The nature reserve was declared a protected area in 1975. The protected area is 589 square kilometers in size and located in the northern part of the Westfjords Peninsula. One of the main characteristics is its remoteness and how little it has been influenced by human structures and traffic. The area contains gigantic bird cliffs, unique flora and cultural remnants that serve as monuments to an earlier era when people still lived there.
The objective of protection is to preserve the wildlife, geology and cultural remnants of the area. The conservation of the area is of great importance, both in local as well as international terms, since it is an important habitat for a large number of bird species as well as being one of the most important homes for arctic foxes in Europe.
For more information, please see Hornstandir (ust.is).
Protected Areas in Iceland
Lake Mývatn and Laxa Nature Conservation Area
Vatnajökull National Park
Fjallabak Nature Reserve
