Iceland
Iceland is a volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean east of
Greenland and immediately south of the Arctic Circle. It lies about
4,200 kilometers (2,600 mi.) from New York and 830 kilometers (520
mi.) from Scotland. About 79% of Iceland's land area, which is of
recent volcanic origin, consists of glaciers, lakes, a mountainous
lava desert (highest elevation 2,000 meters--6,590 ft.--above sea
level), and other wasteland. About 28% of the land is used for
grazing, and 1% is cultivated. The inhabited areas are on the coast,
particularly in the southwest where about 60% of the population
lives. Because of the Gulf Stream's moderating influence, the
climate is characterized by damp, cool summers and relatively mild
but windy winters. In Reykjavík, the average temperature is 11°C
(52°F) in July and -1°C (30°F) in January.
Most Icelanders are descendants of Norwegian settlers and Celts from
the British Isles, and the population is remarkably homogeneous.
According to Icelandic Government statistics, 93% of the nation's
inhabitants live in urban areas (localities with populations greater
than 200) and about 60% live in the Reykjavík metropolitan area. Of
the Nordic languages, the Icelandic language is closest to the Old
Norse language and has remained relatively unchanged since the 12th
century. About 91% of the population belongs to the state church,
the Evangelical Lutheran Church, or other Lutheran Churches.
However, Iceland has complete religious liberty, and about 20 other
religious congregations are present.
Most Icelandic surnames are based on patronymy, or the adoption of
the father's first given name. For example, Magnus and Anna,
children of a man named Pétur, would hold the surname Pétursson and
Pétursdóttir, respectively. Magnus' children, in turn, would inherit
the surname Magnusson, while Anna's children would claim their
father's first given name as their surname. Women normally maintain
their original surnames after marriage. This system of surnames is
required by law, except for the descendants of those who had
acquired family names before 1913. Most Icelanders, while reserved
by nature, rarely call each other by their surnames, and even phone
directories are based on first names. Because of its small size and
relative homogeneity, Iceland holds all the characteristics of a
very close-knit society.
Cultural Achievements
The Sagas, almost all written between 1180 and 1300 A.D., remain
Iceland's best-known literary accomplishment, and they have no
surviving counterpart anywhere in the Nordic world. Based on
Norwegian and Icelandic histories and genealogies, the Sagas present
views of Nordic life and times up to 1100 A.D. The Saga writers
sought to record their heroes' great achievements and to glorify the
virtues of courage, pride, and honor, focusing in the later Sagas on
early Icelandic settlers. The best-known Icelandic writer of the
20th century is the 1955 Nobel Prize winner Halldór Kiljan Laxness.
The literacy rate is 99.9%, and literature and poetry are a
legendary passion with the population. Per capita publication of
books and magazines is the highest in the world.
Unlike its literature, Iceland's fine arts did not flourish until
the 19th century because the population was small and scattered.
Iceland's most famous painters are Ásgrímur Jónsson, Jón Stefánsson,
and Jóhannes Kjarval, all of whom worked during the first half of
the 20th century. The best-known modern sculptor, Ásmundur Sveinsson
(1893-1982), drew his inspiration from Icelandic folklore and the
Sagas for many of his works. Today, Kristján Jóhannsson is Iceland's
most famous opera singer, while pop singer Björk and progressive
rock band Sigur Rós are well known internationally. |
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Iceland was settled in the late 9th and early 10th
centuries, principally by people of Norse origin. In 930
A.D., the ruling chiefs established a republican
constitution and an assembly called the Althingi (Alþingi)
the oldest parliament in the world. Iceland remained
independent until 1262, when it entered into a treaty
establishing a union with the Norwegian monarchy.
Iceland passed to Denmark in the late 14th century when
Norway and Denmark were united under the Danish crown.
In the early 19th century, national consciousness
revived in Iceland. The Althingi had been abolished in
1800 but was reestablished in 1843 as a consultative
assembly. In 1874, Denmark granted Iceland limited home
rule, which was expanded in scope in 1904. The
constitution, written in 1874, was revised in 1903, and
a minister for Icelandic affairs, residing in Reykjavík,
was made responsible to the Althingi. The Act of Union,
a 1918 agreement with Denmark, recognized Iceland as a
fully sovereign state united with Denmark under a common
king. Iceland established its own flag, but Denmark
continued to represent Icelandic foreign affairs and
defense interests.
German occupation of Denmark in 1940 severed
communications between Iceland and Denmark.
Consequently, Iceland moved immediately to assume
control over its own territorial waters and foreign
affairs. In May 1940, British military forces occupied
Iceland. In July 1941, responsibility for Iceland's
defense passed to the United States. Following a
plebiscite, Iceland formally became an independent
republic on June 17, 1944. In October 1946, the
Icelandic and U.S. Governments agreed to terminate U.S.
responsibility for the defense of Iceland, but the
United States retained certain rights at Keflavík.
Iceland became a charter member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. After the outbreak
of hostilities in Korea in 1950, and pursuant to the
request of NATO military authorities, the United States
and Iceland agreed that the United States should again
make arrangements for Iceland's defense. A bilateral
defense agreement signed on May 5, 1951, remains in
force, even though the U.S. military forces are no
longer permanently stationed in Iceland. Iceland is the
only NATO country with no standing military of its own. |
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