Althingis

The Althing, also known as the Althingi or Althingish Parliament, is the national parliament of Iceland. It is one of the oldest surviving parliamentary institutions in the world. The Althing was founded in 930 AD at Þingvellir, a historically significant site located in southwestern Iceland. Initially, it was a general assembly of free men, where laws were made and disputes were settled. This early form of the Althing functioned for centuries as the supreme legislative body of Iceland.

Following the period of Icelandic independence and the subsequent union with Norway and later Denmark, the Althing's powers and structure evolved. It was suspended for a period in the 19th century but was re-established in 1843 as a consultative assembly. In 1944, when Iceland declared independence from Denmark and established its republic, the Althing became the unicameral parliament of the sovereign nation.

The Althing currently consists of 63 members who are elected every four years through a system of proportional representation. The parliament is responsible for passing legislation, approving the national budget, and overseeing the government. Its sessions are held in the Althing House in Reykjavík, the capital city. The Althing plays a central role in Iceland's democratic governance and its history is deeply intertwined with the nation's identity.