Skaftafell

Skaftafell

Skaftafell is a preservation area in southeastern Iceland that was once a large farm and was later designated a national park. It was founded in 1967, and originally known as the Skaftafell National Park, but was later merged with other areas in the vicinity to form the larger Vatnajökull National Park. This union has resulted in the creation of one of the largest national parks in Europe, covering an area of approximately 14,967 square kilometers. The park's vast expanse is characterized by diverse landscapes, including glaciers, glacial rivers, and huge areas of volcanic ash desert. The beautiful Svartifoss falls over a step of about 20 meters and gets its name from the black basalt columns in the background. In medieval times there were several large farms in the area, but they were deserted after two volcanic eruptions and the following glacier flows. Today, the two remaining farms depend mainly on tourism. Skaftafell's natural beauty is not only a testament to the region's geological history but also a habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park is home to several species of Arctic birds, with redpoll, redwing, and wren occurring down in the Skaftafell forest, while ptarmigan, snipe, Golden Plover and Meadow Pipit are more common higher up. Other common birds include the wheatear, merlin, raven, and Snow Bunting. While the only wild mammals are the Arctic Fox, Field Mouse and mink, the area's insect fauna is relatively diverse in comparison to most of Iceland.