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Thrust into the public eye in 1986 as the site of disarmament talks
between the United States and the former Soviet Union, Reykjavik has
existed since the ninth century. The name in Icelandic means "Bay
of Smokes" for the steam rising from thermal springs that now supply
the city's heating system.
The Pearl - hot water storage with roof
top restaurant
Reykjavik sits on the edge of Faxa Bay and is surrounded by mountains,
so it provides easy access to skiing and fishing. The University of Iceland
is located here, and its Arni Magnusson Institute contains manuscripts
describing early settlement of the area. The city is also home to the
Althing, Iceland's parliament, which is the oldest in Europe.
Iceland gained independence from Denmark in 1918 and became a republic
in 1944.
Reykjavik, which boasts that it is "the cleanest city on earth," has
more than 50 museums and galleries, as well as two theater companies
and a symphony orchestra. The Reykjavik Botanic Garden contains about
3,500 species.
Link to official
City of Reykjavik website
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