Northwest Iceland’s vast landscapes and the communities that shape it

Northwest Iceland, or Norðurland vestra, is one of the country’s eight historic regions, positioned in the northwestern part of the island. With an area covering 12,737 square kilometres, it is defined as much by its wide-open spaces as by its close-knit towns.

Sauðárkrókur, the largest town in the region, stands out as the population centre, home to 2,609 people as of 2024. Other notable settlements include Blönduós, Hvammstangi, and Skagaströnd, each playing a role in the area’s daily life and cultural identity. The region as a whole was home to 7,392 people in 2008, with a slight decrease to 7,322 by 2020, reflecting a trend common in rural Iceland.

Norðurland vestra’s boundaries have shifted over the last decades. Previously encompassing towns like Siglufjörður, in 2007 administrative changes reassigned some municipalities to neighbouring regions. Conversely, the inclusion of Bæjarhreppur in 2012 extended Norðurland vestra’s reach westward. The region is also significant administratively, as it hosts the district court of Norðurland vestra in Sauðárkrókur, established in 1992.

A striking natural highlight is Hvítserkur, a basalt rock formation rising 15 metres from the water and often compared to the silhouette of a dragon. Hvítserkur draws visitors and photographers, symbolizing the interplay of landscape and imagination found throughout Northwest Iceland.

TopicsNorðurland vestraNorthwest IcelandregionsSauðárkrókur