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The boundaries of this area are drawn
at the
glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon in the
East, and fishing and ferry town Thorlakshofn
in the West.
Towns, villages, places of interest and recreation are mentioned
above and below. The South is both densely and sparsely populated. Between the town
Hofn and
the river Markarfljot are vast alluvial or outwash
plains, lava fields and narrow strips of lowlands, which
limit agricultural activities, but the western part contains
the largest and fertile agricultural area of the country and a
few townships. The landscapes of the lowland and highland
areas contain many of the most interesting and beautiful
spots of the country. The southern central highlands boast
of the largest glaciers, most active and largest volcanoes
and eruptive fissures, rhyolite intrusions and hyaloclastite
mountains. There
are many very active geothermal areas in the mountains and lowlands between the middle of
the area all the way to the western boundaries.
One of the two main
seismic areas of the country streches
from Mt Hekla across town
Hveragerdi to the end of the southwest peninsula Reykjanes. The trades are mainly based on
farming, services, industry and tourism.
The communications are reliable the
whole year round with an
exception of a few days during winter. Road #1 lies through the whole area. There are
many attractions and important historical sites in the South (The Book of
Settlements, Njal's Saga and Sturlunga Saga). Recreational activities on offer are very
varied and interesting. Driftwood
was gathered from the coastline in the past.
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