Garður
Garður | |
---|---|
![]() Aerial view of Garður in 2018 | |
![]() Coat of arms | |
![]() Location of the municipality | |
![]() ![]() Garður Location of the municipality | |
Coordinates: 64°04′N 22°38′W / 64.067°N 22.633°WCoordinates: 64°04′N 22°38′W / 64.067°N 22.633°W | |
Country | Iceland |
Region | Southern Peninsula |
Constituency | Southwest Constituency |
Government | |
• Mayor | Magnús Stefánsson |
Area | |
• Total | 21 km2 (8 sq mi) |
Population | |
• Total | 1,409 |
• Density | 67.10/km2 (173.8/sq mi) |
Postal code(s) | 250 |
Municipal number | 2504 |
Website | svgardur |
Garður (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈkarðʏr̥]) is a former municipality and town located in southwestern Iceland, bordered by the Faxaflói Bay on the Southern Peninsula. In 2018 it merged with Sandgerði to create the new municipality of Suðurnesjabær.[1]
The town Gardur, which means garden or yard, was named after one of the many earthen walls once erected on the boundaries between local properties.[2] Garður was mentioned in the Book of Settlement when Ingólfur Arnarson, the first settler in Iceland, gave his cousin Steinunn Gamla this area of land.[3]
Overview[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Gardur_lighthouse_iceland_hiticeland.jpg/220px-Gardur_lighthouse_iceland_hiticeland.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/84/Gardur_iceland_hiticeland.jpg/220px-Gardur_iceland_hiticeland.jpg)
The rich fishing grounds by the shore remain the town's economic base. A great deal of fishing was carried out here in earlier centuries, and there are relics to be found along the shore. Garður remains a strong fishing center with fish processing firms.
The , which is located at the peninsula, tells the story of the fishermen and the history of the people who lived and worked in the community.[5]
Garður is also known for its lighthouses. The old Garðskagi Lighthouse was built in 1897 and was used until recently as a centre for studying the thousands of migrating birds which arrive there from Greenland and North America every year to breed on the surrounding shore. Today there is a restaurant located here, known as The Old Lighthouse Cafe/Rostin Restaurant which serves a small menu of meals. A new one was built in 1944.[3]
Sports[]
The local sports club is called Víðir. Their football team played the 2011 season in the men's third division. They last played in Iceland's top tier in 1991.[6]
References[]
- ^ Við áramót, 29 Dec 2018.
- ^ "Garður (Town of Gardur, Reykjanes, South Iceland)". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Hit Iceland information page about Iceland"
- ^ http://hiticeland.com/towns_and_villages_in_iceland/gar%C3%B0ur
- ^ Garður Peninsula Historical Museum (Byggðasafn Garðskaga)
- ^ Iceland 1991 - RSSSF
External links[]
- Municipalities of Iceland
- Populated places in Southern Peninsula (Iceland)
- Reykjanes
- Populated places disestablished in 2018
- Iceland geography stubs