Why Is Iceland Sparsely Populated?

Iceland's low population (~360,000, mostly in Reykjavík) stems from:

• Harsh climate: Sub-Arctic; long dark winters, short cool summers (Jan avg 0°C, Jul avg 10°C).
• Volcanic activity: Active volcanoes (e.g., 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption disrupted Europe).
• Scarce resources: Few minerals, little arable land.
• Isolation: Remote in North Atlantic, far from other landmasses.
• High cost of living: Expensive food, transport, housing.

These factors make large-scale settlement difficult.