Þingvallavatn

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Þingvallavatn
image_lake = Thingvallavatn.jpg
caption_lake = Fissures at the lake
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Þingvellir National Park
coords = coord|64|11|N|21|09|W|region:IS_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow = Sog
catchment =
basin_countries = Iceland
length =
width =
area = 84 km²
depth =
max-depth = 114 m
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands = Sandey
cities =

Þingvallavatn is a lake in the south-west of Iceland. With a surface of 84 km² it is the largest (natural) lake of the island. Its greatest depth is 114 m. At the northern shore of the lake the parliament of Iceland, Alþing, was founded in 930.

The lake is part of the Þingvellir National Park. The volcanic origin of the islands in the lake is clearly visible. The fissures around it - the famous "Almannagjá" is the biggest of them - indicate that here the tectonic plates of Europe and The Americas are in a conflict. The only outflow from lake Thingvallavatn is the Sog River.

ee also

*Lakes of Iceland
*Volcanoes of Iceland
*Geography of Iceland

External links

* [http://www.thingvellir.is/english/ Official website]
* [http://www.dive.is Scuba Diving in between the continents in Lake Thingvellir]
* [http://www.islandsmyndir.is/html_skjol/sudurland/thingvellir-2/forsida_thingvellir_01.htm Pictures of Thingvellir offered by www.islandsmyndir.is]
* [http://www.eldey.de/English/gallery/gallery7/gallery7.html Thingvallavatn Diving pictures]