Iceland

[ahys-luh nd] /ˈaɪs lənd/

noun

a large island in the N Atlantic between Greenland and Scandinavia. 39,698 sq. mi. (102,820 sq. km).

a republic including this island and several smaller islands: formerly Danish; independent since 1944.

Capital: Reykjavik.

Related forms

Icelander

[ahys-lan-der, -luh n-der] /ˈaɪsˌlæn dər, -lən dər/ (Show IPA), noun

Examples from the web for Iceland

In the fourteenth century there were no urban settlements in Iceland.

British Dictionary definitions for Iceland

Iceland

/ˈaɪslənd/

noun

an island republic in the N Atlantic, regarded as part of Europe: settled by Norsemen, who established a legislative assembly in 930; under Danish rule (1380–1918); gained independence in 1918 and became a republic in 1944; contains large areas of glaciers, snowfields, and lava beds with many volcanoes and hot springs (the chief source of domestic heat); inhabited chiefly along the SW coast. The economy is based largely on fishing and tourism. Official language: Icelandic. Official religion: Evangelical Lutheran. Currency: króna. Capital: Reykjavik. Pop: 315 281 (2013 est). Area: 102 828 sq km (39 702 sq miles)

Iceland in Culture

Iceland definition

Island republic in the north Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Arctic Circle, west of Norway and southeast of Greenland. Its capital and largest city is Reykjavik.

Note: Iceland proclaimed its independence from Denmark in 1944.

Note: It is a member of NATO.

Note: A unique combination of glaciers and plate tectonics has resulted in an unusual land surface, dominated by a rugged coastline, hot springs, geysers, and volcanoes.