In fact, the poverty rate in Iceland is one of the best in the world. The total poverty rate ratio in Iceland is 0.065. Many of the other Nordic countries, such as Norway and Finland, also post very impressive poverty rates. Iceland’s unemployment rate, another key economic indicator, is also very low.

While Icelandic is the official language, appr. 98% of Icelanders speak English fluently, so the latter is enough to start a new life in Iceland. If you are not a native speaker, note that fluency is absolutely required if you want to do anything other than housekeeping or dishwashing.

After the dissolution of Denmark–Norway Iceland was a part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1918 and a separate kingdom in a personal union with Denmark until 1944, when Iceland declared independence. There are around 18,000 Icelanders living in Denmark and 2,900 Danes living in Iceland.

The recorded history of Iceland began with the settlement by Viking explorers and the people they enslaved from the east, particularly Norway and the British Isles, in the late ninth century.

1000 – 1551). Icelanders (Icelandic: Íslendingar) are a North Germanic ethnic group and nation who are native to the island country of Iceland and speak Icelandic. Icelanders established the country of Iceland in mid 930 A.D. when the Althing (Parliament) met for the first time.

Old Norse

Respectable books and websites will confidently tell you that the Old Norse word “Viking” means “pirate” or “raider”, but is this the case? “Viking” in present-day English can be used as a noun (“a Viking”) or an adjective (“a Viking raid”). Ultimately, it derives from a word in Old Norse, but not directly.

Shield-maidens

‘Viking’ was a job description, not a matter of heredity, massive ancient DNA study shows. Vik means bay in Swedish and other Scandinavian languages. A place where you can embark and sail from. Vikings would be a bay-dweller, and by extension, someone who embarks and travels by ship.

The Vikings originated from the area that became modern-day Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. They settled in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, Greenland, North America, and parts of the European mainland, among other places.

Viking names

• Arne: eagle.
• Birger: keeper.
• Bjørn: bear.
• Bo: the resident.
• Erik: absolute ruler.
• Frode: wise and clever.
• Gorm: he who worships god.
• Halfdan: the half Danish.

The Most Legendary Female Viking Warriors That Ever Lived

• Lagertha. Thanks to Saxo Grammaticus’ Gesta Danorum, we know of a legendary female Viking known as either Lagertha or Ladgerda.
• Shieldmaiden.
• Freydis Eiríksdóttir.

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