http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/7961_other-iceland.htm Check out some of the recently updated travel & vacation listings on RealAdventures. Be inspired, go explore! en-us Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:54:00 GMT Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:54:00 GMT http://RealAdventures.com http://RealAdventures.com/vacations/7961_other-iceland.htm 100 100 http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1097231_Apartmenthouse-Forsaela-Reykjavik-Iceland?Source=RSS http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1097231_Apartmenthouse-Forsaela-Reykjavik-Iceland?Source=RSS Vacation Rentals Iceland Tue, 18 Oct 2005 00:10:00 Experience the friendly atmosphere and personal service of Forsaela Apartmenthouse. By renting a holiday home youll meet local people and enjoy native cuisine. - US $116 Per Night/Room

Apartmenthouse Forsaela Reykjavik, Iceland
.Iceland, Iceland Vacation Rentals - US $116 Per Night/Room

Experience the friendly atmosphere and personal service of Forsaela Apartmenthouse. By renting a holiday home youll meet local people and enjoy native cuisine.
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]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1024359_Travel-Consideration-Iceland?Source=RSS http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1024359_Travel-Consideration-Iceland?Source=RSS Official Info Iceland Mon, 23 Oct 2000 00:10:00 US State Department Travel Considerations for Iceland - Travel Consideration Iceland
.Iceland, Iceland Official Info -

Iceland is a highly developed stable democracy with a modern economy.
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]]> http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1024128_Background-Notes-Iceland?Source=RSS http://RealAdventures.com/listings/1024128_Background-Notes-Iceland?Source=RSS Official Info Iceland Fri, 06 Oct 2000 00:10:00 U.S. Department Of State information for the Republic of Iceland - Background Notes Iceland
.Iceland, Iceland Official Info -

Most Icelanders are descendants of Norwegian settlers and Celts from the British Isles, and the population is remarkably homogeneous. According to Icelandic Government statistics, 99% of the nation's inhabitants live in urban areas (localities with populations greater then 200) and 60% live in Reykjavik and the surrounding area. Of the Nordic languages, the Icelandic language is closest to the Old Norse language and has remained relatively unchanged since the 12th century.

About 91% of the population belong to the state church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, or other Lutheran Churches. However, Iceland has complete religious liberty, and other Protestant and Roman Catholic congregations are present.

Most Icelandic surnames are based on patronymy, or the adoption of the father's first given name. For example, Magnus and Anna, children of a man named Petur, would hold the surname Petursson and Petursdottir, respectively. Magnus' children, in turn, would inherit the surname Magnusson, while Anna's children would claim their father's first given name as their surname. Women normally maintain their original surnames after marriage. This system of surnames is required by law, except for the descendants of those who had acquired family names before 1913. Most Icelanders, while reserved by nature, rarely call each other by their surnames, and even phone directories are based on first names. Because of its small size and relative homogeneity, Iceland holds all the characteristics of a very closeknit society.

Cultural Achievements

The Sagas, almost all written between 11801300 A.D., remain Iceland's best known literary accomplishment, and they have no surviving counterpart anywhere in the Nordic world. Based on Norwegian and Icelandic histories and genealogies, the Sagas present views of Nordic life and times up to 1100 A.D. The Saga writers sought to record their heroes' great achievements and to glorify the virtues of courage, pride, and honor, focusing in the later Sagas on early Icelandic settlers.

Unlike its literature, Iceland's fine arts did not flourish until the 19th century because the population was small and scattered. Iceland's most famous painters are Asgrimur Jonsson, Jon Stefansson, and Johannes Kjarval, all of whom worked during the first half of the 20th century. The bestknown modern sculptor, Asmundur Sveinsson (18931982), drew his inspiration from Icelandic folklore and the Sagas for many of his works.

The best known Icelandic writer in this century is the Nobel Prize winner Halldor Laxness. The literacy rate is 100%, and literature and poetry are a passion with the population. Per capita publication of books and magazines is the highest in the world. In a population of 265,000 people, 1993 data show five daily newspapers, 78 other newspapers, and 629 periodicals.

Kristjan Johannsson is Iceland's most famous opera singer, while pop singer Bjork is probably its best known artist in this century.


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