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. On 12 August 2006, the last four F-15's left Icelandic airspace. Icelanders were friendly with a great sense of humor. The oldest stone specimens found in Iceland date back to ca. The ensuing starvation killed a quarter of Iceland's population. Iceland was the last country to be settled in Europe, when emigrants from Scandinavia and the British Isles first came to live on the island in the ninth and tenth century. Because of the country's dependence both on reliable fish catches and foreign demand for fish products, Iceland's economy remained unstable well into the 1990s, when the country's economy was greatly diversified. One period in Icelandic history, as Gunnar Karlsson describes, can be considered the period from 930 CE to 1262–1264, when there was no central government or leader, political power being characterised by chieftains ("goðar"). Due to Iceland's strategic importance during the Cold War, it was important for the U.S. and NATO to maintain the base on Icelandic soil and to keep Iceland as a member of NATO. Learn about Iceland's history and its people. The eruptions at Eyjafjallajokull disrupted air travel in Europe for a week. But the city decided to keep the street painted year-round to celebrate joy and diversity. 3. I brought a bottle home but I have not tried it yet. And, check out my Instagram highlight reel on Instagram for videos and commentary from my trip. The famous Blue Lagoon is actually man-made. The oldest source, … [1] Due to the island's strategic position in the North Atlantic, the Allies occupied the island until the end of the war, with the United States taking over occupation duties from the British in 1941. By Tim Lambert. In terms of ethnicity-89% are Icelandic, 5% Polish, 1% Lithuanian and 5% other. "How and why is the history of Iceland divided into periods?". However, the Irish and Scottish also settled in Iceland. Halldór Ásgrímsson, leader of the Progressive Party, took over as prime minister from 2004 to 2006, followed by Geir H. Haarde, Davíð Oddsson's successor as leader of the Independence Party. [34] Parliament also elected a provisional governor, Sveinn Björnsson, who later became the Republic's first president. The island was settled by the Norse seafarers in the ninth century; they established the world's first known republic and parliament in about AD 930. "[12] These people were primarily of Norwegian, Irish, and Scottish origin. Brennivin is considered Iceland’s signature beverage. It became more difficult to raise barley, the primary cereal crop, and livestock required additional fodder to survive longer and colder winters. [24], 1,245 Icelanders, Icelandic Americans, and Icelandic Canadians were registered as soldiers during World War I. The depression hit Iceland hard as the value of exports plummeted. In geological terms, Iceland is a young island. [35], At the peak, the British had 25,000 troops stationed in Iceland,[33] all but eliminating unemployment in the Reykjavík area and other strategically important places. Iceland also boasts one of the highest fertility rates in Europe, ensuring the country a steady population growth through the years. Following this, the Icelanders became Lutherans and remain largely so to this day. Iceland remained under Norwegian kingship until 1380, when the death of Olaf II of Denmark extinguished the Norwegian male royal line. Iceland History Iceland was founded by the Vikings. You cannot advertise alcohol in Iceland, and it must be bought in liquor stores. German ships were all about, however, until the British blockade of Germany put a stop to that when the war began in September. 4-star Hotels in Reykjavik are in the 300s per night. The black sanded beaches there are stunning. In 1220, Snorri Sturluson became a vassal of Haakon IV of Norway; his nephew Sturla Sighvatsson also became a vassal in 1235. Sverrir Jakobsson. According to stories written down some 250 years after the event, the country was discovered and settled by Norse people in the Viking Age. But Iceland has a low crime rate. (At the time, Iceland had a population of around 120,000. By the 1930s the consensus in Iceland was to seek complete independence by 1944 at the latest. In 2004, Davíð Oddsson stepped down as Prime Minister after 13 years in office. (sign me up) But, Iceland has more sheep that people. Here is a list of twenty top strange and awesome facts about Iceland. The recorded history of Iceland began with the settlement by Viking explorers and the people they enslaved from the east, particularly Norway and the British Isles, in the late ninth century. [17] This period is known as the Móðuharðindin or "Mist Hardships". The Act of Union, a December 1, 1918, agreement with Denmark, recognized Iceland as a fully sovereign state—the Kingdom of Iceland—joined with Denmark in a personal union with the Danish king. It is located just south of the Arctic Circle about 180 miles (290 kilometers) … So, $20 USD = $2899 Kronos. You can choose to rent a car and drive around the island or pay for organized tours. But the Blue Mountains are known for ski slopes and resorts. Christmas Eve vs Christmas Day is the big day in Iceland. The island's early history … In 930, the ruling chiefs established an assembly called the Alþingi (Althing). Give yourself several hours