Whales and seals are found along the coast. Especially numerous are herring and cod. Their Way of Life and Culture Irish monks established early isolated settlements in Iceland, but Norwegians arriving from AD 874 were primarily responsible for the island's continuous occupation and population growth. In addition to the Norwegian stock, large numbers of the early settlers came from the British Isles. Traders from the Black Sea and Mediterranean areas also culturally influenced the island.
Icelandic culture is similar to that of the Scandinavian countries, especially Norway.
The Icelandic language is primarily Old Norse or old Norwegian in character, although it varies considerably from modern Norwegian. The Evangelical Lutheran church is the state church, but the people are free to worship as they please. Education levels are high in Iceland, where more books and newspapers are published per person than in any other nation. The University of Iceland in Reykjav k, founded in 1911, is free to citizens. Schooling is required through age 16.