Historic Gullbringusýsla isn't the largest county by land mass in Iceland, but it certainly holds great significance in the present day. The county is the home of the nation's international airport in Keflavík, where most visitors first set foot. It is also home to the country's capital, Reykjavík.
In a country with a total population of approximately 373,000 people in 2022, the population of Reykjavík, at approximately 117,500, the city contains 31% of the country's citizens. But when the communities in the greater Reykjavík area are also factored in (Garðabær, Hafnar, Fjörður, Kópavogur, Mosfellsbær, and Seltjarnes), the population swells to 63% of the country's inhabitants.
In addition to being home to Iceland's government, it is the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. The city is also home to many of the nation's art, history, and cultural offerings. It is also recognized by the Guinness World Records for its proximity to the world's largest hot springs in terms of their flow rate.
First inhabited by Norsemen in approximately 874 CE, the area remained undeveloped until 1876 when it became an official trading town for the island.
Some stories from the Icelandic Roots Archives featuring Gullbringusýsla:
More articles on the Reykjavík area:
Here is a guide to the top ten attractions in 2022
And an article about ten interesting things you may not know about Reykjavík.