Early explorations and discoveries in the Far North -- The colonization of Iceland -- Organization of the Icelandic state and government -- Introduction of Christianity -- Climate and natural conditions in Iceland. Early social life -- Discovery and colonization of Greenland. Discovery of the American continent. The Vinland voyages -- Development of Scaldic song and saga literature -- Civil strife in Iceland. Conditions in the church. Snorri Sturlason -- The Sturlung period of civil war -- Union of Norway and Iceland. Growing ascendancy of the clergy -- Growing influence of the Norwegian government. Great calamities resulting in general distress. Decline of intellectual life and literary art -- English commerce with Iceland. The Icelandic church. Intercourse of the Hanseatic cities with Iceland -- The reformation of Iceland -- Great calamities. The Danish trade monopoly. New literary activity -- Commerce with Iceland during the Napoleonic Wars. The adventurer Jorgen Jorgensen. Improvement of economic conditions after 1814 -- Romanticism in Iceland. Struggle for autonomy. The Icelandic Constitution of 1874. Improved economic conditions -- Realism in Icelandic literature. Modern intellectual life in Iceland -- Struggle for independence. Iceland proclaimed a sovereign state. Recent economic development -- Icelandic immigration. The Icelanders in America.