Mernoq Island is an uninhabited island in Avannaata municipality in northwestern Greenland.

Mernoq
Aerial view of Mernoq Island (right)
Mernoq is located in Greenland
Mernoq
Mernoq
Geography
LocationGreenland
Coordinates73°44′50″N 56°17′00″W / 73.74722°N 56.28333°W / 73.74722; -56.28333
ArchipelagoUpernavik Archipelago
Length9.7 km (6.03 mi)
Administration
Greenland
MunicipalityAvannaata

History

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With brief intervals of no permanent settlement, Mernoq Island was inhabited between 1891, when the Kuuk settlement was founded, and 1972, when it was abandoned.[1] Kuuk was perched on the southern end of the island, at the Qernertunnguaq cape.[2]

Geography

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Mernoq Island is located in Tasiusaq Bay, in the north-central part of Upernavik Archipelago. It is sandwiched between Qullikorsuit Island in the north − from which it is separated by the Mernup Tunua strait − Paornivik Island in the northeast, and Tuttorqortooq Island in the southwest.[2]

The island is hilly, but not mountainous; the highest point is an unnamed hill of 386 m (1,266 ft) in the center of the island.[2]

Coastline

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The coastline of the island is generally undeveloped, with two shallow, unnamed bays in the east.[2]

Promontories

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Name Direction Latitude N Longitude W
Mernup Erqua Northwestern Cape 73°46′20″ 56°24′50″
Nannuffik Eastern Cape 73°43′13″ 56°09′50″
Qernertunnguaq Southern Cape 73°42′20″ 56°11′40″

References

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  1. ^ Petersen, Robert (2003). Settlements, kinship and hunting grounds in traditional Greenland: A comparative study of local experiences from Upernavik and Ammassalik. Danish Polar Center. pp. 105, 107. ISBN 978-87-635-1261-9.
  2. ^ a b c d Upernavik Avannarleq, Saga Map, Tage Schjøtt, 1992