Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður | |
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May 2008 view over Hafnarfjörður's town center
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Coat of arms of Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður
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Location of Hafnarfjarðarkaupstaður
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Region | Capital Region |
Constituency | Southwest Constituency |
Mayor | Haraldur L. Haraldsson |
Area | 143 km2 (55 sq mi) |
Population | 28.200 |
Density | 191.31/km2 (495.5/sq mi) |
Municipal number | 1400 |
Postal code(s) | 220, 221, 222 |
Website | hafnarfjordur |
Coordinates: 64°01′N 21°58′W / 64.02°N 21.97°W
Hafnarfjörður is a port town and municipality located on the southwest coast of Iceland, about 10 km (6 mi) south of Reykjavík.
It is the third-most populous city in Iceland, after Reykjavík and Kópavogur. Hafnarfjörður has established local industry and a variety of urban activities, with annual festival events.
The town is the site of an annual Viking festival, where Viking culture enthusiasts from around the world display reconstructions of Viking garb, handicraft, sword-fighting, etc.
Tourists with a New Age mindset enjoy a guided tour of the habitats of elves and other hidden people in the town area.
Hafnarfjörður is now arguably considered to be the rock n' roll capital of Iceland (a title that once belonged to Keflavík). Popular Icelandic bands such as Botnleðja, HAM, Sign, Lada Sport and Jakobínarína all trace their origins to the town of Hafnarfjörður.
Just two kilometers (1.2 miles) outside of Hafnarfjörður is an aluminium smelter, run by Alcan. Alcan has applied for an extension for the smelter, which will make it the fourth-largest smelter in Europe. The local governing body has sold Alcan land for the extension, Alcan has received permission for the extension from the government and a deal has been struck for selling energy to the smelter, even though the neighbouring area is the only place around Hafnarfjörður with available domestic building area for Hafnarfjörður.