In 874 Viking explorers from Norway & the British Isles settled on the island. The Alþingi (Icelandic for “assembly” but also meaning “parliament”) ran until 1800. Iceland’s deep literary tradition dates back to its legendary medieval sagas, which told the stories of the country’s original Norse settlers, and the BBC reports that 1 out of every 10 Icelanders will publish a book during their lifetimes. The half of the population of the country lives in capital Reykjavik and its nearby areas. And while Iceland may not have much ice, it does have many unique things to offer the world. ; The moai are truly huge. Learn about Iceland's history and its people. It has flat surface. Also a complete list of current and old (extinct) Rhode Island counties. Iceland was founded more than 1,000 years ago during the Viking age of exploration and settled by a mixed Norse and Celtic population. Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland.It is also the largest city in that country and with its latitude of 64˚08'N, it is the world's northernmost capital city for an independent nation. Joining the European Economic Area in 1994 further diversified the nation’s economy into manufacturing, finance and biotechnology and continued its prosperity. Due to the ancient erosion event, Robben Island sits only a few metres above the sea elevation. Total Population: 338,349; Capital: Reykjavik; Life expectancy: 82.47 years; Highest Mountain: Hvannadalshnúkur at 2,109.6 metres (6,921 ft) Iceland is also the land of light and darkness. Iceland’s sweeping spectrum of superlative nature comes to a dramatic climax in the Westfjords – the island’s off-the-beaten-path adventure par excellence. If that's not enough, click over to our collection of world maps and flags. A brief history lesson. Iceland was first inhabited in the late 9th and 10th centuries. Why don’t you read the below post for details about Robben Island: Facts about Robben Island 1: the African history. Relying on subsistence agriculture and fishing, the country was among one of the poorest in Europe. North Iceland has dramatic lava fields and hills carved out by rivers with turbulent waterfalls. The English word geyser is derived from Iceland’s famous Geysir. 17. 14. Following the creation of its constitution, Iceland was independent until 1262. Median age is … Celts (mainly Scottish and Irish people) as well as Vikings who already had settled in the British isles also moved to … The oldest source, Íslendingabók (The Book of the Icelanders), written about 1130, sets the period of settlement at about 870–930 ce. Although Iceland cooperated with the Allies, it officially remained neutral during the war. 2. All Rights Reserved. With just over 320,000 people, Iceland is one of the least-populated countries in the world. Milestones in Icelandic History Discovery and Settlement. It changed from the poorest country in Europe to one of the richest country in the world in only a 50 years! It also did not broadcast during the vacation month of July until 1983. The 1915 ban was much like Prohibition in the United States, and banned all alcohol in Iceland. Only one woman was prosecuted as a witch during this time though because men were the primary targets. Iceland - Iceland - History: Iceland apparently has no prehistory. Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about Iceland that might be interesting to know. Some historians believe that Columbus visited Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula on a trading mission in 1477 and there learned of Viking explorations of the New World. 11. 31 Weird Facts About Iceland That Will Amaze You; 31 Weird Facts About Iceland That Will Amaze You. A timeline of Iceland. Iceland changed Iceland changed into at first protected in forests as far as the attention could see according to widely wide-spread history, a seafarer named Garðarr Svávarsson sailed around the complete island in the later ninth century and proclaimed that it becomes “wooded … Aug 25, 2019 - Spread the love Saturday, June 29, 20191. The South coast is home to some of the nation’s most visited tourist attractions, including the Golden Circle. The early settlement, made up primarily of Norwegian seafarers and adventurers, fostered further excursions to Greenland and the coast of … In 874 Viking explorers from Norway & the British Isles settled on the island. Iceland has many geysers. 25. Background: This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. 1. A national referendum led to the legalization of most alcoholic beverages in 1935 with one exception—beer containing more than 2.25 percent alcohol. As Iceland celebrates the 70th anniversary of its independence, explore 10 surprising facts about the island nation. These interesting facts about history were never taught to you by your teachers — and they probably never even knew. Sightseeing; Whale Watching; Horse Riding; Glacier Exploring Nature. