Breathtaking Iceland

The first permanent settlers in Iceland were Norsemen from Scandinavia, arriving in the late 9th century, and Celts from the British Isles. The language of Iceland was Old Norse from the outset, but there are traces of Celtic influence in some of the Eddaic poems, in personal and place names and even in the appearance of present-day Icelanders.

Iceland is the most sparsely populated country in Europe, with an average of about three inhabitants per square kilometre. Almost four-fifths of the country are uninhabited, the population being limited to a narrow coastal belt, valleys and the lowland plains in the South and Southwest.

Did you know that Eric the Red came from Iceland? And his son, Leif Ericson, the guy that discovered America? They annually dress up in viking garb and celebrate their traditions. They founded the world's oldest surviving democracy. Great vacation spot . . .

Beautiful looking place, one day I hope to go there. Greenland too even thoguh its an ice sheet. =\ I like and hate threads like this, they make me wistful, restless and depressed. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by station82o

Beautiful looking place, one day I hope to go there. Greenland too even thoguh its an ice sheet. =\ I like and hate threads like this, they make me wistful, restless and depressed. Thanks.

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You are welcome, sir. Just remember that with a mere two year degree in nursing it is possible to earn over 100k per year. The country needs nurses and gender bias keeps males out. Females, being physically weaker, can't do the job as well and quit.

We need strong backs. I orignally wanted to be a Volcanologist, but I chucked it for Nursing. Best decision I ever made.

I plan on visiting lots of different places.

Wow, amazing pics. Iceland would be a neat place to visit...

Iceland is the most beautiful place on Earth. :)

I have studied Icelandic history, so here are a few clarifications and additions.... There were not many Irish settlers in Iceland. According to legend, there were Irish people in Vestmannæjar (Westman Islands - off the southern coast, and named for the people they found, Westmen being people from the west - Irish) but they didn't survive. :p The Vikings themselves broght Irish slaves with them, however, and that is the reason for the slight Irish influence genetically. There is hardly any Irish "influence" in the culture, including the Sagas (Eddas, etc).

All personal names in Iceland have to follow Icelandic tradition and there are no family surnames. An Icelanders surname is their father's given name +son or +dóttir, depending on gender. The modern Icelandic language remains true to old Norse, and is mostly unchanged since the Viking Age. No foriegn words or names are allowed, and should a person immigrate to Iceland they will have to change their name to something Icelandic.

Eiríkur the Red was actually from Norway but was banished and went to Iceland - where he was banished to Greenland for a period of time. He gave Greenland it's name to attract compatriots. Leifur Eiríksson, his son, was born in Iceland but was not raised by Eiríkur. He led the first European exploration and settlemeant in North America (but was not the first to see it).

I posted some photos ages ago in the Galleria's photography thread.

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Originally Posted by sggg

All personal names in Iceland have to follow Icelandic tradition and there are no family surnames. An Icelanders surname is their father's given name +son or +dóttir, depending on gender. The modern Icelandic language remains true to old Norse, and is mostly unchanged since the Viking Age. No foriegn words or names are allowed, and should a person immigrate to Iceland they will have to change their name to something Icelandic.

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So what do they call a computer?

Do they just not have computers? Or cars?

Weird.

Iceland would be awesome to backpack accross, or around, or.... well you get my drift.

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Originally Posted by diffusionx

So what do they call a computer?

Do they just not have computers? Or cars?

Weird.

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They have a language committee to develop new words for new inventions. Computer is called Tölva which is made up of two older Icelandic words: völva (diviner) + tölur (numbers). So, computer in Icelandic actually means "diviner of numbers".

Facinating . . . you've done your homework. Use the force, my son . . .

Pshh... and people were making fun of "curriel electronique (I think there's an aigu (sp) in there, but I don't feel like digging for the character)" :)

On topic, it looks like Iceland is a truly beautiful place undamaged by modern industrial society. Definitely a place to visit if I ever happen to visit Europe someday.