'New Iceland' in Canada

[Loki]

Close-Up: The Canadian town known as 'New Iceland'

This BBC News series focuses on aspects of life in countries and cities around the world. What may seem ordinary and familiar to the people who live there can be surprising to those who do not.

The Canadian town of Gimli is known as "New Iceland" because the area was settled by Icelandic immigrants in the late 1870s and has kept its Icelandic heritage, customs and language.

Now, with their homeland suffering economic troubles, a fresh wave of Icelanders is arriving in the area seeking work.

Brandy Yanchyk visited Gimli to get a taste of the town and find out why people feel at home 3,000 miles away from Reykjavik.

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I'm not sure if non-UK residents can watch the BBC video, but give it a try.

[BeerBaron]

Great! I'd much rather the Icelandic people come here than assholes from the middle east india or china.

[tschort]

yeah, send some icelanders here too

[Oreka Bailoak]

The video works here in America (BBC videos are often blocked for me). I wish we had more immigrants that looked as good as that last couple.

Canadian accents always sound ridiculously friendly. A boot. Eh? lol

[Bloodeagle]

Gimli is the source of Crown Royal whiskey.

These town folks would be worshiped as gods if they were to visit us, here.

[Óttar]

Iceland is awesome.

They are the land that time forgot. One can get a taste of their language in my signature. (Hyndluljoth, 10)

[Thraex]

That is very cool, a mini colonial zone for Icelanders.