Nuuk: Difference between revisions
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The site has a long history of different inhabitation: first by the ancient pre-Inuit, [[Paleo-Eskimo]] people known as the [[Saqqaq culture]] around 2000 BC, later by [[Vikings|Viking]] explorers in the 10th century, and shortly thereafter by [[Inuit]] peoples. Inuit and Vikings both lived with little interaction in this area from around 1000 AD until around 1500 AD, when human habitation suddenly stopped, most likely due to change in climate and vegetation. |
The site has a long history of different inhabitation: first by the ancient pre-Inuit, [[Paleo-Eskimo]] people known as the [[Saqqaq culture]] around 2000 BC, later by [[Vikings|Viking]] explorers in the 10th century, and shortly thereafter by [[Inuit]] peoples. Inuit and Vikings both lived with little interaction in this area from around 1000 AD until around 1500 AD, when human habitation suddenly stopped, most likely due to change in climate and vegetation. |
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The city was founded in 1728 by the [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[missionary]] [[Hans Egede]], and given the name Godthåb (Good Hope). However, Hans Egede had arrived at a place he called Colony of Hope close to the already existing [[Inuit]] population living in Kangeq. At that time, Greenland was a Norwegian [[colony]] under the [[Denmark-Norway|Dano-Norwegian Crown]], but the colony had not had any contact with Norway proper for more than two centuries. In 1979, the city was renamed Nuuk by the Greenland Home Rule government. Like the rest of Greenland, Nuuk is populated today by both Inuit and [[Danish_people|Danes]]. Currently, nearly one quarter of Greenland's total population live in Nuuk.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gl.html CIA World Factbook - Greenland]</ref> |
The city was founded in 1728 by the [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[missionary]] [[Hans Egede]], and given the name Godthåb (Good Hope). However, Hans Egede had arrived at a place he called Colony of Hope close to the already existing [[Inuit]] population living in Kangeq. At that time, Greenland was a Norwegian [[colony]] under the [[Denmark-Norway|Dano-Norwegian Crown]], but the colony had not had any contact with Norway proper for more than two centuries. In 1733 to 1734 a [[small pox]] epidemic killed most of the native population and Hans Egede's wife.<ref>[http://www.world66.com/northamerica/greenland/nuuk]</ref> Hans Egede went back to Norway shortly after, but his sons stayed in Greenland. In 1979, the city was renamed Nuuk by the Greenland Home Rule government. Like the rest of Greenland, Nuuk is populated today by both Inuit and [[Danish_people|Danes]]. Currently, nearly one quarter of Greenland's total population live in Nuuk.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gl.html CIA World Factbook - Greenland]</ref> |
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== Geography == |
== Geography == |
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== Sites of Interest == |
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* [[Katuaq Cultural Centre]] |
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* [[University of Greenland]] |
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* [[National Museum of Greenland]] |
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* [[Nuuk Kunstmuseum]] |
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== Notable people == |
== Notable people == |
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Revision as of 21:55, 24 May 2009
Nuuk | |
|---|---|
 Nuuk centrum | |
| Nickname: Godthåb | |
| Province | Greenland |
| Municipality | Sermersooq |
| First Settled | 2000 B.C. |
| Incorporated | 1728 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nikolaj Heinrich (Siumut) |
| Area | |
| • City | 105,000 km2 (41,000 sq mi) |
| Population (January, 2009) | |
| • City | 17,834 |
| • Metro | 18,039 (including Qiisumooq/Ingestad village) |
| City and metropolitan population is co-extensive, The entire Metro area belongs to Nuuk City. | |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (UTC−3) |
| Website | http://www.nuuk.gl |
Nuuk (Danish: Godthåb translated: "Good hope") is the capital and largest city of Greenland, and the seat of government for the Sermersooq municipality. It has a population of 17,834 (as of January 2009), of whom 14,862 were born in Greenland.[1] This makes it one of the smallest capital cities in the world by population.
History
The site has a long history of different inhabitation: first by the ancient pre-Inuit, Paleo-Eskimo people known as the Saqqaq culture around 2000 BC, later by Viking explorers in the 10th century, and shortly thereafter by Inuit peoples. Inuit and Vikings both lived with little interaction in this area from around 1000 AD until around 1500 AD, when human habitation suddenly stopped, most likely due to change in climate and vegetation.
The city was founded in 1728 by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, and given the name Godthåb (Good Hope). However, Hans Egede had arrived at a place he called Colony of Hope close to the already existing Inuit population living in Kangeq. At that time, Greenland was a Norwegian colony under the Dano-Norwegian Crown, but the colony had not had any contact with Norway proper for more than two centuries. In 1733 to 1734 a small pox epidemic killed most of the native population and Hans Egede's wife.[2] Hans Egede went back to Norway shortly after, but his sons stayed in Greenland. In 1979, the city was renamed Nuuk by the Greenland Home Rule government. Like the rest of Greenland, Nuuk is populated today by both Inuit and Danes. Currently, nearly one quarter of Greenland's total population live in Nuuk.[3]
Geography
Nuuk is located at approximately 64°10′N 51°45′W / 64.167°N 51.750°W.[4], at the mouth of the Nuup Kangerlua (Danish: Godthåbsfjorden) fjord, some 10km from the shores of Davis Strait on the southwestern coast of Greenland, and about 240 km (150 mi) south of the Arctic Circle. Greenland is presently partly under Danish administration.
Education
The University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik) is located in Nuuk. Other educational institutions are:
- Nuuk Technical College
- The Greenlandic School of Journalism
- The College of Education
Transport
Nuuk is a port of call for the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ship, and a focus city for Air Greenland. Nuuk Airport is located 4km northeast of the city.
Climate
Nuuk has a maritime influenced subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters and cool summers. Temperatures are below freezing during winter and stay cool in summer.[5].
| Location | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuuk | −4.4 | −4.5 | −4.8 | −0.8 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 10.6 | 9.9 | 6.3 | 1.7 | −1.0 | −3.3 | 1.74 | Mean Daily High |
| −10.1 | −10.6 | −10.6 | −6.1 | −1.5 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 1.6 | −2.5 | −5.8 | −8.7 | −3.89 | Mean Daily Low | |
| 39 | 47 | 50 | 46 | 55 | 62 | 82 | 89 | 88 | 70 | 74 | 54 | 756 | Precipitation |
Sites of Interest
Notable people
- Agnethe Davidsen, the first female government minister in Greenland.
- Jesper Grønkjær, professional footballer
- Nive Nielsen, singer.
Twin towns
Cuxhaven, Germany
Aalborg (since 2002), Denmark
Vantaa (since 1965), Finland
Tiverton, United States- Lyngby-Taarbæk, Denmark
Huddinge, Sweden
Zevenaar, The Netherlands
Sport
- Godthåbhallen - Nuuk handball stadium.
- Nuuk Stadium - Nuuk football stadium.
Photographs
-
Aerial view of Nuuk -
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Hans Egede's statue -
Nuuk Godthåbhallen handball stadium
See also
References
- ^ Grønlands Statistik; see especially this pdf.
- ^ [1]
- ^ CIA World Factbook - Greenland
- ^ Municipality information. De grønlandske kommuners Landsforening, KANUKOKA
- ^ Extreme temperature records since 1850, meteorologyclimate.com
External links
- Nuuk official website
Media related to Nuuk at Wikimedia Commons
