Iceland

Iceland is an island country located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, sitting on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Europe and North America. It is linked culturally and politically with Europe and is the westernmost and least crowded country in the Nordic region. The capital and largest city is Reykjavík, home to about a third of Iceland's population of around 395,000 people. The country's official language is Icelandic.

Iceland sits on a rift between tectonic plates, which leads to much geologic activity, including geysers and volcanic eruptions. The landscape features a volcanic plateau, sand and lava fields, mountains, glaciers, and rivers that flow to the sea. Despite being just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland has a milder climate thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.

Iceland was first settled in 874 AD by the Norwegian chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson. For centuries, it was an independent commonwealth governed by the Althing, one of the world's oldest parliaments. Later, it came under Norwegian and then Danish rule. In the early 20th century, Iceland began its path to independence, which was achieved in 1944 when it became a republic. Today, Iceland is known for its strong economy, high standard of living, and excellent public services, including health care and education. It is also a member of NATO but does not have a standing army.

Etymology

See also: Names of Iceland

Long ago, a sailor named Naddodd was the first to reach Iceland. He had lost his way while traveling from Norway to the Faroe Islands and called the land Snæland, meaning Snowland. After him, another explorer named Garðar Svavarsson sailed around the island and named it Garðarshólmur, or Garðar's Isle, after himself.

The name Iceland came from a man named Flóki Vilgerðarson, the first to travel to Iceland on purpose. Flóki gave the island its name after seeing an ice cap from a mountain during a very cold winter. Some stories say the settlers chose this name to keep others away, but this idea is probably not true.

History

Main article: History of Iceland

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Icelandic history.

874–1262: settlement and Commonwealth

See also: Settlement of Iceland, Icelandic Commonwealth, and Christianisation of Iceland

Monks lived in Iceland before Scandinavian settlers arrived. The first person to sail around Iceland was a Viking named Garðar Svavarsson in 870. He built a house in Húsavík. The first permanent settlers were Norwegians and their slaves, many from Ireland or Scotland. By 930, most land was claimed, and a group was formed to make laws and settle disputes. Iceland became Christian around the year 1000.

Iceland as a possession

Middle Ages

See also: Age of the Sturlungs

Internal conflicts weakened Iceland’s government. In 1262, Iceland came under Norwegian rule. Forests were cut down for wood and to make room for animals, which caused soil erosion. The climate became colder, making farming harder. A disease called the Black Death killed many people in 1402 and again in 1494.

Reformation and the Early Modern period

See also: Icelandic Reformation, Danish trade monopoly in Iceland, and Móðuharðindin

In the 1500s, Iceland became officially Lutheran. Denmark placed strict trade limits on Iceland. Natural disasters and diseases reduced the population. In 1627, pirates from North Africa took many Icelanders as slaves. A volcano erupted in 1783, killing many animals and causing a famine.

1814–1918: independence movement

See also: Icelandic independence movement and Fjölnir (journal)

After the Napoleonic Wars, Iceland stayed under Danish rule. Many Icelanders moved to Canada. In the 1800s, Icelanders began seeking independence. In 1874, Denmark gave Iceland a constitution. By 1904, Iceland had its own minister in Denmark.

1918–1944: independence and the Kingdom of Iceland

See also: Kingdom of Iceland, Invasion of Iceland, and Iceland in World War II

In 1918, Iceland became independent but shared a king with Denmark. During World War II, British forces entered Iceland. The United States later helped protect the country.

1944–present: Republic of Iceland

See also: Icelandic constitutional referendum, 1944; Iceland in the Cold War; and Cod Wars

In 1944, Iceland became a republic. After World War II, Iceland grew economically, helped by support from the United States. In the 1970s, Iceland had disputes with the United Kingdom over fishing rights. In 1980, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became the world’s first elected female president. Iceland joined the European Economic Area in 1994. The country faced a big financial crisis in 2008 but recovered. Recent governments have focused on tourism and international cooperation.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Iceland

Iceland is located where the Arctic Ocean meets the North Atlantic Ocean. It sits between Europe and North America on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The main island lies south of the Arctic Circle, which runs through the small island of Grímsey off the northern coast. Iceland is closer to continental Europe than to North America but is nearest to Greenland, which belongs to North America.

