Þingvellir, situated on the northern shore of Þingvallavatn in southwest Iceland. In the year 930, the Alþingi, one of the oldest parliamentary institutions of the world, was founded here.
Þingvellir became a national park in 1928 due to its historical importance, as well as the special tectonic and volcanic environment.
The continental drift can be clearly seen in the cracks or faults which are traversing the region, the biggest one, Almannagjá, being a veritable canyon. This causes also the often measurable earthquakes in the area. The river Öxará traverses the national park and forms a waterfall at the Almannagjá, called Öxaráfoss.