here. 10 Things You Should Know About Iceland 1. The German takeover of Norway left Iceland highly exposed; Britain decided it could not risk a German takeover of Iceland. While definitely European/Scandinavian in nature, the country of Iceland is unique in so many ways that I felt its quirkiness deserved an entire post of its own. A system of individual transferable quotas in the Icelandic fisheries, first introduced in the late 1970s, was further developed. During this time, the population declined. During this period Iceland was covered with a large ice cap which sculpted the fjords and valleys you see today all around the country. Police officers do not carry guns and Iceland does not have an army. There was no resistance, but the government protested against what it called a "flagrant violation" of Icelandic neutrality, though Prime Minister Hermann Jónasson called on Icelanders to treat the British troops with politeness, as if they were guests. He then sailed along the coast until the pillars were found in the southwestern peninsula, now known as Reykjanesskagi. Beer was banned in Iceland for most of the 20th century.. Iceland, … 9. While it is convenient to divide history into named periods, it is also misleading because the course of human events neither starts nor ends abruptly in most cases, and movements and influences often overlap. The geological history of the earth is divided into ice ages, based on temperature and climate. Lobster and seafood bisques and chowders, grilled and pan-fried seafood including Arctic char, homemade crepes and I even tried one of their famous hot dogs. Much of the information on Ingólfr comes from the Landnámabók, written some three centuries after the settlement. [20][21][22], Iceland was part of neutral Denmark during the war. However, Iceland shared the Danish Monarchy until World War II. Iceland then became a member of the European Economic Area in 1994. This fact makes Iceland a fairly “young” country when it comes to settlement, and also contributes to its distinct … The subsequent strict Danish–Icelandic Trade Monopoly in the 17th and 18th centuries was detrimental to the economy. Naturally isolated and surrounded on all sides by the majestic, lapping waves of the Atlantic, the foreboding landmass that is Iceland has a geological history entirely sculpted by its placement on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, thousands of metres below the water’s surface.Originating from the “Iceland Plume”—an upwelling of hot, volcanic rock—Iceland … Get also the best fun facts about our island. Throughout the 19th century, the country's climate continued to grow worse, resulting in mass emigration to the New World, particularly Manitoba in Canada. Today, Iceland is a progressive, modern society that continuously ranks at the top of measurement's for quality of life, such as the United Nations Human Development Index. Stand up” (lol). 72. I did something similar with Cuba and Quebec City so be sure to check those out as well. I really enjoyed the food in Iceland. He then returned east to Norway with resources and knowledge. In the 18th century, climatic conditions in Iceland reached an all-time low since the original settlement. [32], The occupation of Denmark by Nazi Germany began on 9 April 1940, severing communications between Iceland and Denmark. [24][26] There is no evidence of any German plans to invade Iceland during the war. It claimed continuity with the Althing of the Icelandic Commonwealth, which had remained for centuries as a judicial body and had been abolished in 1800. Icelandic patrol ships and British trawlers clashed in all four Cod Wars. 72. Jón Arason and his two sons were subsequently beheaded in Skálholt. Iceland History, Language and Culture History of Iceland. It is located on one of the main streets downtown. Today, Icelanders stand at the precipice of a new, exciting and divisive chapter in their young country’s They drift there on icebergs from Greenland and the Arctic Circle. Widely known as “The Land of Fire and Ice” Iceland is home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and some of the world’s most active volcanoes. [60], occurrences and people in Iceland throughout history, Civil war and the end of the commonwealth, Iceland under Norwegian and Danish kings (1262–1944), NATO membership, US defense agreement, and the Cold War, "Iceland was therefore peacefully occupied by Britain on 10 May 1940," says, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (, The 9th-century Irish monk and geographer, Solrun B. Jensdottir Hardarson, "The 'Republic of Iceland' 1940–44: Anglo-American Attitudes and Influences,", United Kingdom invaded and peacefully occupied it, Denmark was overrun by the German Wehrmacht, Iceland severed its remaining ties with Denmark, Iceland's strategic importance during the Cold War, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Jürgen Schieber, University of Indiana. This agreement, signed on 5 May 1951, was the authority for the controversial U.S. military presence in Iceland, which remained until 2006. Iceland has a lot of churches. I hope it has give you a feel of how special it is. This page was last edited on 16 December 2020, at 21:12. Icelandic … 4 Epic U.S. National Parks To Visit This Summer! It was conceived by Yoko Ono in honor of John Lennon. Therefore, the cost of electricity is cheap compared to other countries. [45] The currency is “Kronos”. Facts About the History of Iceland: 1. 