As many small countries in the world, Iceland was born in the 20th century. But it is an interesting small nation of 350,000 people.
Coming under the wings of a superpower, having its own resources and willingness to improve its lot has transformed Iceland, the land of mud huts in the 20th century, into a tourist hub in one of the coldest parts of the world.
The Beginnings
Iceland was settled only in the 9th century CE by the peoples of today’s Norway (men) and Gaelic lands (women, likely slaves). They were aligned with the Vikings, and practised paganism.
By 1000 AD, Iceland was Christianised under the threats of trade war from the new king of Norway who accepted Christianity. After the split of Byzantine church, in 1054, Iceland came under the sway of Roman Catholicism.
Politically, it remained aligned with Norway and its commonwealth till the early 19th century. During this time, in 1550, Iceland was forced to become a Lutheran nation by the orders of a Danish king who had beheaded Iceland’s Catholic bishop and his sons.
Modernity
In 1814, the victors of 2nd European War (Napoleonic War) split Norway and Denmark; Iceland was passed on Denmark. Soon, 25% of population immigrated to Canada.
In 1874, the Danish Constitution guaranteed religious freedom but proclaimed ‘Evangelical Lutheran Church is a national church and as such it is protected and supported by the State’. A new version of the Bible came out officially in 1912, and revised in 1981 – in keeping with the liberal, socialist atmosphere of the 20th century.
In 1944, despite being neutral, Denmark was invaded by Nazi Germany. Likewise, the neutral Iceland was invaded by Britain. In wars, there are no heroes. Iceland was made a republic; the Evangelical Lutheran Church became the Church of Iceland.
In 1949, after the 4th European War (World War-2), Iceland came under the fold of NATO which was organised to stem the growth of communism in Europe.
In 1994, after the collapse of communism, Iceland formally joined European Economic Union.
From huts to hotels
About a 100 years back, most of the Icelandic people lived in mud huts, though modernity began to take root with the advent of Napoleonic/secular struggles.
Despite its neutrality, given its strategic location, it was invaded repeatedly. The invaders tried to win its citizenry by helping out this isolated land – which is prone to earthquakes (500 small quakes per week) and raging unpredictable weather.
Self-sufficiency also came by sheer luck (presence geo-thermal energy and fyords) and hard work (willingness to harness that energy). Today, 85% of energy comes from these renewables. While Iceland invests large amounts of manpower and money in research and development.
Apart from fisheries and aluminium, tourism remains its main source of revenue. It receives three times its population as tourists, every year.
Interestingly, a small country like Iceland also needs migrants – who was mostly Polish Catholics.
Trivia
Iceland has the highest number of bookstores per capita in the world; ~10% of the population publishes a book in their lifetimes.
98% of Icelanders believe they know someone they could rely on in a time of need – the highest percentage in any advanced nation.
Iceland is among the ten countries with the highest proportions of atheists in the world; similar data for LGBT rights and safety of women.
Rather than using family names, Icelanders carry either their father’s or mother’s name. Like Naushad, son of Aziz (both names being first names). Thus a nation without surnames – all relating to liberal notions of equality.
Though 0.3% of Icelanders are Muslims, Icelanders are the first Muslims to think beyond the rules of classical Shari’ah.
