According to ancient written sources, the Norwegian chieftain and viking Ingólfur Arnarson was the first permanent settler in Iceland in 872 ( /-2 years). Over the next centuries, people of Nordic and Gaelic origin settled in Iceland. Iceland went under the Norwegian king in 1262 and later the Danish king. Iceland became an independent republic in June 17, 1944 and has a written constitution and a parliamentary form of government. The people of Iceland celebrate the 17th of June as their Independence Day.
For ages Iceland was among the poorest countries in Europe and the population never exceeded 70.000 people. In the 20th century the industrial revolution finally found its way to Iceland with the industrialization of the fishing fleet. In less than a century the Icelandic society has changed dramatically, now being one of the richest countries in the world and now has a population of around 320.000 people.
Iceland has a free market economy with relatively low taxes compared to other OECD countries while maintaining a Nordic welfare system providing universal health care and tertiary education for its citizens
Today Iceland is a highly developed country; Among the world’s highest in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and human development respectively. Iceland is a member of the UN, NATO, EFTA and the EEA, and OECD.
The first car came to Iceland in 1907. Today there are about 1,5 persons per car. Rental cars are about 20.000 during the high season in July.