Iceland is the world's 18th-largest island and Europe's second-largest. The main island covers 101,826 km² (39,315 sq mi), with the whole country spanning 103,000 km² (40,000 sq mi). Much of Iceland is tundra, and glaciers and lakes cover parts of it. The country has many islands, fjords along its coast, and a cold, uninhabited interior called the Highlands. Major towns include the capital Reykjavík, Akureyri, and several nearby settlements.

Geology

Main article: Geology of Iceland

Iceland is special because it sits on a mid-ocean ridge above sea level, where the Eurasian Plate and the North American Plate move apart. This makes it geologically active with many volcanoes, such as Hekla and Eldfell. The island was formed by volcanic activity over millions of years.

Iceland has geysers like Strokkur, which erupts frequently. The country uses geothermal heat and hydroelectric power for energy. Volcanic rocks, mainly basalt, cover most of the land. New islands, like Surtsey, can form from underwater eruptions.

Climate

Main articles: Climate of Iceland and Tornadoes in Iceland

Iceland's coast has a subarctic climate, kept milder than other places at the same latitude by the warm North Atlantic Current. The south coast is warmer and windier than the north, while the central highlands are the coldest area. Winter snowfall is more common in the north.

Temperature records show that it can get quite warm or cold. Because of climate change, Iceland is seeing glaciers melt faster, which affects sea levels and ecosystems.

Wildlife

Main article: Wildlife of Iceland

Iceland's plants and animals have adapted to its tough conditions. The most common native tree is the birch, though forests are now sparse after centuries of use for fuel and farming. Efforts are underway to plant new forests.

The only native land mammal when people arrived was the Arctic fox. Today, farm animals like sheep, cattle, and horses are common, along with birds such as puffins and kittiwakes that nest on the cliffs. The ocean around Iceland is rich with fish and marine mammals like seals. Whale watching has grown into an important activity for tourists.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Iceland

Iceland is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The president is the head of state, and the prime minister of Iceland is the head of government. Members of the Icelandic parliament are chosen by voters using proportional representation.

After the 2024 parliamentary elections, the government is run by a group of three parties: the Social Democratic Alliance, the centrist Viðreisn, and the populist People's Party. The leader of the government is Kristrún Frostadóttir from the Social Democrats. Other parties in the Althing (Parliament) include the Independence Party, the Centre Party, and the Progressive Party.

Iceland is known for its strong democratic system. In 2024, it was ranked fourth for the strength of its democratic institutions and tenth for government openness. Many people in Iceland trust their legal system, such as the police and courts. Icelanders often vote, with 81.4% taking part in the most recent elections. Many political parties in Iceland do not want to join the European Union because they worry about losing control of their natural resources, especially fisheries.

Women's rights

Women in Iceland were allowed to vote in 1915 and got more voting rights in 1920. Iceland was the first country to have a political party led only by women. This party, the Women's List, started in 1983 to help women in politics, jobs, and society. Now, every big party in Iceland must have at least 40% women in leadership roles. In 2021, 48% of members of parliament were women, which is much higher than the world average. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the world's first woman to be directly elected as a country's leader. In 2009, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became the world's first leader who was openly part of the LGBT community.

Government

See also: Government of Iceland

Alþingishúsið is where the Althing (Parliament of Iceland) meets in Reykjavík.

Stjórnarráðshúsið is where the Cabinet of Iceland and the Prime Minister's Office are located in Reykjavík.

Iceland is a representative democracy and a parliamentary republic. The modern parliament, Alþingi, was started in 1845. It has 63 members who are elected for up to four years. The head of government is the prime minister, who leads the cabinet along with other leaders.

The president of Iceland is mostly a symbol of the country but can refuse laws and ask people to vote on them. The president is chosen by voters for a four-year term. The current president is Halla Tómasdóttir, who started in 2024. Elections for the president, parliament, and local councils happen every four years.

The cabinet is chosen by the president after elections, but usually, party leaders agree on who will be in the cabinet. If they cannot agree, the president chooses. This has not happened since 1944. Iceland has always had governments with more than one party because no single party has ever won most of the seats. The president has some powers, but how much power is not completely clear.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of Iceland

Iceland is divided into regions, constituencies, and municipalities. The eight regions are mostly used for counting and statistics. Iceland has six constituencies for voting. These were changed in 2003 to make voting fairer. Before, people in less crowded areas had more power in elections. Now, it is more balanced but not perfect.

There are sixty-two municipalities that take care of local things like schools and roads. Reykjavík is the biggest municipality, about four times bigger than the next largest one, Kópavogur.

