Garðabær
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Garðakirkja in Garðabær, Iceland
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Coat of arms of Garðabær
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Location of Garðabær
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| Region | Capital Region |
| Constituency | Southwest Constituency |
| Established | 1878 |
| Market right | 1 January 1976 |
| Mayor | Gunnar Einarsson (IP) |
| Area | 76 km2 |
| Population | 14,453 (2015) |
| Density | 190.2/km2 |
| Municipal number | 1300 |
| Postal code(s) | 210–225 |
| Website | gardabaer |
Garðabær (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈkarðapair̥]) is a municipality in the Capital Region of Iceland.
History
Garðabær is a growing town in the Capital Region. Garðabær is the sixth largest town in Iceland with a population of 13,872 (Sept 1st, 2013).
The site of Garðabær has been inhabited since Iceland was first settled in the 9th century. Landnámabók, the Book of Settlement, tells about two farms in the site of Garðabær, Vífilsstaðir and Skúlastaðir. The former was named after vifll who was a slave of Ingolfur Arnarson the first settler of Iceland. Ingólfur gave Vífill his freedom and he made his home at Vífilsstaðir.
Facilities
The only IKEA store in all Iceland is in Garðabær. The town is also home to Marel hf., the largest company on NASDAQ OMX Iceland by market capitalisation.[1]
Sports
The town's football club is Stjarnan who play in the Men's Premier Division. Award-winning dancer Hanna Rún Óladóttir lives in Garðabær.
Surrounds
There are many nature reserves surrounding Garðabær and the scenery from various sites in Garðabær is spectacular. From many areas in Garðabær the impressive Snæfellsjökull (Snæfells Glacier) can be seen to the west, as well as Mt. Esja, and there is also a good view over the capital Reykjavík and the neighbour town Kópavogur. The view to the south includes the mountains of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Sister cities
– Asker, Norway[2]
– Jakobstad, Finland[2]
– Eslöv Municipality, Sweden[2]
– Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
– Birkerød, Denmark- – Rudersdal, Denmark[2]
