Introduction

Iceland , the land of fire and ice, occupies a unique position in the North Atlantic , straddling the mid-oceanic ridge and providing a stepping stone for vegetation and birdlife and offering a mixture of volcanic and frozen landscapes. Vegetation has expanded into the newest of the earth's environments, land released from frozen ice and fresh lava.

For years, Iceland has drawn visitors to its legendary natural beauty, its breath-taking views and clear, clean air. In 1871, the English designer of fabrics, William Morris visited Iceland and was so struck by the awe and beauty of the place, that he composed the following poem entitled ‘On First seeing Iceland ':

Morris was also a leading thinker of his time and his political ideas were shaped by the models of independence and democracy he found in Iceland . The Althing at Thingvellir, after all is the site of the oldest known parliament.

Iceland is an island of contrasts. Its unpolluted rivers and lakes are teeming with salmon and trout, while the birdlife and whales and dolphins attract naturalists. Nature has always been a dominant force but in among Iceland 's volcanoes, waterfalls and glaciers, deserts and lava flows, there are fertile farmed valleys and fishing villages located on the shores of scenic fjords. The capital of the nation is Reykjavik with barely 200,000 people, is a vibrant and youthful city and Europe 's most Northerly capital city. The early history of Iceland is shaped by the oral tradition of sagas that rank as world class literature. Iceland became an independent republic in 1944, developing a prosperous economy based on fishing. Its people are well educated with 100% literacy rates, seeking inspiration form both sides of the Atlantic to produce their modern culture that is uniquely Icelandic.