Grímsey is a small Icelandic island, off the north coast of the main island of Iceland, straddling the Arctic Circle. In January 2018 Grímsey had 61 inhabitants. Before 2009, Grimsey constituted the hreppur of Grímseyjarhreppur. In that year, island residents voted to join the municipality with Akureyri. The island's only settlement is Sandvík.
Geography
Grímsey is the northernmost inhabited Icelandic territory; the rapidly disappearing islet of Kolbeinsey lies some farther north, but is uninhabitable. The closest land is the island of Flatey, Skjálfandi, to the south. The Arctic Circle currently runs through the island, a feature of interest to many visitors, while the entirety of mainland Iceland lies south of the Arctic Circle. Due to long-term oscillations in the Earth's axis, the Arctic Circle currently shifts northward by about per year, though varying substantially from year to year due to the complexity of the movement. The true position of the Arctic Circle in the early 21st century is already close to the northern tip of the island, and by about the middle of the 21st century, it will no longer cross Grimsey at all. Originally a fixed monument to the Arctic Circle was placed at a conventional location. In 2017 a new monument, comprising an eight-tonne stone sphere, was placed close to the true current location of the circle, in response to its continual movement. Also, through the centuries three markers have been placed and marked with the calculated location: 1717, 1817, and 1917. There are steep cliffs everywhere except on the southern shoreline. Grímsey has an area of, and a maximum elevation of.
Climate
Despite the northerly latitude, the climate is generally mild because of the North Atlantic Current, which brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico.
Biodiversity
Though treeless, the island's vegetation cover is rich, consisting of marshland, grass, and moss, and the island is home to many birds, especially auks. Gulls and arctic terns also inhabit the island.
Economy and society
The principal industrial activity is commercial fishing. Agriculture and collecting seabird eggs are also common. Grímsey is a popular tourist destination for visitors seeking an Arctic Circle experience. The island is served by regular ferry and aircraft passenger services from the mainland; there is a 3,400' north–south runway on the west side of the island. The church on Grímsey was built from driftwood in 1867 and renovated in 1956. It is part of the Akureyri parish. The island has a community center, and a school from kindergarten to Grade 8. Beyond this age, students travel to Akureyri for further education. The church was formerly a parsonage, and is situated at a place marked as Miðgarður on most maps of the island; however, the single settlement is officially known as Sandvík. The island has acquired a reputation for being a bastion of chess-playing. On learning this, the American scholar and keen chess playerWillard Fiske took an interest in Grímsey in the 1870s, sending supplies, supporting the economy and leaving money in his will, though he never visited the island.
Transport
The island is served by Grímsey Airport. A ferry connects the island three days a week with the mainland.
