What is the capital of Iceland?
Iceland has beautiful landscapes made by volcanoes and glaciers. It’s like a magical place that calls people to come and see its unique beauty and explore its interesting culture.
Capital of Iceland – Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland. It is a blend of old and modern innovation. The middle of the city has bright buildings with cool paintings on them, which makes it feel unique and artistic. In Reykjavik, you can learn about Iceland’s history by visiting places like the National Museum of Iceland and the Settlement Exhibition. They show you what life was like for Vikings and the first people who settled in Iceland.
Reykjavik is the largest city of Iceland with a 2023 estimated population of 140,000. It covers an area of 106 square miles.
Where is Reykjavik?
Reykjavik is located on the southwestern coast of Iceland, along the Faxa Bay. It’s situated between the North Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Reykjanes Peninsula to the southwest. It’s close to lots of nature stuff like mountains and hot springs, which makes it great for exploring.
Interesting Facts About Reykjavik
- Renewable energy sources power Reykjavik almost entirely, like geothermal energy and hydropower. This makes it one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the world.
- After World War II, people painted their houses in bright colors to make the city more cheerful which is why you’ll find colorful houses that make the city look lively and pretty.
- Reykjavik does not have a McDonald’s restaurant. The last one closed in 2009, making Iceland’s capital one of the few major cities in the world without the fast-food chain.
- Renowned for its rich literary heritage, it holds the prestigious designation as a UNESCO City of Literature. It has a high number of bookstores, libraries, and literary events, reflecting its strong literary tradition.
- Reykjavik consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the world, with low crime rates and a strong sense of community.
- Because Reykjavik is far north, in the summer it gets really long days where the sun is up almost all day and night, especially during the summer’s longest day, called the summer solstice. Conversely, during the winter months, the city experiences polar nights, with several weeks of continuous darkness.
Former Capitals of Iceland
Before Reykjavik became the capital of Iceland, there were several other locations that served as capitals at different times, below are of the former capitals of Iceland:
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Thingvellir
It is located in the southwest of Iceland, where Iceland’s very first parliament, called the Althing, started in 930 AD. It was super important for politics and culture for many years and is still known as one of Iceland’s most historic places.
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Skálholt
Skálholt, in the south of Iceland, was a really important place for culture and religion, and the Icelandic bishops worked there from the 11th to the 18th century. Skálholt helped shape Iceland’s Christian history a lot.
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Hólar
It is located in the north of Iceland which was also a special place for religion and culture, where the bishops of Hólar worked. Hólar was famous for its schools and its influence on religious matters.
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