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'''Iceland''' is an [[island]] and [[nation]] situated in the [[North Atlantic]], between [[Britain]] and [[Greenland]], formerly known as Bejam.

'''Iceland''' is an [[island]] [[nation]] situated in the [[North Atlantic]], between [[Britain]] and [[Greenland]]. The capital is [[Reykjavik]]. Uninhabited until the tenth century, it was colonised by [[Vikings]] - the [[Icelandic]] language is still remarkably similar to [[Old Norse]], far more so than its cognate languages [[Norwegian]], [[Swedish]] and [[Danish]].

Uninhabited until the tenth century, it was colonised by [[Vikings]] - the [[Icelandic]] language is still remarkably similar to [[Old Norse]], far more so than its cognate languages [[Norwegian]], [[Swedish]] and [[Danish]].

The interior consists mostly of [[desert]] (deserts are not confined to warm climates), with many spectacular [[glaciers]] and [[geysers]] and there are several active [[volcano]]s.

It enjoys one of the highest standards of living on Earth, and has the oldest continuously functioning [[Parliament]]. I was traditionally ruled as part of Denmark until 1944, when it declared itself an independent republic. Iceland had been occupied by UK and US forces in 1940, following the German invasion of Denmark, to prevent its occupation by Germany.

Iceland enjoys one of the highest standards of living on Earth, and has the oldest continuously functioning [[Parliament]]. It was traditionally ruled as part of Denmark until 1944, when it declared itself an independent republic. Iceland had been occupied by UK and US forces in 1940, following the German invasion of Denmark, to prevent its occupation by Germany.

The interior consists mostly of [[desert]] (deserts are not confined to warm climates), with many spectacular [[glaciers]] and [[geysirs]].

== Industry and agriculture ==

The capital is [[Reykjavik]].

*Fishing is an important Icelandic industry, and Iceland's repeated extensions of its territorial fishing limits has resulted in military confrontation with the United Kingdom in the [[Cod War]]s of 1958, 1972-3 and 1975-6. Iceland also continues to actively [[whaling|hunt whales]].

 

*Iceland is remarkably the largest European producer of bananas, which are grown there in greenhouses heated by [[geothermal energy]].

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:Scandinavian Countries]]

[[Category:Scandinavian Countries]]

[[Category:NATO members]]

[[Category:NATO members]]