Garðabær

Garðabær

Location of the municipality
Constituency Southwest Constituency
Region Capital Region
Mayor Gunnar Einarsson
Area 76 km2
Population 14,180
Density 186.58/km2
Number 1300
Postal code(s) 210, 212, 225
Website gardabaer.is

Garðabær (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈkarðapair̥]) is a municipality in the Capital Region of Iceland.

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 Capital Region. 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 vifll who vas a slave of Ingolfur 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.[1]

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. ↑ "Shares". Nasdaq OMX. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Vinabæir". gardabaer.is. Retrieved 26 April 2014.