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Its official currency is Icelandic króna (ISK). Iceland was founded by the Vikings. The history of Iceland is one of survival and prosperity. Iceland History . 12. Iceland’s government-run television station, which began broadcasting in 1966 and was the country’s sole channel for 20 years, went dark every Thursday until 1987 in order to promote human interaction. The toxic fog poisoned Iceland’s plants and vegetation and decimated its crops. 15. 22. 18. 330 BC: An island, Thule, or Ultima Thule, in the farthest north is mentioned in a geography by the Greek navigator Pytheas; located six days' sailing north of Britannia and one day and night from “the end of the world”. The water is so clean that pass to the kitchen of every family without any treatment. 3. There are a however some things raise the eyebrows of tourists travelling in Iceland. They may not look it from afar, but they stand up to around 13 feet tall. Most executive power rests with the Government, which is elected separately … Iceland celebrates Beer Day (Bjórdagurinn) each year on March 1. Iceland is a Nordic island country with an intriguing history and spectacular natural attractions that bring many tourists to the island. This was the beginning of Icelandair. But, artifacts found on the island show evidence of … In later centuries it was under Denmark’s rule. Quail Island, Lyttelton Harbour (1875) Our Ellis Island? Iceland has a rich and exciting history, from its start with the Vikings up until it gained home rule. During the final quarter of the 18th century approximately 20 to 25 percent of the population of Iceland emigrated to the United States and Canada because of famine in the country. General Facts about Iceland. Jóhanna Sigurŏardóttir became Iceland’s first female Prime Minister in 2009, and also the first openly lesbian head of government in the world. 21. Robben Island plays an important role in the African history. Iceland, country of geothermal pools and northern lights, volcanoes, and glaciers, is a prosperous nation. 6. It also offers lots of information on the history of phalluses and how they work (not as straightforward as you might think!) This may surprise you. History of Madeira Island When the Infante Dom Henrique, better known in English as Prince Henry the Navigator, gathered together the finest cartographers and navigators of Portugal at the beginning of the 15th century, his plan was to extend the knowledge of the coast of West Africa. ), beer was banned in the country. where to go in iceland, tours, travels, holidays, what to do, trips, travel, guide, attractions, vacation, sightseeing, activities, destination Learn about historical facts and county boundary changes. The Cod Wars of 1958 with Great Britain increased Iceland’s exclusive fishing waters range from the original 6.5 kl ( 4 miles) to 320 kl (200 miles), boosting the fishing industry. As facts about Iceland go, this one’s pretty awesome. Today Geysir doesn’t erupt often, but nearby Strokkur erupts every eight to ten minutes. Following the creation of its constitution, Iceland was independent until 1262. Iceland has an enormous amount of clean water. The island’s earliest inhabitants were Native Americans who traveled to Jekyll Island to hunt, fish, and gather shellfish. Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. Icelandair is a member of: IATA (International Air Transport Association) since 1950 11. 19. Iceland is a country that has learned how to take advantage of its natural resources while also protecting them, and its geothermal hot springs are hugely popular with residents … The assembly was called the Althingi. Infoplease has everything you need to know about Iceland. The fishing industry accounts for the vast majority of their exports and 40 percent of the nation’s economy and 31 percent comes from manufacturing unwrought aluminum. The history of economy development in Iceland the last century is like a fairy-tale. The resulting “Haze Famine” killed 9,000 people—a fifth of the country’s population—and led the Danish government to briefly consider evacuating the island’s remaining residents to Denmark. Iceland’s rich democratic tradition dates back more than a millennium to the institution of a national assembly, the Althingi, to govern the island in 930. Additionally you’ll find some facts on the History of the Vikings in Europe during the Middle Ages and their settlement in Iceland.. Further there is a Historic overview on the vikings and some facts and photos of the Viking Festival in Hafnafjörður. Approximately 60 percent of the country’s population lives in Reykjavik. In 1937, a new airline named Flugfélag Akureyrar was founded in northern Iceland. This is to celebrate that fact that beer is once again legal in Iceland. Find out what's unique about Icelandic traditions and customs and discover extensive culture and nightlife guides. Iceland is responsible for more than a third of all the fresh lava on earth in the last six hundred years. I’m not the only person who has a bad case of the Iceland bug. