Keflavík facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Keflavík
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Town
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August 2009 aerial view
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Location of the Municipality of Reykjanesbaer
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 Keflavík
Location in Iceland
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| Country | Iceland |
| Constituency | South Constituency |
| Region | Southern Peninsula |
| Municipality |  Reykjanesbær |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 15,930 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| When combined with Njarðvík. | |
Keflavík (say "KEP-la-veek") is a town in southwest Iceland. Its name means Driftwood Bay. It is part of the Reykjanesbær municipality, which had about 15,930 people in 2018.
In 1995, Keflavík joined with nearby towns Njarðvík and Hafnir. Together, they formed the larger municipality of Reykjanesbær. The country's biggest airport, Keflavík International Airport, is right next to the town. This airport serves the capital city, Reykjavík.
Contents
History of Keflavík
How Keflavík Started
Keflavík was founded by people from Scotland in the 1500s. It grew because of its important fishing industry. People here caught and processed a lot of fish.
The Airport and World War II
In the 1940s, the United States military built an airport near the town. This airport became a key stop for planes flying across the Atlantic Ocean. It was especially important during World War II.
Keflavík During the Cold War
During the Cold War, the Naval Air Station Keflavik played a big role. It helped keep an eye on ships and submarines moving between the Norwegian and Greenland seas and the Atlantic Ocean. The United States Air Force also had forces there. They used radar to watch for aircraft, sent out fighter planes, and helped with air and sea rescues.
As planes could fly further and the Soviet Union broke apart, the base became less vital. The last U.S. military members left in 2006.
"The Beatle Town"
In the 1960s and 1970s, Keflavík became famous in Iceland for its many talented musicians. People even called it bítlabærinn, which means "The Beatle Town".
Geography and Climate
Keflavík's Landscape
The area around Keflavík has many fields of basalt rocks. You can also see some tough plants and mosses growing there.
Weather in Keflavík
Keflavík has a cool oceanic climate. This means it has cool summers and winters that are not too cold. It rains or snows often, but June usually has the least amount of rain.
In winter, the temperature is usually above freezing. Summer temperatures are cool to mild. July is usually the warmest month, with an average high of about 14.2 degrees Celsius (57.6°F). January is the coldest, with an average high of about 3.4 degrees Celsius (38.1°F).
Sports in Keflavík
The town has a sports club called Íþrótta- og ungmennafélag Keflavíkur. They represent Keflavík in various sports.
Famous People from Keflavík
- Julius Fridriksson: An Icelandic-American scientist and professor.
- Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir: A talented footballer born in 2001. She plays for VfL Wolfsburg and the Iceland national team.
See also
In Spanish: Keflavík para niños
