Reykjavik is the capital and the largest city of Iceland, located on the Faxa Bay in the west of the country. It is also the world’s northernmost capital. The first permanent settlement here is believed to have been established by the Norwegian Viking Ingólfur Arnarson, who named it Reykjavik, in Norwegian it means “Smoke Cove”. The name refers to numerous geysers and hot springs surrounding the city. The rapid growth of the city dates back to the end of the 18th century, when the seat of the bishop of Iceland and the parliament were moved to the city. Despite the fact that Reykjavik is a young and not very big capital with only 120 thousand inhabitants, it offers a wide range of attractions. It is a cultural and artistic center of the country, in 2010 the city was the European Capital of Culture. What is more, tourists may bathe in hot springs, admire geysers and volcanoes, dive in cold northern waters, see the northern lights and monuments of the Viking culture or enjoy one of the numerous summer festivals.