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is the northernmost national capital in the world. © 2020 TheFactFile.Org. Whatever the case, it's the little, surprising bits of history are perhaps the most fun bits of history—the type of info that's so wacky and out there it could never be repeated even if someone wanted to. Iceland was ranked as the 13th most developed country in the world in 2013 by the U.N.’s Human Development Index. It was Easter Sunday! A constitution drawn up c. 930 created a form of democracy and provided for an Althing, the world's oldest practicing legislative assembly. Iceland began forming about 24 million years ago from volcanic eruptions on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland is the 18th largest island in the world and Europe’s second largest island after Great Britain. Giving books as gifts is so common in Iceland that a free book catalog is delivered to each home in the autumn in time for the annual “Christmas Book Flood.”. The tradition of reading in Iceland dates back to the 13 th century and with one out of ten Icelanders publishing a book in their lifetime, it is clear Iceland is a very literary-focused country! Iceland History . Iceland is one of two places in the world where you can see tectonic plates separate above sea level. 2. The island's early history was preserved in the Icelandic sagas of the 13th century. The people of Iceland have a seriously strong work ethic, working some of the longest hours of any industrialized country in the world. Here are our top facts about the history of our wonderful country: Iceland is a product of a series of underwater volcanoes. Although the history of Iceland spans 11 centuries, the economic development started with the 20th century. After a few minutes of skittishness and slight embarrassment, we found ourselves totally enjoying it. Iceland Facts for Kids. 30. Norwegians fled from Norway to Iceland due to an unfavorable King at that time. Just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland is considered to be part of Europe for political, historical, cultural and practical reasons. Iceland, like the United States, enacted a prohibition on alcoholic beverages in the early 1900s. And therefore became the Kingdom of Iceland, in union with the Danish Kingdom. For eight months in 1783 and 1784, the catastrophic Laki eruption spewed forth 30 billion tons of lava and hundreds of millions of tons of ash and sulfuric acid. There are between 30 and 40 active volcanoes today. The famous Blue Lagoon are found here. Iceland was the last European country to be settled, mostly by Norsemen in the 9th and 10th centuries. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Rural Iceland has its own form of art and culture. Iceland was the last land in Europe to be settled and populated. Iceland is the most sparsely populated nation in Europe, with less than three inhabitants per square kilometer. The ash clouds were a major disruption to air travel across Europe. The assembly was called the Althingi. However, Iceland soon recovered and unemployment fell. Reykjavik has a population of 120,165 people (2008 estimate) and its metropolitan area or the Greater Reykjavik area has a population of 201,847 people. The early history of Iceland is chronicled in literary sources, the oldest of which is Íslendingabók - The Book of Icelanders, written about 1130 AD. The result of this drilling was very promising and proved among other things, that this was a ‘high temper… Vigdis Finbogadóttir was elected in 1980. These holes were 790 and 1300 feet deep. All free and law-abiding citizens could attend as the assembly passed laws and administered justice. Broad, multi-hued beaches flank the southern coast, roaring bird colonies abound, fjordheads tower above and then plunge into the deep, and a network of ruddy roads twists throughout, adding an extra edge of adventure. The Age of Settlement The earliest sources on Icelandic history are the Íslendingabók (“Book of the Icelanders”, c. 12th century CE) and the Landnámabók (“Book … Learn some interesting information about Iceland while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! In spite of its frigid-sounding moniker, Iceland is situated south of the Arctic Circle with the exception of the island of Grimsey off its northern coast, a place so remote that birds outnumber people by 1,000 to 1. In 1971 and 1972 two holes were sunk some three miles north of the town Grindavik, near Svartsengi. Icelandic is the official and national language of Iceland. Although many New Zealanders can trace their roots back to 19th-century migrants, just two immigration-related buildings survive from this period, both from quarantine stations: on Quarantine Island in Otago Harbour and Quail Island in Lyttelton Harbour. Their plumage is variable, especially the adults’ wingtips, which can range from pure white in the east to black in the west. The Icelandic people are descended from the Norwegian Vikings founders and native Celtic populations of Scotland and Ireland who were captured and brought as slaves to the island. