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Iceland is the second biggest island in Europe located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The settlement of Iceland began in the year of 874 when Ingolfur Arnarson, a Norwegian viking, became the first permanent settler. Most of the settlers were Norwegians who fled their own country and, because of the isolation, the Icelandic language today is relatively similar to ancient Norwegian. From the early settlement the Icelandic people,have throughout the centuries, relied on fisheries and agriculture in order to survive. The Icelandic people have experienced some difficult times over the centuries because of natural disasters, poverty, hunger, diseases etc. but that only seemed to make the people stronger and tougher. The Icelandic Sagas, many of whom are about the vikings, are among the oldest Sagas in the world. We are also proud to have the oldest parliament in the world, Althingi which was originally founded in Thingvellir in 930. Iceland has raised many well known writers and poets throughout the years, the most famous being Mr. Halldór Kiljan Laxness, a Nobel Prize winner in 1955. Today Iceland is a very developed country with rich culture and heritage. Fisheries have diminshed the past years and the economy and financial sector has been growing as Iceland has become a more international country. The population of Iceland today is approximately 320.000 with most of the inhabitans living in the capital, Reykjavik. Iceland is known for its beautiful nature and extraordinary landscape which has been a great attraction for tourists. Iceland is located not only on a large hotspot but also on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs right through it. This is the reason for the intense level of volcanic activity on the island, but Iceland is known for its many volcanoes. In contradiction to these facts, Iceland is also known for its many glaciers and ice-dammed lakes. For this reason, Iceland has often been called the land of ice and fire. This large island has a lot to offer people who seek adventure or breathtaking experiences and will welcome you anytime with all its beauty.
