Reykjavík

Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland, located on Faxaflói Bay in the southwest of the island. It is Iceland's political, economic, and cultural center, with about 130,000 residents in the municipality and a larger metro area. The town was founded in 1786 by a royal decree as a trading town and grew to be the national capital. It became the seat of government as Iceland moved toward independence, and Reykjavík has been the capital since 1918, with sovereignty fully established in 1944.

The city hosts the Parliament (Alþingi) and most national ministries, as well as universities and cultural institutions. Notable landmarks include Hallgrímskirkja, a distinctive church; Harpa Concert Hall, an asymmetrical glass building on the harbor; and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Reykjavík is known for its museums such as the National Museum and the Reykjavík Art Museum, and for a lively cultural scene with festivals like the Reykjavík Arts Festival and Iceland Airwaves music festival.

Economy centers on services, government, education, and tourism. The city relies on renewable energy, with electricity and heating largely supplied by geothermal and hydroelectric sources. The University of Iceland and other higher-education institutions are located in Reykjavík.

The climate is subarctic oceanic, with relatively mild winters and cool summers influenced by the North Atlantic Current. The city experiences long daylight in summer and short days in winter. Reykjavík is served by Keflavík International Airport via road connections, and its port handles freight and cruise ships.