More Iceland Facts from Wikipedia

Iceland is the world's 18th largest island between Cuba and Mindanao (Phillipines). It's larger than Ireland which is #20 on the list. Smaller than Honshu which is #7.

Iceland's interior is cold and uninhabitable due to sand and mountains.

The volcanic eruption of Laki Volcano in 1783–1784 caused a famine that killed nearly a quarter of the island's population. The eruption caused dust clouds and haze to appear over most of Europe and parts of Asia and Africa for several months after the eruption.

The climate of Iceland's coast is subpolar oceanic. The warm North Atlantic Current ensures generally higher annual temperatures than in most places of similar latitude in the world. The winters are mild and windy while the summers are damp and cool.

There are around 1,300 known species of insects in Iceland, which is a rather low number compared with other countries.

The first known permanent Norse settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, who built his homestead in Reykjavík in 874. Ingólfur was followed by many other emigrant settlers, largely Norsemen and their Irish slaves.

Icelandic is the only living language to retain the runic letter Þ.

Iceland ranks first on the Human Development Index, and was recently ranked the fourth happiest country in the world.

The main traditional sport in Iceland is Glíma, a form of wrestling, thought to have originated in medieval times. (Another connection. Derek wrestled in High School and was Co-Captain of his team.)