Garðabær

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Garðabær, Iceland
Town and Municipality

Coat of arms
Location of the Municipality of Garðabær
Garðabær, Iceland
Location of Garðabær in Iceland
Coordinates: 64°05.18′N 21°55.11′W / 64.08633°N 21.91850°W / 64.08633; -21.91850Coordinates: 64°05.18′N 21°55.11′W / 64.08633°N 21.91850°W / 64.08633; -21.91850
Country  Iceland
Constituency[1] Suðvesturkjördæmi
Region[2] Höfuðborgarsvæði
County Kjósarsýsla
Municipality Garðabær
Area
 • Total 27 sq mi (71 km2)
Population (Sept 2013)
 • Total 13,872
Time zone GMT (UTC+0)
Website Official website

Garðabær (sometimes written Gardabær) is a municipality in the Greater Reykjavík area of Iceland.

As of September 1, 2013, its population was 13,872.

The municipality is the location of a 5,067 m2 (54,540.73 sq ft) TV studio, where the LazyTown children series was recorded. It contains one of the most advanced HDTV facilities in Europe.

History

Garðabær is a growing town in the Reykjavík capital area. Garðabær is the sixth largest town in Iceland with a population of 13,872 (Sept 1st, 2013).

The site of Garðabær has been inhabited since Iceland was first settled in the 9th century. Landnámabók, the Book of Settlement, tells about two farms in the site of Garðabær, Vífilsstaðir and Skúlastaðir. The former was named after Vífill who vas a slave of Ingólfur Arnarson the first settler of Iceland. Ingólfur gave Vífill his freedom and he made his home at Vífilsstaðir.

Overview

There are many nature reserves surrounding Garðabær and the scenery from various sites in Garðabær is spectacular. From many areas in Garðabær the impressive Snæfellsjökull (Snæfells Glacier) can be seen to the west, as well as Mt. Esja, and there is also a good view over the capital Reykjavík and the neighbour town Kópavogur. The view to the south includes the mountains of the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The only IKEA store in all Iceland is in Garðabær. The town is also home to Marel hf., the largest company on NASDAQ OMX Iceland by market capitalisation.[3]

Sports

The town's football club is Stjarnan who play in the Men's Premier Division. Award-winning dancer Hanna Rún Óladóttir lives in Garðabær.

Sister Cities

References

  1. ↑ Political division
  2. ↑ Mainly statistical division
  3. ↑ "Shares". Nasdaq OMX. Retrieved April 5, 2012. 
1Icelandic settlements with city or town status. Not to be confused with the municipalities.


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