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. The street used to be painted like this during the annual Pride celebrations. The official language of Iceland is Icelandic. However, in modern times, some people are choosing to use their mother’s first name as their last name. However, English is taught as a second language and most Icelanders speak several languages. Carbon dating reveals that the cabin was abandoned somewhere between 770 and 880, suggesting that Iceland was populated well before 874. Before you leave, check out this blog post on the Do’s and Don’ts of Iceland. The government's fiscal policy was strictly Keynesian, and their aim was to create the necessary industrial infrastructure for a prosperous developed country. The financial crisis gave rise to the Icesave dispute, where Iceland on the one hand and the United Kingdom and Netherlands on the other disputed whether Iceland was obligated to repay British and Dutch depositors who lost their savings when Icesave collapsed.[56]. The British were replaced by up to 40,000 Americans, who outnumbered all adult Icelandic men. Iceland is very remote, therefore has been spared the ravages of European wars but has been affected by other external events, such as the Black Death and the Protestant Reformation imposed by Denmark. Bergsteinn Jónsson and Björn Þorsteinsson. I was told by a local guide there usually isn’t enough snow at the resorts for skiing. The constitution was revised in 1903, and a minister for Icelandic affairs, residing in Reykjavík, was made responsible to the Althing, the first of whom was Hannes Hafstein. It led to major government interference in the marketplace that lasted until the post-World War II period. 5. In 1944, Iceland severed its remaining ties with Denmark (then still under Nazi occupation) and declared itself a republic. Norway's consolidation of power in Iceland was slow, and the Althing intended to hold onto its legislative and judicial power. Its economy is one of the most productive economies in the world, per-capita, and it is annually considered to be one of greenest countries on the planet, due in large parts to its vast renewable energy resources. The Second Cod War (1972–1973) occurred when Iceland extended the limits to 50 miles (93 km). Iceland is a small island nation that is Europe's westernmost country and home to the world’s northernmost capital, Reykjavik. The book of settlements ( Landnámabók ), which contains information on four hundred settlers, … [13] In particular, it took stronger actions to stop the involvement of English traders with Iceland. [28][29] It has been argued that the thirst for news of the war helped Morgunblaðið to gain a dominant position among Icelandic newspapers. Iceland had prospered during the course of the war, amassing considerable currency reserves in foreign banks. The oldest source, Íslendingabók (The Book of the Icelanders), written about 1130, sets the period of settlement at about 870–930 ce. Jóhannesson became the new president of Iceland. The Danish–Icelandic Trade Monopoly remained in effect until 1786. History The history of Iceland is one of survival and prosperity. Sverre Bagge, Michael H. Gelting, Frode Hervik, Thomas Lindkvist & Bjørn Poulsen (Oslo 2012), 101–18. In 874 Viking explorers from Norway & the British Isles settled on the island. 73. Iceland geological history is influenced by the ice ages that have come and gone, the temperatures and the climate. In October 2008, the Icelandic banking system collapsed, prompting Iceland to seek large loans from the International Monetary Fund and friendly countries. Identification. Icelanders are Christian. Iceland - Ultima Thule, a land in the farthest north. In 1944, Iceland rescinded its union with Denmark. In no particular order, here are 30 interesting & fun facts about Iceland. "[46][47] Iceland repeatedly threatened to leave NATO or cancel the US defence agreement during the Cold War, which is one reason why the United States went to great lengths to please the Icelanders. After the cold winter passed, the summer came and the whole island became green, which stunned Flóki. (lol). It remains the most sparsely … There are also reindeer, cats, dogs and minks. After decades of conflict, the Icelandic chieftains agreed to accept the sovereignty of Norway and signed the Old Covenant (Gamli sáttmáli) establishing a union with the Norwegian monarchy.[13]. 