The second largest city in Iceland, small and exquisite

beautiful as a fairy tale world, even the zebra crossings are designed with great aesthetics. Iceland is famous for its mysterious and strange natural scenery, like an alien planet. However, besides the capital Reykjavik, other cities in this country seem to be less well-known. Even the second largest city in Iceland, Akureyri, is little known to Chinese tourists. Located in the north of Iceland, Akureyri is like a "Shangri-La" on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Akureyri is the political, economic, and cultural center of northern Iceland, known as the "capital of the north". Although it sounds like a big city, Akureyri is just a "miniature town" with a population of only 20,000, more like an isolated small town, with a quiet environment and exquisite lifestyle far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Located at the end of the Eyjafjörður fjord in the northernmost part of Iceland, Akureyri is backed by mountains and faces a lake, boasting a rich and colorful natural landscape, and is known as the "Athens of the North" in Iceland. Although it does not have the long and rich historical relics of Athens, Greece, Akureyri, with its vast and desolate mountain and water scenery, fully displays the cultural charm of Iceland. The city of Akureyri has rich vegetation, with lush trees, green grass, birds singing and flowers fragrant. It even has the world's northernmost botanical garden, which contains more than 2,000 plant species. It is known as the "garden city on the edge of the Arctic Circle" and forms a contrast with the sparse vegetation in many parts of Iceland. Akureyri is very small in scale, even smaller than a small town in China, but it is the main trading center in northern Iceland, and the largest port in the north is also located here. The port was built in the late 19th century. Because Akureyri is located at the position where the bay extends into the inland, steep mountains on both sides form a natural protective barrier, creating a unique natural harbor for Akureyri. Although the urban population is not large, the building area of Acreliri is considerable, equivalent to a medium-sized city with a population of 200,000. There are also many cultural, educational, and public resources, including modern libraries, museums, sports centers, youth centers, theaters, and various schools. There is also an airport in the suburbs, making it a highly modern city. Strolling in Aker Brygge, I am amazed by the exquisite streets and delicate lifestyle here. The houses have various shapes, colorful and elegant. It is said that many wealthy businessmen from Nordic countries have built many villas here. Walking on the street, you may meet a billionaire face to face. The houses are full of design sense, and the small town exudes a strong sense of design and romantic atmosphere, fully reflecting people's pursuit of beauty. The exquisite houses of every household, the humanized public facilities on the street, and even the zebra crossings are painted with "dalmatian" patterns, which are refreshing. Roaming in Akureyri, Hafnarst, the main commercial street in the city center, is the liveliest place in the city. The street is quiet and exquisite, showing traditional features without losing modern atmosphere. Supermarkets, shops, bookstores, restaurants, cafes, clothing stores, etc. are mixed and distributed everywhere, showing the high and cold Nordic style. People and tourists can enjoy leisure time here to the fullest. Akureyri Cathedral is a landmark building in the city, designed by architect Gudjon Samuelsson, who also designed the Reykjavik Cathedral. The architectural style is still full of the beauty of Nordic minimalism, with a strong sense of fashion and modernity. Interestingly, this type of church design is very rare in Europe, but in Iceland, it fully embodies the imagination and creativity of the locals, showing that beneath their cool exterior lies a wild and unrestrained heart.