Norse Colonization of Iceland

Iceland, uninhabited before its discovery by Norwegians in the late 9th century, became a key area for Norse settlement. By 930, the island had been divided among 400 Norse chieftains, marking the establishment of a decentralized society based on clan rule. This period of settlement was part of the broader Viking expansion, as Norwegians sought new lands for farming and settlement due to limited arable land at home. Iceland's discovery and colonization reflected Norway’s outward expansion during the Viking Age.