New Iceland
Nýja Ísland | |
---|---|
Settlement | |
Country | Canada |
Province | Manitoba |
Region | Interlake |
New Iceland (Icelandic: Nýja Ísland ) is the name of a region on Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba founded by Icelandic settlers in 1875.
The community of Gimli, which is home to the largest concentration of Icelanders outside of Iceland, is seen as the core of New Iceland.[1] Other rural areas of Manitoba settled by Icelanders include Lundar (on Lake Manitoba); Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park (on Lake Winnipeg); Glenboro, in the southwestern region of the province; Selkirk, north of Winnipeg; and Morden to the south.[2]
The dream was for Icelanders to found their own colony, a land where the Icelanders could stay together, speak their language, and keep their customs. This land was found in the district of Keewatin, north of the newly formed province of Manitoba. New Iceland followed the shore of Lake Winnipeg from Winnipeg Beach to Icelandic River, about forty-two miles long and about eleven miles wide.