Brief synthesisThe property, totalling over 1,400,000 ha, comprises the whole of Vatnajökull National Park, plus two contiguous protected areas. At its heart lies the c.780,000 ha Vatnajökull ice cap in southeast Iceland. The Vatnajökull ice cap reached its greatest extent by the end of the 18th century and has on average been retreating since then. Management and protection requirementsThe large majority of the property is protected by the Act on Vatnajökull National Park No. The government agency Vatnajökull National Park (Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður) is the primary state agency responsible for implementing the park legislation, and is an effective organization, supported at all levels by the Icelandic government, local municipalities and businesses.