|
Grimsey, the northernmost inhabited point of Iceland, is a small island some 41km off its northern shore. The Arctic Circle passes through it, and it is a popular tourist destination for visitors to Iceland.
The Arctic Circle runs through this small island, and tourists and travelers are issued certificates for crossing it.
In spite of being within the Arctic Circle, Grimsey experiences fairly moderate climate. The island is mainly made of basalt, with some sandstone in the northwestern part. Most of the shoreline consists of steep basalt cliffs, except its southern parts. The island is covered in thick and rich vegetation, with abundant amounts of marshland, grass and moss.
Communication with the mainland is facilitated by the ferry Sæfari, which sails to and from the island and Dalvik. Grimsey also has a small airport, and there are frequent air trips to and from Akureyri.
Grimsey is a separate local government area. The main occupation of the people here is fishing and fish processing, accompanied by other smalltime occupations such as agriculture, bird-hunting and collecting the eggs of seabirds.
Popular activities for tourists are bird-watching and boat trips. Grimsey is host to large bird colonies. A large number of birds come to the island in summer .even polar bears have been sighted, having been brought by drifting ice floes from Greenland. During boat trips, guides discuss the island's history with tourists, and show them the places of interest.
Grimsey has a guest house and a restaurant. Chess is a very popular pastime, and people of Grimsey are often known for their prowess in the game. The little library in Grimsey was, in fact, bequeathed to them by American chess-lover Willard Fiske.
There is also a community center, a school and a cooperative shop.
|