[Regions of Iceland](/wiki/Regions_of_Iceland)

[Constituencies of Iceland](/wiki/Constituencies_of_Iceland)

[Municipalities of Iceland](/wiki/Municipalities_of_Iceland)

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Iceland

See also: Accession of Iceland to the European Union

Iceland is part of the UN, NATO, EFTA, Council of Europe, and OECD. It has good relationships with many countries, especially Nordic nations, Germany, the United States, Canada, and other NATO countries. Iceland is part of the European Economic Area, which lets it sell goods and services in the European Union's market.

Iceland asked to join the European Union in 2009 but later decided not to. In 2015, Iceland told the EU that it would not try to join anymore, but the request was not officially taken back.

Military

Main article: Defence of Iceland

Iceland does not have a regular army. It has the Icelandic Coast Guard, which helps with defense and peacekeeping. The Iceland Defense Force was a group from the United States that helped protect Iceland from 1951 to 2006. After 2006, other NATO countries sometimes send airplanes to watch over Iceland's skies.

Iceland helped with the 2003 invasion of Iraq by sending a team to support safety work. Iceland has also been part of efforts in Afghanistan and the 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. In 1986, Iceland hosted a meeting between leaders from the United States and the Soviet Union, which helped end the Cold War. Iceland has had disagreements with the United Kingdom about fishing areas, called the Cod Wars.

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world because it has no army, low crime, and stable politics. Iceland is in the Guinness World Records for being the most peaceful country and for spending the least on military per person.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Iceland

In 2022, Iceland was one of the most productive countries in the world for each person, making about US$78,837 for every person. About 85 percent of the energy Iceland uses comes from sources that do not harm the environment, like water and heat from the earth. This makes Iceland produce more electricity per person than any other country.

Historically, fishing was very important for Iceland, and it still helps the country earn money and give people jobs. Today, tourism is also very important, but fishing, fish products, aluminium, and other materials are still key parts of the economy. Iceland has changed a lot from being a poor country to being one of the most developed places in the world. It ranks high in measures of how well people live and has less difference in how much money people make than many other countries.

The money used in Iceland is called the Icelandic króna. Iceland decides its own money rules even though it has fewer than two million people. Most people in Iceland want to use a different money called the euro, but many still do not want to join a bigger group of countries called the European Union.

Iceland’s economy has grown to include making things and providing services, like software and finance. Tourism is growing, especially visits to nature and watching whales. Iceland gets about one million visitors each year, which is more than three times as many people as live there. Farming in Iceland includes growing potatoes, vegetables in greenhouses, and raising sheep for meat and milk. The main money center is in Reykjavík, the capital city. Iceland has its own stock market, which started in 1985.

Economic contraction

Main article: 2008–2011 Icelandic financial crisis

Iceland faced big problems during the Great Recession that started in 2007 because its banks ran into trouble. The government had to make special rules to try to save the economy. New banks were created to keep everyday banking working, while the old banks were allowed to close down.

Many people left Iceland after these problems, especially moving to Norway. Later, studies showed that the banking crisis was caused by bad decisions and fraud. By 2012, one of the banks had paid back about half of its debts. By 2014, Iceland was beginning to recover with lower unemployment rates.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Iceland

Road

Iceland has many cars — about one for every one and a half people. The main way people travel is by car. There are over 13,000 kilometers of roads, but many are not paved, especially in rural areas. Driving can be tricky in winter when roads are covered in snow or ice. Having a four-wheel drive car helps in these conditions.

Route 1, called the Ring Road, goes around the whole island and connects most places. It is paved and has one lane each way, except in towns where there are more lanes. There are about 30 places where there is only one lane to cross, mostly in the southeast.

Public transport

City buses in Reykjavík are run by a company called Strætó. There are also long-distance buses around the country, and smaller towns have their own local buses. Buses also go to and from the main airport, Keflavik International Airport.

Iceland does not have any passenger trains. In the past, some temporary freight railways were used.

Air travel

Keflavík International Airport is the biggest airport and the main place for international flights. It is about 49 kilometers from Reykjavík. Reykjavík Airport is smaller and closer to the city, used for domestic flights and other small planes.

Other airports include Akureyri Airport and Egilsstaðir Airport, which have some domestic and a few international flights. In total, there are 103 airports and airfields in Iceland, but most are small and not paved.

