This is a well-written resource for those wanting to know about Iceland.  Iceland is a large, volcanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean that has a history dating back to the 800s when Irish monks first settled.  Norway followed and began one of the world’s oldest governments, the Althing, or Icelandic parliament.  Most of the island is glaciers, volcanic lava rock, and natural hot springs.  Because of earthquakes and eruptions, the island is constantly changing and different regions can be remarkably varied.  Weather conditions and life can be harsh, yet beautiful and breath-taking.  Wildlife and plants need to be able to adapt to bitter cold and short growing seasons.  History from the early Viking days to modern life in the 21st century is related in ample detail.  A pronunciation key is provided to help read the Icelandic language.  Fact boxes with illustrations complement many pages.  This book is filled with amazing little details in a variety of topics.  The many photographs are captioned and well paired with he text.  Information is comprehensive.  A timeline compares Icelandic history to world history from ca 2500 BCE to 2011.  Four pages of fast facts include the normal longest, highest, government information as well as economy, common phrases, and prominent people.  Recommendations for further reading, music, and an internet site are provided along with an extensive index.