Iceland is located on the mid-Atlantic ridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It has high volcanic and earthquake activity due to its position on the ridge. The landscape is dominated by glaciers, lava fields, and rugged mountains, with low birch woodlands and moss in some areas. Summers are cool and short, while winters are long and mild. Reykjavik is the capital city, located on the southwest coast and home to over 120,000 people, or about 63% of Iceland's total population of 320,000. The city was planned around key sightlines and features a defined city center, commercial areas, and parks.

1. s
ysi
al
an
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2. North American Plate
Euroasian plate
Reykjavík
Iceland is situated on the
mid atlantic ridge between
the North American plate
and the Euro Asian plate.
Volcanic and earthquake
activity is therefore very
high.

3. About 10% of the country are glaciers.
Green fjords and black lava sands.
Trees in towns but landscape mostly bare and
rugget. Low birch tree and moss vegitation

4. glacier
Landscape + settlement
mountain (highest: 2110 m)
agriculture
sea
mountain mountain
village
sea
city
sea

5. We come from th
e la
nd of the ice
an
ds
no
w
/ From the midnight sun
wh
ere
the
h ot
sp
rin
gs
b
low
Short cool summers and long rather mild winters.
Sun altitude 50° in summertime
Sun altitude 3° in wintertime

6. Average >Temperature
Desember/January: - 0°Celsius
July + 10°Celsius

7. Main wind directions in Iceland are
from North-East and South-West.
Turbulent confluence of gulf stream
winds and the northerly arctic storms.
Wind from North prevailing.
Often the best weather when
winds are from North.
Greater Reykjavík Area
South and S-W winds rather
common as well. Warmer and
more wet.

8. city an al ys is

9. Volcanic eruptions, hardships and plagues caused population
in Iceland never to cross over 50 000 inhabitants and it wasn´t
until the 1800´s that population started to increase steadily and
this society of peasants became a society based on small fishing
villages around the country.

10. On the South_Western
side of the Island is
Reykjavík which got
capital status in 1786
There had always been
a settlement in the
Reykjavík area since
the island was settled in
874 AC.
In the 18th century
the settlement started
to grow around the
fisheries. It had a good
natural harbour and Greater Reykjavik Area
soon most governmental 200 000 inhabitants
agencies were gathered 63% of the population.
in this area and it became
the nations capital.

12. Iceland:: population 320 000
Greater Reyjavík Area 200 000
Reykjavík 120 000
area 230 km2
Mosfellsbær
Seltjarnarnes
centre
Reykjavík
Álftanes Kópavogur
Garðabær
Hafnarfjörður

13. City_Landscape
1 meter between
contours
1:25 000

14. Snæfellsjökull The city was
mountain/glacier planned after 3
main sightlines
Esjan
mountain
Keilir
mountain
1:25 000

15. Defined city center
1:25 000

16. Commercial
Secondary commercial
Public Administration
Center core
1:25 000

17. Parks/ green spaces
1:25 000

18. Water access
1:25 000

19. Hospital Area
Airport
1:25 000

20. Traffic in the city centre
main
secondary
residential
1:25 000