Eastern Region (Iceland) Explained

Official Name:Eastern Region
Other Name:Austurland
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Iceland
Seat:Egilsstaðir
Area Total Km2:22721
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:13173
Population Density Km2:0.6
Website:https://www.east.is/

Eastern Region (Icelandic: '''Austurland''', pronounced as /is/) is a region in eastern Iceland. Its area is and in 2020 its population was 13,173. The Eastern Region has a jagged coastline of fjords, referred to as the Eastfjords (Icelandic: Austfirðir in Icelandic pronounced as /ˈœystˌfɪrðɪr̥/).

The largest town in the region is Egilsstaðir, with a population of around 2,600. The oldest municipality is Djúpivogur, which got their trading licence in 1589 and had a population of 470 in 2015.

The only car and passenger ferry that sails between Iceland and the European continent calls at Seyðisfjörður once a week in the summer months and intermittently the rest of the year.

The region is home to the Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant. Among notable tourist destinations are the Helgustaðir mine, which is known for its Iceland spar, and Stuðlagil.