Hornstrandir

Geographical location

Hornstrandir is the northernmost peninsula of the Westfjords and thus of Iceland.

Geography

The exact boundaries of the area are somewhat controversial, but usually they say, the limit lies in the east at Geirólfsgnúp. The western boundary is usually set at Rit west of the bay Aðalvík.

To the north is the Denmark Strait, a strait between Greenland and Iceland, linking the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean with each other. In the south of the peninsula Hornstrandir are the fjords Jökulfirðir, in turn, are branches of the Ísafjarðardjúp. The eastern part of the peninsula is called Austur - Strandir, the western Vestur - Strandir.

The Northwest Hornstrandirs forms the headland Straumnes that the bays Rekavík and the larger Fljótavík is located north of the bay Aðalvík and west.

History

From the Middle Ages to the end of the 19th century, the area was densely populated. The people mainly benefited from the rich fishing grounds in the North Atlantic.

Meanwhile, however, the area in winter is completely uninhabited. Many houses are still maintained and used as accommodation of the increasing number of summer visitors who come to the remote area.

Therefore, there is in the summer regular boat links with speedboats from Bolungarvík and Isafjordur over the wide fjord Ísafjarðardjúp.