Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1602
Denmark imposes a trade monopoly, giving Danish and Swedish firms exclusive trading rights in
Iceland. This leads to unrestrained profiteering by Danish merchants and Iceland's slow impover-
ishment.
1625-85
Period of the notorious Westfjords witch-hunts: 21 Icelanders are executed, beginning with Jón
Rögnvaldsson, burned at the stake for 'raising a ghost' and possessing sinister-looking runic writ-
ing.
1627
The 'Turkish Abductions' take place: Barbary pirates raid the east of Iceland and the Vestman-
naeyjar, taking hundreds of people prisoner and killing anyone who resists them.
1703
Iceland's first census reveals that the country's population is a tiny 50,358; 55% are female. Men
- physical labourers - are more affected by malnutrition and famine.
1783-84
The Laki crater row erupts, pouring out poisonous gas clouds that kill 25% of the population and
over 50% of livestock. The haze covers Europe, causing freak weather conditions, flooding and
famine.
1786
The official founding of Reykjavík (currently inhabited by fewer than 200 souls). The settlement is
granted a trade charter, and merchants are enticed to settle here with tax breaks.
1855-90
Iceland moves towards independence, with the restoration of free trade and a draft constitution.
Not everyone sticks around to see it: many Icelanders emigrate to start life afresh in North Amer-
ica.
