Iceland, whose official name is Lydhveldidh Island , was settled by Norweign and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants in the late 9th and 10th centuries AD. It stands in the North Atlantic Ocean just south of the Artic circle. The island is volcanic, with only 20% of the land habitable and straddles the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Geothermal energy is one of its primary natural resources and the contrast of Ice and Fire ever present.
Every pub quizzer should know that Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, The Althing founded in 930 AD. The country remained independent for over 300 years, it was subsequently ruled by first Norway and then Denmark. Limited home rule was granted by Denmark in 1874. Full independence as a Republic was eventually gained again in 1944.
Fallout from the Askja volcano devastated the economy in 1875 resulting in wide spread famine and, over the next 25 years, 20% of the population emigrating mainly to Canada or USA.
It is, of course now a prosperous state which scores highly on world ratings for such things as literacy, longevity, social cohesion and income. It also had the balls to gaol errant bankers after the 2008 crash (instead of blaming the Labour Party!).
Above and below you can see the Northern lights and this is what we are really hoping to see on our visit which starts on Friday 20th November.
Along with the Northern lights we are hoping to visit some of the famous sites like erupting volcanoes and umm........ isolated farmhouses.
I shall be publishing the blog itself between 21-24 November and you can read it by typing nigelduce.blogspot into your browser bar.
