FAXA BAY

Icelandic Faxafli inlet of the North Atlantic Ocean on the southwestern coast of Iceland. It indents the coast for 30 miles (50 km) and extends for 50 miles (80 km) between the Snaefells (north) and Reykja (south) peninsulas. The bay is the largest in Iceland, and its banks form excellent fishing grounds. The main ports along the bay are Akranes and Reykjavk, Iceland's capital, where much of the Icelandic fish catch (apart from herring) is brought ashore. A U.S. air base is at Keflavk on the southern shore. Faxa Bay includes two eastern arms: Hval Fjord (Hvalfjrdhur) and Borgar Fjord (Borgarfjrdhur). Hval Fjord provides safe shelter for shipping and was used as an anchorage for Allied naval convoys during World War II. It is now a fishing and whaling base.