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Snaefellsnes is a peninsula of west Iceland named for the Snaefellsjökull mountain which dominates its western end. Snaefellsjökull is a dormant stratovolcano which last erupted about 2000 years ago, and possesses a minor glacier on its summit. Snaefellsnes is often described as "Iceland in miniature", as it contains many examples of the major scenic attributes of this country: mountains, volcanic features, glaciers, stunning coastlines, geothermal features, and historic fishing villages. It is known for its fishing ports (Rif, Hellisandur, Olafsvik, Stykkisholmur, etc.), many dating back to the medieval era, when they traded in salt cod with English, German (e.g. Hanseatic ports), and Scandinavian fishermen and merchants.