Ásahreppur Explained

Ásahreppur
Settlement Type:Municipality
Mapsize:250px
Pushpin Map:Iceland
Coordinates:64.5°N -48°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Iceland
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Southern Region
Subdivision Type2:Constituency
Subdivision Name2:South Constituency
Leader Title1:Manager
Leader Name1:Björgvin G. Sigurðsson
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:2,942
Population Total:193
Population Density Km2:0.07
Code1 Name:Municipal number
Code1 Info:8610

Ásahreppur (pronounced as /is/) is a municipality in central Iceland, located on the western edge of Rangárvallasýsla. The name "Ásahreppur" comes from the natural ridges in the area known as "the ásar". The community is bounded by the bridge of Þjórsá river to the west on the Ring Road, and the boundary extends about 500 m from Landvegamót to the east. A bridge has existed across Þjórsá since 1895.

The community has a population of approximately 193 people, with agriculture and service being the main sources of employment. The landscape of the area includes a variety of features such as grassy swamps, farm areas, hills, and ridges, with the largest nesting place of the grey lag goose being located in the swampy desolated area of Frakkavatn. The majority of the habitation in Ásahreppur consists of clusters of farms around the ridges (including Vetleifsholtscluster, Áscluster, Ásmundarstaðircluster, Hamracluster, Sumaliðabæjarcluster, and Kálfholtscluster). There are also many artificial caves in the area that were once used as animal houses up until the 20th century, but were reportedly used for human habitation in the first centuries after Iceland was settled. Basic services such as schools are provided to the inhabitants of Ásahreppur through cooperation with neighboring communities in Rangárvallasýsla, Skaftárhreppur, and Mýrdalshreppur.