Iceland
The Land of Volcanic Rock
Before You Read
• depend
be controlled or determined by
• sovereignty
the authority of a state to govern itself or another state
• latitude
the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth’s equator, or of a celestial
object north or south of the celestial equator, usually expressed in degrees and minutes
• jurisdiction
the official power to make legal decisions and judgments
• migrate
(of a person) move from one area or country to settle in another, esp. in search of
work
While You Read
• famine (15):
In 1875, fallout from the volcano Askja induced widespread famine across the
country, causing over 20 % of the popular to emigrate to Canada and the unoted
States over the next twenty-five years
• fallout:
radioactive particles that are carried into the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion
or accident and gradually fall back a dust or in precipitation
• popular:
all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country
• plateau (8): the landscape is predominately made up of plateau with
mountain peaks and ice fields, making it a paradise for outdoor adventures
:an area of relatively level high ground
• fjord(s) (11): … Iceland also has an abundance of spoiling geysers,
volcanoes, raging rivers, waterfalls, bays, and fjords
fjords: a long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway
and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley
• geyser: a hot spring in which water intermittently boils, sending a tall column
of water and steam into the air
• islet(s): (3) the country is actually an island with lslets surrounding it in
the north Atlantic ocean
: a small island
• settlement: (12) Iceland was first established as settlement in 874 by
Norwegian chieftain named Ingolfur Arnarson;…
:a place, typically one that has hitherto been uninhabited, where people
establish a community
The Words You May Need to Know
•
•
•
•
•
•
precipitation: rain or snow that falls to the ground
predominately: mainly; for the most part
chieftain: the leader of a people or klan
induce: bring bout or give rise to
work force: the people engaged or available for work
mutton: the flesh of sheep, used for food
• diary: food made from or containing milk
• northernmost: the north end
• welfare: statutory procedure or social effort designed
to promote the basic physical and material well-being of
people in need