2. [15][16] What drew foreigners to Iceland was primarily fishing in the fruitful waters off the coast of Iceland. But, artifacts found on the island show evidence of Irish Monks prior to the appearance of Norwegians. There are no mosquitos, reptiles and no poisonous or venomous creatures. [15] The Germans did not engage in much fishing themselves, but they owned fishing boats, rented them to Icelanders and then bought the fish from Icelandic fishermen to export to the European Continent. Settlements from that era have been found in southwest Greenland and eastern Canada, and sagas such as Saga of Erik the Red and Greenland saga speak of the settlers' exploits. This is our complete guide for Iceland. Corporate income tax was reduced to 18% (from around 50% at the beginning of the decade), inheritance tax was greatly reduced, and the net wealth tax was abolished. During this time, Iceland remained independent, a period known as the Old Commonwealth, and Icelandic historians began to document the nation's history in books referred to as sagas of Icelanders. The island country of Iceland is one of the stepping-stones of land between the North American and European continents. On June 17, 1994 Iceland gained full independence. However, a new national consciousness was revived in Iceland, inspired by romantic nationalist ideas from continental Europe. Ögmundur was deported by Danish officials in 1541, but Jón Arason put up a fight. Icelanders joke that they should be Greenland and Greenland should be Iceland. In 1991, the Independence Party, led by Davíð Oddsson, formed a coalition government with the Social Democrats. This was of course prior to modern transportation. Laws were not written down but were instead memorized by an elected Lawspeaker (lǫgsǫgumaðr). Subscribe to the newsletter & receive FREE Packing & To-Do lists for your International Vacation! Iceland is a country that many people have little to no knowledge of. 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”. Iceland Once Hunted Male Witches Iceland may seem idyllic in many ways, but the country does have a dark history. Archeological evidence strongly suggests that the timing is roughly accurate; "that the whole country was occupied within a couple of decades towards the end of the 9th century. While it is a very popular tourist destination, the expansive country has approximately 350,000 permanent … 27. Iceland's history has also been marked by a number of natural disasters. It is located in SW Iceland about 12 miles from Reykjavik. The early settlement, made up primarily of Norwegian seafarers and adventurers, fostered further excursions to Greenland and the coast of North America (which the Norse … From elves and trolls to glaciers and volcanoes, here are 20 fun Iceland facts that make it the incredibly cool country that it is. This gave rise to feuds, which provided the writers of the sagas with plenty of material. If you love delving into the history and culture of a place, you will love this blog post on Iceland. Towards the end of the tenth century, Christianity came to Iceland through the influence of the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason. How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! There are no homeless people in Iceland. Iceland Facts As an island country, Iceland has numerous native species of plants and animals. Iceland is called the “Land of Fire & Ice”. Trolls from the mountains come down to visit and give gifts to the kids. About 364,000 people live in Iceland with over 200,000 people living in the capital and greater Reykjavik area. In the past these bears were killed once in Iceland. [37] Most were killed on cargo and fishing vessels sunk by German aircraft, U-boats or mines. When the two kingdoms of Denmark and Norway were separated by the Treaty of Kiel in 1814 following the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark kept Iceland as a dependency. Iceland continues to remain outside the European Union. The volcanoes have eruptions every 4-5 years. [15] Dutch and French traders became more prominent in the mid-17th century.[15]. Iceland demanded Britain allow it to trade with Germany, to no avail. Iceland became de facto fully sovereign with these actions. Rosé Wine 101: An Introductory Guide to Rosé Wines. Minks are used to make fur. Britain and the U.S. opened direct diplomatic relations, as did Sweden and Norway. The water temperature averages 99-102 degrees F. You can do several types of face masks while in the Blue Lagoon, have cocktails at the walk up bars as well as booking treatments in the luxury spa. Although U.S. forces no longer maintain a military presence in Iceland, the U.S. still assumes responsibility over the country's defense through NATO. Learn some interesting information about Iceland while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! [49][50][51], During these disputes, Iceland threatened closure of the U.S. base at Keflavík, and the withdrawal of its NATO membership. These actions were aimed at keeping Icelanders' standard of living as high as it had become during the prosperous war years.[44]. Iceland has very small trees and sparse forests. Following elections in May 2007, the Independence Party, headed by Haarde, remained in government, albeit in a new coalition with the Social Democratic Alliance. He discovered that the country was an island and called it Garðarshólmi "Garðar's Islet" and stayed for the winter at Húsavík. The settlement of Iceland is thoroughly recorded in the aforementioned Landnámabók, although the book was compiled in the early 12th century when at least 200 years had passed from the age of settlement. 