Reykjavík, The capital of Iceland.

Facts:

Reykjavik, on the coast of southwestern Iceland, is the country’s capital and largest city.  Its latitude is 64°08′ N, making it the world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state. With a population of around 131,136 (and 233,034 in the Capital Region), it is the centre of Iceland’s cultural, economic, and governmental activity, and is a popular tourist destination.

Landmarks:

Hallgrímskirkja:

By far the most famous landmarks in Iceland. Hallgrímskirkja stands tall at 74,5 meters, making it the second tallest building in Iceland. Its on top of a hill in the heart of downtown Reykjavik and can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. In the Church’s square is a large standing statue of Leifur Eiriksson, a Norse explorer; the first European to go to North America, around 500 years before Christopher Colombus. An escalator through the bell tower of the Hallgrímskirkja takes you to an open-air landing where you can watch a amazing breath taking scenery over the Reykjavik city.

Perlan:

Perlan is one of the capital’s most distinctive landmarks, standing on top of a hill in Öskjushlíð Reykjavík. Its a glass dome built on top of six huge water tanks, although they serve a completely different purpose now. Inside you will find a restaurant and a coffee shop on the top floor in the glass dome that spins around so you can enjoy the full experience of the view that the Perlan offers. On the lower floors you will find museums, in built ice cave and the start of a zipline where you take off on top the water tanks and zipline down and through the forest that arounds the Perlan.

Harpan:

Harpa is a concert hall and conference centre in Reykjavík, Iceland. This unique building features a distinctive coloured glass front that lights up at night, inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland. The opening concert was held on May 4, 2011.

History:

Reykjavík is believed to be the location of the first permanent settlement in Iceland, which, according to Landnámabók, was established by Ingólfur Arnarson in 874 CE. Until the 18th century, there was no urban development in the city location. The city was officially founded in 1786 as a trading town and grew steadily over the following decades, as it transformed into a regional and later national centre of commerce, population, and governmental activities. It is among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.