Jules Verne Forum

<jvf@Gilead.org.il>

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 19961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009

"Journey to the Centre of the Earth" 2005 : Day 2

From: Harry Hayfield <welshliberaldemocrat~at~yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 14:26:18 +0100
To: "Jules Verne Forum" <jvf~at~Gilead.org.il>

Day 2: July 2nd 2005

Olafsvik is a rather small town (by Icelandic standards) and much as I would
like to take the culture of the town in, I'm afraid I have a schedule to
keep. Namely catching the 7.15am bus service to Reykjavik, and a mere 2
hours and 40 minutes later, I arrive in the bustling capital of Iceland.

Not only is it the capital but is also the largest town of Iceland. Located
on the northern side of the Seltjarnar Peninsula, at the southeastern corner
of Faxa Bay, in southwestern Iceland, tradition states that Reykjavík (which
means Bay of Smokes in English) was founded in 874 by the Norseman Ingólfur
Arnarson.

Until the 20th century it was a small fishing village, ruled and largely
inhabited by Danes and was granted municipal powers and was designated the
administrative centre of the Danish-ruled island in 1786. The seat of the
Althing (the name given to the Icelandic parliament) since 1843, it became
the capital of a self-governing Iceland under the Danish king in 1918 and of
the independent Republic of Iceland in 1944.

Reykjavík is also the commercial, industrial, and cultural centre of the
island. It is a major fishing port and the site of nearly half of the
nation's industries. An international airport is at Keflavík, 20 miles (32
km) west-southwest. Reykjavík's manufactures include processed fish and food
products, ships, and textiles. Strikingly modern and clean in appearance,
the town is largely built of concrete and is heated by hot water piped from
nearby springs.

Noteworthy buildings include the Parliament Building, the Lutheran Cathedral
(1975), the National Library of Iceland (founded 1818), the University of
Iceland (founded 1911), the National Museum, the National Theatre, a state
hospital, and a navigation school. Bessastadhir, the residence of the
president of Iceland, is outside the town.

Right, time to check on how old Lidenbrock and co are doing. Mmm, still in
the main chamber of Snaefells, eh? Well, I may be stuck for the time being
figuring how to get off Iceland and towards either Scandanvia, Britain or
the Faroe Islands, but at least I've a good several hundred mile lead on
them!

        
        
                
___________________________________________________________
Yahoo! Messenger - NEW crystal clear PC to PC calling worldwide with voicemail http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Received on Sat 02 Jul 2005 - 16:26:35 IDT

JV.Gilead.org.il
Copyright © Zvi Har’El
$Date: 2009/02/01 22:36:11 $$