Settlement of Iceland

The settlement of Iceland occurred mainly during the late 9th and early 10th centuries when Norse Vikings, seeking new land, arrived and established communities. Around 870 AD, the first settlers, mostly from Norway, began clearing the land for farming and living. They organized their society with chieftains and established a unique legal assembly called the Althing, one of the oldest parliaments in the world. Over time, Iceland developed a distinct culture and governance, maintaining independence for centuries until it became part of Denmark in the 14th century. This settlement process shaped Iceland’s social structure, laws, and national identity.