The district of Álftanes, which is almost exactly 600 A hectare (symbol ha) is a metric unit of surface area, equal to 100 ares (the name is a contraction of the SI prefix hecto + are). ...hectares in size, had on December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...December 1, 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...2002, a population of about 1780, living in somewhat over 560 dwellings. Situated on a low_lying, scenic peninsula, Álftanes, It is quite near Iceland's capital city of See also: Reykjavík, Manitoba in Canada Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, its largest city and the northernmost capital city of a nation. ...Reykjavík. On Álftanes lays the residence for the List of Presidents of Iceland Sveinn Björnsson (1944_1952) Ásgeir Ásgeirsson (1952_1968) Kristján Eldjárn (1968_1980) Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (1980_1996) Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (1996_present) See also: Politics of Iceland, list of Prime Ministers of Iceland, list of Icelandic rulers, lists of incumbents...President of Iceland.

Geography

Álftanes is a low_lying peninsula joined to the mainland by the isthmus Bessastaðagrandi, which leads between the inlets Skógtjörn to the west and Lambhúsatjörn to the east. Lambhúsatjörn is bordered on the north by the long arm of land Bessastaðanes (Nes is a wiktionary:cognate of the English word "nose."). The hill that the traditional farm Sviðholt is named for is the highest point of the area, 15 m in altitude. Community land can be roughly divided into the following four sections: farthest east is Bessastaðanes between the inlets Bessastaðatjörn and Lambhúsatjörn ("tjörn" meaning pond); the flat, sparsely settled Norðurnes extends north past the west side of Bessastaðatjörn; the broad spaces where most residents of Álftanes live lie between Kasthúsatjörn and Skógtjörn; finally there is Hliðsnes just south of Skógtjörn.

The only municipality with land bordering Álftanes is Garðabær is a municipality in the Greater Reykjavík area of Iceland. ...Garðabær.

Famous for its beautiful nature, with a variety of flora and fauna that is unsurpassed in the vicinity of the capital city, Álftanes presents clean sea shores with clear water. It's biological diversity helps it fulfill it's important role as a stopover for Long_distance land bird migration Many species of land birds migrate very long distances, the most common pattern being for birds to breed in the temperate or arctic northern hemisphere and winter in warmer regions, often in the tropics or the southern hemisphere. ...migratory birds.

A short history

Ingólfur Arnarson, known as the first settler of Iceland, claimed Álftanes as part of his possessions, so that its history extends back to the very beginning of the country’s settlement. A nephew of Arnarson, Ásbjörn Össurarson, soon acquired land in what was later known as Álftaneshreppur ("hreppur" being for centuries the local governmental unit of Iceland).

It was not long until Álftaneshreppur became a political entity, because population rose quickly during the earliest centuries of settlement. In all likelihood the borders remained unchanged from their origins until in Events January - April January – Cleopatras Needle arrives in London January 9 - Humbert I becomes King of Italy January 23 – Disraeli orders British fleet to Dardanelles January 28 - The Yale News becomes the first daily, college newspaper in the United States. ...1878 when the territory was divided along parish lines, creating the two districts of Bessastaðahreppur and Garðahreppur.

Late in the 19th century, fishing was the main source of living, with agriculture in second place. At the end of the century, catches suddenly declined, hurting the populace so severely that the number of residents, which was 600 in 1870, was halved to 300 by 1930. During the first decades of the 20th century this countryside of tiny, densely spaced farms changed into a prosperous agricultural area; however, around 1960 farming too began to decrease, at the same time as demand increased for land and spacious building lots, leading to the modern suburban aspect of the peninsula.

Through the ancient farm Bessastaðir, this community has long been inseparable from the history of the entire nation. A great deal of information and traditions exist on people and events, because for centuries Bessastaðir served as a seat for the leaders of the country and its administration.

The traditional farm Bessastaðir stands somewhat apart from the remainder of the community, providing a residence for the President of Iceland. Owned by the state, the property contains only buildings which are connected to the President’s home and the farm.

Population

During the 19th century the population of the district reached its highest total, 670, in 1880 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...1880. After the turn of the century, citizens decreased once more to a low of 117 in 1940 was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...1940. On December 1, 2002, on the other hand, the number of residents had climbed to 1780, which is about 1,5% of the total in the capital city area. It is clear that Bessastaðahreppur has not had significant influence on the overall growth of the area although in fact new construction is proceeding at a fast pace.

Government

The district government of Bessastaðahreppur is organized into four main parts, listed here with their principal functions:

• Administration and finance: Salaries and related payments, bills and accounting, employee affairs, industrial development, public buildings

• Social services: Family matters and child security, household assistance, affairs of the elderly

• Education and culture: Matters of the kindergarten and of the elementary and music schools, sports and recreation, the library

• Environmental services: Direction of planning and construction, environmental matters, water and sewage control, district machinery and works.

The community of Bessastaðahreppur is governed by a council of seven representatives, assisted by the district manager.

Employment

Throughout history, the principal employment was in fisheries and agriculture, while today these branches have largely disappeared. Most modern residents work outside the district.

There are not many paid jobs inside the district other than in public services, such as at the district office which is open at Bjarnastaðir. In addition, the local kindergarten cares for around 100 children, the elementary school educates about 220 pupils in grades 1-8 and the community sports centre provides recreation including a centre for children and adolescents.

The community has one little shop with most nessecaries, butr residents often travel to other areas for shopping and various private services. It is not unlikely that this situation will change, however, in the next few years, since it is expected that shops and other businesses will begin to open their doors at the district centre, the isthmus Bessastaðagrandi.

Education, culture and sports

The district elementary school, Álftanesskóli, takes in pupils of grades 1-8, while grades 9-10 attend Garðaskóli in the municipality of Garðabær. Other educational institutions include the kindergarten, music school and library, as well as a sports centre containing a gymnasium, meeting rooms and a swimming pool. Bessastaðahreppur owns a share in the secondary school Fjölbrautaskóli Garðabæjar, providing access to ongoing education in modern, attractive facilities.

Cultural and sports activities are abundant. Through the youth club Ungmennafélag Bessastaðahrepps, numerous possibilities are open to the young for sports and recreation. There is a women’s club, a men and women’s choir, a society for art and culture and an equestrian organization, along with the local For professional sport scouts, see Scout (sport). ...Scouts and Binomial name Panthera leo (Linnaeus, 1758) The Lion (Panthera leo) is a mammal of the family Felidae. ...Lions.

In closing, it may be asserted that the main goal of the district is to support a prosperous society in a fairly rural setting, providing the appropriate services, while preserving and even improving the area as one of nature’s jewels.

Sourses:

http://www.alftanes.is/