town, southwestern Iceland, on the southwestern shore of Faxa Bay. In the 20th century it became a southern suburb of Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. A fishing community built on an extensive lava field, it grew rapidly in the late 20th century as a result of the expansion of the capital. The town has a sanatorium as well as one of the island's first technical high schools. Electrical appliances are manufactured there. Pop. (2004 est.) 21,942.