Elliðaá
Encyclopedia
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
area in the south-west of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. Two small rivers have their source in the volcanic mountain range of Bláfjöll and stream down to the lake Elliðavatn
Elliðavatn
Elliðavatn is a lake in Iceland. It is situated in the area of Reykjavík.Not far from it, there is the well known natural park Heiðmörk with its hiking and biking trails, small forests and lava formations....
in the eastern suburban border of the city, its outlet forming the river. On their way, they pass through the nature reserve area of Heiðmörk.
On its way to the sea, which is reached in the bay Elliðavogur in Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, not far from the open-air folk museum of Árbæjarsafn
Árbæjarsafn
Árbæjarsafn is the historical museum of the city of Reykjavík as well as an open air museum and a regional museum. Its purpose is to give the public an insight into the living conditions, work and recreational activities of the people of Reykjavík in earlier times.- History :Around the middle of...
in Árbær
Árbær
Árbær is a suburb in Reykjavík, Iceland. Based in eastern part of the city, the Árbær neighborhood is well known for its natural surroundings and pristine nature. The Valley of Elliðaár and the river flowing through are at the heart of Árbær...
, the river cascades over several small waterfalls within the boundary of the city.
Salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
fishing in the river is excellent although very expensive.
The valley
The valley Elliðaárdalur is one of the green recreational areas of Reykjavík with hiking and bicycle paths. There are also a swimming pool, a small ski lift and horse riding facilities in the valley.Since the beginning of the 20th century, this has also been a reforestation
Reforestation
Reforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
area with birch
Birch
Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...
es, fir
Fir
Firs are a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range...
s and pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
trees.
Very interesting and varied bird life is to be found in the valley including swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s and 8 different species of duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s. All together, 60 species of birds can be found here. There are also many song bird
Song Bird
Song Bird is a 1977 album by Deniece Williams. The album went to number 23 and number 66 on the Black and Pop album Charts respectively. The single Baby, Baby My Love's All For You reached number 13 and number 32 on the Black and UK singles....
s such as the thrush
Thrush (bird)
The thrushes, family Turdidae, are a group of passerine birds that occur worldwide.-Characteristics:Thrushes are plump, soft-plumaged, small to medium-sized birds, inhabiting wooded areas, and often feed on the ground or eat small fruit. The smallest thrush may be the Forest Rock-thrush, at and...
.
In 1921, the first hydroelectric power station in the country was constructed here and is still in use. A museum in the building tells the story of the electrification in Reykjavík.
The base of the valley is a lava field dating from a volcanic eruption
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
4500 years ago in the Bláfjöll mountains some 25 km away from the city.