Sea

Ferry services help people travel to islands and make trips shorter. The Smyril Line operates a ship called the Norröna that goes from Seyðisfjörður to the Faroe Islands and Denmark. Other companies also provide sea transport, and Iceland’s biggest ports are managed by Faxaflóahafnir.

Energy

See also: Energy in Iceland

Renewable energy sources like geothermal heat and hydropower provide almost all of Iceland’s electricity and about 85% of the total energy the country uses. Most of the rest comes from oil used in transportation and fishing. Iceland’s largest geothermal plants are Hellisheiði and Nesjavellir, and the biggest hydroelectric plant is Kárahnjúkar. When this plant started, Iceland became the top producer of electricity per person in the world. In recent years, more people in Iceland have been driving cars that don’t use regular fuel.

Even with all this green energy, Iceland still creates a lot of carbon dioxide, mostly from transport and making aluminium. In 2010, Iceland was named the “Greenest Country” by Guinness World Records for using water well, protecting nature, and using clean energy.

Iceland’s government wants to cut down on gases that hurt the environment by 40% by 2030 and aim to be completely neutral by 2040. Because of its focus on renewable energy, Iceland is among the top ten greenest economies in the world.

Education and science

See also: Education in Iceland and Science and technology in Iceland

The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture decides the rules for schools. Schools are paid for and run by local governments. Parents can choose to teach their children at home, but they must follow strict rules and use a government-approved teaching method.

Children in Iceland start with nursery school, called leikskóli, which is not required but helps them get ready for school. Compulsory education, called grunnskóli, starts at age six and lasts for ten years. School usually starts in late August or early September and ends in May or June. All public schools teach about Christianity, but parents can ask for an exemption.

After compulsory education, students can go to upper secondary school, called framhaldsskóli or gymnasia. It is not required, but everyone who finished compulsory school has the right to go. The largest university is the University of Iceland in Reykjavík, with other universities in Reykjavík, Akureyri, and other places.

Iceland spends more of its money on scientific research than most countries, and it wants to spend even more by 2020. Iceland is ranked high in how well its students do, especially in reading and math.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Iceland

See also: Icelanders

The people of Iceland originally came from Norse and Gaelic ancestors. This is shown through old writings and modern science, like studying blood types and genes. Most of the men were from Nordic areas, while most of the women were from Gaelic areas. Many settlers were Norsemen who brought Gaelic slaves with them.

Iceland has kept detailed family records since the late 1600s, with some older pieces of information too. A company called deCODE genetics has created a big family history database called Íslendingabók. This helps scientists study health problems because Iceland’s population has been quite separate from others.

For a long time, Iceland’s population was between 40,000 and 60,000 people. Bad winters, volcanic ash, and diseases like the bubonic plague made life hard. There were times when not enough food caused hunger for 37 years between 1500 and 1804. In 1703, the first count showed 50,358 people. After big volcanic eruptions in 1783–1784, the number dropped to around 40,000. Since the mid-1800s, better living conditions have helped the population grow fast, from about 60,000 in 1850 to 320,000 in 2008. Iceland has a young population, with one in five people under 14 years old. The birth rate is just right to keep the population growing.

As of December 2007, 33,678 people living in Iceland, which is 13.5% of the total population, were born in other countries. Around 19,000 people held citizenship from other countries. Polish people are the largest group of people from outside Iceland. About 8,000 Poles live in Iceland, with many working on big building projects.

Most people in Iceland, over 70%, live in the southwest part of the country. This is where the capital, Reykjavík, is located. Reykjavík is the northernmost capital in the world. The largest town outside of the main area around Reykjavík is Reykjanesbær. The biggest town in the north is Akureyri.

Urbanisation

Iceland's 10 most populous urban areas:

Language

See also: Icelandic name

People in Iceland speak Icelandic, which comes from Old Norse. It has stayed closer to Old Norse than other Nordic languages, keeping more words and grammar rules. Icelandic still uses a special letter from old writing called Þ. The closest language to Icelandic is Faroese.

Icelandic Sign Language was recognized as a minority language in 2011. It is used by Iceland’s deaf community and is part of school learning.

English and Danish are taught in schools. English is widely spoken, while Danish is known mainly by older people. Polish is spoken by the Polish community in Iceland. Danish was an official language when Iceland was ruled by Denmark-Norway, but that ended in 1944.

