North Iceland
North Iceland is an area of extremes: the flourishing farming communities of Skagafjörður and Eyjafjörður, the soaring ice-capped peaks of the Tröllaskagi peninsula, the volcanic deserts of the far northeast and the small island of Grímsey straddling the Arctic Circle, just to name a few. Though distinctly Icelandic, it's a unique world of its own.
In the western part of the region, volcanic forces are no longer active, but the landscapes leave clear traces of the last Ice Age where the hills have been moulded and smoothed around some of Iceland's best angling rivers.
Further east, fresh lava flows, fissures and gullies are clues to more recent forces at work. It has been only about twenty years since the last volcanic eruption in the geothermal area adjacent to Mt. Krafla. Just a short distance away is Lake Mývatn, famous for its scenery, geothermal activity and unique birdlife. And nearby at Jökulsárgljúfur National Park is the giant hoof-shaped canyon of Ásbyrgi, carved of an ancient glacial flood.
In addition to its natural contrasts, the region is notable for its unique cultural heritage. The small, rustic villages symbolize rural North Iceland with its deep traditions in farming and fishing while the area around Skagafjörður is particularly well-known as the main stomping grounds of the Icelandic horse, which has remained purebred since the settlement era over 1,000 years ago.
Besides guided horseback rides, which can be found in all parts of the region, North Iceland is ideal for whitewater rafting, hiking, golfing, whale watching and boating. The town of Akureyri, Iceland's second largest urban area, is also well worth a visit for its array of arts, entertainment and activities.
source: http://www.northiceland.is and http://www.visiticeland.com/
