Vestmannaeyjar

Vestmannaeyjar, also known as the Westman Islands, is a municipality and archipelago off the south coast of Iceland in the Southern Region. The administrative center and largest town, Vestmannaeyjar, sits on Heimaey, the largest island. The archipelago comprises Heimaey and about a dozen smaller islands and islets. The area is geologically young and volcanic; Eldfell on Heimaey erupted in 1973, creating lava flows that threatened the town and damaged the harbor. Evacuation of about 5,000 residents saved lives. The lava flows were later harnessed to expand the harbor and improve port facilities.

Surtsey, formed by a volcanic eruption in 1963 near the islands, is a protected nature reserve and one of the most studied volcanic islands in the world. The archipelago hosts seabird colonies, including large puffin populations in season. The landscape features rugged coastlines and lava fields.

Historically, the islands were named after the Westmen, Norse or Irish monks thought to have settled there in the early medieval period. The economy has long centered on fishing and fish processing; today tourism and services complement fisheries, with visitors drawn to the coastlines, birdlife, and the volcanic geology. The Vestmannaeyjar region is accessible by air from Reykjavik and by ferry from the Icelandic mainland, and retains a cultural heritage tied to seafaring and volcanic activity.