Nevertheless, the Althing continued to control the national politics of Iceland due to the indifference of the monarch to its remote population.
[5] The traditions of the Icelandic people were to be used to guide the new republic, which hoped to develop independently from Europe, with emphasis on its distinctive culture and history.
Ancestry is considered by Icelandic nationality law to be the important factor in attaining citizenship, rather than place of birth.
In the late 19th century Iceland was faced with a series of natural disasters that forced one fifth of the population to emigrate to North America by 1914.
The volcanic eruption of Askja left the North East of Iceland covered in ash, where the largest number of people were forced to leave the country.
Poor harvests, due to harsh winters and cold summers, throughout the country also forced large populations to leave Iceland.
Public education is funded by the Icelandic government and is compulsory for students fifteen years and younger.
[7] Law provides the right of access to health care for all people who have been residing in the country for six months, regardless of nationality.
[7] Freedom of speech is provided for by law, but public slander based on religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation or skin color is illegal and punishable by fines and imprisonment.
[citation needed] Citizens, therefore, are provided the right to free speech, as long as it does not endanger or demean other people.
All permanent residents over the age of sixteen are considered taxpayers and are provided a tax card, which is used to calculate their contributions.
Due to its strategic location for Trans-Atlantic flights, the United States took an interest in establishing an airbase in Keflavík, for the needs of post war occupation of Germany.
This station was intended for use by the American base only, but by 1959, there were already concerns since Icelandic citizens were able to receive the television signals.
[12] In 1956, a curfew was placed on the American servicemen requiring them to be in their base by ten o'clock, as a way to prevent their presence in the capital.
One of the most important parts of this traditional culture are its sagas, which were passed down from the early Viking settlement of the island, and hold a strong significance towards national identity.
[16][17] It was this pacifism which stopped Iceland from joining the United Nations in 1944, and although it made contributions to the Allies, it would not declare war.
[20] The modern Icelandic language is very similar to that of the Middle Ages, not having changed drastically, making it a source of historical continuity and part of an ongoing perception of the nation.
[21] There has also been an attempt since the seventeenth century to keep the language free from influence of foreign words, which continued as a means to reassert independence.
[23] In 1975, Sweden gave the right to vote in local elections to foreigners from countries within the Nordic Council.
In 1986, Iceland also granted members of the Nordic Council the right to vote in local elections but only after 3 years of residence in the country.
This causes a problems for non-Europeans already residing in Iceland, who are faced with more difficulty when attempting to bring family into the country.