| Iceland is an island just about the size of | | | | partially under the rule of Danish monarchy. |
| Kentucky State. This small sized island lies | | | | During the Second World War when Germany |
| in the northern direction in the Atlantic | | | | attacked on Denmark first the British troops |
| Ocean just east to Greenland and it also | | | | and then the American troops landed in |
| touches the Arctic Circle. The land of | | | | Iceland and used it as the strategic air |
| Iceland is also famous as it is one of the | | | | base. According to historians, neutral |
| most aggressive volcanic regions of the | | | | Iceland supported its allies through out the |
| world. More than thirteen percent of | | | | war. On June 17th, 1944, after the official |
| Iceland's total land is covered by glaciers | | | | referendum Iceland was declared independent |
| or are snowfields. Major part of Iceland's | | | | republic and the Althing also proclaimed it |
| total population inhibits only in the seven | | | | as an independent republic. |
| percent part of the island because that seven | | | | |
| percent land is considered a very fertile | | | | Iceland joined NATO [North Atlantic Treaty |
| coastland. The gulf stream of Atlantic Ocean | | | | Organization] in 1949 and its maiden American |
| keeps the climate of the Iceland milder and | | | | air force base in 1951. In 1971 it was |
| temperature very moderate than what is | | | | recognized by EFTA [European Free Trade |
| expected in an island around Arctic Circle. | | | | Association]. In the year 1972, Iceland |
| | | | extended its fishing coastline to 200 |
| It is believed that the first inhabitants of | | | | nautical miles from 3 nautical miles. This |
| Iceland were the hermits from Ireland. These | | | | was done without the consent of England. For |
| hermits vacated this island when pagan Norse | | | | this reason both Iceland and England were |
| people arrived here in ninth century. A | | | | trapped in the dispute known as the cold |
| constitution was formed in 930 A.D and a | | | | wars. This dispute ended in 1976 with England |
| democracy and a parliament was formed which | | | | agreeing to the new fishing borders of |
| is also known as Althing. Now Althing has the | | | | Iceland. In the year 1980, Iceland made yet |
| honor to be the world's oldest still running | | | | another history, when it became the first |
| legislative assembly. The history of Iceland | | | | country in the world to have a woman |
| is very well preserved in the Icelandic sagas | | | | president in the office of the presidency. It |
| written during 13th century. | | | | was the case of the year 1990, when after the |
| | | | recession the economy and the financial |
| In the year 1262, Iceland was occupied by | | | | condition of Iceland stabilized. |
| Norwegian rule and was further given to the | | | | |
| ultimate control of Denmark through the very | | | | Iceland refused to sign the agreement which |
| famous 'the kalmar union' in which kingdoms | | | | stated that moratorium of commercial whaling |
| of Norway, Sweden and Denmark united in 1397. | | | | will continue as it was since 1986. This |
| In the year, 1874, Iceland gained their own | | | | incident took place in the meeting of the |
| constitution and then in 1918, Denmark | | | | International Whaling Commission in 2001. |
| recognized Iceland as a separate country and | | | | Finally in 2003, Iceland agreed on the |
| unlimited sovereignty through the act of | | | | initialization of hunting of whales for |
| union. By this time also, Iceland was | | | | researches and experiments. |