Interesting Iceland Facts:

Iceland's society began around 780, and is one of the longest running, steady societies in the world.

Last names here are different than in the States.  Children take the first name of their father as their last name, followed by son or daughter (dottir).  For example, the son of Erik Gotharsson and Janne Thorsdottir (who they named Jon) would be Jon Eriksson.  Their daughter (Malde) would be Malde Eriksdottir.  Neat huh?  And in the above case, Erik's father was Gothar, and Janne's father was Thor.  There's a computer program that can track family names all the way back to the 800s! 

Iceland's population is 9 times greater than Greenland's, but has 1/5th the landmass.  The majority of people live in the country's capital, Reykjavík.  Most of the interior of the island is uninhabited/uninhabitable. 

Did you know that Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song" is about Iceland (and Vikings)?  Listen to it and see… (and the lyrics are below)

Immigrant Song
(Page/Plant)

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.

The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands, To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.

How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore, Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.

So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins, For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.