Flatey is the largest island of the western islands, a cluster of about forty large and small islands and islets located in Breidafjord in the northwestern part of Iceland. Flatey and its surrounding islands are believed to have forged from under the weight of a great glacier during the previous ice age. In terms of size, Flatey is some two kilometres long and about one kilometer wide, of which most is flat land (hence its name, meaning "flat island" in Icelandic), with scarcely any hills to be found. The island has a seasonal habitation; most houses there are occupied only during summer. In winter, the island's total population is five people. In spite of this, Flatey used to be one of the main cultural centers of Iceland, with its no-longer existing monastery (founded in 1172).
Year: 2013
From album: Iceland's "Green Economy"
Photographer:
Peter Prokosch
Tags:
Iceland
landscape