Akranes

Akraneskaupstaður
Municipality
July 2008 aerial view of Akranes.
Coat of arms
Location of the municipality
Akraneskaupstaður
Coordinates:
Country	Iceland
Region	Western Region
Constituency	Northwest Constituency
Government
•Mayor	Haraldur Benediktsson
Area
• Total	9 km2(3 sq mi)
Population (2022)
• Total	8,000
• Density	823.44/km2(2,132.7/sq mi)
Postal code(s)	300, 301, 302
Municipal number	3000
Website	akranes.is

Langisandur in Akranes

Akranes(Icelandic pronunciation:[ˈaːkraˌnɛːs]) is a port town and municipality on the west coast ofIceland,around 50 km (31 mi) north of the capitalReykjavík.

The area where Akranes is located was settled in the 9th century; however, it did not receive a municipal charter until 1942.

History

Akranes was settled in the 9th century by the brothers Þormóður and Ketill, sons of Bresi, who came fromIreland.The town started to form in the mid-17th century as a fishing village. In 1942, it was formally chartered, and in the following years it had the biggest surge in population in its history.

Industry has been a big and growing employer: a cement plant has been operated in the town since the 1950s, and analuminium smeltingplant has been in operation near the town since 1998.

Economy

The fishing industry remains the town's most important source of employment. Akranes also acts as a service center for the large rural region surrounding it.

The town is expected to grow in the coming years because of an increase in industrial activity and improvements in transportation to theReykjavíkarea. The 5.57 km-long (3.46 mi)Hvalfjörður Tunnel,opened in 1998, is one of the world's longest underwater roadtunnels.

Notable people

Akranes was the birthplace of theAtom poetJón Óskar,the writerEva Björg Ægisdóttirand footballersRíkharður JónssonandArnór Sigurðsson.

Sport

Akranes has a strongfootballtradition. The local team,Íþróttabandalag Akraness(ÍA), which currently plays in theÚrvalsdeild karla,has for many years been among the best of theIcelandic football league system.Ríkharður Jónsson,who was born in the town, is often considered to be one of Iceland's finest footballers. He both played for and managed ÍA. FormerSheffield WednesdayandArsenalmidfielderSiggi Jónssonwas also born in Akranes and had three seasons as a player with ÍA. The town is also home to second division clubKnattspyrnufélagið Kári.

Twin towns – sister cities

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Iceland

Akranes istwinnedwith:

• Bamble,Norway
• Närpes,Finland
• Qaqortoq,Greenland
• Sørvágur,Faroe Islands
• Tønder,Denmark
• Västervik,Sweden

See also

• Akranes Museum Centre

Gallery

• 
  Akranes harbour
• 
  Akrafjall, located nearby
• 
  Straw bales near Akranes
• 
  Old lighthouse of Akranes
• 
  New lighthouse of Akranes

External links

• Official website(in Icelandic)