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Island Realms's District of
Reykjavik
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Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, it's only city, and the world's most northern national capital. Iceland, just slightly south of the Artic Circle, receives only four hours of daylight per day in the depth of winter and during summer the nights are almost as bright as the days. Reykjavík is located in southwest Iceland and the Reykjavík area coastline is characterized by peninsulas, coves, straits, and islands.
The first permanent settlement in Iceland by Nordic people is believed to have been established in Reykjavík by Ingólfur Arnarson around AD870; this is described in Landnámabók, or the Book of Settlement. Ingólfur Arnarson is said to have decided the location of his settlement using a traditional Viking method - by dumping his high seat pillars, Öndvegissúlur, in the ocean when he saw the coastline and then settled where the pillars came to shore. Steam from hot springs in the region is supposed to have inspired Reykjavík's name, as Reykjavík translates to "Bay of Smokes". The remains of a hall that was inhabited from 930-1000 were excavated in 2001 and it is now considered to be one of the oldest buildings in Iceland. Also, many other Viking objects from that same era have been found in the Reykjavik area.  |
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