!!!Reykjavik

by members of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

13 May 2013

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

Reykjavik, capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of the world,
was founded by Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking, who decided to
settle down and farm somewhere far away from his homeland. In 874 he
built a farm on the southeastern tip of Iceland and called this area
Reykjavík, which stands for "Bay of Smoke". The name refers to pillars
of steam coming from hot springs. They made a deep impression on
Norwegians who has never seen anything like it before.

[{Image src='01_Hallgrímskirkja.jpg' caption='Hallgrímskirkja' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='563'}]

For four centuries later Reykjavik has been known as a tax collection
center and an important trading hub with Norway, England, and Hanse.
However it was Skúli Magnússon, a prominent economist and businessman of
his time, who made the farmland grow into a city. He built several
manufactories for spinning, weaving, wool dyeing, leather tanning, as
well as manufacturing of fishing gear, furs, salt, and sulfur. Main
office of the company was also located here. All of it resulted in fast
growth of Reykjavik to the degree that now Skúli Magnusson — not Viking
Arnarson — is officially considered the "father" of the city.

[{Image src='02_On the streets of Reykjavik.jpg' caption='On the streets of Reykjavik' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='563'}]

In the 20th century Reykjavik was growing along with the economic
progress, but it was not until the second half of the 20th century that
the city saw a particularly quick development. In 1944 Iceland was
proclaimed an independent republic, and Reykjavik was officially
recognized as its capital: the largest community with more than 60% of
total population.

[{Image src='03_Sun Voyager sculpture.jpg' caption='Sun Voyager sculpture' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='617'}]

Nowadays Reykjavik is a modern and picturesque metropolitan city with
low houses under bright roofs. The city features many original
structures, like outdoor swimming pools with natural thermal water, as
well as other unique Reykjavik sights. For example, Hallgrimskyrkja
Cathedral, the tallest building in Iceland that looks like a flipped
over stalactite. Its 75-meter high bell tower is visible from almost
anywhere in the city. Reykjavík Botanical Garden has over 400 species of
arctic flora and considered to be the northernmost garden in the world.
Securing its title of "Bay of Smoke", Reykjavik also has Strokkur, an
artificial geyser that imitates natural geysers in the mountains to the
southwest of the country.

[{Image src='04_xxxxx xxxxxxxxx.jpg' caption='xxxxx xxxxxxxxx' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='467'}]

The weather in Reykjavik, despite its northern location, is quite warm.
Winter temperatures do not drop below -10 degrees Celsius. There's even
a real beach on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, although its water is
artificially heated. However, because of its proximity to the Arctic
Circle, Reykjavik is known for very bright white nights during summer
and very short daylight hours (no more than 4 hours) during wintertime.

[{Image src='05_On the streets of Reykjavik.jpg' caption='On the streets of Reykjavik' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='600'}]

Mt. Esja, at 914 meters, is the highest mountain to the east of the
city. Reykjavik is literally bathing in greenery, which creates an
amazing contrast to suburbs that almost devoid of any vegetation.

Reykjavik has been designated as UNESCO City of Literature (really, what
else is there to do during long dark days if you don't read or create
something). According to some studies, Reykjavik is the cleanest city in
the world. But no ratings or descriptions can convey the charm of the
capital city of Iceland, the city with a quiet northern history and
northern — simple and elegant — character. We hope that by looking at
our panoramas you will be able to feel wonderful atmosphere of
Reykjavik, a unique city unlike any other place in the world.

[{Image src='06_Reykjavik suburbs.jpg' caption='Reykjavik suburbs' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='600'}]

\\ \\
[12 Panoramas of Reykjavik|Geography/Europe/Iceland/Pictures/Panoramas_of_Reykjavik]










[{SET customtitle='Reykjavik (AP)'}]   

[{Metadata Suchbegriff=' ' Kontrolle='Nein'}]