Icelanders

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==Icelanders ==

Icelanders (Icelandic: Íslendingar) are a North Germanic ethnic group and nation who are native to the island country of Iceland. They share a common culture and speak the Icelandic language, a North Germanic language that is closely related to Faroese and Western Norwegian dialects.

History

The history of Icelanders dates back to the settlement of Iceland in the 9th century. The first settlers were primarily Norsemen from Norway, along with some Celtic settlers from the British Isles. The Settlement of Iceland is traditionally dated to 874 AD, when the Norwegian chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson became the first permanent settler on the island.

During the Commonwealth period (930-1262), Icelanders established the Althing, one of the world's oldest parliaments. The Age of the Sturlungs in the 13th century was marked by internal strife and power struggles among Icelandic chieftains, leading to the island's submission to the Kingdom of Norway in 1262.

Iceland remained under Norwegian and later Danish rule until it gained full independence in 1944, during World War II.

Culture

Icelandic culture is deeply rooted in its Norse heritage. The Icelandic sagas, written in the 13th century, are a cornerstone of Icelandic literature and provide a rich account of the early history of Icelanders. The Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda are also significant works of Icelandic literature.

Icelanders celebrate several traditional festivals, including Þorrablót, a midwinter festival, and Sumardagurinn fyrsti, the first day of summer. The National Day on June 17th commemorates the foundation of the Republic of Iceland in 1944.

Language

The Icelandic language is a North Germanic language that has changed little since the medieval period. It is the official language of Iceland and is spoken by the vast majority of Icelanders. The language is known for its complex grammar and extensive use of inflection.

Demographics

As of the latest census, the population of Iceland is approximately 370,000. The majority of Icelanders live in the Capital Region, which includes the capital city of Reykjavík and its surrounding municipalities.

Religion

The predominant religion in Iceland is Christianity, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland being the state church. There are also smaller communities of other Christian denominations, as well as followers of Ásatrú, a modern revival of Norse paganism.

Notable Icelanders

• Snorri Sturluson - Historian, poet, and politician, author of the Prose Edda.
• Halldór Laxness - Nobel Prize-winning author.
• Björk - Internationally acclaimed singer and musician.
• Jón Gnarr - Comedian, actor, and former mayor of Reykjavík.

See also

• History of Iceland
• Geography of Iceland
• Culture of Iceland
• Icelandic literature
• Icelandic cuisine