Reykjavik - Iceland's capital city, is the northernmost capital city in the world. The city was founded in 874. In 2000, UNESCO awarded the status of Reykjavik "Cultural Capital of the World." Translated from the Icelandic name of the city means "smoky bay". Reykjavik is situated on a peninsula Seltyarnarnes, east of the towering mountain ranges, among which the mountain Esya height 914 m
The city center is located between the pond and the city harbor Tyornin Faksafloy. In the central square stands Austurvalur Parliament building, which was built in the 19th century. The main symbol is the Reykjavik Cathedral Hatlgrimskirkya, which is the tallest building of Iceland. It was built in 1974. Cathedral has a 75-meter tower, which is visible from the vicinity of the city. At the entrance to the cathedral is a monument to the famous Viking discoverer of America Leyfuru Erriksonu. This is a gift in honor of the United States of Iceland 1000 years the Icelandic parliament Althingi. If you climb the tower, you can see all of Reykjavik and the surrounding neighborhood.
The oldest pedestrian street in the city - Austurstrayti - known for its souvenir shops. On a hill in Reykjavik is the construction of Perlan. This is a building with a hemispherical roof that night, lit by thousands of lights. Inside it is an artificial geyser, he gushes at intervals of several minutes. The ceiling is decorated with small lights that create a sense of the sky. The top floor is a restaurant with a rotating floor.
In Reykjavik, many bars, restaurants and discos where tourists can rest at night, not in vain in 2001, KEF was recognized as the hottest capital of Europe. Right in the center of Reykjavik is a popular bar "Caffi Reykjavik." All space is constructed from solid blocks of ice and drinks chilled to the max - because they are served in ice glasses.
In Reykjavik, offers boat trips, during which time you will be able to watch the natives living in the coastal waters of the whales, as well as trips to nearby islands where colonies of puffins inhabit.
From Reykjavik you can get to the most famous National Park, Iceland - Tingvetlir, which was founded in 1928. It is located east of the city. This is the place many centuries ago by representatives gathered each year on the board of nobility. In the area of ??the park is joint lithospheric plates - the Eurasian and American, who moved to the present day. The entire surface is dissected by numerous Tingvetlir cracks, caves and canyons, the most popular of which is a canyon Peningagya. There is also the largest and the country's natural lake - Lake Tingvalavatn. Its area - 84 square meters. miles., and the maximum depth - 114 m in the area is lava Tingvetlir Silfrav Gorge, which is very popular among divers. This place is situated at the junction of tectonic plates in the breaking of the crust, which is filled with water, so there are many caves. The immersion depth reaches 50 m, water temperature year round is 1-3 degrees Celsius.
Tours depart from Reykjavik to the Reykjanes Peninsula, where the Blue Lagoon. It has a smooth clay floor and the depth within five feet. The water temperature in the lagoon reaches 40 degrees Celsius, and are arranged on the bank of steam, you can swim all year round. It is believed that the geothermal water has healing properties and has beneficial effects on the skin. At its base in Iceland producing cosmetics, and with its help treat psoriasis.
At 60 km from Reykjavik is the most popular geothermal area of ??Iceland - The Valley of Geysers. Here is the same Geyser, whose name became a household word. Now Geyser is not very active, he gushes about once a day, throwing a column of water to a height of 55 meters. Next to him is another hot spring Strokkur that hits at the height of 20 meters about once every 10 minutes.
Not far from the Valley of Geysers Khviti the river on which there is a waterfall Gulfoss. He is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland. Its waters fall from a height of 32 meters into a deep canyon (depth is 70 m, length - 2.5 km). Go to the waterfall is a footpath, which is surrounded by lush vegetation.
Near Reykjavik is the largest ski area of ??Iceland - Blafol. Activities at the resort suitable for beginners and families. There are 11 lifts, of which two - cable. Tourists are offered routes of different difficulty levels with opportunities for night skiing. There are flat trails for cross-country ski length of 3.5 and 10 km.
