THE EAST The lowlands in East Iceland are divided into two main regions: Múlaþing and Austur-Skaftafellssýsla. The northeastern coast is marked by two bays and one fjord: Bakkaflói, Vopnafjörður, and Héraðsflói. From the shore, the land quickly transforms into grassy valleys that lead up to densely vegetated heaths farther inland. A high mountain range, topped by Mt. Smjörfjall (Butter Mountain), separates Vopnafjörður bay and Fljótsdalshérað district. Fljótsdalshérað is a vast, low-lying area bordered by Héraðsflói bay to the north and Vatnajökull glacier to the south. The plain gives way to three valleys: Jökuldalur, Skriðdalur, and Fljótsdalur. Fljótsdalur is the main valley, Skriðdalur lies to the east and Jökuldalur is the northernmost valley. Jökuldalur is East Iceland’s longest inhabited valley, and to the north of it lies Jökuldalsheiði heath. Fljótsdalsheiði heath is located between Jökuldalur and Fljótsdalur valleys. The heaths and the surrounding areas, stretching all the way to the edge of Vatnajökull glacier, are the habitat of the Icelandic reindeer. Two of the longest and largest rivers in East Iceland, Jökulsá á Brú and Lagarfljót, originate from underneath Vatnajökull glacier and flow through Fljótsdalshérað district. A large mountain range, Austfjarðafjallgarður, lies northeast of Vatnajökull glacier and to the south of Fljótsdalshérað district. This is the oldest part of the country, and the fjords marking the shoreline are similar to those in the Westfjords. The most dramatic fjord is Reyðarfjörður, while Breiðdalur has the most extensive lowlands. The largest islands are Seley, Skrúður, Andey, and Papey. Basalt is the most common rock type, and palagonite is commonly found on the heaths and highlands east of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river. Rhyolite is also found in the area, mostly around Borgarfjörður fjord. There are no active volcanoes in the region and there is little geothermal activity, though modern technology has increased the possibilities for the harvesting of geothermal energy. Glaciers have carved the landscape of southern Múlaþing and some of the valleys contain strata created by moraine.
Rich flora typifies the valleys, while the mountains tend to be bare. Extensive pastures cover the heaths, making Múlaþing one of the main sheep farming districts of Iceland. East Iceland is also the only part of Iceland where wild reindeer roam free. Hérað has the densest vegetation and includes Hallormsstaðaskógur, the largest forest in Iceland. Another large forest, Egilsstaðaskógur, is located a short distance away. Near Egilsstaðir, just off Eiðavegur, is Selskógur, a forest that is often used for outdoor leisure, which is an extension of Egilsstaðaskógur. East Iceland boasts many natural harbours. As a result, it became densely populated around 1900, with fishing as the main industry. The largest of the older municipalities are Seyðisfjörður, Neskaupstaður, Eskifjörður, and Fáskrúðsfjörður. Egilsstaðir and Fellabær are newer municipalities, located near Lagarfljót, and they have evolved into the main transport and service centres in the district.
EAST
East Iceland once stretched as far south as Skeiðarársandur plain, but now that region, Austur-Skaftafellssýsla, geographically belongs to South Iceland.Inland the border lies along Helkunduheiði heath and the mountains near the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, and then follows the river south to Vatnajökull glacier.
TOURIST INFORMATION IN EAST ICELAND Vopnafjörður Egilsstaðir, campsite Skriðuklaustur, Fljótsdalur Seyðisfjörður-bei, Ferjuleira Seyðisfjörður - Austfar, Fjarðargata 8 Breiðdalsvík, t. 470-5560. Djúpivogur, Sætún, Bakki 3
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