Ikerasak(Greenlandic pronunciation: [ikɜʁasak]) is a village in the Avannaata municipality in western Greenland. It had 233 inhabitants in 2020.[1]

Ikerasak
Ikerasak island seen from Uummannaq
Ikerasak island seen from Uummannaq
Ikerasak is located in Greenland
Ikerasak
Ikerasak
Location within Greenland
Coordinates: 70°30′10″N 51°18′10″W / 70.50278°N 51.30278°W / 70.50278; -51.30278
Sovereign state Kingdom of Denmark
Autonomous country Greenland
MunicipalityAvannaata
Population
 (2020)
 • Total233
Time zoneUTC-03
Postal code
3961 Uummannaq

Geography edit

Ikerasak is located approximately 45 km southeast from Uummannaq, at the southeastern end of Ikerasak Island in the northwestern part of Ikerasak Fjord, where it widens into the inner part of Uummannaq Fjord.[2]

The location at the heart of the Uummannaq ice fjord provides good fishing and catching opportunities both in summer and winter for seals, halibut, catfish, reindeer and musk oxen.

Infrastructure edit

Ikerasak has a school with approximately 50 students, a shop, a community center, a medical clinic, a fish factory, a children's institution, and a retirement home with 3-4 beds. The retirement home is a regular house shared by the elderly residents. The church, originally a school chapel built in 1936, was converted into a church in 1980 and has a seating capacity of 150.

The clinic in the village offers daily consultations. In the event of more severe illnesses, individuals are transported by air or sea to the hospital in Uummannaq, where doctors and nurses are available. The doctor and dentist from Uummannaq visit the village multiple times a year. In most instances, it is possible to schedule a doctor's and dentist's appointment while visiting Uummannaq for other reasons.

Transport edit

There are no roads in the settlement and therefore no cars, all transport takes place via the prisoners' small dinghies, snowmobiles or dog sleds. The area around the settlement is scenic and it is possible to go for walks in the area.

Air Greenland serves the village as part of government contract, with flights between Ikerasak Heliport and Uummannaq Heliport.[3] In 2008, Ikerasak Heliport had 99 departures with over 380 departing passengers.

Population edit

The population of Ikerasak has fluctuated over the last two decades, slightly decreasing in the last several years.[4]

Ikerasak population growth dynamics in the last two decades. Source: Statistics Greenland[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "Population by Localities". Statistical Greenland. Archived from the original on 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  2. ^ Nuussuaq (Map) (1992 ed.). Tage Schjøtt, Denmark.
  3. ^ "Booking system". Air Greenland. Archived from the original on 22 April 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  4. ^ a b Statistics Greenland Archived 2011-08-12 at the Wayback Machine