Akranes (Akraneskaupstaður)
Akranes is a port town and municipality on the west coast of Iceland, around 50 km north of the capital Reykjavík.
The area where Akranes is located was settled in the 9th century; however, it did not receive a municipal charter until 1942.
Akranes was settled in the 9th century by the brothers Þormóður and Ketill, sons of Bresi, who came from Ireland. The town started to form in the mid-17th century as a fishing village. In 1942, it was formally chartered, and in the following years it had the biggest surge in population in its history.
Industry has been a big and growing employer: a cement plant has been operated in the town since the 1950s, and an aluminum smelting plant has been in operation near the town since 1998.
The area where Akranes is located was settled in the 9th century; however, it did not receive a municipal charter until 1942.
Akranes was settled in the 9th century by the brothers Þormóður and Ketill, sons of Bresi, who came from Ireland. The town started to form in the mid-17th century as a fishing village. In 1942, it was formally chartered, and in the following years it had the biggest surge in population in its history.
Industry has been a big and growing employer: a cement plant has been operated in the town since the 1950s, and an aluminum smelting plant has been in operation near the town since 1998.
Map - Akranes (Akraneskaupstaður)
Map
Country - Iceland
Flag of Iceland |
According to the ancient manuscript Landnámabók, the settlement of Iceland began in 874 AD when the Norwegian chieftain Ingólfr Arnarson became the first permanent settler on the island. In the following centuries, Norwegians, and to a lesser extent other Scandinavians, immigrated to Iceland, bringing with them thralls (i.e., slaves or serfs) of Gaelic origin.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
---|---|---|---|
ISK | Icelandic króna | kr | 0 |
ISO | Language |
---|---|
DA | Danish language |
EN | English language |
DE | German language |
IS | Icelandic language |
NO | Norwegian language |
SV | Swedish language |