Ólafsvík

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The fishing town Ólafsvík is situated on the western end of the Snæfellsnes peninsula in Iceland. The town has 1,008 inhabitants (December 31, 2004).

Because of its situation at the entrance of the fjord Breiðafjörður, the town was the first town in Iceland to receive a licence from the Danish king to do commerce. This event took place in the 17th century.

Today, the town has a thriving fishing industry and commerce as well as services for farmers in the area.

The nature around Ólafsvík affords numerous recreation opportunities, such as hiking trails, long sandy beaches, and snowmobiling on the volcano Snæfellsjökull.

A part of Ólafsvík is Hellissandur, where the tallest structure of Western Europe, the Gufuskálar radio mast, (height: 412 metres) is situated.

Ólafsvík is situated in the county of Snæfellsnessýsla, in the region of Vesturland.