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ReykjavíkThe founding of Reykjavík by Ingolfur Arnarson, thought to be the first settler in Iceland, is traditionally dated 874. It was chartered in 1786, but modern growth began after 1904, when it became the capital. Among its monuments is a statue of Leif Ericsson, given by the Congress of the United States to the people of Iceland in 1930 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of the Althing. In 1986 Reykjavík was the site of historic arms control talks between the United States and the USSR.
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- Thingvallavatn
Thingvallavatn, Icelandic Þingvallavatn, lake, c.35 sq mi (90 sq km), SW Iceland, E of Reykjavík. It is Iceland's largest lake. On its north shore is historic Thingvellir.
- Geysir
Geysir, hot spring, SW Iceland, c.75 mi (120 km) W of Reykjavík. Although in medieval times it erupted three times daily, weeks now elapse between eruptions. The height and temperature of the ...
- Laxness, Halldór Kiljan
Laxness, Halldór Kiljan, 1902–98, Icelandic novelist, b. Reykjavík as Halldór Kiljan Gudjónsson. Although Laxness was converted to Roman Catholicism briefly, The Weaver of Cashmere (1927) expr...
- Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður, town (1993 pop. 16,787), SW Iceland, S of Reykjavík. It is a distribution, industrial, and fishing center with an excellent harbor. During the 15th and 16th cent. German and Eng...
- Jónsson, Einar
Jónsson, Einar, 1874–1954, Icelandic sculptor and painter. His subjects were drawn from Nordic mythology, Icelandic folklore, and the Bible. His statue of the explorer Thorfinn Karlsefni is in...
- Thingvellir
Thingvellir, Icelandic Þingvellir, a wide lava plain, since 1928 a national park, the ancient place of assembly of the Icelandic Althing, which met there from 930 to 1798. It is located c.30 m...
- Oddsson, Davíð
Oddsson, Davíð, 1948–, Icelandic politician and writer. A lawyer, radio producer, and the author of several plays and teleplays, he also worked for the Reykjavík Health Insurance (1976–82), be...
- Faxaflói
Faxaflói or Faxa Bay, inlet, c.40 mi (60 km) long and c.55 mi (90 km) wide, W Iceland, between the Snaefellsnes and Reykjanes peninsulas. Most of Iceland's population live around the bay; Reyk...
- Keflavík
Keflavík, town (1993 pop. 7,584), SW Iceland, on the Faxaflói, W of Reykjavík. It is a major fishing port, best known for its large international airport, which was built by the United States ...
- Benediktsson, Bjarni
Benediktsson, Bjarni, 1908–70, Icelandic statesman. A lawyer, he was a vocal advocate of Iceland's independence from Denmark, and became a member of the central committee of the Independence p...
