Reykjavik - Reykjavik

Reykjavik[1] (Icelandic: Reykjavík) is the capital of Iceland. It is the westernmost capital of Europe and the world's northernmost capital. Its geographic location is 64°08' N latitude and 21°56' W longitude, which is slightly south of the Arctic Circle (66°30' N latitude).

Reykjavik is located in southwest Iceland in the municipality of Reykjavíkurborg on the Kollafjörður fjord, an offshoot of the large Faxaflói bay. In the fjord are six small islands: Viðey, Engey, Þerney, Akurey, Lundey ("Puffin Island") and Grotta. The Geldinganes peninsula is connected to the mainland by a very narrow spit of land. The town itself is mainly on the peninsula Seltjarnarnes. The suburbs are mainly to the south and east of it.

Info

climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	April	May	jun	july	Aug	sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
average maximum (°C)	1.9	2.8	3.2	5.7	9.4	11.7	13.3	13.0	10.1	6.8	3.4	2.2
average minimum (°C)	-3.0	-2.1	-2.0	0.4	3.6	6.7	8.3	7.9	5.0	2.2	-1.3	-2.8
precipitation (mm)	75.6	71.8	81.8	51.3	43.8	50.0	51.8	61.8	66.5	85.6	72.5	78.7
Averages for the period 1961-1990, according to data from the World Meteorological Organisation. For current information, see: Icelandic Meteorological Office.

Reykjavik has about 118,000 inhabitants. This makes it by far the largest and most important city in Iceland. Reykjavik is known for its vibrant nightlife, which attracts affluent young people from all over Europe.

Reykjavik is spread over a large area. High-rise buildings do occur, but low-rise and extensive residential areas dominate and there are several undeveloped areas for recreational purposes. The largest river that runs through the city is the Elliðaá. This is one of the top ten best salmon rivers in Iceland and is unnavigable for boats. Reykjavik is south of Mount Esja, which protects the city from the cold northern winds. The inhabitants are mainly employed in the fishing and manufacturing industry, in addition to the usual trade and services typical of capital cities. There is also a wide variety of light industry. Reykjavik is the rural center for commerce and transportation, government institutions, education, and social and health services. It is also one of the most important fishing ports in the country.

History

This article incorporates information from the Reykjavik article on Wikipedia. See the page history there for the list of authors.

When Ingólfur Arnarson (the first settler to settle permanently on Iceland) approached the south coast of Iceland, he threw two sacred wooden beams (the Öndvegissúlur) dedicated to the Norse god Þor (or Thor) in accordance with the pagan custom of the time. overboard and vowed to build his farm where they would wash ashore. They found his slaves a few years later on the southeast coast of Faxaflói Bay. He settled there about 877. He named the place Reykjavík (Smoke Bay), because he saw steam rising from the hot springs in the area (reykur means smoke, að reykja smoking and vík is small bay or cove). The farm of Íngólfur probably stood on the spot between the present town hall and the old harbour. At the Aðalstræti there is now a well from which Ingólfur is believed to have obtained its water. A statue of him can be seen at Lækjartorg. A phenomenon that now points to the geothermal activity of the area is the trendy shopping street Laugarvegur (away from the hot springs): it is snow and ice-free in the middle of winter thanks to "underfloor heating". The colonization of Iceland is described in detail in the ancient Icelandic Landnámabók (Book of Landname). The founding of the first settlement is also mentioned in the Íslendingabók (Book of the Icelanders). Furthermore, Reykjavik is not actually mentioned in medieval Icelandic literature, except here and there as farmland or as a residential area (see for example chapter 10 in the Holmsveria saga or Hord's saga).

Reykjavik initially consisted as a village of a handful of farms, but around the mid-19th century this small community began to expand around Sheriff Skúli Magnússon's wool dyeing, weaving and rope factory (whose statue on the corner of Aðalstræti and Kirkjustræti state). When Reykjavík was granted city rights in 1786, there were about 170 inhabitants. After this, the town grew slowly and steadily, and within a few decades the seats of government and educational institutions moved (or were established), such as the Alþing (Parliament) of þingvellir, the Supreme Court, the Episcopal See, the Latin School and the Theological School. In 1844, the only printing press in the country was moved from the islet of Viðey to Reykjavik. The University of Iceland was founded in Reykjavik in 1911. In 1900 there were more than 6300 inhabitants. Most of the city's growth has taken place in the 20th century, especially since World War II. On December 1, 2005, Reykjavik itself had 114,800 inhabitants on an area of ​​275 km². In 'Greater Reykjavik' (Reykjavik including the 6 suburbs Mosfellsbær, Seltjarnarnes, Kópavogur, Garðabær, Bessastaðahreppur (or Sveitafélagið Álftanes) and Hafnarfjörður; 994 km²) there lived 183,845. At the time, that was 38.8% and 62.7% respectively of the total population of Iceland (293,291). In January 2006, the population of Iceland passed the 300,000 mark. As of June 16, 2003, Reykjavík itself consists of ten districts: Vesturbær, Miðborg, Hliðar, Laugardalur, Háaleiti, Grafavogur, Breiðholt, Árbær, Úlfarsfell and Kjalanes, each with its own district council.

