# Egilsstaðir

> town in Iceland

**Wikidata**: [Q14453](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14453)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egilsstaðir)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/egilsstair

## Summary

Egilsstaðir is a town in Iceland that serves as the administrative capital of the Eastern Region. Founded in 1947, it is located within the municipality of Múlaþing and sits at coordinates 65.26666667°N, 14.4°W at an elevation of 32 meters above sea level. With a population of 2,572 as of January 1, 2022, Egilsstaðir has grown steadily from 2,257 residents recorded in 2011.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Egilsstaðir (also known as Egilsstaðabær)
- **Classification:** City / Town
- **Country:** Iceland
- **Inception:** 1947
- **Earliest Written Record:** 1401
- **Population (2022-01-01):** 2,572 (preferred/most recent value)
- **Population (2020-01-01):** 2,522
- **Population (2018-01-01):** 2,464
- **Population (2014-01-01):** 2,332
- **Population (2013-01-01):** 2,303
- **Population (2011):** 2,257
- **Coordinates:** 65.26666667°N, -14.4°W
- **Elevation:** 32 meters above sea level
- **Postal Code:** 700
- **Timezone:** UTC±00:00
- **Administrative Role:** Capital of the Eastern Region
- **Municipality:** Múlaþing (current, preferred); historically Fljótsdalshérað
- **Sister City:** Runavík, Runavík Municipality
- **Website:** http://www.egilsstadir.is/ (available in Icelandic and English)

## FAQs

**What administrative functions does Egilsstaðir serve?**
Egilsstaðir serves as the capital of the Eastern Region of Iceland and is located within the municipality of Múlaþing. It functions as a key administrative center for eastern Iceland.

**How has Egilsstaðir's population changed over time?**
The town has experienced consistent population growth from 2,257 residents in 2011 to 2,572 residents in 2022, representing an increase of approximately 14% over an eleven-year period.

**What is the historical significance of Egilsstaðir?**
While the town was officially founded in 1947, the earliest written record of the location dates back to 1401, indicating centuries of historical presence before its formal establishment as a settlement.

**Where is Egilsstaðir located geographically?**
Egilsstaðir is positioned at 65.26666667° latitude and -14.4° longitude in eastern Iceland, situated 32 meters above sea level in the UTC±00:00 timezone.

**What international connections does Egilsstaðir have?**
Egilsstaðir maintains a sister city relationship with Runavík in the Runavík Municipality, and its Wikipedia entry is available in 45 different languages, reflecting international recognition.

## Why It Matters

Egilsstaðir holds significant importance as the administrative capital of Iceland's Eastern Region, serving as a governmental and civic hub for one of the country's major geographic divisions. Its steady population growth—from 2,257 in 2011 to 2,572 in 2022—demonstrates its role as a growing population center in eastern Iceland, bucking trends of rural depopulation seen in many remote areas. The town's formal establishment in 1947 represents post-war Icelandic development efforts, while the earliest written record from 1401 connects it to Iceland's medieval heritage. As the seat of the Eastern Region's administration, Egilsstaðir plays a crucial role in regional governance, planning, and public service delivery. Its sister city relationship with Runavík in the Faroe Islands (Runavík Municipality) positions it within Nordic municipal cooperation networks. The availability of its official website in both Icelandic and English reflects its accessibility to international visitors and its role as a gateway to eastern Iceland for tourism and commerce.

## Notable For

- **Regional Capital:** Serves as the administrative capital of the Eastern Region of Iceland
- **Documented History:** Possesses written records dating to 1401, predating its official founding by over 500 years
- **Population Growth:** Demonstrated consistent population increase from 2,257 (2011) to 2,572 (2022)
- **International Recognition:** Wikipedia presence in 45 languages and 51 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects
- **Nordic Partnership:** Maintains sister city relationship with Runavík, Runavík Municipality
- **Geographic Positioning:** Strategic location in eastern Iceland at 32 meters elevation
- **Modern Establishment:** Founded in 1947 as part of post-war Icelandic development
- **Multi-language Accessibility:** Official website available in both Icelandic and English

## Body

### Geography and Location

Egilsstaðir is situated in eastern Iceland at precise coordinates 65.26666667° latitude and -14.4° longitude. The town sits at an elevation of 32 meters above sea level, placing it in a lowland position typical of Icelandic settlements. The settlement operates within the UTC±00:00 timezone, consistent with Iceland's standard time. Its postal code is 700, which serves as an identifier for mail and logistical purposes throughout Iceland. The town is located within the municipality of Múlaþing (the preferred and current administrative designation), though historical records also associate it with Fljótsdalshérað, reflecting municipal reorganization over time.

