Incredible photos capture Iceland in the 1930s

Iceland is a Nordic island country between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. It has a population of 329,100 and an area of 103,000 km² (40,000 sq mi), making it the most sparsely populated country in Europe.The capital and largest city is Reykjavík. Reykjavík and the surrounding areas in the southwest of the country are home to over two-thirds of the population. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. The interior consists of a plateau characterised by sand and lava fields, mountains and glaciers, while many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate, despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle. Its high latitude and marine influence still keeps summers chilly, with most of the archipelago having a tundra climate.

 

Three men from the Faeroe Islands at Thingvellir, where an international students’ meeting is going on. Thingvellir was declared a national park in 1930, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage

 

_The Viking_ at Armansfell, Thingvellir

 

Fríkirkjan (the Free Church) on the eastern shore of the small lake Tjörnin in Reykjavik

 

Icelandic women in traditional costumes, waitresses at a hotel at Thingvellir. Thingvellir was declared a national park in 1930, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage

 

King Christian X visiting the student camp at Thingvellir, Iceland

According to Landnámabók, the settlement of Iceland began in the year 874 when the Norwegian chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson became the first permanent settler on the island. In the following centuries, mainly Norwegians and to a smaller extent other Scandinavians settled Iceland, bringing with them thralls of Gaelic origin.From 1262 to 1814, Iceland was ruled byNorway and afterwards by Denmark. Until the 20th century, the country relied largely on fishing and agriculture. Iceland became independent in 1918 and a republic in 1944. Industrialisation of the fisheries and Marshall Plan aid following World War II brought prosperity and Iceland became one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world. In 1994, it became a part of theEuropean Economic Area, which supported diversification into economic and financial services.

Stallion-baiting at Armannsfell, Thingvellir

 

The aeroplane on its way at lake Thingvallavatn

 

Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), at the south coast of Iceland

 

The Danish ship Saint Olav at anchor in the roadstead at Reykjavik

 

Thingvellir church and vicarage. Thingvellir was declared a national park in 1930, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage

The culture of Iceland is rich and varied as well as being known for its literary heritage which began in the 12th century. Other Icelandic traditional arts include weaving, silversmithing, and wood carving. The Reykjavík area has several professional theatres, a symphony orchestra, an opera, and a large number of art galleries, bookstores, cinemas, and museums. There are also four active folk dance ensembles in Iceland. Iceland’s literacy rate is among the highest in the world, and a love of literature, art, chess, and other intellectual pursuits is widespread.

Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), at the south coast of Iceland

 

View of Reykjavik and Faxa bay from the Catholic Cathedral

 

Photos by Berit Wallenberg