Nanortalik

Nanortalik is a town located on Nanortalik Island in southern Greenland, within the Kujalleq municipality. As of 2024, it has about 1,072 people, making it the eleventh-largest town in Greenland. The name Nanortalik comes from the Greenlandic word for "Place of Polar Bears" or "Place Where the Polar Bears Go," reflecting the area's connection to these animals. It is the southernmost town in Greenland that has more than 1,000 residents.

History

Nanortalik is a special place in Greenland because it was one of the first areas settled by the Norse people and one of the last settled by the Inuit. The town was started in 1770 and was called Nennortalik. In 1797, traders from Julianehåb built a permanent trading place there. However, because the harbor was not good, the town moved three kilometers north in 1830, and that is where it is located today. Only a few scattered ruins remain from the old town.

Geography

Nanortalik is located on a small island of the same name along the Labrador Sea, about 100 km north of Cape Farewell, the southern tip of Greenland. A nearby headland is called Cape Egede.

The area around Nanortalik stretches from the island of Qeqertarsuaq near Alluitsup Paa down to Cape Farewell and the 60 km long Lindenow Fjord on the east coast. This region covers a total of 15,000 square kilometers (5,800 square miles).

Nearby places include Narsarmijit, Alluitsup Paa, Tasiusaq, Aappilattoq, and Ammassivik, along with smaller settlements such as Saputit, Nalasut, Nuugaarsuk, Akuliaruseq, Qallimiut, Qorlortorsuaq, Alluitsoq, and the weather station Ikerasassuaq.

Nanortalik Island

Nanortalik Island is near the mouth of the 70 km long Tasermiut Fjord. The island is about 10 km across and has two small mountains: Quaqqarsuasik (Danish: Storfjeldet, lit. 'Big Mountain'; 559m) and Quassik (Danish: Ravnefjeldet, lit. 'Raven Mountain'; 308m).

Mountaineering

The area has tall mountain peaks and steep walls in nearby Tasermiut Fjord. Ketil Mountain (1500m) and Ulamertorsuaq are often climbed. Ravnefjeldet is also close by. Torssukatak Fjord, with big sea cliffs, and Pamiagdluk Island can be reached by chartered boat.

Climate

Nanortalik has a tundra climate, which means it has cold temperatures and moderate rainfall throughout the year. The winters are milder than in other parts of Greenland, with average January temperatures around -4 °C. The summers are cooler compared to places at similar latitudes, with average July temperatures of about 8 °C.

Economy

Crab fishing, hunting for hooded seals, and fishing from small boats are the main ways people in Nanortalik make a living. In the past, a goldmine was open north of the town, but it closed after some years. Because of sea ice, large fishing boats cannot work for several months each year, so people rely on small fishing boats, crab fishing, and hunting seals and seabirds. Tourism also helps bring in money for the town. Long ago, there was also a graphite mine nearby, but it stopped operating in 1925.

Flora and fauna

Main article: Flora and fauna of Greenland

Greenland is mostly treeless, but near Nanortalik, there is a special valley called Qinngua Valley, about 40 kilometers away. This valley is the only place in Greenland where trees grow. You can find small willows and birches there, while most other places only have plants that stay very short.

Nanortalik has many birds and sea animals. Common birds include ravens, seagulls, and snow buntings. Seals are often seen in the nearby waters. During certain times of the year, you can spot whales, including minke whales. The area is also known for polar bears, which sometimes travel from the east on sea ice, though they are not a regular sight and are usually not a danger to people.

Population

Nanortalik is a town in southern Greenland with 1,072 people as of 2024. It is the third-largest town in the Kujalleq municipality. The number of people living there has gone down over the past few years, just like in many other towns in southern Greenland.

The town has been home to some well-known people, such as Kristine Raahauge, a Greenlandic politician and writer, and Henning Jakob Henrik Lund, who wrote Greenland's national anthem.

Transport

The Nanortalik Heliport is open all year and serves as an important helicopter base for Air Greenland. It connects Nanortalik with nearby villages and Narsarsuaq Airport, providing access to other parts of Greenland and Europe.

Points of interest

Nanortalik has some interesting places to visit. You can see the Angissq LORAN-C transmitter, which is a tall structure used for communication. Another point of interest is Cape Farewell, Greenland, the southernmost point of the country. You can also explore the Nanortalik Museum to learn more about the town's history and culture.

Twin Towns

Nanortalik has friendly connections with towns in other countries. These include Kolding and Roskilde in Denmark, and Ísafjörður in Iceland. These links help the towns share ideas and traditions.