Iceland

Iceland is a Nordic island nation located in the North Atlantic. It has about 370,000 residents and covers around 103,000 square kilometers. The capital and largest city is Reykjavik, on the southwest coast.

Geography is marked by volcanic activity and glaciers. Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and relies heavily on geothermal and hydroelectric energy. A ring road encircles the island, connecting towns and major natural sites such as Vatnajökull and Gullfoss.

Norse settlers arrived in the 9th century, founding the Althing in 930, one of the world’s oldest parliamentary institutions. It remained under Danish rule until independence in 1944, after which the republic was established.

Iceland is a constitutional republic. The president is largely ceremonial, while the prime minister serves as head of government. The unicameral Althing has 63 seats and uses proportional representation. Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area and Schengen, and of NATO, but not an EU member.

The economy is highly developed, with fisheries and tourism as major sectors. Renewable energy, especially geothermal and hydroelectric power, provides most electricity and heating. Social welfare and education are strong.

Culturally, Iceland preserves a rich literary tradition, from medieval sagas to contemporary fiction. The Icelandic language is closely related to Old Norse, and the country maintains a vibrant arts scene with high literacy.