Iceland civics quiz: questions and answers
All 22 general civics quiz questions about Iceland with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Constitution and government 8 questions
Head of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.
Practise only: Constitution and government →
In which year was Iceland’s parliament, the Althingi, founded?
930
Founded at Þingvellir in 930, it is one of the world's oldest parliaments.
How many members does the Althingi have?
63
Sixty-three members elected for four years.
How is the President of Iceland chosen?
Directly elected for a four-year term
Articles 3 to 6 of the Constitution provide for direct election every four years.
Which church does Article 62 of the Constitution protect as the national church?
The Evangelical Lutheran Church
Article 62 of the Constitution of Iceland.
What is the capital of Iceland?
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland, and the seat of the Althingi.
What is the name of Iceland’s parliament?
Althingi
Iceland's parliament is the Althingi (Alþingi). The others are the parliaments of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
How long is the term of office of the President of Iceland?
Four years
The President of Iceland is directly elected by the people for a four-year term.
Which alliance did Iceland join as a founding member in 1949?
NATO
Iceland was a founding member of NATO in 1949. It is not a member of the European Union, and the Nordic Council was founded in 1952.
History and national symbols 8 questions
Independence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.
Practise only: History and national symbols →
On what date did Iceland become a republic?
17 June 1944
The republic was proclaimed at Þingvellir; 17 June is the National Day.
What is Iceland’s national anthem?
Lofsöngur (Ó, guð vors lands)
Lyrics by Matthías Jochumsson and music by Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnsson, 1874.
On what date did Iceland gain sovereignty in a personal union with Denmark?
1 December 1918
The Act of Union of 1918; 1 December is Sovereignty Day.
What does the Icelandic flag look like?
A red cross bordered in white on a blue field
Adopted in 1915 and made official in 1944.
Who is traditionally regarded as Iceland’s first permanent settler?
Ingólfur Arnarson
According to tradition, Ingólfur Arnarson settled in Reykjavík in 874 and is regarded as the first permanent settler.
In 1918 Iceland became a sovereign state in a personal union with which country?
Denmark
On 1 December 1918 Iceland became the sovereign Kingdom of Iceland, sharing its king with Denmark.
Iceland became a republic on 17 June of which year?
1944
The Republic of Iceland was founded at Þingvellir on 17 June 1944. 17 June is now the National Day.
With which country did Iceland have the “Cod Wars” over fishing rights?
United Kingdom
In the Cod Wars between the 1950s and 1970s, Iceland and the United Kingdom clashed over fishing limits around Iceland.
Geography and society 6 questions
Capital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.
Practise only: Geography and society →
Which of these organisations is Iceland NOT a member of?
The European Union
Iceland joined NATO in 1949, the EEA in 1994 and Schengen in 2001 but is not an EU member.
What is Iceland’s largest glacier?
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull covers about 8% of the country.
What is the highest peak in Iceland?
Hvannadalshnúkur (2,110 m)
It stands on the Öræfajökull volcano.
What is Iceland’s currency?
The Icelandic króna
The króna (ISK) is issued by the Central Bank of Iceland.
What is the currency of Iceland?
Icelandic króna
Iceland uses its own currency, the Icelandic króna. As it is not an EU member, it does not use the euro.
Which place, where the Althingi first met, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Þingvellir
Þingvellir National Park, where the Althingi met from 930, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Iceland Civics format.