Inwest
In the Westfjords there are several opportunities for investment. Key growth opportunities have been identified in aquaculture, open sea fish farming, value added production of seafood, sustainable tourism and nature based tourism.
Westfjords
The Westfjords of Iceland (www.wikipedia.com)
The Westfjords is a region in the North West of Iceland. As the name implies one of the characteristics of the region are the deep fjords. The region has several unique natural attractions such as Latrabjarg; a unique and magnificent natural setting where you can literally stand on the end of Europe, at least its most westerly point. The cliffs are steep, high and a good example of the harshness and beauty the whole region possesses. The region is not densely populated with the population of 7300 inhabitants. The largest municipality is Isafjardarbaer with 3.900 inhabitants and the smallest municipality is Arneshreppur with 50 inhabitants.
Due to distances and the geography of the region there are 3 sub regions:
● Northern
● Southern
● Strandir & Reykholar
Northern region fact file
Municipalities: Isafjordur, Bolungarvik, Sudavik
Population: Isafjordur with 3899 inhabitants, Bolungarvik with 970 inhabitants and Sudavik with 202 inhabitants. This is the largest region of the three sub regions of the Westfjords. (www.hagstofan.is , February 2011)
Air transport: Twice a day to Reykjavik in the summer time with Air Iceland.
Ocean transport: No public transport via ocean to other regions.
Road transport: Approximately 480 km. from Isafjordur to Reykjavik, which is around a 5 hour drive. There are two major mountain roads that are around 100 km of the total route. The roads are passable all year round. The distance to the Strandir/Reykholar region is about 250 km with the same distance to the Southern region (mountain roads impassable in the high winter).
Ports: Large ports in Isafjordur and Bolungarvik where larger ships can land (up to 80 m long with a draught of 8,5 m). Sudavik has a smaller port. All ports are suitable for fishing vessels.
Energy: Hydro energy from local hydro power plants and other hydro plants on the main electrical grid.
Water: Abundant clean water.
Geothermal energy: Relatively cold area with electrical central heating. Some hot water is used in fish drying production facilities in Sudureyri.
Land and industrial premises: Industrial premises and land near the port is available and some small scale industrial buildings are vacant for lease or purchase.
General services: Grocery and convenience stores, bakery, clothing stores, hairdressers, mechanics, constructors, electrical services, mechanical services internet services, telephone services, hospital and dental service.
Business services: Legal, banking, accounting, auditing, engineering, small scale conference facilities and insurance.
Education: Pre-school, elementary school, high school and university centre.
Leisure activities: Skiing, golf, hiking, kayaking, ocean sports, diving, sea angling, other indoor and outdoor sports, cinema, historical museums, art exhibitions, restaurants and bars.
Southern region fact file
Municipalities: Vesturbyggd and Talknafjordur
Population: Vesturbyggd, with 890 inhabitants and Talknafjordur municipality with 306 inhabitants (www.hagstofan.is , February 2011).
Air transport: From Reykjavik to Bildudalur airport, six times a week with Eagle Air. www.eagleair.is.
Ocean transport: The car ferry Baldur goes from Stykkisholmur (172 km from Reykjavik) twice a day during summer and six times a week during winter time to Brjanslaekur port in Bardastrond in Vesturbyggd. The car ferry gives drivers and travelers an option for an easier mode of transport that can be very important in winter conditions.
Road transport: 400 km from Reykjavik to Patreksfjordur (pop. 630). Reykjavík to Bildudalur (pop. 166), 430 km. Reykjavík to Talknafjordur (pop. 294) 418 km. The roads are paved apart from a short stretch of gravel road approx. 53 km.
Ports: All ports in the southern region are suitable for fishing vessels. The ports can accommodate ships up to 170 m long with a draught up to 10 m (different conditions are in the three different ports in the towns).
Energy: Hydro energy from regional hydro power plants and other hydro plants on the main electrical grid.
Water: Abundant clean water.
Geothermal energy: Relatively cold geothermal area with central heating. Some hot water is used in fish farming, and for swimming pools such as in Bardastrond and Talknafjordur, but plenty of small natural hot springs used for natural pools.
Land and industrial premises: Industrial premises and land near the ports are available in most towns and some industrial buildings are vacant for lease or purchase.
General services: Hospital and general health service, dental service. Grocery and convenience stores, bakery, clothing stores, hairdressers, mechanics, constructors, electrical services, mechanical services, computer and internet services, telephone services as well as miscellaneous services available such as divers etc.
Business services: Banking, accounting, business consulting, small scale conference facilities and insurance services.
Education: Pre-school, elementary school and high school and distance learning.
Leisure activities: Swimming pools, sport facilities, horse-riding, golf courses, hiking trails, sea angling, kayaking, natural hot bathing spots, restaurants, bars, cinema, museums and various exhibitions.
Strandir /Reykholar fact file
Municipalities: Strandabyggd, Baejarhreppur, Arneshreppur, Reykholar and Kaldrananeshreppur
Population: Strandabyggd with 508 inhabitants, Reykholahreppur 291 with inhabitants, Kaldrananesheppur with 112 inhabitants , Baejarheppur with 96 inhabitants and Arneshreppur with 50 inhabitants. (www.hagstofan.is , February 2011).
Air transport: Twice a week from Reykjavik to Arneshreppur/Gjogur via Ernir/Eagle Air. Airports in Holmavik and Reykholar, but no scheduled flights.
Ocean transport: No ocean transport due to easy road access to other regions
Road transport: Around 250 km paved road from Reykjavík to the Strandir/Reykholar region, 265 km to Drangsnes and 321 km to Gjögur.
Ports: Holmavik has a medium size port up to 80m long with a draught of 6 m. Smaller ports in Reykholar, Drangsnes and Nordurfjordur. All ports are suitable for fishing vessels.
Energy: Hydro energy from regional hydro power plants and other hydro plants on the main electrical grid.
Water: Abundant clean water.
Geothermal energy: Geothermal water is used for industrial purposes in Reykholar for drying algae and there still are opportunities to utilize hot water in various small scale industrial purposes. Geothermal water is also available in Kaldrananeshreppur.
Land and industrial premises: Industrial premises and land near the port in Holmavik is available and some small scale industrial buildings are vacant for lease or purchase.
General services: Grocery and convenience stores, clothing stores, hairdressers, mechanics, constructors, mechanical services, internet services, telephone services, small hospital and pharmacy.
Education: Pre-school and elementary school.
Business services: Banking, accounting and insurance.
Leisure activities: Golf, hiking, kayaking, river fishing, sea angling, other indoor and outdoor sports, museums, restaurants and bars.