Iceland
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.
The interior consists mostly of desert (deserts are not confined to warm climates), with many spectacular glaciers and geysers and there are several active volcanos.
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.
Iceland's territory was augmented by the emergence of the island of Surtsey from beneath the waves in the years 1963-67, following submarine volcanic eruptions. The island is subject to erosion, and now occupies 1.4 square kilometres, about half its area in 1967.
Industry and agriculture
- 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 Wars of 1958, 1972-3 and 1975-6. Iceland also continues to actively hunt whales.
- Iceland is remarkably the largest European producer of bananas, which are grown there in greenhouses heated by geothermal energy.
- Icelandic venture capital has taken over numerous European companies, including the aptly-named Iceland group of freezer shops in the United Kingdom, and English soccer teamsWest Ham United Football Club in London.