Facts About Iceland That Make It Unlike Any Other Country

By: Michelle Muller | Pulished on 2023-12-26

The Icelandic Calendar

Nowadays, the Gregorian calendar uniforms most modern countries in terms of dates and time. However, different cultures are known to historically have their own year-management systems, and Iceland is no different. Back in the Viking Age, Icelanders had a different month system based on weather and crops.

 

Facts About Iceland That Make It Unlike Any Other Country-Trip Advise

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The Medieval Icelandic calendar was divided into two seasons, summer and winter. The winter months are Gormánuður, Ýlir, Mörsugur, Þorri, Goa, and Einmánuður. The summer months are Harpa, Skerpla, Sólmánuður, and Heyannir.

Iceland's Colonies in Greenland

Vikings are known to have a large portion of their culture centering around sailing. This means they often went on long expeditions, discovering new places and establishing new colonies in those places. Icelanders discovered Greenland (the natives notwithstanding) back in 986 and decided to settle there.

 

Facts About Iceland That Make It Unlike Any Other Country-Trip Advise

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These Icelandic settlements vanished during the 14th and early 15th centuries. Archaeologists have since discovered that the Norse colonies died out as a result of starvation, and the Black Death.

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