Instead of family names, most Icelanders use names based on their father’s or mother’s first name. For example, Elísabet Jónsdóttir means “Elísabet, Jón’s daughter.” People are usually called by their first name, and phone books list people by first names. New names must be approved by the Icelandic Naming Committee.

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Iceland

Iceland has a health care system that covers everyone. It is run by the Ministry of Welfare and paid for mostly by taxes. There are no private hospitals, and private insurance is almost nonexistent.

The government spends a lot on health care, and Iceland’s system is one of the best in the world. Iceland has more doctors and nurses than many other countries. Icelanders are among the healthiest people, with 77% saying they are in good health. The country has low pollution, thanks to clean energy from geothermal heat, and many people care about the environment. Iceland also has a low rate of smoking and very few babies are born with Down syndrome. People in Iceland live long lives, with an average of 81.8 years.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Iceland

Icelanders can choose their religion, but the Church of Iceland, which is Lutheran, is supported by the government. About 70 percent of people are part of a religion, often from birth. They pay a small tax that helps support their chosen religion or, if they have none, the University of Iceland.

In 2021, Iceland officially recognized Judaism as a religion. Jewish people in Iceland can now register and direct their taxes to support their religion. This also allows Jewish ceremonies like marriages and funerals to be recognized by the government.

Iceland is a very modern country with not many people going to church often. Studies show that many Icelanders do not believe in a religion. Some people say they are atheists, meaning they do not believe in any gods, or agnostics, meaning they are not sure if there are gods.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Iceland

Icelandic culture comes from old North Germanic traditions. Icelandic literature is well-known, especially the sagas and eddas written in the High and Late Middle Ages. Being isolated for centuries helped protect Iceland's culture, including its language, which stays very close to Old Norse. Iceland values human rights like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the rights of women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Unlike other Nordic countries, Icelanders highly value independence and self-reliance. They work long hours and are very satisfied with their lives. Icelanders also enjoy strong community ties and equality, with very low income gaps.

Literature

In 2011, Reykjavík became a UNESCO City of Literature.

Iceland's famous classical literature includes the Icelanders' sagas, such as Njáls saga, Grænlendinga saga, and Eiríks saga. Other important sagas are Egils saga, Laxdæla saga, Grettis saga, Gísla saga, and Gunnlaugs saga ormstungu.

The Bible was translated into Icelandic in the 16th century. Important works from the 15th to 19th centuries include sacred verses and rímur, epic poems. The famous writer Halldór Laxness won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955. Iceland has many book lovers, with many bookstores and publications each year. The "Christmas Book Flood" in late autumn is a big event for readers.

Art

Icelandic painting often shows the country's landscape, linked to pride and independence. Early artists like Þórarinn Þorláksson and Ásgrímur Jónsson painted nature in a romantic style. Other artists include Jóhannes Kjarval and Júlíana Sveinsdóttir. Today, Iceland has many art projects and museums.

Music

Main article: Music of Iceland

Icelandic music includes folk and pop traditions. Famous acts include The Sugarcubes, Björk, and Of Monsters and Men. Traditional music includes religious hymns and rímur, epic poems. Modern composers like Daníel Bjarnason and Anna S. Þorvaldsdóttir are well-known. The national anthem is Lofsöngur.

Media

See also: Mass media in Iceland and Cinema of Iceland

Iceland's main TV stations are Sjónvarpið, Stöð 2, and SkjárEinn. Popular radio stations include Rás 1 and Rás 2. Newspapers like Morgunblaðið and Fréttablaðið are common. LazyTown is a popular children's show made in Iceland. The film Children of Nature was nominated for an Academy Award. Björk also gained fame for her role in Dancer in the Dark.

Iceland passed a law in 2010 to protect free speech and journalists. The country has high internet use and was studying ways to keep children safe online.

Cuisine

Icelandic food often includes fish, lamb, and dairy products. Traditional dishes like Þorramatur are eaten in mid-winter. Common foods are skyr, hákarl, and puffin. Breakfast might include pancakes or cereal, while dinner often features fish or lamb. Coffee is very popular.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Iceland

Sport is important in Iceland. Traditional wrestling is called Glíma. Popular sports are football, track and field, handball, and basketball. The Icelandic national football team surprised many by qualifying for big tournaments. Iceland is good at swimming, with many heated pools. Other popular activities include horseback riding, chess, and golf.