Westfjords in the context of Drangajökull


Westfjords in the context of Drangajökull

⭐ Core Definition: Westfjords

The Westfjords or West Fjords (Icelandic: Vestfirðir, pronounced [ˈvɛstˌfɪrðɪr̥] ) is a large peninsula in northwestern Iceland and an administrative region, the least populous in the country. It lies on the Denmark Strait, facing the east coast of Greenland. It is connected to the rest of Iceland by a seven-kilometre-wide isthmus between Gilsfjörður [ˈcɪlsˌfjœrðʏr̥] and Bitrufjörður [ˈpɪːtrʏˌfjœrðʏr̥]. The Westfjords are mountainous; the coastline is heavily indented by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. These indentations make roads very circuitous and communications by land difficult. In addition, many roads are closed by ice and snow for several months of the year. The Vestfjarðagöng road tunnel from 1996 has improved that situation. The cliffs at Látrabjarg comprise the longest bird cliff in the northern Atlantic Ocean and are at the westernmost point in Iceland. Drangajökull, the only glacier in the region, is located in the north of the peninsula and is the fifth-largest in the country. Westfjords is certified by the EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations program.

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Westfjords in the context of Breiðafjörður

Breiðafjörður (Icelandic: [ˈpreiːðaˌfjœrðʏr̥] , lit. wide fjord) is a large shallow bay of the Irminger Sea, about 50 km (31 mi) wide and 125 km (78 mi) long, to the west of Iceland. It separates the region of the Westfjords (Vestfirðir) from the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the south. Breiðafjörður is encircled by mountains, including Kirkjufell and the glacier Snæfellsjökull on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and the Látrabjarg bird cliffs at the tip of the Westfjords. Numerous smaller fjords extend inland from Breiðafjörður, the largest being Hvammsfjörður at its southeastern corner. An interesting feature of the bay is that the land to the north was formed about 15 million years ago, whereas the land to the south was formed less than half that time ago.. Breiðafjörður therefore was formed by tectonic movements, and all the islands and skerries were made by volcanic eruptions to form ridges and craters that mostly line up in an east-west position.

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Westfjords in the context of Sturlungs

The Sturlungs (Icelandic: Sturlungar [ˈstʏ(r)tluŋkar̥]) were a powerful family clan in 13th century Iceland, in the time of the Icelandic Commonwealth. Their story is partly told in Sturlunga saga, and members of the clan were significant participants in the civil war of the Age of the Sturlungs. The Sturlungs were a wealthy and influential clan. They controlled western Iceland, the Westfjords and north eastern Iceland.

The patriarch of the Sturlungs was Sturla Þórðarson, whom scholars believe was born around 1115. He inherited his goðorð (domain, realm or area of influence) from his father Þórður Gilsson. Sturla quarrelled extensively with Einar Þorgilsson of Staðarhóll and many other chieftains. Jón Loftsson, a well-respected man, mediated in one of these disputes. Following this, he was entrusted with the upbringing of Sturla's son Snorri Sturluson, who later became the most influential of the Sturlungs and the most famous because of his literary endeavours. Snorri had two brothers, Þórður Sturluson and Sighvatur Sturluson.

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Westfjords in the context of Dynjandi

Dynjandi (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈtɪnjantɪ] , also known as Fjallfoss [ˈfjatl̥ˌfɔsː]) is a waterfall located in Arnarfjörður in the Westfjords region of Iceland. It is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords and has a total height of 100 metres (330 ft). Below it are five other waterfalls: Háifoss, Úðafoss, Göngufoss, Hundafoss and Bæjarfoss.

Dynjandi and other waterfalls in Dynjandisá and their surroundings were protected as natural monuments in 1981.

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Westfjords in the context of Ísafjarðardjúp

Ísafjarðardjúp (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈiːsaˌfjarðarˌtjuːp] ) is a large fjord in the Westfjords region of Iceland. Its name translates to Depth of the fjord of sea ice. Originally named simply Ísafjörður, the semantic run around happened through the -Deep meaning the inner parts of the fjord being reapplied throughout the innsea. It has even been suggested that this is nonsensical and should be reversed. The fjord was named simultaneously with the island by Raven-Floke as he viewed it from a mountain from the south.

Ísafjörður, capital of the Westfjords region, is situated close to the mouth of Ísafjarðardjúp in Skutulsfjörður. Other major settlements in Ísafjarðardjúp are Bolungarvík, Hnífsdalur and Súðavík.

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Westfjords in the context of Látrabjarg

Látrabjarg (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈlauːtraˌpjark]) is a promontory in the Westfjords of Iceland, and the westernmost point in Iceland. The cliffs are home to millions of birds, including puffins, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills. It is vital for their survival as it hosts up to 40% of the world population for some species such as the razorbill. It is Europe's largest bird cliff, 14 km long and up to 440 m high. In 2026 a solar eclipse will be visible at Látrabjarg.

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Westfjords in the context of Brynjólfur Sveinsson

Brynjólfur Sveinsson (14 September 1605 – 5 August 1675) served as the Lutheran Bishop of the see of Skálholt in Iceland. His main influence has been on modern knowledge of Old Norse literature. Brynjólfur is also known for his support of the career of the Icelandic poet and hymn writer Hallgrímur Pétursson. Brynjólfur Sveinsson is currently pictured on the 1,000 Icelandic króna banknote.

Brynjólfur was born in Önundarfjörður in the Westfjords of northwestern Iceland. He studied at the University of Copenhagen from 1624 to 1629 and was Provost of Roskilde University from 1632 to 1638.

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Westfjords in the context of Arnarfjörður

Arnarfjörður (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈa(r)tnarˌfjœrðʏr̥] ) is a large fjord in the Westfjords region of Iceland. "Arnar" is the genitive case of "Örn" ([ˈœ(r)tn̥]), the name of the first settler of the fjord.

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