Settled by Norwegian and Celtic immigrants during the late ninth and tenth centuries AD, Iceland boasts the world’s oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing. The island was independent for over 300 years; subsequently, it was ruled by Norway and Denmark. Iceland was granted limited home rule from Denmark in 1874, and it achieved complete independence on 17 June 1944.

Visual art is the most popular and renowned form of Icelandic arts. It has been built on northern European traditions and is influenced by the landscape and mythology of Iceland. Traditional music, usually cowboy songs and lullabies, remains popular among the locals. Icelandic literature, in particular the sagas and eddas which were written around the time of the island’s settlement, is also popular.

The island is located in Northern Europe, between the Greenland Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, to the northwest of the UK. About 11% of the island is glaciated; many fjords are located along the coastline. The Highlands of Iceland are cold and have a harsh landscape consisting of sands and mountains. The terrain is punctuated with hot springs, geysers, active volcanoes, peaks and vast lava deserts.