How closely related are Icelanders?

They both log into a family-tree website, Islendingabok. And that’s where things get awkward. There are only 320,000 people who live in Iceland, and most are descended from a small clan of Celtic and Viking settlers. Thus, many Icelanders are distant (or close) relatives.

Is there a lot of inbreeding in Iceland?

With a population of 330,000, Iceland is a country with its own peculiarities. Genes are no exception: isolation and inbreeding throughout its history make this northern Atlantic island a paradise for genetic studies. Present-day Icelanders have been affected by 1,100 years of profound genetic drift.

What is the DNA of Icelandic people?

Despite Iceland’s historical isolation, the genetic makeup of Icelanders today is still quite different from the founding population, due to founder effects and genetic drift. One study found that the mean Norse ancestry among Iceland’s settlers was 56\%, whereas in the current population the figure was 70\%.

Is everyone in Iceland descended from Vikings?

Icelanders are undoubtedly the descendants of Vikings. Before the Vikings arrived in Iceland the country had been inhabited by Irish monks but they had since then given up on the isolated and rough terrain and left the country without even so much as a listed name.

Why are names banned in Iceland?

The country has some of the strictest naming laws in the world, with parents expected to choose from a pre-authorised list. If anyone wants a name not on the list they must apply for permission, as the new parents did. But it was rejected because the name had “Satanic” links, and didn’t conform to the Icelandic tongue.

Does Iceland have a incest problem?

In Iceland, a country with a population of 320,000 where most everyone is distantly related, inadvertently kissing cousins is a real risk. A new smartphone app is on hand to help Icelanders avoid accidental incest. The app lets users “bump” phones, and emits a warning alarm if they are closely related.

Are Icelanders blonde?

Icelanders also have a healthy dose of brunettes and redheads. In fact, it is thought that up to 50\% of the Icelandic gene pool is from Ireland. Thus, the most common hair colour is a dark blonde, or mousey brown… whilst the most common eye-colour is blue (—fine, some stereotypes live up to the name.)

Did the Irish discover Iceland?

The presence of Celtic stock among the first arrivals in Iceland is confirmed by numerous written references in both the Book of Settlements and the Book of Icelanders. In the former is found a comprehensive list of 400 names, of which at least 60 are distinctly Celtic.

Why are turtles illegal in Iceland?

Later that decade in Iceland, a turtle infected its owners with Salmonella. “The main reason why snakes and turtles are banned is because they are a common source of Salmonella,” explains Þorvaldur—and the infection can be deadly.