Iceland — map and facts

About Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, situated just south of the Arctic Circle. With a population of approximately 370,000 people, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe, yet boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world. The country is a parliamentary republic, with a president serving as head of state and a prime minister leading the government. Icelandic society is known for its high levels of gender equality, social cohesion, and trust in public institutions. The culture is deeply rooted in Old Norse heritage, with the Icelandic language remaining remarkably close to its medieval form. Literature, particularly the medieval sagas, holds a central place in national identity. Despite its remote location, Iceland has a vibrant creative scene encompassing music, visual arts, and design. The economy is driven by fishing, tourism, aluminium smelting, and geothermal energy, making it one of the world's most renewable energy-dependent nations.

Geography and Landscape

Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, making it one of the most geologically active places on Earth. The island spans approximately 103,000 square kilometres and is characterised by a dramatic and varied landscape: glaciers, volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, geysers, and waterfalls coexist across its surface. Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier by volume, covers roughly eight percent of the country. The interior highlands are largely uninhabited, a barren plateau of volcanic desert and ice. Coastal areas offer fertile lowlands where most of the population lives. Iceland's climate is subpolar oceanic, moderated by the Gulf Stream; summers are cool and winters are relatively mild for its latitude, though storms are frequent. The midnight sun occurs in summer, while winter brings long periods of darkness illuminated by the Northern Lights. The country experiences frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, constantly reshaping the land. Notable natural features include Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir hot spring area, and the volcanic island of Surtsey, formed in the 1960s.

History

Iceland was first settled by Norse Vikings around 874 CE, with Ingólfur Arnarson traditionally cited as the first permanent settler. In 930, the Althing — one of the world's oldest parliaments — was established, making Iceland a pioneering example of representative governance. The island converted to Christianity around the year 1000. Following a period of internal conflict known as the Age of the Sturlungs, Iceland came under Norwegian rule in 1262 and subsequently passed to Danish control in 1380. Under Danish rule, Iceland suffered hardships including volcanic eruptions, plague, and English and later Algerian pirate raids. A nationalist movement emerged in the nineteenth century, leading to home rule in 1904 and sovereignty in 1918, while remaining under the Danish Crown. During the Second World War, Iceland was occupied first by British and then American forces. Full independence was declared on 17 June 1944, founding the Republic of Iceland. The postwar decades brought rapid economic development, and in 1980 Vigdís Finnbogadóttir became the world's first democratically elected female head of state.