Reykjav�k (original) (raw)
Reykjav�k (population 113,387, 2003 census) is the capital of Iceland. According to Landn�mab�k, the Book of Settlements, the first permanent settler of Iceland, Ing�lfur Arnarson, decided to settle in Reykjav�k after his high-seat pillars had washed upon the shore there. The year is generally admitted to have been 874. Reykjav�k remained a tiny village until 1786, when the town was granted its municipal charter. Today, the city and its 6 suburbs:
- K�pavogur: 25,291
- Seltjarnarnes: 4,566
- Gar�ab�r: 8,863
- Hafnarfj�r�ur: 21,190
- Mosfellsb�r: 6,573
- �lftanes: 1,876
- are home to 3/5ths of Iceland's entire population.
Current mayor, as of February 1, 2003: ��r�lfur �rnason
Population of Reykjav�k as of December 1998: Men: 53,146, Women: 55,205, Total: 108,351.
The name literally means "smokey bay". The reason for this is that, when arriving on their ships, the early settlers saw steam (resembling smoke) rising from hot springs near the coast.
In 1972, Reykjav�k hosted the world chess championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky. In 1986, Reykjav�k was the site of a summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Reykjav�k is the northernmost capital city in the world and receives only 4 hours of sunlight a day in the depth of winter. However, in the summer, the nights are almost as bright as day. Its latitude is 64� 08' N, not far from the arctic circle at 66� 33' N.
Some of the best-known neighborhoods of Reykjav�k are Vesturb�rinn, �ingholt and Nor�urm�ri.