Žingvellir, or in English, "Thingvellir", located about 15 miles East of Reykjavik, is where the American and European tectonic plates of the earth meet and are visible above ground. Vikings established the world's first democratic parliament which met there from 930 A.D. until the 1700's. The acoustics within the chasm are such that a whisper is greatly amplified. The volcanic rocks and landscape are simply incredible. A pathway leads from the flat plain through the rift up to a dramatic view, overlooking lake Žingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake.