Iceland

870 AD (Monday, August 1) – First Norse settlers arrive in Iceland

930 AD (Tuesday, June 17) – Althing (Icelandic Parliament) is established, making it the oldest parliament in the world

1000 AD (Wednesday, January 1) – Iceland converts to Christianity

1262 (Wednesday, June 17) – Iceland becomes a part of the Kingdom of Norway

1397 (Friday, November 14) – Union of Kalmar forms between Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, with Iceland under Danish rule

1660 (Monday, July 6) – Treaty of Copenhagen solidifies Danish control over Iceland

1845 (Tuesday, January 1) – The Icelandic National Assembly is established

1918 (Thursday, December 1) – Iceland becomes a sovereign state within the Kingdom of Denmark

1944 (Saturday, June 17) – Iceland declares independence from Denmark, establishing the Republic of Iceland

1973 (Saturday, January 23) – Heimaey volcanic eruption on the Westman Islands destroys part of the town, but no fatalities occur

1980 (Saturday, August 1) – Vigdís Finnbogadóttir becomes the first female president in the world to be directly elected

2008 (Monday, October 6) – Iceland faces a financial crisis as its banking system collapses

2010 (Thursday, April 15) – Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption disrupts air travel across Europe

2021 (Tuesday, March 23) – Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption begins near Reykjavik, lasting for several months, causing disruption and attracting many tourists

2022 (Saturday, February 5) – Severe snowstorms and extreme cold affect Iceland, especially in the northern regions

Continent: Europe
Location: Located in the North Atlantic Ocean, just below the Arctic Circle, between Greenland and the Scandinavian Peninsula
Capital: Reykjavik
Language: Icelandic
Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK)
Population: ~370,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), Western European Summer Time (WEST, UTC +1 in daylight saving time)

Borders: Iceland is an island nation, with no land borders.
Landscape: Iceland is known for its dramatic landscapes of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, and hot springs, along with vast tundras and rugged coastlines.
Major Rivers: Þjórsá, Jökulsá á Fjöllum, Gljúfrá
Major Mountains: Hekla, Snæfellsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull, Keflavík
Deserts: Highlands Desert (central Iceland)
Lakes: Thingvallavatn (largest lake), Myvatn, Hvítárvatn
Volcanoes: Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla, Katla, Grímsvötn
Highest Point: Hvannadalshnúkur – 2,110 m (6,923 ft)
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean – 0 m (sea level)
Climate: Subarctic climate with cold winters and cool summers. Coastal areas have milder winters due to the influence of the Gulf Stream, while inland areas can experience harsher conditions.
Geological Features: Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, making it a highly active volcanic zone. It experiences frequent volcanic eruptions, geothermal activity, and hot springs. The island is split between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Icelandic (of Norse and Celtic origin)
Religion: Lutheranism (~80%), other Christian denominations (~10%), non-religious (~10%)
Urban Population: ~94% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Iceland has a small, homogeneous population with a high standard of living and a rich cultural heritage. Most people live in or near the capital, Reykjavik.

Famous For: Viking heritage, sagas, natural beauty, geothermal spas, Northern Lights
Cuisine: Lamb, fish, Skyr (yogurt-like dairy), Hákarl (fermented shark), Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps), Rúgbrauð (dark rye bread)
Arts: Icelandic literature (notably sagas), contemporary music (e.g., Bjork, Sigur Rós)
Sports: Football (soccer), handball, basketball
Music: Folk music, Indie music, Electronic music
Dance: Folk dance, ballroom dance

Economy Type: Mixed, developed economy with a high standard of living
GDP: Approx. $30 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Fishing, renewable energy (geothermal and hydroelectric), tourism, technology, aluminum production
Key Exports: Fish, aluminum, machinery, chemicals, renewable energy technologies
Unemployment Rate: ~3.4% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Reykjavik is the central hub of commerce and services. Fishing and seafood industries are prominent along the coast, while energy production (mainly geothermal) is concentrated in the southern and southwestern regions.

Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral Althing
Constitution: Constitution of Iceland, in effect since June 17, 1944

Reykjavik: The capital city, known for its vibrant cultural scene, Hallgrímskirkja, Blue Lagoon, and National Museum
Golden Circle: A tourist route featuring Þingvellir National Park, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall
Blue Lagoon: A geothermal spa in the Reykjanes Peninsula
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: A stunning glacier lagoon known for floating icebergs
Thingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its tectonic plate rift and Viking history
Vatnajökull National Park: Home to Europe’s largest glacier and stunning landscapes
Northern Lights: Iceland is one of the best places in the world to view the aurora borealis during the winter months