Husavik (Iceland)

Husavik is a port town located on Iceland's northern coast, and on the shores of Skjalfandi bay. The town has population around 2,000. Its most popular landmark is the wooden church Husavikurkirkja (1907-built). The town is served by the Husavik Airport.

Local industry is mainly based on fishing and tourism. Until recently, the town's harbor served the export of silica (extracted from lake Myvatn). The region features diverse wildlife and interesting geology. Nearby is the Jokulsargljufur National Park (with its horseshoe-shaped Asbyrgi canyon). Also near the town are the waterfalls Hafragilsfoss, Selfoss and Dettifoss.

Husavík was Iceland's first Norse settlement. According to the Norse sagas, the Swedish Viking Gardar Svavarsson stayed here for one winter (in 870 AD). When he left in spring 870, he left behind two slaves (a man and a woman) who established a farm here. The town's name is translated as "bay of houses", presumably referring to the Viking's house - Iceland's only one at the time.

As whales often enter the bay, Husavik became Iceland's center of whale watching tourism. In the town (by the harbor) is located the Husavík Whale Museum. Another civic museum is dedicated to local biology, history and culture. Also here is the Exploration Museum.

Husavik is often visited by cruise ships during the Midnight Sun phenomenon (June 11 through June 29). This natural phenomenon occurs only in places located north of the Arctic Circle. The town's shortest daylight time is 2 hr 45 min (on December 21).