Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland. This is the largest settlement of the island state. It is deservedly considered the scientific and economic center of the country. Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the world. This city has a unique geographical location. In the article we learn in more detail where Reykjavik is located.
Location
So where is Reykjavik located? In the south-west of Iceland, on the territory of the Seltjadnarnes peninsula. It is located near the Arctic Circle, in the north of the Atlantic. Latitude and longitude of Reykjavik - 64 ° 08′07 ″ s. w. and 21 ° 53′43 ″ s. e., respectively. Altitude reaches thirty-seven meters. The city of Reykjavik is located in the zone of shear of tectonic plates. For this reason, there are small earthquakes.
Description
Reykjavik has a very compact size (274.5 km²), despite being the largest city in the country. It can be reached on foot in less than one day. The capital has a population of about 119 thousand people. If we take into account satellite cities, this is more than 200 thousand people, which is 63 percent of the population of all of Iceland.
The name of the city in translation means "smoking bay." It is received, thanks to a couple coming from hot geysers. Reykjavik is also called the "tourist gate" of Iceland.
This is a city that is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Reykjavik is built up with low-rise buildings with multi-colored roofs. The city is very green and picturesque. There are many lawns and groves, as well as beautiful clear lakes with clear water.
On the territory of Reykjavik flows the river Edlidaau, which is rich in fish. It does not have developed shipping. The capital of Iceland is characterized by surprisingly clean air, from which dizzy. All this is due to the lack of industrial enterprises. Here even houses are heated by hot water from natural sources.
In Reykjavik, administrative buildings and most of the country's attractions are concentrated.
The place where Reykjavik is located, namely its proximity to the Arctic Circle, has distinctive features. It is dominated by bright white nights in the summer, and short days in the winter. Their duration is about four hours.
Climate
Reykjavik has a northern location, but the weather here is more favorable than in other areas located at the same latitude. In the coldest season, the temperature here rarely drops below ten degrees below zero. On average, it is identical to the temperature in New York. Reykjavik is not the coldest capital of Europe. The reason for this is the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. Due to this, the winter here is mild with thaws. The water in the bay does not freeze even in the cold season.
Summer in Reykjavik is cool with an air temperature of 10-13 degrees above zero. This is facilitated by the cold current of the Irminger. The temperate climate prevails here. This area is characterized by frequent weather fluctuations. Precipitation averages 850 mm per year. There are not many sunny days in Reykjavik even in summer. Summer differs from winter, as the locals joke, only with warmer rains.
History
Iceland was inhabited in the ninth to tenth century. It was then that the first Celtic and Norwegian immigrants settled on this territory. There is information about this in the Book on the Settlement of Iceland. The first settler was Ingolf Arnarson, who built his farm on a peninsula in what is now Reykjavik.
In 1262, the kings of Norway came to power on the island of Iceland. Reykjavik at that time became an important trading center with European countries and a place for collecting tribute and taxes.
In 1395, power over the island passed to Denmark. This period is characterized by an increase in the administrative and commercial and economic importance of Reykjavik. In 1627, Berber pirates attacked the settlement. As a result of this, Reykjavik was completely ruined.
In the mid-eighteenth century, royal treasurer Skuli Magnusson founded woolen workshops here. This was done in order to modernize the economy of Iceland. Thanks to this fact, a town began to grow near the farm. Magnusson was later called the "father of Reykjavik." Thus, an impetus was set for the development of this locality. On August 18, 1786, Reykjavik officially received city status.
After gaining independence from Denmark, Reykjavik was recognized as the capital of the state of Iceland. This happened on June 17, 1944.
In the twentieth century, the development of the world economy began. This also affected Reykjavik. A particular acceleration of progress occurred in the second half of the last century.
Titles
Today Reykjavik is recognized as the cleanest city on the planet. In 2009, it was named the richest city of 2007. In 2011, UNESCO declared Reykjavik a city of literature.
Economy
At the end of the twentieth century, Reykjavik, having undergone an economic leap, became a financial and investment center. Here are the main offices of banks and large companies. Reykjavik was considered one of the richest cities in the world until the 2008 financial crisis.
The city is at the crossroads of ocean trade routes between Europe and America. This is a significant node of sea and air roads. The city’s economy is closely linked to the fact of where Reykjavik is located. Since this is the capital of the country located on the peninsula, shipbuilding and ship repair are accordingly developed here. The port industry is also one of the local industries.
Of course, fisheries and gearmaking are thriving in Reykjavik. Icelanders also grow vegetables and flowers in greenhouses.
In addition, the chemical industry, textile, food, footwear, wool and printing, is developing here. In addition to the financial sector, the service sector is also represented in such areas as transport, information, tourism, trade.
The monetary unit of Iceland is the Icelandic krona, operating since 1885.
Culture
In Reykjavik, you can see and learn a lot of new and interesting things. This city is the cultural center of Iceland.
Locals are quite conservative. Therefore, their culture over the past millennium has not changed significantly and retained its identity along the entire path of its development - from paganism to Christianity.
Since this northern country is far from mainland Europe, the language of the local population has retained its resemblance to Old Norse. There are practically no loanwords in it. New terms appear through compounding and word formation.
In Iceland, in Reykjavik in particular, literature is highly developed. The inhabitants of the island have preserved to this day and continue to cherish many beautiful sagas. They are considered the best examples of medieval European literature.
The architecture of Reykjavik successfully combines both ancient national features and elements of modern world art. The first skyscrapers in the capital were built only at the beginning of this century. The main attraction of Reykjavik's architecture is Hallgrimskirkja Church, which differs in its original form.
You can get acquainted with the paintings of Icelandic artists at the National Gallery in the capital. The works of many contemporary local painters are very much appreciated all over the world; they can be found in the best museums of the world.
Reykjavik often hosts music festivals. Not only spectators from all over the country come here, but also tourists from all over the world.
In Reykjavik, theater is very popular. Three quarters of all residents of the capital regularly attend performances. They also like movies.
Heraldry
The official symbols of the Icelandic capital reflect its history and development. The coat of arms of Reykjavik was approved in 1957. This is a blue heraldic shield of English form. At the top are three white zigzag lines. Blue color is a symbol of the sea. Two wide stripes mark the two ships of Ingolf Arnarson. And zigzags are a shoreline with mountains and bays.
The flag of Reykjavik is a white canvas that shows the emblem of the city, but not in the English shield, but in French.