Reyðarfjörður
Reyðarfjörður is a deep and wide fjord in the
Eastfjords
of Iceland and is among the longest fjords in the country.
Stretching roughly 30 kilometers inland, the fjord is known for its
broad inner basin and excellent natural harbor conditions.
At the northern head of the fjord lies the town of Reyðarfjörður,
originally known as Búðareyri.
The settlement became an officially recognized trading post in the
late 19th century and soon developed into an important center for
commerce and transportation in eastern Iceland.
In the 1880s, the Wathne brothers, Friðrik and Ottó, established
trading and fishing operations in the area, laying the foundations
for the town’s economic growth.
The establishment of the regional cooperative in 1909 and the
construction of road connections through Fagradalur further
strengthened Reyðarfjörður’s position as a commercial hub.
Today, Reyðarfjörður forms part of the municipality of
Fjarðabyggð
and plays a key role in the regional economy.
Its naturally sheltered harbor has enabled diverse industrial
and transport-related activities.
A major transformation occurred with the construction of the
Fjarðaál aluminum smelter nearby, which brought increased employment
and population growth, reinforcing Reyðarfjörður’s role as one of the
main industrial centers in eastern Iceland.
Although fishing has historically been present, trade, services,
and transportation have long been equally important to the local
economy, particularly due to strong road connections to
Eskifjörður,
Fáskrúðsfjörður,
and
Egilsstaðir.
Today, Reyðarfjörður is a well-established coastal community combining
industry, services, and strong regional connections within the
Eastfjords.
Reyðarfjörður liggur við einn stærsta fjörð landsins.