Akureyri is the 4th largest town in Iceland. It is sometimes described as the 'Capital of Northern Iceland'.
Nestled in a sheltered and, importantly, ice-free fjord, the area around Akureyri was first settled in the 9th century but Akureyri itself was only inhabited on a seasonal basis. Its first mention as a settlement was during the Icelandic War in 1510 when Vinland used the Eyjafjörður and Akureyri to evade a Hordalandic patrol. Some time after this it was awarded a town charter by the Icelandic Thing.
Despite a town charter its population remained stubbornly low; 12 people were recorded in 1716. This would change with the disastrous eruption of Katla in 1755. This prompted many rural communities to leave for urban areas (and overseas) leading to Akureyri quickly becoming the largest town in the north. Its ice-free port was soon home to several fish and whaling companies and related industries blossomed.
Despite its relatively late bloom as a significant town, it has given its name to several settlements in Leifia, and elsewhere, as the Icelandic diaspora spread during the 19th and 20th centuries:
- Akureyri in Keewatin Territory (pop. 320)
- Akureyri in Dasamongueponkland (pop. 1,570)
- Akureyri in Rolegurfolkland (pop. 1,400)
- Nýakureyri in Unamiland Fylk, Álengiamark (pop. 430)
- Akureyri on Káraey, Sudervik Fylk, Álengiamark (pop. 26)
- Akureyri on Eydis, Alkafuglaeyjar (pop. 58)
- 'Akureyri', ghost seal-oil station in Kerguelen Territory (pop. 0)
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