Akureyri Akureyri is situated in northeast Iceland on Eyjafj�r�ur, the longest fjord in the country, surrounded by mountains reaching 1000-1500 m above sea level. Although Akureyri is about 40 km south of the Arctic Circle, summer temperatures can reach 25�C. Winters, however, bring heavy snowfall and cold weather, with calm and still weather also being common. The northerly position of Akureyri has had a considerable influence on the community that has sprung up there. Despite its geographical isolation, there has always been contact with the outside world, firstly through trade and then through export, chiefly seafood products. Many other products are produced in the area as Eyjafj�r�ur fjord is naturally well suited for agriculture, and as such produces a large part of the foodstuff that Icelanders consume. Icelandic products are known for their quality and purity, in part due to its island location that protects it from various diseases facing most other countries. Through the centuries a number of Icelandic specialties have evolved, and one such specialty that every visitor should try is skyr. Classed as fresh cheese, skyr is made from skimmed milk and is akin to yogurt, and the German "Quark." It has little fat and a lot of protein making it quite healthy. Skyr is a highly popular food in Iceland among the young and old alike. As the worldwide emphasis on healthy life styles increases, the popularity of skyr among Icelanders has also increased, with hardly a day going by without skyr being eaten by most everyone. By far the most popular skyr in Iceland is produced by KEA in Akureyri. Today, skyr is available in many flavors, yet the traditional way of eating it is plain with granulated sugar and milk or heavy cr�me, and even fresh berries which are easy to pick in August and September. Families and friends often take traditional berry-picking picnics around Eyjarfj�r�ur, filling pails and enjoying the last weeks of summer weather. It is thought that Eyjafj�r�ur was settled by Helgi the Lean and his wife ��runn around 890. The history of the town is very closely linked to trade and services. Trade began in Akureyri in the 16th century, but it was not until 1760 that merchants began living there year-round. In 1862, with a population around 300, Akureyri was granted municipal status. Today, Akureyri is the largest community outside the capital area, with about 15,000 inhabitants. It is the center of trade and services in northern Iceland and therefore its economic environment is quite varied. Its facilities for conferences and meetings are some of the best in rural Iceland. The town's role as a center of learning is increasing, particularly after the opening of the University of Akureyri in 1987, and cultural life and entertainment activities flourish. It has a symphony orchestra, theatres, art museums, caf�s, restaurants and nightclubs, and there is a wide range of shops offering brand-name products. Another activity enjoyed by most Icelanders, especially on warm days or on an evening out, is a cool beer. In recent years Iceland has been increasing its production of beer, and with excellent results. The key factor in brewing is of course access to supplies of clean, fresh water, which Iceland has in abundance. The country's second largest brewery, S�l-V�king, is located in Akureyri, and has received international recognition for its products. Brewing has a long history in Iceland. The Vikings brewed a drink they called "mj��," which is quite different from the beer we know today. There was a time when there was very little brewing in Iceland, as it was difficult to import the corn needed in production. But brewing picked up again during the second half of the last century, mostly due to bakers who brewed beer in order to ensure a supply of yeast for baking. In 1915 prohibition was passed by the Al�ingi, which banned the sale and brewing of strong beer, a ban that lasted until 1 March 1989. After the ban was rescinded production of beer began to thrive again, and today creates a considerable amount of export income. Icelanders do enjoy having a beer, especially one brewed locally, but they drink much less of it than their neighbors in northern Europe. Sports and leisure activities are varied in the north. Akureyri Swimming Pools and Baths are fabulous, heated with thermal water from deep below the earth's crust. There are several gyms, golf courses, sports grounds and the skiing area is the best in the country. Akureyri is truly a paradise for winter-sport enthusiasts. The town boasts an excellent skating rink, superb cross-country skiing trails through ever-changing landscapes and fantastic slopes for slalom skiers and snowboarders. There are several skiing competitions, including international ones, held over the winter. Jeep and snowmobile trips are readily available to individuals and groups. The town's verdant surroundings have earned Akureyri the name the Green Town. Within the town limits is a forested area (Kjarnask�gur), which is a popular recreational area both in summer and winter. The area offers a number of walking and cross-country skiing trails. The Botanical Garden is the most northerly one of its kind in the world, with a great number of plants and flowers, and is a particularly popular attraction for tourists. Eyjafj�r�ur, with Akureyri at its center, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. There are a great number of hiking trails, many of them mapped, and long and short horse-riding trips are popular, as are jeep and snowmobile trips. There is also excellent deep-sea fishing and angling in the numerous lakes and rivers. The most northerly golf course in the world is located in Akureyri. Every June there is an international competition called the Arctic Open, which attracts many foreign players. The competition has gained considerable attention abroad since competitors play through the night in the midnight sun. Akureyri lies within easy reach of a host of interesting places, including Go�afoss and Dettifoss falls, and the islands of Hr�sey and Gr�msey, the latter of which crosses the Arctic Circle. There is a wide range of accommodation available in Akureyri and the surrounding area to suit the needs of most everyone. In general, Akureyri offers everything large towns have to offer, but still manages to retain its small-town appeal. Welcome to Akureyri. For further information contact: Tourist Information Center Akureyri Hafnarstraeti 82 600 Akureyri Iceland E-mail. [email protected] Web. http://www.eyjafjordur.is/ Tel. (+354) 4627733 Fax (+354) 4622923