Reykjavík (Icelandic pronunciation:
[ˈreiːcaˌviːk] (
listen), English
/ˈreɪkjəˌvik/) is the capital and largest city of
Iceland. Its
latitude, at 64°08' N, makes it
the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state and a popular tourist destination.
[1] It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of the
Faxaflói Bay. With a population of around 120,000 (and over 200,000 in the
Capital Region), it is the heart of Iceland's
cultural,
economic and
governmental activity.
Reykjavík is believed to be the location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland, which
Ingólfur Arnarson is said to have established around AD 870. Until the 18th century, there was no
urban development in the city location. The city was founded in 1786 as an official trading town and grew steadily over the next decades, as it transformed into a regional and later
national center of
commerce, population, and governmental activities. It is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.
[2][3][4] Reykjavik, Iceland’s coastal capital, is renowned for the late-night clubs and bars in its compact center. It's home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. The striking concrete Hallgrimskirkja church and rotating Perlan glass dome offer sweeping views of the sea and nearby hills.