Greenland - GoBuchan

Greenland is the world’s largest island but only about 15 percent is not frozen year-round. Nuuk is the island’s capital and largest city, at about 16,000 people. It lies on a peninsula along the central west coast and is the key to an extensive system of fjords, renowned for humpback whales, waterfalls and icebergs.

Nuuk’s formal history generally dates from 1728, when a Lutheran missionary, Hans Egede, came from Denmark and built a trading post and Lutheran mission. A small house he constructed is Greenland’s oldest building. The average temperature is below freezing for half the year.

Qaqortoq is the municipal capital in southern Greenland. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times with the earliest signs of population dating back 4300 years. Qaqortoq means “White Palace” in Greenlandic, and this small town of about 3,400 is the cultural and commercial center of Southern Greenland. Summer temperatures normally compare to summer temperatures in Northern Europe. In winter, Qaqortoq is frequently isolated by winter sea ice and accessible only by airplane or helicopter.

Nanortalik means “place of bears” in Greenlandic. It’s Greenland’s southernmost city and boasts a population of approximately 1000 people. Those offshore waters teem with seals and minke, humpback and fin whales. The port was founded 1797 as a Danish whaling station.