Eskifjörður facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eskifjörður
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Town
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Eskifjörður with cruise ship Prinsendam at its wharf, 2017
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Location of the Municipality of Fjarðabyggð
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 Eskifjörður
Location in Iceland
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| Country |  Iceland |
| Constituency | Northeast Constituency |
| Region | Eastern Region |
| Municipality | .svg){kind=small} Fjarðabyggð |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 1,043 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
Eskifjörður is a town and port in eastern Iceland. It is known for its large fishing industry. About 1,043 people live there, making it one of the bigger towns in the Fjarðabyggð area.
Contents
History of Eskifjörður
Eskifjörður has grown a lot over the years. In 1901, only 302 people lived there. By 1981, the population had grown to 1,084.
The town became an official trading place in 1786. This meant it was an important spot for buying and selling goods. On April 10, 1974, Eskifjörður was given special town rights.
A powerful Danish trading company, Örum & Wulff, opened a trading post in 1798. This helped the community grow quickly. In 1802, Kjartan Þórlaksson became the first Icelandic merchant to start a successful business in Eskifjörður.
In 1998, Eskifjörður joined with two other towns, Neskaupstaður and Reyðarfjörður. Together, they formed a new municipality called Fjarðabyggð. This name means "fjords-settlement."
Geography and Nearby Towns
Eskifjörður is part of the Fjarðabyggð municipality. This area includes several other villages:
- Fáskrúðsfjörður (with 662 people)
- Mjóifjörður (with 35 people)
- Neskaupstaður (with 1,437 people)
- Reyðarfjörður (with 1,102 people)
- Stöðvarfjörður (with 203 people)
Places to Visit in Eskifjörður
Eskifjörður has some interesting sights to see.
Memorial to Mariners
Along the main road, you can find a sculpture by Ragnar Kjartansson. This artwork remembers the sailors who have been lost at sea.
Maritime Museum of East Iceland
The Maritime Museum of East Iceland is located in an old building called "Gamla búð," which was built in 1816. The museum shows items that tell the story of fishing and seafaring in East Iceland. It also has displays about local trade, industry, and medicine from long ago.
First Free Church
The First Free Church in Iceland was built in Eskifjörður in 1884. It is an important historical building.
Rare Stone Collection
Eskifjörður is home to one of Iceland's most beautiful collections of rare stones. It has thousands of polished, cut, and natural stones from all over the island. This collection is privately owned, but visitors can usually see it.
Famous People from Eskifjörður
Some notable people have come from Eskifjörður:
- Aðalsteinn Jónsson – A businessman and former CEO of Hraðfrystihús Eskifjarðar.
- Einar Bragi – A well-known poet.
- Eggert Jónsson – A professional footballer.
- Þórólfur Guðnason – The Chief Epidemiologist of the Icelandic Directorate of Health.
Images for kids
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Eskifjörður with cruise ship Prinsendam at its wharf, 2017
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Location of the Municipality of Fjarðabyggð
See also
In Spanish: Eskifjörður para niños
