Tasiilaq

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This article is about Tasiilaq (Ammassalik). For the island of the same name, see Ammassalik Island.
Tasiilaq
Ammassalik
Tasiilaq
Tasiilaq
Tasiilaq is located in Greenland
Tasiilaq
Tasiilaq
Location within Greenland
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
State  Kingdom of Denmark
Constituent country  Greenland
Municipality Sermersooq-coat-of-arms.png Sermersooq
Founded 1894
Population (2013)
 • Total 2,017[1]
Time zone UTC-03
Postal code 3913

Tasiilaq, formerly Ammassalik and Angmagssalik, is a town in the Sermersooq municipality in southeastern Greenland. With 2,017 inhabitants as of 2013,[1] it is the most populous community on the eastern coast, and the seventh-largest town in Greenland. The Sermilik Station, dedicated to the research of the nearby Mittivakkat Glacier, is located near the town.

History

Prehistory to the fifteenth century

The people of Saqqaq culture were the first to reach eastern Greenland, arriving from the north,[2] through what is now known as Peary Land and Independence Fjord, to be surpassed by the Dorset culture. Thule migrations passed through the area in the fifteenth century,[2] finding the southeastern coast uninhabited.

Eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

File:Tasiilaq - Greenland summer 2009.jpg
Tasiilaq during summer

Due to back migrations to the more densely populated western coast, the southeastern coast was deserted for another two hundred years−the region wasn't settled until late eighteenth century,[3] with the village surviving as the only permanent settlement in the nineteenth century. Population increased however from the 1880s, dispersing over several villages in the area.

The permanent settlement was founded in 1894[4] as a Danish trading station.[5] The town was previously known as Ammassalik (old spelling: Angmagssalik). The official name change took place in 1997.

Geography

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Main article: Ammassalik Island

Tasiilaq is located approximately 106 km (65.9 mi) south of the Arctic Circle, on the southeastern coast of Ammassalik Island, on the shore of a natural harbour in Tasiilaq Fjord,[6] named Kong Oscars Havn[5] by Alfred Gabriel Nathorst in 1883. The fjord is an inlet of the long Ammassalik Fjord emptying into the North Atlantic to the east of the town.

Population

With 2,017 inhabitants as of 2013, Tasiilaq is one of the fastest-growing towns in Greenland,[1] with migrants from the smaller towns and settlements reinforcing the trend. Together with Nuuk, it is the only town in the Sermersooq municipality exhibiting stable growth patterns over the last two decades. The population increased by over 37% relative to the 1990 levels, and by over 18% relative to the 2000 levels.[1]

Tasiilaq population growth dynamics, 1992-2014. Source: Statistics Greenland
Tasiilaq population growth dynamics, 1992-2014. Source: Statistics Greenland[1]

Transport

File:Tasiilaq Heliport.JPG
Tasiilaq Heliport in winter

Air

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Main article: Tasiilaq Heliport

Air Greenland operates helicopter services from Tasiilaq Heliport to neighboring Kulusuk Airport (24 km/15 mi away), which offers connections to Nuuk, Ittoqqortoormiit via Nerlerit Inaat Airport, and to Iceland.[7] The heliport serves as a local helicopter hub with flights to several villages in the region: Isortoq, Kuummiit, Sermiligaaq, and Tiniteqilaaq.[7]

Sea

In the summer, the cargo boats of Royal Arctic Line connect Tasiilaq with Kulusuk,[8] providing an ad-hoc alternative for the helicopter flights of Air Greenland.[5]

Twin towns

Climate

Tasiilaq has a tundra climate, with long, cold and snowy winters and short, cool drier summers. From time to time, Tasiilaq is affected by piteraqs. On February 6, 1970 the worst documented piteraq ever hit Tasiilaq, causing heavy damage and nearly ruining the town.[9]

Climate data for Tasiilaq, Greenland (1961-1990)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) −4.2
(24.4)		 −4.2
(24.4)		 −4.3
(24.3)		 0.0
(32)		 4.2
(39.6)		 7.7
(45.9)		 10.4
(50.7)		 9.8
(49.6)		 6.2
(43.2)		 1.7
(35.1)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −4.0
(24.8)		 1.78
(35.22)
Average low °C (°F) −11.2
(11.8)		 −11.6
(11.1)		 −12.3
(9.9)		 −8.1
(17.4)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 0.6
(33.1)		 2.5
(36.5)		 2.4
(36.3)		 0.1
(32.2)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 −7.8
(18)		 −10.7
(12.7)		 −5.19
(22.65)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 120
(4.72)		 99
(3.9)		 98
(3.86)		 75
(2.95)		 63
(2.48)		 51
(2.01)		 47
(1.85)		 64
(2.52)		 78
(3.07)		 83
(3.27)		 99
(3.9)		 102
(4.02)		 979
(38.55)
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[10]

Cityscape

Panorama of Tasiilaq
Panorama of Tasiilaq

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Statistics Greenland, Population in localities
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 eastgreenland.com History of East Greenland
  3. ↑ Lonely Planet PDF
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Tasiilaq, Saga Map, Tage Schjøtt, 1992
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Air Greenland booking
  8. ↑ Royal Arctic Line, schedule
  9. ↑ Danish Meteorological Institute, The Observed Climate of Greenland, 1958-99, pp. 96-98
  10. ↑ Danish Meteorological Institute (Danish)
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