Westfjords
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Westfjords (Icelandic: Vestfirðir, ISO 3166-2:IS: IS-4) is a peninsula in northwestern Iceland. It is connected to the rest of Iceland by a 7 km wide isthmus between Gilsfjörður and Bitrufjörður. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is heavily indented by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. The cliffs at Látrabjarg comprise the longest bird cliff in the northern Atlantic Ocean and are at the westernmost region of Iceland.
The lack of flat lowlands in the area makes it unsuitable for agriculture, but good natural harbors in many of the fjords and closeness to fishing areas are vital for the local economy. The Westfjords is sparsely populated; the total population in 2004 was 7,700. The largest town is Ísafjörður (pop. ~ 3000), which serves as a center for commerce, administration and transportation in the region.
[edit] Main settlements in Westfjords
- Bolungarvík
- Brjánslækur
- Ísafjörður
- Tálknafjörður
- Flateyri
- Suðureyri
- Súðavík
- Bíldudalur
- Þingeyri
- Patreksfjörður
- Skálanes
- Reykjanes
- Hólmavík
- Drangsnes
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Regions and Counties of Iceland |  |
|---|---|---|
| Statistical Region | Traditional County | |
| Capital Region: | Kjósarsýsla | |
| Southern Peninsula: | Gullbringusýsla | |
| Western Region: | Borgarfjarðarsýsla | Dalasýsla |Mýrasýsla | Snæfellsnes- og Hnappadalssýsla | |
| Westfjords: | Austur-Barðastrandarsýsla | Norður-Ísafjarðarsýsla | Strandasýsla Vestur-Barðastrandarsýsla | Vestur-Ísafjarðarsýsla |
|
| Northwestern Region: | Austur-Húnavatnssýsla | Skagafjarðarsýsla | Vestur-Húnavatnssýsla | |
| Northeastern Region: | Eyjafjarðarsýsla | Norður-Þingeyjarsýsla | Suður-Þingeyjarsýsla | |
| Eastern Region: | Austur-Skaftafellssýsla | Norður-Múlasýsla | Suður-Múlasýsla | |
| Southern Region: | Árnessýsla | Rangárvallasýsla | Vestur-Skaftafellssýsla | |
