Þingeyri
Encyclopedia
Thingeyri is a settlement in the municipality of Ísafjarðarbær
, Iceland
.
It is located on the coats of the fjord Dýrafjörður in the mountainous peninsula Westfjords
(in Icelandic
written Vestfirðir). It has a population of approximately 260.
Continually inhabited since 1787, Þingeyri is one of the oldest settlements in the Westfjords and the first trading post established there. It is believed to derive its name from a medieval assembly (þing) and has ruins of a medieval booth believed to have been used by visitors to the assembly.
Thanks to its sheltered location Þingeyri developed into a significant fishing center. In the 19th century the French applied for permission to establish a base there to support their fishing operations in the area but were turned down. In the years 1884-1898 the town served as the base for American
halibut fishing in the region. In 1909 a hospital was founded in the village and in 1910-1911 a church was established. In 1957 an airport for medical transport, with a runway of 300×20 meters, was taken into use.
In 1995, the inhabitants of Þingeyri voted in favor of a merger with Ísafjörður
, Suðureyri
, Mýrahreppur, Mosvallahreppur and Flateyri
to form the new municipality of Ísafjarðarbær
. Of the six municipalities involved, Þingeyri had the lowest rate of approval for the merger with 130 voting in favor and 71 voting against.
The nearby mountain of Sandfell, accessed by driving or hiking, is a tourist destination known for its scenic view.
Ísafjarðarbær
Ísafjarðarbær is amunicipality of Iceland in the Westfjords region, created in 1996 from Flateyrarhreppur, Ísafjarðarkaupstaður, Mosvallahreppur, Mýrahreppur, Suðureyrarhreppur and Þingeyrarhreppur.It has an area of 2,416 km² and a population of 3,824....
, 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...
.
It is located on the coats of the fjord Dýrafjörður in the mountainous peninsula Westfjords
Westfjords
The Westfjords or West Fjords is the name for the large peninsula in northwestern Iceland. It is connected to the rest of Iceland by a 7 km wide isthmus between Gilsfjörður and Bitrufjörður. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is heavily indented by dozens of fjords surrounded by...
(in Icelandic
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
written Vestfirðir). It has a population of approximately 260.
Continually inhabited since 1787, Þingeyri is one of the oldest settlements in the Westfjords and the first trading post established there. It is believed to derive its name from a medieval assembly (þing) and has ruins of a medieval booth believed to have been used by visitors to the assembly.
Thanks to its sheltered location Þingeyri developed into a significant fishing center. In the 19th century the French applied for permission to establish a base there to support their fishing operations in the area but were turned down. In the years 1884-1898 the town served as the base for American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
halibut fishing in the region. In 1909 a hospital was founded in the village and in 1910-1911 a church was established. In 1957 an airport for medical transport, with a runway of 300×20 meters, was taken into use.
In 1995, the inhabitants of Þingeyri voted in favor of a merger with Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður
Ísafjörður is a town in the north west of Iceland, seat of Ísafjarðarbær municipality.The town draws its name from the fjord and the fjord was given its name simultaneously to the island...
, Suðureyri
Suðureyri
Suðureyri is a small Icelandic fishing village perched on the tip of the 13 km-long Súgandafjörður in the Westfjords.The community was isolated for years by the huge mountains and rough road that led over them. Now it is connected to Ísafjörður by a 5 km tunnel.The village has tours set...
, Mýrahreppur, Mosvallahreppur and Flateyri
Flateyri
Flateyri is a village situated in the Westfjords of Iceland.With a population of approximately 237, it is the largest settlement on Önundarfjörður.-History:...
to form the new municipality of Ísafjarðarbær
Ísafjarðarbær
Ísafjarðarbær is amunicipality of Iceland in the Westfjords region, created in 1996 from Flateyrarhreppur, Ísafjarðarkaupstaður, Mosvallahreppur, Mýrahreppur, Suðureyrarhreppur and Þingeyrarhreppur.It has an area of 2,416 km² and a population of 3,824....
. Of the six municipalities involved, Þingeyri had the lowest rate of approval for the merger with 130 voting in favor and 71 voting against.
The nearby mountain of Sandfell, accessed by driving or hiking, is a tourist destination known for its scenic view.