Selfoss

Selfoss is a town of about 6,512 people in South Iceland, by the banks of the river Olfusá, one of the largest rivers in the country. The town is a centre of commerce, farming, horticulture and small industries in South Iceland.

Located 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Reykjavík, it is the largest town outside of the capital area in the southwest. It sits on the Ring Road that encircles the country, and is one of the last stops en route to the South Coast. The name is Selfoss is somewhat of an anomaly. The word ‘foss’ in Icelandic means ‘falls’, therefore place names such as Gullfoss, Goðafoss and Svartifoss all refer to waterfalls; there is even a waterfall in the north also called Selfoss. In the town, however, the river is flat, and no one is quite sure why it is named such.