"Reykjavík the “Smokey Bay”." Reykjavík Region by maryellen50

The northernmost capital of Europe is also its westernmost one and its name, Reykjavík, translates as “Smokey Bay”. The town is situated in a geothermally active area and the first settler of Iceland, Ingólfur Arnarson, gave this name to the bay, as he saw steam rising near a cove when he first came there.

Country landscape

This is the most densely populated part of Iceland, a home to over 200.000 individuals, more than two thirds of the total population. The rest is covered by lava fields, icecaps and desert plateau.

The Blue Lagoon

The city is surrounded by mountains although its landscape is fairly flat and not very high above sea level. It spreads over an irregular peninsula projecting westwards into the Faxaflói bay, surrounded by water on three sides, the west, north and south. Unsurprisingly Reykjavík is the trade centre of the island.

• Pros:Beautiful Scenery with breathtaking landscapes
• Cons:Part of Scandinavia so expect very high prices for everything
• In a nutshell:Beautiful country with friendly people