Neighborhoods and Suburbs of Reykjavík has a modern, 20th-century church, the Hallgrímskirkja, which towers over the city. This church belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church (National Church of Iceland or People's Church), to which 93% of the population belongs. This church building is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson (1614-1675), the country's greatest hymn writer, whose work is still often performed. The architect of the church, Guðjón Samúelsson, was inspired by the large basalt deposits found in Iceland. Construction took 49 years. In 1986 the church was finished. The large bell in the tower bears the text Eysbouts Atensis me fecit and was cast by the Bell Foundry Eijsbouts in Asten.

Since 1968, Reykjavik has been the seat of the Diocese of Reykjavik, an immediate diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, to which 3% of the population belongs. From 1996 to 2007 this was led by the Limburg bishop Joannes Matthijs Gijsen. The cathedral church was built in the 1920s to replace a church building built in 1897 and includes a 14th-century statue of the Virgin Mary and carvings by Icelandic artist Ríkharður Jónsson. The large bell was also cast from this tower by Eijsbouts in Asten.

In 1986, talks took place in Reykjavik between President Ronald Reagan of the United States and his colleague Mikhail Gorbachev of the then Soviet Union. Although no agreement or treaty was concluded at the time, these talks marked the end of the Cold War.

Arrive

By plane

Reykjavik has two airports:

airport Keflavik (Icelandic: Keflavíkurflugvöllur) (IATA: KEF, ICAO: BIKF, also known as Flugstöð Leifs Eiríkssonar and Keflavík International Airport) is the largest airport in Iceland. The airport, named after the explorer Leif Eriksson, is located near the town of Keflavík, about 50 km southwest of Reykjavik.

Reykjavík Airport (Icelandic: Reykjavíkurflugvöllur, (IATA: RKV, ICAO: BIRK) is a smaller airport near the city center. Since this airport has rather short runways, it is mainly used for domestic flights and for flights to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

By train

Iceland is one of the few countries in the world that does not have its own railway network, so you cannot travel to Reykjavik by train.

By car

Reykjavik is easily accessible by car. The town is located on Hringvegur, Iceland's main road connecting most of the important places and looping around the island in a large loop.

By bus

There is a special bus service that takes travelers arriving at Keflavik airport to the center of Reykjavik.

By boat

Several ferries arrive at the port of Reykjavik, however it is not possible to sail directly from the European mainland to Reykjavik. The shipping company Smyril line is well off Torshavn (Faroe Islands) to Seyðisfjorður on the Icelandic east coast, on the other side of the country. You can first depart with the same shipping company from Hanstholm (Denmark) sail to Tórshavn and continue from there.

Travel around

Reykjavik is the ideal starting and ending point for those who want to tour Iceland. In the city there are plenty of options to rent a car.

To look at

Reykjavik has a small and well-arranged center. The distances to the various sights are limited and are therefore ideal for those who like a short city trip. Below is a list of the main attractions:

• perlan (de Parel), from the restaurant you have a beautiful view of the city from a rotating platform, open to the general public.
• The Alþingor parliament.
• At the city pond Tjornin is the modern city hall of Reykjavik.
• The Hallgrimskirkja, the largest church in the city. In front of the church is a statue Leif Ericsson.
• The national cathedral, which is really just a small church.

To do

• Sinfoníuhljomsveit slands[2] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 545 2500 (fax: ( 354) 562 4475), Háskólabíó v/Hagatorg Pósthólf 7052. Watch a performance by the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and experience Reykjavik in a different way.

To learn

• Haskoli Iceland (University of Iceland) [3] (email: [email protected]), Tel ( 354) 525 4000 (fax: ( 354) 552 1331), Sudurgata 1.

• Haskolinn i Reykjavik (University of Reykjavik) [4] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 599 6200 (fax: ( 354) 599 6201), Menntavegi 1.