### Administrative Role and Governance

As the capital of the Eastern Region (Austurland), Egilsstaðir serves as the primary administrative center for one of Iceland's eight regions. This designation positions the town as a hub for regional government operations, public services, and administrative decision-making for eastern Iceland. The Eastern Region encompasses a significant portion of Iceland's eastern coastline and interior, making Egilsstaðir a strategically important location for governance. The town's administrative role within Múlaþing municipality further integrates it into local governance structures responsible for municipal services, planning, and community development.

### History and Development

The earliest written record of Egilsstaðir dates to 1401, establishing a documented historical presence spanning over six centuries. This medieval reference indicates that the location held significance long before its formal establishment as a town. The official inception of Egilsstaðir as a settlement occurred in 1947, placing its founding in the post-World War II period of Icelandic development. This timing suggests the town was part of broader efforts to develop Iceland's infrastructure and population centers during the mid-20th century. The transition from a location with medieval references to a formally established town reflects Iceland's broader pattern of settlement formalization and regional development.

### Demographics and Population Trends

Egilsstaðir has maintained a documented population trajectory showing consistent growth over the surveyed period. Population records indicate the following figures:
- 2,257 residents (2011)
- 2,303 residents (January 1, 2013)
- 2,332 residents (January 1, 2014)
- 2,464 residents (January 1, 2018)
- 2,522 residents (January 1, 2020)
- 2,572 residents (January 1, 2022, preferred value)

This represents an increase of 315 residents between 2011 and 2022, a growth rate of approximately 13.9%. The consistent year-over-year increases suggest Egilsstaðir has successfully attracted and retained residents, potentially due to its administrative role and regional services.

### International and Cultural Connections

Egilsstaðir maintains a sister city relationship with Runavík in the Runavík Municipality, establishing formal municipal ties with a community in the Faroe Islands. This Nordic partnership facilitates cultural exchange, shared governance learning, and potential economic cooperation between the two municipalities.

The town's Wikipedia presence spans 45 languages, including Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Catalan, Cebuano, Czech, Welsh, Danish, German, Greek, English, Esperanto, Spanish, Estonian, Basque, Finnish, French, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Hebrew, Indonesian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Georgian, Korean, Lithuanian, Moksha, Macedonian, Dutch, Norwegian, Ossetic, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Northern Sami, Serbo-Croatian, Serbian, Swedish, Silesian, Ukrainian, Urdu, Volapük, and Chinese. This extensive multilingual documentation reflects the town's international recognition and the global interest in Icelandic settlements.

### Digital Presence and Resources

The official website of Egilsstaðir (http://www.egilsstadir.is/) provides municipal information in both Icelandic and English, ensuring accessibility for residents and international visitors. The town maintains a presence on digital platforms including the Google Play Store under the identifier "Egilsstaðir" and serves as a topic on Quora. Wikimedia Commons hosts both a primary image (Egilsstaðir_2023.jpg) and a page banner (Egilsstaðir_banner.jpg) depicting the town, along with locator map images (Fljotsdalsherad_map.png and Egilsstaðir.PNG) that provide geographic context. The Commons category "Egilsstaðir" organizes visual documentation of the town, while the category "Maps of Egilsstaðir" catalogs cartographic representations.

### Identification and Classification Systems

Egilsstaðir is classified as a city within geographic and administrative databases. The town is indexed across multiple international identification systems:
- GND ID (German National Library): 10356357-X
- VIAF ID (Virtual International Authority File): 132704872
- GeoNames ID: 2632132
- Library of Congress Authority ID: n98009696
- National Library of Israel J9U ID: 987007535612405171
- GNS Unique Feature ID: -2643421
- Who's On First ID: 101845657
- OpenWeatherMap City ID: 6354943
- Freebase ID: /m/03drjd
- Yale LUX ID: place/b77382e1-21d1-4aa7-9f0b-51743d9c02dc

These identifiers connect Egilsstaðir to global knowledge graphs, library systems, geographic databases, and weather services, facilitating data exchange and cross-referencing across international information systems. The town's sitelink count of 51 across Wikimedia projects indicates substantial documentation and interconnectedness within open knowledge ecosystems.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Iceland in figures 2018
4. GeoNames
5. Quora