Ásahreppur () is a municipality in central

Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...

, located on the western edge of

Rangárvallasýsla Iceland was historically divided into 23 counties known as ''sýslur'' (), and 23 independent towns known as ''kaupstaðir'' (). Iceland is now split up between 24 sýslumenn (magistrates) that are the highest authority over the local police ( ...

. The name "Ásahreppur" comes from the natural ridges in the area known as "the ásar". The community is bounded by the bridge of

Þjórsá Þjórsá () is Iceland's longest river at . It is in the south of the island. Þjórsá is a glacier river and has its source on the glacier Hofsjökull. It flows out through narrow gorges in the highlands of Iceland. Further downstream, a ...

river to the west on the Ring Road, and the boundary extends about 500 m from Landvegamót to the east. A bridge has existed across Þjórsá since 1895. The community has a population of approximately 193 people, with agriculture and service being the main sources of employment. The landscape of the area includes a variety of features such as grassy swamps, farm areas, hills, and ridges, with the largest nesting place of the grey lag goose being located in the swampy desolated area of Frakkavatn. The majority of the habitation in Ásahreppur consists of clusters of farms around the ridges (including Vetleifsholtscluster, Áscluster, Ásmundarstaðircluster, Hamracluster, Sumaliðabæjarcluster, and Kálfholtscluster). There are also many artificial caves in the area that were once used as animal houses up until the 20th century, but were reportedly used for human habitation in the first centuries after Iceland was settled. Basic services such as schools are provided to the inhabitants of Ásahreppur through cooperation with neighboring communities in

, Skaftárhreppur, and

Mýrdalshreppur Mýrdalshreppur () is a municipality located in southern Iceland Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. ...

References

* https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns-regions/towns/asahreppur Municipalities of Iceland {{Iceland-geo-stub