To work

To buy

Laugavegur, the city's main shopping street, has many trendy boutiques, featuring both Icelandic and international designs. Skólavörðustígur, a street that leads to the Hallgrímskirkja, has a number of interesting souvenir shops where you can also buy handicraft products, here you can find the perfect gift for the family.

If you're looking for international chains like Zara, head to one of the two malls in the metropolitan area: Kringlan in Reykjavik or Smáralind in neighboring Kópavogur. Although you should of course know that everything in Iceland will probably cost a bit more than in your own country. Certain things can easily cost twice as much as in Western Europe. This is mainly due to the high taxes and import duties, although there are exceptions to this rule.

Sales tax is always included in the indicated retail price. It is important to know that all foreign visitors have the right to reclaim their taxes if they have spent more than 4,000 kronor in the same store in one day. Iceland is not a member of the European Union, so visitors from all European countries have this right. Icelanders living abroad are also entitled to a sales tax refund.

Food

Budget

• Bæjarin's administration, Hafnarstræti 17 (at the harbour). The name means "The best in town" and judging by the long lines at the cash registers, it looks like it didn't steal its name. Price range: 260 ISK

Medium

• vegamot[5] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 511-3040, Vegamótastíg 4. A decent fast food restaurant during the day that turns into a disco at night.

• Á Næstu Grosum[6], Phone. ( 354) 552 9410, Laugavegur 20b. A vegetarian restaurant in the city center.

• Kaffi Reykjavik[7] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354)552 3030, Vesturgata 2. A good restaurant with an ice cream bar.

• Austur India Fjelagid, Phone. ( 354) 552-1630, Hverfisgata 56. One of the few Indian restaurants in Reykjavik.

• Saegreifinn, Verbúð 6 (At the harbour). Excellent restaurant for those who like fish dishes. Price category €6 to €18.

• Indian Mango[8], Frakkastigur 12 (side street of Laugavegur), Tel. ( 354) 5517722. An Indian restaurant serving gluten-free dishes, including vegetarian and lactose-free dishes. Highly recommended is the Indian mango cocktail.

Expensive

• shavarkjallarinn[9] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 511-1211, Adalstraeti 2. Highly recommended for fish and seafood lovers, a popular restaurant so you better book.

• humarhusid[10] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 561 3303, Amtmannsstig 1. Very expensive but the dishes are top notch.

• perlan[11] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 562 0200 (fax: ( 354) 562 0207)). The restaurant of the eponymous Perlan (pearl) from which you have a beautiful view of the city.

• domo[12] (email: [email protected]), tel. ( 354) 552 5588, Þingholtsstræti 5. Yet another top restaurant.

Going out

Reykjavik is known for its nightlife, which attracts many wealthy young people from Western Europe. There are also many clubs, bars and cafes in this city.

• Kaffibarinn (K-Bar), Tel. ( 354) 551 1588, Bergstaðarstræti 1.
• b5[13] (email: [email protected]), Tel. ( 354) 552 9600, Bankastræti 5.
• Kofi Tomasar frænda, Phone. ( 354) 551 1855, Laugavegi 2.
• Club 101, Phone. ( 354) 551 0022, Hafnarstræti 1-3.
• Bar 11 Phone. ( 354) 511 1180, Laugavegi 11.
• Hressingarskálinn[14], Phone. ( 354) 561 2240, Austurstræti 20.
• Cafe Culture, Phone. ( 354) 530 9314, Hverfisgata 18.
• Dillon Rock Bar[15], Phone. ( 354) 5782424, Laugavegur 30.
• Bjarni Fel, Austurstrati 20.
• The English Pub, Phone. ( 354) 578 0400, Austurstræti 12.
• The Celtic Cross, Phone. ( 354) 511 3240, Hverfisgata 26

stay overnight

Budget

Medium

Expensive

Communication

Most people under the age of forty have some knowledge of English, but don't expect everyone to speak to you in English, so it might be helpful to learn some basic Icelandic concepts. Although this is especially the case in more remote places outside the capital.

Quite a few residents of Reykjavik will also be able to speak to you in German or in a Scandinavian language.

Safety

Reykjavik is a very safe city and Iceland is a very safe country. There is little to no crime and tourists can travel to this city carefree. The police are friendly and helpful.

The situation on the road is also very safe. This is mainly because, apart from the center of the city, there is relatively little traffic even in the densely populated metropolitan area.

Daily life

all around

• Just outside of Reykjavik there are some top tourist attractions, that's it Thingvellir National Park and the other attractions (the geysers of Geysir National Park and the waterfall Gullfoss) of the so-called "Golden Circle" easily accessible from Reykjavik by car.
• South of Reykjavik is the Blue Lagoon (Bláa Lónið).

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