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Wikipedia: Iceland/History
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Background:
Settled by Norwegians and Celtic? (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th? and [10th centuries]?, Iceland boasts the world's oldest parliament, the Althing?, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Limited home rule was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
The isolated location of Iceland has resulted in limited immigration and limited genetic inflow in its human population over hundreds of years. This resulting genetic similarity is being exploited today for genetic studies.