Introduction to Iceland

Iceland is an island north west of the United Kingdom, surrounded by the beautiful waters of the Greenland Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.  Iceland is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, containing approximately 200 volcanoes.  Iceland accounts for a third of the Earth's total lava flow.  Because of such surroundings, Iceland is world-famous and gets a lot of tourists for their hydropower, geothermal power, gysers, and hot springs.  Iceland's other exports include diatomite and fish.  The main languages spoken are Icelandic, English, and Nordic languages.  German is also widely spoken.  Iceland's standard of living is first rate by world standards.  Iceland was independent for 300 years, then subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark.  It gained full independence in 1944. The pride of Iceland is Althing, the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, established in 930 AD. The main religion is Lutheran Church of Iceland (80.7%), the remaining are different sects of Christianity with the exception of 12.8% of the population which consists of other religions, unaffiliated, other, or unspecified (2006 est.) (CIA World Factbook)