Facts About Iceland That Make It Unlike Any Other Country

The Longest-Running Parliament

Althingi is the national parliament in Iceland and it's also the longest-running parliament in the world. First founded in 930, the first assembly was attended by all free men.

 

Alamy Stock Photo by Zoltan Bagosi

 

The Althingi continued existing in some form, even when Icelanders submitted to the authority of the Norwegian king in the 13th century and thereafter to the Danish monarchy till the end of the 14th century. It was disbanded only in 1800 by royal command. This parliamentary building was re-established in Reykjavík and assembled again in 1845.

The Colors of Iceland's Flag

A blue flag with a red cross inside a white cross, the Icelandic flag was adopted in 1918 and represents its independence from ruling Denmark. The colors in the Icelandic flag reflect the three elements which make up the little island's landscape.

 

Getty Images Photo by Sportactive

 

Red represents the fire from the volcanoes, white symbolizes the ice and snow, and blue is for the mountains of the island when looked at from the coast.