Sagas, Sheep and Parliaments: Iceland's Past
From Viking settlers to the world's oldest surviving parliament, Iceland's history is as dramatic as its volcanoes.
- Moʻolelo
- Nā pākeke
- Waena
- Hoʻonaʻauao
- 10 nīnau
- ma kahi o 5 minuke
- Manaʻo loiloi ma hope o kēlā me kēia nīnau
E kaha mua i “ʻAʻole au he lopako”.
Nānā i nā nīnau
ʻAʻole i hōʻike ʻia nā pane pololei, i mea e pūʻiwa ai ʻoe ke pāʻani ʻoe.
Nīnau 1
Who is traditionally named as Iceland's first permanent settler?
- Erik the Red
- Ingólfur Arnarson
- Leif Erikson
- Harald Fairhair
Nīnau 2
In what year was the Althing, Iceland's parliament, founded?
- 1262
- 874
- 930
- 1000
Nīnau 3
Around the year 1000, the Althing decided Iceland would adopt which religion?
- Christianity
- Norse paganism
- Islam
- Judaism
Nīnau 4
Which kingdom did Iceland submit to in 1262–1264, ending the Commonwealth era?
- Denmark
- Sweden
- Scotland
- Norway
Nīnau 5
Which Icelandic chieftain and writer composed the Prose Edda?
- Egill Skallagrímsson
- Snorri Sturluson
- Ari the Learned
- Njáll Þorgeirsson
Nīnau 6
The 1783–84 Laki eruption caused the 'Mist Hardships'. What was its worst effect in Iceland?
- It buried Reykjavík in lava
- It caused a tsunami
- Famine killing about a fifth of the people
- It split the island in two
Nīnau 7
On which date did Iceland become a fully independent republic?
- 1 December 1918
- 17 June 1944
- 17 June 1811
- 1 May 1949
Nīnau 8
Which country occupied Iceland first during World War II, in 1940?
- Germany
- The United States
- Britain
- Soviet Union
Nīnau 9
The 'Cod Wars' of 1958–1976 were disputes between Iceland and which country?
- Norway
- Denmark
- Russia
- The United Kingdom
Nīnau 10
In 1980, Iceland made history by electing Vigdís Finnbogadóttir. Why?
- First democratically elected female president
- First president born abroad
- Youngest head of state ever
- First president from Reykjavík