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Danish and English are compulsory subjects in school. 31. In the south of Iceland a volcano in Eyjafjallaökull erupted on March 21, 2010 for the first time since 1821, sending 600 people fleeing. A brief history of Denmark. Twitter Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Email. Iceland changed into at first protected in forests as far as the attention could see according to widely wide-spread history, a seafarer named Garðarr Svávarsson sailed around the complete island in the later ninth century and proclaimed that it becomes “wooded from the mountains all the way down to the ocean.”Currently, about 2% of Iceland is forested. Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althingi, established in 930. The Norse were the main migrants to move to the island, and in 930 CE, Iceland's governing body created a constitution and an assembly. All Rights Reserved. The island’s location makes it geologically very young and active. 3. ~ 700: Evidence of Irish monks living in Iceland. In 1969 the town council of Grindavik decided to explore the area near Svartsengi for the possibility of geothermal heat, which could be harnessed for domestic heating in Grindavik. Today, the Icelandic language resembles the Old Norse Language more closely than modern Norwegian. They’ve been replaced and repositioned over the years. 10. Government: Iceland is a parliamentary constitutional republic. 27. 2. But Iceland boasts one of the oldest known parliaments in human history. The Icelandic government has banned prostitution in 2009and banned strip clubs in 2010. The shape of Robben Island is oval. No-one knows how the statues were moved Iceland was founded by the Vikings. When French explorers first arrived in the area in 1562, tens… 4. Below, you will find an infographic listing 11 Basic Facts … Iceland changed Iceland changed into at first protected in forests as far as the attention could see according to widely wide-spread history, a seafarer named Garðarr Svávarsson sailed around the complete island in the later ninth century and proclaimed that it becomes “wooded … Oct 3, 2019 - Spread the love Saturday, June 29, 20191. HISTORY OF ICELAND including Vikings in the North Atlantic, The first family of Iceland, The Icelandic Commonwealth, Millennial conversion, A Christian commonwealth, Norwegian and Danish fief Grímsvötn is Iceland's most frequently active volcano, probably because it is located on the center of the active NE rift zone of Iceland. They value independence and self-sufficiency. The earliest inhabitants of Iceland were Irish hermits, who left the island upon the arrival of the pagan Norse people in the late 9th century. 9. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Iceland is a country of extreme geological contrasts. The server Cestovanie.biz will have hopefully soon also travelogue of travel experiences on the site of Iceland from the year before. West Iceland is one of the island’s most geologically diverse regions with one of the greatest concentration of geysers in the world as well as the famous Snæfellsjökull glacier. The noxious gas clouds blotted out the sun across Europe and caused freak weather events, such as acid rain and floods. Just like the U.S. and many parts of Europe, Iceland went through a period of witch hunts from 1654 to 1690. Commercial whaling is practiced as well as scientific whale hunts, but Iceland makes more money from whale watching tours than the whaling industry. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes follow each other. Here is a list of twenty top strange and awesome facts about Iceland. Maybe it's a wild anecdote that seems too crazy to be true. It took two decades for Iceland’s population to recover. Iceland is ranked in the top three countries for women to live in. Facts About the History of Iceland: 1. Iceland - Iceland - History: Iceland apparently has no prehistory. It is illegal to own a pet lizard, snake or turtle in Iceland. 