Þingvellir National Park holds much significance, both culturally and geographically. Geographically, Iceland is situated straddling the North American and European tectonic plates. Here at Þingvellir, you can actually see the rift where the island is splitting apart and growing at a rate of roughly 2 centimeters a year.

Culturally, this is the traditional site of the Alþingi, Iceland's parliament. Iceland claims to have the world's longest continually meeting parliament, which began meeting in this region in the year 930. These meetings were initially open-air affairs; later, a building was constructed for the purpose, and it still stands here today. The parliament, however, now meets in Reykjavik.