History of Iceland

Icelandic Commonwealth, 930 CE–1262 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Icelandic Commonwealth, also known as the Icelandic Free State, was the political unit existing in Iceland between the establishment of the Althing in 930 and the pledge of fealty to the Norwegian king with the Old Covenant in 1262. The Icelandic Commonwealth had a unique political system whereby chieftains (goðar) established a common legal code and settled judicial disputes at the Althing, a national assembly. However, there was no executive body in Iceland that enforced the legal code. During the 13th century, Iceland came under the control of the Kingdom of Norway.

Seat of power: Thingvellir National Park

Kingdom of Iceland, 1918–1944 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Kingdom of Iceland was an associated state of Denmark (prior to its invasion by Nazi Germany) and kingdom under a personal union that was established by the Act of Union signed on 1 December 1918. The Parliament of Iceland asked that Denmark represent Iceland internationally, and day-to-day matters were delegated to a Danish plenipotentiary for Icelandic affairs based in Reykjavík. On 1 December 1918, the Act of Union, an agreement with Denmark, recognized Iceland as a fully sovereign state, an independent country in personal union with Denmark through a common monarch. Following a constitutional referendum in May 1944, Iceland formally became a republic on 17 June 1944.

Seat of power: Reykjavík

Rulers

• Christian X of Denmark, monarch of Iceland, 1918–1944

Iceland, 1944 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

During the occupation of Denmark in World War II, Iceland voted overwhelmingly to become a republic in 1944, ending its remaining formal ties to Denmark. Industrialisation of the fisheries and Marshall Plan aid after World War II brought prosperity, and Iceland became one of the world's wealthiest and most developed nations. The 1970s were marked by the Cod Wars, which were several disputes with the United Kingdom over Iceland's extension of its fishing limits to 200 nmi (370 km) offshore. In 1994 it became a part of the European Economic Area, further diversifying its economy into sectors such as finance, biotechnology, and manufacturing.

Seat of power: Reykjavík

Rulers

• Sveinn Björnsson, President of Iceland, 1944–1952
• Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, President of Iceland, 1952–1968
• Kristján Eldjárn, President of Iceland, 1968–1980
• Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland, 1980–1996
• Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland, 1996–2016
• Guðni Jóhannesson, President of Iceland, 2016–2024
• Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, 2024 to today