Nanortalik, Greenland Travel, Hotels, Attractions, Flights

Nanortalik is the tenth biggest town of Greenland and is located on a small island (also called Nanortalik) roughly 100 km from the southern tip of Greenland.The name Nanortalik means "place of polar bears".

History

Because of its location, this area was one of the first parts of Greenland settled, both by Inuit and by the Norse. Nanortalik was founded in 1770. In 1797, a permanent trading depot was set up in Nanortalik by traders from Julianehåb. Due to poor harbour facilities, the town moved in 1830 to a different location where it remains today. Of the old town remains only the scattered ruins of Sissarissoq.

Nanortalik Island

Nanortalik Island is located near the mouth of the 70 km long Tasermiut Fjord. The island measures about 10 km across and features two minor mountains: Quaqqarsuasik ('Storfjeldet' in Danish) and Quassik ('Ravnefjeldet' in Danish or Raven Mountain in English) Quaqqarsuasik is 559 m and Quassik 308 m.

Flora and Fauna

While Greenland is almost completely without trees, the Qinngua valley some 40 km from Nanortalik town has the only forest in Greenland. Here, Willow (Salix glauca) and Birch (Betula pubescens) trees grow up to a height of several meters. Most other places, trees grow up to a maximum of about half a meter height. The valley also has some 300 species of other plants, in addition to many lichens.
The wildlife of the Nanortalik island is rather poor due to native hunters. As a result, ravens, seagulls and snow buntings are some of the very few abundant larger bird species, and no mammal larger than a mouse is likely to be seen on the island. However, the surrounding areas counts numerous species.
Birdlife includes raven, ptarmigan, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, snow bunting, guillemot, eider, king eider, gyrfalcon, white-tailed eagle, redpoll, red-necked phalarope, various sandpipers, red-breasted merganser, red-throated diver, great northern diver, cormorant, long-tailed duck, puffin, northern wheatear, little auk, various duck species, and more rarely, snowy owls.
Despite the allusion to polar bears in its name, they are rare sights in Nanortalik, but occasionally come drifting in on sea ice from East Greenland in the months of January to June.

Marine mammals

Seals are common in surrounding fjords. The most common seal is ringed seal, followed by Hooded Seal and harp seal.
From August until October minke whales are common near the opening of the Tasermiut Fjord. Occasionally, humpback whales and orcas are spotted.





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			Website for Nanortalik Nanortalik Tourism Service We have no traveler comments for Nanortalik, Greenland. Help us and your fellow travelers and be the first. Click here to log your comments. Thank you. Welcome to Nanortalik Nanortalik is the tenth biggest town of Greenland and is located on a small island (also called Nanortalik) roughly 100 km from the southern tip of Greenland.The name Nanortalik means "place of polar bears". History Because of its location, this area was one of the first parts of Greenland settled, both by Inuit and by the Norse. Nanortalik was founded in 1770. In 1797, a permanent trading depot was set up in Nanortalik by traders from Julianehåb. Due to poor harbour facilities, the town moved in 1830 to a different location where it remains today. Of the old town remains only the scattered ruins of Sissarissoq. Nanortalik Island Nanortalik Island is located near the mouth of the 70 km long Tasermiut Fjord. The island measures about 10 km across and features two minor mountains: Quaqqarsuasik ('Storfjeldet' in Danish) and Quassik ('Ravnefjeldet' in Danish or Raven Mountain in English) Quaqqarsuasik is 559 m and Quassik 308 m. Flora and Fauna While Greenland is almost completely without trees, the Qinngua valley some 40 km from Nanortalik town has the only forest in Greenland. Here, Willow (Salix glauca) and Birch (Betula pubescens) trees grow up to a height of several meters. Most other places, trees grow up to a maximum of about half a meter height. The valley also has some 300 species of other plants, in addition to many lichens. The wildlife of the Nanortalik island is rather poor due to native hunters. As a result, ravens, seagulls and snow buntings are some of the very few abundant larger bird species, and no mammal larger than a mouse is likely to be seen on the island. However, the surrounding areas counts numerous species. Birdlife includes raven, ptarmigan, Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, snow bunting, guillemot, eider, king eider, gyrfalcon, white-tailed eagle, redpoll, red-necked phalarope, various sandpipers, red-breasted merganser, red-throated diver, great northern diver, cormorant, long-tailed duck, puffin, northern wheatear, little auk, various duck species, and more rarely, snowy owls. Despite the allusion to polar bears in its name, they are rare sights in Nanortalik, but occasionally come drifting in on sea ice from East Greenland in the months of January to June. Marine mammals Seals are common in surrounding fjords. The most common seal is ringed seal, followed by Hooded Seal and harp seal. From August until October minke whales are common near the opening of the Tasermiut Fjord. Occasionally, humpback whales and orcas are spotted.