Thingeyri Explained

Thingeyri should not be confused with Þingeyrar.

Official Name:Þingeyri
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Iceland
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Iceland
Subdivision Type1:Constituency
Subdivision Name1:Northwest Constituency
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Westfjords
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:Ísafjarðarbær
Population As Of:1 January 2020
Population Total:326
Population Urban:262
Population Metro:64
Coordinates:65.8667°N -53°W
Postal Code Type:Póstnúmer
Postal Code:470, 471
Timezone:GMT
Utc Offset:+0

Þingeyri (in Icelandic pronounced as /ˈθiŋkˌeiːrɪ/, regionally also in Icelandic pronounced as /ˈθɪŋk-/) is a settlement in the municipality of Ísafjarðarbær, Iceland.

It is located on the coast of Dýrafjörður fjord in the mountainous peninsula Westfjords (in Icelandic written Vestfirðir). On 1 January 2019, it had a population of 246. It has an airport.

Continually inhabited since 1787,[1] Þingeyri is one of the oldest settlements in the Westfjords[2] and the first trading post established there.[3] [4] It is believed to derive its name from a medieval assembly (þing) and has ruins of a medieval booth believed to have been used by visitors to the assembly.[3]

Thanks to its sheltered location Þingeyri developed into a significant fishing center. In the 19th century the French applied for permission to establish a base there to support their fishing operations in the area but were turned down.[2] [3]

From 1884-98, the town served as the base for American halibut fishing in the region.[1] In 1909 a hospital was founded in the village and in 1910-1911 a church was established.[1] In 1957 an airport for medical transport, with a runway of 300×20 meters, was taken into use.[5]

In 1995, the inhabitants of Þingeyri voted in favor of a merger with Ísafjörður, Suðureyri, Mýrahreppur, Mosvallahreppur and Flateyri to form the new municipality of Ísafjarðarbær. Of the six municipalities involved, Þingeyri had the lowest rate of approval for the merger with 130 voting in favor and 71 voting against.

The nearby mountain of Sandafell, accessed by driving or hiking, is a tourist destination known for its scenic view.[3] [4]

Climate

Based on the climate data for the most recent reference period, Þingeyri has a subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen Cfc) or a continental subarctic climate (Köppen Dfc), depending on the isotherm used.

References

External links

65.8794°N -23.5°W

Notes and References

  1. Íslenska alfræðiorðabókin, p. 563.
  2. Leffman, p. 207.
  3. Simmonds, p. 243.
  4. Harding, p. 160.
  5. "Sjúkraflugvöllur tekinn í notkun á Þingeyri", Morgunblaðið, 12 November 1957, p. 20.