icelanders gained a reputation as the history keepers of northern Europe. According to Saxo Grammaticus, a Danish historian writing from about 1185, Icelanders, “…devote all their time to improving our knowledge of others’ deeds” and “regard it a real pleasure to discover and commemorate the achievements of every nation.” Müller, Margrit; Myllyntaus, Timo (2007). Pathbreakers: Small European Countries Responding to Globalisation and Deglobalisation. Peter Lang. pp.385–. ISBN 978-3-03911-214-2. Surface water and surface water change". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Archived from the original on 24 March 2021 . Retrieved 11 October 2020. Compulsory education, or grunnskóli, comprises primary and lower secondary education, which often is conducted at the same institution. Education is mandatory by law for children aged from 6 to 16years. The school year lasts nine months, beginning between 21 August and 1 September, and ending between 31 May and 10 June. The minimum number of school days was once 170, but after a new teachers' wage contract, it increased to 180. Lessons take place five days a week. All public schools have mandatory education in Christianity, although an exemption may be considered by the Minister of Education. [199]