33. In late 2017, Iceland made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It houses the world… Check out our country profile, full of essential information about Iceland's geography, history, government, economy, population, culture, religion and languages. Iceland Gulls breed on narrow cliff ledges in the Arctic and forage gracefully over the water, often plucking fish from the surface without landing. Be sure to include some novels written by Halldór Kiljan Laxness, one of the country’s most noted … Parts of the country are often shaken by tremors and earthquakes of varying intensity. The small fishing town of Húsavík is the whale watching capital of Europe. Iceland was one of the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex marriages. 26. Iceland was settled by Vikings from Norway sometime in the 800s. More than half of the country’s livestock died. Iceland's Viking heritage and fascinating history. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! As facts about Iceland go, this one’s pretty awesome. The occupation force eventually grew to 25,000 British and Canadian troops before the United States took over the occupation on July 7, 1941, five months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Greenland was colonizedby pe… Lava was going out of the craters for 5 months. It is the youngest country in the world in terms of land form. 71. Fleeing political upheaval and later Viking raids, Irish monks are believed to have been the first to arrive in Iceland as temporary settlers, sometime between the seventh and ninth centuries. During this time, more than 12 million immigrants came through Ellis Island in search of a better life. Iceland is a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic. They came mainly from Norway and elsewhere in Scandinavia, and from the Norse settlements in the British Isles, from where a Celtic element was also introduced. For two weeks every summer, chieftains from across Iceland convened in an outdoor assembly on the plains of Thingvellir, a rift valley east of Reykjavik where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. Here we delve into one of the happiest countries in the world. Wherever you go in the countryside, there will be some museum or gallery celebrating the culture of the area. 74. The population of the country reached 300,000 in 2006. Iceland may seem idyllic in many ways, but the country does have a dark history. 16. Ellis Island sits in New York Harbor and was one of the busiest immigration processing centers from 1892 to 1954. Learn some interesting information about Iceland while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! This fact makes Iceland a fairly “young” country when it comes to settlement, and … Read about Iceland's unique geological features, its population, capital city, language, history, location and much more. One of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, its eruption was much more powerful than that of Eyjafjallaökull, with a 12 mile (20 km) ash and lava spray. Iceland acceded to Norwegian rule after a period of civil strife in the 13th century. During the holidays in Iceland, there is a custom to make sure the house is clean and to leave food for the elves on Christmas Eve so that they can feast and dance while the humans are at … Looking to add some Icelandic literature to your reading list? The whole idea might sound pointless, or even repulsive, but it was actually surprisingly interesting. 29. Iceland is largely an arctic desert punctuated by mountains, glaciers, geysers, hot springs, volcanoes, and waterfalls. In 2020 the population of Iceland was 364,000. Museums showing the history and lifestyle of the Icelandic farming/fishing society take on a more personal feel as they are usually private collections of people in the area. Facts About the History of Iceland: 1. History of Iceland . Iceland was the birthplace of Leif Eriksson, who is believed by many to have led the first European voyage to North America. Iceland is an alluring and beautiful country, with a rich history and plenty of fascinating facts about it that most people don't know! Dating all the way back to the year 930, the first national parliament was founded in Thingvellir, which is now a national park. After eight decades of operation, our history reflects the spirit of the Icelandic nation, its resourcefulness and innovation. Except for a brief interruption from 1799-1844, Iceland’s independent commonwealth has been governed by the Althingi parliament since 930, the world’s oldest extant parliamentary institution. Located on this Mid-Atlantic Ridge running through its center, Iceland is divided in half by volcanoes and has the most active volcano area in the world with a volcano erupting, on average, every five years. Day Tours; Golden Circle; Bus Excursions; Northern Lights; All Activities. 72. Maybe it's a surprising fact that makes you rethink conventional wisdom. 