IcelandExport.is
Title
Iceland Export Directory. The Official Guide to Quality Products and Services in Iceland.
Description
Iceland was settled by Norwegian and Celtic immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries. The country was independent for over 300 years but then subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. In 1874, Iceland received a constitution from the Danish king and control of its own finances. In 1904 Iceland received home rule and finally in 1918 sovereignty. On 17th of June 1944, the Republic of Iceland was formally proclaimed at Þingvellir.
Iceland is a republic with a written constitution and a parliamentary form of government. The Independence Party (IP) and the Progressive Party (PP) formed a centre-right coalition government in 1995. Today, The Prime Minister is Mr. Halldór Ásgrímsson and the Minister for Foreign Affairs is Mr. Davíð Oddsson. The President is elected by direct popular vote for a term of four years, with no term limit. Today, The President of Iceland is Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson.
The country's written and spoken language is Icelandic, a Nordic language very similar to that spoken by Iceland's first settlers. Icelandic is one of the oldest living languages in Europe. English and Danish are mandatory subjects in school. Very few Icelanders have original surnames and therefore celanders call each other by their first names.
