Skagafjörður
Encyclopedia
Skagafjörður is a deep bay in northern Iceland
.
to the west and the Tjornes Peninsula to the east. There are two municipalities in the area, Skagafjörður Municipality
(approx. 4140 inhabitants) and Akrahreppur Municipality
(approx. 210 inhabitants).
This is one of Iceland's most prosperous agricultural regions, with widespread dairy and sheep farming in addition to the horse breeding for which the district is famed. Skagafjörður is the only county in Iceland where horses outnumber people.
It is a centre for agriculture
, and some fisheries are also based in the settlements of Sauðárkrókur
and Hofsós
. The people living in Skagafjörður have a reputation for choir singing, horsemanship, and gatherings.T here are three islands in the bay: Málmey, Drangey
and Lundey
.
The bay is located in a drowned glacial valley which is continued southwards by a plain in which lies the delta of the Héraðsvötn river. The main settlement of this valley is Varmahlíð
.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
Location
Skagafjörður is about 40 km long and 15 km wide, situated between TröllaskagiTröllaskagi
Tröllaskagi is a peninsula in northern Iceland between the fjords of Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður. The peninsula is mountainous with several peaks reaching over 1000 meters above sea level, the tallest is Kerling...
to the west and the Tjornes Peninsula to the east. There are two municipalities in the area, Skagafjörður Municipality
Skagafjörður Municipality
Skagafjörður is a municipality that covers most the land area of the region around the fjord with the same name in northern Iceland.-Overview:...
(approx. 4140 inhabitants) and Akrahreppur Municipality
Akrahreppur
Akrahreppur is a municipality in Iceland.According to the 2011 census, it had a population of 205 inhabitants.-References:...
(approx. 210 inhabitants).
This is one of Iceland's most prosperous agricultural regions, with widespread dairy and sheep farming in addition to the horse breeding for which the district is famed. Skagafjörður is the only county in Iceland where horses outnumber people.
It is a centre for agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, and some fisheries are also based in the settlements of Sauðárkrókur
Sauðárkrókur
Sauðárkrókur is a town in Skagafjörður in northern Iceland and a part of the municipality of Skagafjörður.Sauðárkrókur is the largest town in Northwest Iceland and the second-largest town on the north coast of Iceland, with a population of 2,635. It is the centre for commerce and services in the...
and Hofsós
Hofsós
Hofsós is one of the oldest trading ports in northern Iceland dating back to the 16th century.Hofsós, with a population of about 200 individuals, is located 37 km east from Sauðárkrókur....
. The people living in Skagafjörður have a reputation for choir singing, horsemanship, and gatherings.T here are three islands in the bay: Málmey, Drangey
Drangey
Drangey or Drang Isle, with its steep sea cliffs, towers majestically in the midst of Skagafjörður fjord in Iceland. The island is the remnant of a 700,000 year old volcano, mostly made of volcanic tuff, forming a massive rock fortress....
and Lundey
Lundey
Lundey, literally "Puffin Island" in Icelandic, is a small, uninhabited island off the western coast of Reykjavík, Iceland. It is about 400 meters long and 150 meters wide. Its highest point lies about 14 meters above sea level. The island serves as a haven for seabirds, including puffins, black...
.
The bay is located in a drowned glacial valley which is continued southwards by a plain in which lies the delta of the Héraðsvötn river. The main settlement of this valley is Varmahlíð
Varmahlíð
Varmahlíð is a small village near Skagafjörður in northern Iceland.Around 140 people live on the eastern slope of the hill for which the town is named ....
.