Kangaatsiaq

Kangaatsiaq (Greenlandic pronunciation: [kaŋaːtsiɑq], old spelling: Kangâtsiaq) is a town located at the northern end of the Qeqertalik municipality in western Greenland. The town received town status as recently as 1986, though as a settlement it has existed much longer. It has 520 inhabitants as of 2020.[1] Nearby settlements are Attu, Niaqornaarsuk, Ikerasaarsuk and Iginniarfik.

Kangaatsiaq
Kangaatsiaq
Kangaatsiaq
Location within Greenland
Coordinates: 68°18′25″N 53°27′49″W
State Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent country Greenland
MunicipalityQeqertalik
Population
 (2020)
 • Total520[1]
Time zoneUTC-03
Postal code
3955

Economy

Fishing and seal hunting are the main sources of income for the residents. Kangaatsiaq has a fish factory producing dried fish and shrimp.

Facilities

The town of Kangaatsiaq has a supermarket, kindergarten with 26 children, and a primary school (1st to 10th grade) with 150 pupils. A hostel called 'The Lodge' with space for six people is the only accommodation for tourists.

Transport

Air Greenland serves the village as part of government contract, with winter-only helicopter flights from Kangaatsiaq Heliport to Aasiaat Airport and several villages in the Aasiaat Archipelago.[2] Settlement flights in the archipelago are unique in that they are operated only during winter and spring.

During summer and autumn, when the waters of Disko Bay are navigable, communication between settlements is by sea only, serviced by Diskoline.[3] The ferry links Kangaatsiaq with Ikerasaarsuk, Attu, Iginniarfik, Niaqornaarsuk, and Aasiaat.

Wildlife

The area has a rich Arctic wildlife including reindeer, Arctic fox, and Arctic hare. Marine mammals include ringed seal, harbor seal, hooded seal, bearded seal, harp seal, humpback whale (typically in summer), minke whale, fin whale, narwhal, and beluga. When the sea ice comes, sometimes walrus and polar bear can be seen.

Birdlife includes raven, ptarmigan, various species of seagull, eider, king eider, guillemot, falcon, eagle, snowy owl, snow bunting, Arctic tern, and more.

Population

The population of Kangaatsiaq has fluctuated over the last two decades, decreasing over the last several years.[1]

Kangaatsiaq population growth dynamics, 1991-2010. Source: Statistics Greenland[1]

References
  1. "Population by Localities". Statistical Greenland.
  2. Air Greenland, Departures and Arrivals Archived 2010-03-09 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Diskoline timetable Archived 2009-05-22 at the Wayback Machine
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