2. The last ice age started around 70 thousand years ago and lasted for 60 thousand years. Importantly, there was no central executive power, and therefore laws were enforced only by the people. Norway's consolidation of power in Iceland was slow, and the Althing intended to hold onto its legislative and judicial power. Learn some interesting information about Iceland while enjoying a range of fun facts and trivia that's perfect for kids! Althing (national parliament of Iceland) is the oldest legislature in the world still existing. Iceland actually sits on 2 continents-Europe and North America. Nonetheless, the Christian clergy had unique opportunities to accumulate wealth via the tithe, and power gradually shifted to ecclesiastical authorities as Iceland's two bishops in Skálholt and Hólar acquired land at the expense of the old chieftains. Floods, ash, and fumes killed 9,000 people and 80% of the livestock. While the Icelandic government did follow through on its threat to break off diplomatic relations with the UK during the Third Cod War, it never went through on its threats to close the U.S. base or to withdraw from NATO. [31] Government interference in the economy increased: "Imports were regulated, trade with foreign currency was monopolized by state-owned banks, and loan capital was largely distributed by state-regulated funds". The Territorialization of Power in the Icelandic Commonwealth, in Statsutvikling i Skandinavia i middelalderen, eds. The British invaded Iceland during World War II. He decided that the country should convert to Christianity as a whole, but that pagans would be allowed to worship privately. In July 1941, responsibility for Iceland's occupation and defence passed to the United States under a U.S.-Icelandic agreement which included a provision that the U.S. recognize Iceland's absolute independence. According to tradition the first Viking to discover Iceland was a man named Naddoddur who got lost while on his way to the Faeroe Islands. It was considered essential to keep unemployment down and to protect the export fishing industry through currency manipulation and other means. Denmark, however, did not provide much protection to Iceland,[citation needed] which was raided in 1627 by a Barbary pirate fleet that abducted almost 300 Icelanders into slavery, in an episode known as the Turkish Abductions. For comparison, it is estimated that other volcanic islands, such as the Faroe Islands have existed for about 55 million years, Small picturesque villages dot the shoreline all across the … Iceland Facts for Kids. [2] This elevated portion of the ridge is known as the Reykjanes Ridge. Beginning on 20 May 1944, Icelanders voted in a four-day plebiscite on whether to terminate the personal union with the King of Denmark and establish a republic. Her full name is Emma Johndottir. If you are going to Iceland to see the puffins, they usually come on land to nest during the summer. I took extensive notes and turned them into this informative article on Iceland. :-)), Here are a few more interesting facts about Iceland…. Iceland was founded more than 1,000 years ago during the Viking age of exploration and settled by a mixed Norse and Celtic population. And, you can drink water directly from the waterfalls. 19. Find out what's unique about Icelandic traditions and customs and discover extensive culture and nightlife guides. 7. The British invaded Iceland during World War II.. After Germany invaded Denmark in 1940, the Allies feared the Nazis... 2. Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer from Iceland. Gunnar's own book A Brief History of Iceland (2010) has 33 chapters with considerable overlap in dates. The period from around 1200 to 1262 is generally known as the Age of the Sturlungs. Archeological findings in Reykjavík are consistent with the date given there: there was a settlement in Reykjavík around 870. Iceland remained part of Denmark, but in keeping with the rise of nationalism around Europe in the nineteenth century, an independence movement emerged. The United States closed the Keflavík Air Base in September 2006. Areas near the Arctic Circle such as Iceland and Greenland began to have shorter growing seasons and colder winters. 45+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support. Danish King Christian X sent a message of congratulations to the Icelandic people. In 2016, it was reported that the United States was considering re-opening the base.[53]. The Royal Navy was sent to the contested waters in the last three Cod Wars, leading to highly publicized clashes. No Comments. A joke I heard in Iceland: “What do you do if you get lost in an Icelandic forest? Use this timeline to learn more about the history of Iceland. 18. 1 Krono = 0.0069 USD. Following rapid financial growth, the 2008–11 Icelandic financial crisis occurred. ", "A Theory of Shelter: Iceland's American Period (1941–2006)", "Small States and Shelter Theory: Iceland's External Affairs", "Iceland Picks the World's First Openly Homosexual PM", "The Icesave dispute: A Case Study into the Crisis of Diplomacy during the Credit Crunch", "Iceland lost almost 5000 people in 2009", "Iceland Recession Ends as Economy Returns to Growth", "Gunnar Karlsson. They rarely have diseases. The coalition government remained in power through elections in 1999 and 2003. Uppskriftir og myndir frá jarðfrøði-ferðum kring landið (October 2004)", "US Geological Survey. Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations. Norwegians fled from Norway to Iceland due to an unfavorable King at that time. There are around 1,300 species of insects (but almost no mosquitos). Find out what's unique about Icelandic traditions and customs and discover extensive culture and nightlife guides. 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