The Þingvellir rift valley was the site of the Alþing, the world’s first democratic parliament, established by the Vikings in 930. Parliamentary sessions were held in this valley until 1799, after which it was moved to Reykjavik.

In the distance (left of center) is Mount Skjaldbreiður, a shield volcano whose huge and protracted eruption 9,000 years ago resulted in the lava flows that formed the basin of Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, and Þingvellir.