Reykjavik - The Capital of Iceland

Population
131,136
Language
Icelandic
Continent
Europe
Since
1786
Eco Ranking
19/195

Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.

About Reykjavik

Reykjavik received its municipal charter in 1786, though human settlement in the area dates to the 9th century, making it one of the earliest sites of Norse habitation in Iceland. For most of Iceland's history under Danish rule, Reykjavik was a minor trading post; its political significance grew as Iceland moved toward self-governance. The Althing, the world's oldest parliament (established 930 CE), was relocated to Reykjavik in 1844. Iceland achieved home rule in 1904, became a sovereign kingdom in personal union with Denmark in 1918, and declared a republic in 1944 while Denmark was under German occupation. Reykjavik is the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world. The city houses the Althing, the office of the president, and the principal government ministries. Iceland became the first country to have a democratically elected female head of government when Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was elected president in 1980, serving until 1996.

About Iceland

Iceland is a parliamentary republic with a largely ceremonial president and an executive prime minister accountable to the Althing. It is a founding member of NATO but is not a member of the European Union, though it participates in the European single market through the European Economic Area. Iceland has no standing army, relying on NATO's collective defence framework.

View Reykjavik on the map

View Reykjavik - The Capital of Iceland on the map

Flight time from Reykjavik to other capitals

CityDistance (km)Flight Time
London19002h 14m
Paris22002h 35m
Rome33003h 53m
Washington, D.C.45005h 18m
Abu Dhabi69008h 7m
Tokyo880010h 21m
Buenos Aires1140013h 25m
Cape Town1150013h 32m
Singapore1150013h 32m
Canberra1680019h 46m

Capitals with similar population to Reykjavik

CityPopulation
Gitega135,467
Bern133,883
Reykjavik131,136
Luxembourg City128,514
Georgetown118,363
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte115,826
Thimphu115,000

Capitals with similar eco ranking to Reykjavik

CityEco Rank
Dublin16
Prague17
Bratislava18
Reykjavik19
Warsaw20
Vilnius21
Madrid22

Source: Environmental Performance Index 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is Reykjavik the capital of Iceland?

    Reykjavik developed as Iceland's administrative and commercial centre during Danish rule, and the Althing, Iceland's parliament, was relocated there in 1844. When Iceland gained increasing autonomy and eventually declared independence, Reykjavik's established role as the seat of government made it the natural capital. Today it houses all major branches of government.

  • Is Reykjavik the northernmost capital in the world?

    Yes. Reykjavik, at approximately 64°N latitude, is the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world. It sits just south of the Arctic Circle. While some territories and autonomous regions have more northerly administrative centres, no fully independent sovereign state has its capital further north.

  • What share of Iceland's population lives in Reykjavik?

    Roughly two-thirds of Iceland's total population of around 370,000 live in the greater Reykjavik capital region, which includes surrounding municipalities. The city proper has about 131,000 residents. This concentration reflects Iceland's status as one of the most urbanised, and most sparsely populated overall, countries in Europe.

  • When did Iceland become an independent republic?

    Iceland declared itself a republic on 17 June 1944, dissolving its union with Denmark. The declaration came while Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, effectively ending the Danish Crown's role in Icelandic governance. Iceland had been a sovereign kingdom in personal union with Denmark since 1918, and before that under Danish rule since the 14th century.

  • What is the Althing and why is it significant?

    The Althing is Iceland's national parliament, first established in 930 CE at Þingvellir, making it one of the world's oldest representative assemblies. It was suspended under Danish rule but re-established in 1844 in Reykjavik. Today it functions as Iceland's unicameral legislature, with 63 members elected by proportional representation.

Sights and landmarks

The modern Hallgrímskirkja church, designed by Guðjón Samúelsson and completed in 1986, stands 74.5 metres tall and is inspired by Icelandic basalt formations. The Harpa concert hall on the harbour, opened in 2011 with a facade designed by Olafur Eliasson, won the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2013. The National Museum of Iceland documents 1,200 years of history from the Viking settlement. Perlan, built atop six hot water tanks, offers panoramic views over the city. The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal outdoor bath 40 minutes away, is the country's most famous attraction. The Northern Lights are visible from September to April.

Climate and best time to visit

Reykjavik has a subpolar oceanic climate (Cfc) moderated by the Gulf Stream, giving it milder winters than locations at comparable latitudes. July temperatures average between 9 and 14 degrees Celsius, January between -3 and 2 degrees. Annual rainfall is around 800 millimetres, often in the form of drizzle, with more than 200 rainy days per year. In June, Reykjavik has nearly 21 hours of daylight, in December barely 4 hours. Wind is constant and can be strong.

Regional significance

Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital at 64 degrees north latitude. With around 140,000 inhabitants (235,000 including surrounding municipalities) it is also one of the smallest capitals in Europe, but the urban area houses around two thirds of all Icelanders. The city is entirely heated by geothermal energy, unique in the world, and draws 99 percent of its electricity from renewable sources (geothermal and hydropower).

Culture and customs

Icelandic culture has an exceptionally high literary output: one in ten Icelanders publishes a book at some point, partly thanks to the centuries-old saga tradition. The medieval Icelandic sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries are UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage. The cuisine features curiosities such as hákarl (fermented Greenlandic shark), skyr (a dairy product over 1,000 years old) and lamb soup. Þorrablót in February is a midwinter festival with traditional food. The Lutheran state church counts around 62 percent nominal membership, although Iceland is among the most secular countries in the world.

Economy

The Icelandic economy runs on fishing, tourism and geothermal industry. The fishing sector delivers around 40 percent of export revenues. Tourism grew explosively after the 2008 financial crisis: in 2017 the country received nearly 2.3 million tourists, roughly seven times the population. Reykjavik is the centre for aluminium smelting, made possible by cheap geothermal power. The city also houses a flourishing creative industry, with companies such as CCP Games (makers of EVE Online) and music artists such as Björk and Sigur Rós.
Reykjavik, capital of Iceland
Reykjavik, capital of Iceland

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