Mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Climate
Temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild windy winters; damp cool summers
Natural Hazards
Mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Note:
Strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
Neighbouring Countries
History
Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D. Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly the Althing established in 930. Independent for over 300 years Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century 20% of the island's population emigrated mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy longevity and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. Read more on Wikipedia
