Iceland - The Turf House Tradition

"Austur-Meðalholt, Árnessýsla,Árbær, Reykjavík Bustarfell, Norður Múlasýsla Galtastaðir fremri, Suður Múlasýsla Glaumbær, Skagafjarðarsýsla Grenjaðarstaður, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Grænavatn, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Keldur, Rangárvallasýsla Laufás, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Núpsstaður, Vestur Skaftafellssýsla Tyrfingsstaðir, Skagafjarðarsýsla Þverá, Suður Þingeyjasýsla Víðimýrarkirkja, Skagafjarðarsýsla Hofskirkja, Austur Skaftafellssýsla

The vernacular architectural tradition in Iceland dates back to the settlement in the 9th century. It has since been adapted to the local climate, varying environmental resources and the requirements of the society that developed on the island. The Icelandic turf farmstead has developed from the long house; a Northern European tradition brought to the country by the Nordic settlers. As their name suggests, turf is one of the main materials used for its construction. Timber is used for the structure, turf is laid to form the thick walls and as a cover for the roof. Sometimes stones are used with or without the turf for the walls, and slates can be used as an underlay for the roof. Although the building materials used have not changed much, the form of the turf farm has changed and adapted to a changing context through the ages...."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Laufas - historic farmstead, church and personage. Thanks to Steffi of Germany.

Iceland - Breiðafjörður Nature Reserve

"Breiðafjörður is a large shallow bay located in Western Iceland, with an exceptional combination of natural features and cultural and historical heritage. It is approximately 50 km wide and 125 km long, encircled by mountains, including the volcano Snæfellsjökull on the Snæfellsnes peninsula on the south side, and the Western Fjords peninsula to the north. The coast is a fairly narrow strip interspersed with farms and small urban areas. The spectacular land- and seascape consists of shallow seas, small fjords and bays and the inner part of extensive intertidal areas dotted with about 3,000 islands, islets and skerries. The area contains about half of Iceland's intertidal area and over one-third of its coastline. Tides of six metres, unique for Iceland, contribute to the diverse land- and seascapes..."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Flatey is the largest o fthe 40 small islands dotting the Breidafjorour Bay. Thanks to Steffi of Germany.

Iceland - Mývatn and Laxá

"The Mývatn area has unique geological and biological conservation values. Precipitation is trapped by the porous volcanic bedrock and moves beneath the surface until it reappears in a series of springs which supply systems of rivers and lakes. The largest of these is the wetland area of Mývatn and Laxá. Lake Mývatn (37 km²) is situated 278 meters above sea level and contains more than 50 islands. The landscape around the lake and in many of the islands is dominated by perfectly shaped pseudo craters, formed by steam explosions as hot lava flowed into the lake some 2300 years ago. The best known of the craters are Skútustaðagígar, which has a special protection status. The name of the lake, Mývatn, derives from the vast numbers of midges (aquatic insects) that emerge from the lake, forming impressive mating swarms on its shores. Mývatn and Laxá have one of the world's richest populations of breeding aquatic birds. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in the area, including 28 species of ducks..." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

A multi-view of Lake Myvatn, Iceland. Thanks to Marie of France who visited Iceland.