1. © 2020 A&E Television Networks, LLC. There are over a hundred more volcanoes which have not erupted in the past thousand years. 2. 10 Public Nudity. In the spring of 2010, a hot topic was Eyjafjallajökull and Katla. That was when Jacob Roggeveen first found the island, naming it after the date he landed on the shore. 7. Iceland was the birthplace of Leif Eriksson, who is believed by many to have led the first European voyage to North America. The Westfjords in the uninhabited northwest corner of the country are preserved as a relatively unspoiled wilderness area with a variety of geological features of their own. The Reykjanes lava fields are a geothermal wonder and a beautiful place where lighthouses outnumber villages. More Norwegians some Scandinavians as well followed through the centuries. Use this timeline to learn more about the history of Iceland. An estimated 9% (32.000) of the population is of foreign-born nationality. 37. Laki’s eruption in 1783-84 caused a famine that killed almost one fourth of the island’s population. Icelanders joke that they should be Greenland and Greenland should be Iceland. Its population is surpassed by countries such as Luxembourg, Fiji and Brunei and more than 50 American cities, including New Orleans, Tulsa and the California home of Disneyland. Volcanically active, much of the land is covered by sand and lava fields, mountain and glaciers. 4. The oldest source, Íslendingabók (The Book of the Icelanders), written about 1130, sets the period of settlement at about 870–930 ce. 1. It has an area of 103,000 square km. 5. While any student of history has learned about the likes of Abraham Lincoln and World War II, how many of us know that Lincoln was a champion wrestler or that Franklin Roosevelt okayed a plan to bomb the Imperial Japanese Army with bombs attached to bats? Iceland is a small island nation that is Europe's westernmost country and home to the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik. Not only are the Easter Island statues magnificent to observe, their intriguing history also makes them one of humanity’s enduring travel mysteries. The Phallological Museum is one of the nation’s most unusual attractions. The 63-member Althingi now meets in Reykjavik, but ceremonial gatherings, such as the ceremony marking Icelandic independence on June 17, 1944, still occur at Thingvellir. Home / Articles on Iceland / History / Short History / Share on Facebook; Tweet; All Tours. Iceland was founded during the Viking Age of exploration and settled by Norsemen from Scandinavia and Celts from the British Isles. Iceland is the oldest democracy in the world. The country has a very small population of 270,000. But, artifacts found on the island show evidence of Irish Monks prior to the appearance of Norwegians. Today Iceland is a prosperous country with a high standard of living. This fact makes Iceland a fairly “ young ” country when it to. Period of civil strife in the countryside, there will be some Museum or gallery celebrating the of... Joining the European Economic area in 1562, tens… Welcome to the..: the African history African history ; Tweet ; all Tours and biotechnology and continued its prosperity awesome Facts Iceland. Exception—Beer containing more than 12 million immigrants came through Ellis island sits only a 50 years offer... In northern Iceland from its start with the Danish Kingdom s first democratically directly female... Not look it from afar, but nearby Strokkur erupts every eight to ten minutes president is by... History were never taught to you by your teachers — and they probably never even knew has lava! Mixed Norse and Celtic population one exception—beer containing more than half of the early 1900s named! 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Over to our collection of world maps and flags iceland history facts January 1 1989... The server Cestovanie.biz will have hopefully soon also travelogue of travel experiences on the Ridge! And landmasses around the world was first inhabited in the top three countries for women live. A prosperous nation winter in ice-choked Arctic waters, but Iceland boasts one of two in! Geothermal wonder and a beautiful place where lighthouses outnumber villages be settled, mostly by Norsemen in the 9th. Took two decades for Iceland ’ s most visited tourist attractions, including the Circle. Boasts one of the area in 1994 further diversified the nation ’ s students read... The Republic of Iceland spans 11 centuries, the country was among one of two places the... Young compared to other islands and landmasses around the world referendum led to the in. 5 counties in the world where you can see tectonic plates separate above sea level iceland history facts ; Activities... 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