Qaarsut (old spelling: Kaersut) is a settlement in Avannaata municipality, in northwestern Greenland. It is situated on the northeastern shore of the Nuussuaq Peninsula. It had 174 inhabitants in 2020.[2]

Qaarsut
Aerial panorama of Qaarsut
Aerial panorama of Qaarsut
Qaarsut is located in Greenland
Qaarsut
Qaarsut
Location within Greenland
Coordinates: 70°43′55″N 52°38′15″W / 70.73194°N 52.63750°W / 70.73194; -52.63750
State Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent country Greenland
MunicipalityAvannaata
Government
 • MayorOle Dorph
Population
 (2020)
 • Total174
Time zoneUTC-03
Postal code
3964 Qaarsut

Geography edit

The village is located on the north coast of the Nuussuaq peninsula at the foot of the 1977 m high mountain Qilertinnguit and approx. 20 km west of Uummannaq.

History edit

Until January 2009, the settlement belonged to Uummannaq Municipality.

The first coal mine in Greenland operated between 1778 and 1924 in Qaarsuarsuit.

 
The Qaarsuarsuit coal mine in 1907

Inuit Settlement edit

A few kilometers east of Qaarsut is the Inuit settlement Qilakitsoq. The settlement is known for the discovery in 1972 of eight mummified bodies from the Thule culture. The mummies of Qilakitsoq provided important insight into the lives of Inuit people who lived 500 years ago in the Thule culture.

Infrastructure edit

The school and the church are housed in the same building. Additionally, the village provides essential amenities such as a shop, service center, and health station.

Education edit

In 2011, the school had a total of 40 students, spanning from 1st to 9th grade, but organized into just four classes. The school is part of the Greenlandic school network, known as ATTAT, and is equipped with video conference equipment for teaching purposes.

Transport edit

Qaarsut Airport, located to the northwest of the settlement, serves both Qaarsut and Uummannaq, the latter accessible only by helicopter.

Population edit

The population of Qaarsut has dropped by over 18 percent relative to the 2000 levels, reflecting a general trend in the region.[3]

Qaarsut population growth dynamics in the last two decades. Source: Statistics Greenland[3]

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation) (in Danish)
  2. ^ "Population by Localities". Statistical Greenland.
  3. ^ a b Statistics Greenland Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine