The Republic of Iceland, an island of recent volcanic origin in the North Atlantic east of Greenland and immediately south of the Artic Circle, has an area of 39,768 sq. mi. (103,000 sq. km.) and a population of 283,000. Capital: Reykjavik. Fishing is the chief industry and accounts for more than 60 percent of the exports. ,Iceland was settled by Norwegians in the 9th century and established as an independent republic in 930. The Icelandic assembly called the ?Althing,? also established in 930, is the oldest parliament in the world. Iceland came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1262, and passed to Denmark when Norway and Denmark were united under the Danish crown in 1384. In 1918, it was established as a virtually independent kingdom in union with Denmark. On June 17, 1944, while Denmark was still under occupation by troops of the third Reich, Iceland was established by plebiscite as an independent republic.,, Rulers:,,, ,Danish until 1873,, ,Christian IX, 1863-1906,, ,Frederik VIII, 1906-1912,, ,Christian X, 1912-1944,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Krona = 100 Aurar, 1874-,,