Iceland is one of the world's most unique countries. It is a remote, far northern land that holds many mysteries and contradictions. This small island is precariously perched at the northernmost edge of the inhabited world. No other national capital lies further north than Iceland's political center and largest city, Reykjavik. Iceland's physical landforms have been shaped and reshaped by the opposing agents of fire and ice. As measured by the duration of human settlement, it is one of the world's youngest countries. The first inhabitants were Irish monks who sought a secluded life here during the eighth century, a little over 1,200 years ago. Yet in that short span of time, Iceland has had the world's longest continuously functioning government body-the Althing. Iceland's people have achieved one of the highest standards of living in the world in an environment that poses many more challenges than it provides resources.