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Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic about the size of the state of Kentucky. It is one of the most active volcanic regions of the earth. There are about 200 volcanoes of various types. Within recent times, major volcanic eruptions occurred in 1765, 1783, 1878, 1947, 1961, 1963, and 1995. | Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic about the size of the state of Kentucky. It is one of the most active volcanic regions of the earth. There are about 200 volcanoes of various types. Within recent times, major volcanic eruptions occurred in 1765, 1783, 1878, 1947, 1961, 1963, and 1995. | ||
== | == History == | ||
Irish monks reached Iceland in about 790 establishing a religious retreat. The Norsemen (Normans and Vikings) discovered Iceland in 874 and colonized the island almost at once. The capital, Reykjavík (Bay of Steam Vapors), is near the site of the island's first farmstead. A settlement primarily of Norwegian seafarers and adventurers, Iceland fostered further excursions to Greenland and the coasts of North America. The Icelandic sagas, most of which relate to the island's founding and settling, are regarded as among the finest literary achievements of the Middle Ages. | Irish monks reached Iceland in about 790 establishing a religious retreat. The Norsemen (Normans and Vikings) discovered Iceland in 874 and colonized the island almost at once. The capital, Reykjavík (Bay of Steam Vapors), is near the site of the island's first farmstead. A settlement primarily of Norwegian seafarers and adventurers, Iceland fostered further excursions to Greenland and the coasts of North America. The Icelandic sagas, most of which relate to the island's founding and settling, are regarded as among the finest literary achievements of the Middle Ages. | ||
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