fjórðungar

Fjóðungar, meaning "quarters" in Old Norse, refers to a system of land division and administrative districts historically used in Iceland. These were significant subdivisions of the country, particularly during the Commonwealth period (930-1262). Iceland was divided into four fjórðungar, which served as the primary geographical and political units.

The fjórðungar were roughly defined by the major peninsulas and geographical features of the island. The Westfjords formed one quarter, the North another, the East another, and the South and Southwest regions comprised the fourth. This division was not based on precise borders but rather on the general orientation of the land.

Within each fjórðung, further administrative divisions existed, including things and counties. The fjórðungar themselves played a role in the legal and political structure of the Icelandic Commonwealth. For instance, each fjórðung had its own law speaker and held its own assemblies, contributing to the decentralized nature of Icelandic governance. The division into fjórðungar also influenced settlement patterns and the development of distinct regional identities. While the specific administrative functions of the fjórðungar evolved over time, the concept of these four major divisions remained a fundamental aspect of Iceland's historical geography and political organization for centuries.