Selfoss (town)

Selfoss
—  Town  —
Night view in December
Location of the Municipality of Árborg
Selfoss Location in Iceland
Coordinates: 63°55′59.19″N 20°59′49.62″W
Country	Iceland
Constituency	Suðurkjördæmi
Region	Suðurland
County	Árnessýsla
Municipality	Árborg
Area
• Total	2 km2 (0.8 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	6,512
• Density	3,137/km2 (8,124.8/sq mi)
Time zone	GMT (UTC+0)
Website	Official website

Selfoss is a town in southern Iceland on the banks of Ölfusá river.

It is part, and seat, of the municipality Árborg. The Ring Road (Icelandic: Hringvegur) runs through the town on its way between Hveragerði and Hella. It is a centre of commerce and small industries of 6,512 inhabitants (2011), which makes it the largest residential area in South Iceland.

Geography

The town is located in the south-western coast of Iceland, 50 km from Reykjavík. It is the major town and the administrative seat of the region of Suðurland. The closest towns are Stokkseyri, Eyrarbakki and Hveragerði.

History

Name

Although "foss" means waterfall in Icelandic, there are no waterfalls in the town.

Overview

Selfoss was settled by Þórir Ásason sometime after 1000; however, the Icelandic sagas mention that Ingólfur Arnarson was here during the winter of 873-74 under the mountain Ingólfsfjall, which is west of the Ölfusá.

In the summer of 1891, due to the lobbying of Tryggvi Gunnarsson, a member of the Alþing, the first suspension bridge was built over the Ölfusá. This was a major undertaking for Icelandic infrastructure. The bridge made the town a logical centre for services for the surrounding agricultural region. The current bridge was built in 1945 after the original structure collapsed.

In 1900 there were only 40 inhabitants, but by 2006 the population had climbed to 6000.

In 1930 the dairy firm Mjólkurbú Flóamanna and general store Kaupfélag Árnesinga were established. These two companies were the main employers in the area for several decades. During WWII the British stationed troops at Selfoss to guard the strategic bridge.

Current history

Today, with more efficient transportation, the town enjoys the proximity to the Reykjavík area and is predicted to grow in coming years as businesses and residents will relocate to it because of lower property prices. This has also led to many relocating their homes from Reykjavik to much calmer Selfoss. It enjoys low rates of unemployment and is the home of one the largest colleges in the country FSU Fjölbrautaskóli Suðurlands. In early August, the town holds a festival called "Sumar í Selfoss", meaning "Summer in Selfoss". Local residents decorate their gardens with ribbons, coloured according to neighbourhood, and a fete is held on the public grassland behind the civic library. The fete involves selling of homemade goods on small stalls, performances by musicians and magicians on a temporary stage, and in 2011 a "Strongest Man" competition was held, with video recording by Icelandic television channel Stöð 2. In the evening, the revelry continues with a large bonfire and free fireworks display.

2008 earthquake

Main article: 2008 Iceland earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey, an earthquake with a moment magnitude 6.3 occurred near Selfoss on the afternoon of Thursday 29 May 2008, causing considerable damage to some buildings and roads. The earthquake was felt across southern Iceland, including the capital Reykjavik and the airbase at Keflavik. At least 30 people were injured; however, there were no reports of human deaths. A number of sheep in the Selfoss area were killed.

Panoramic view of Selfoss

See also

• List of cities in Iceland
• Laugardælir - closest town to Selfoss.

External links

• (Icelandic) Árborg municipal website
• Map of Selfoss